Sprout Social Inc.
11/25/2024 | News release | Archived content
Consumer Goods Retail The best gifts for social media managers
There are gift guides for every gifting occasion. For parents, partners and pals. From those who love FitTok to those who love BookTok. For home bodies, party animals and everyone in between. In fact, one of this author's favorite holiday traditions is reading through the multitudes of gift guides that drop at the end of the year.
But what about gifts for social media managers? Some would argue social marketers are those in the greatest need of a pick-me-up during the holiday season.
We turned to our internal team and Sprout's community, The Aborteum, to find out which gifts are at the top of social marketers' wish lists this year. Here's what they said, arranged by interests and niches.
Disclaimer: None of the products mentioned in this article are sponsored, endorsed or contain affiliate links. They are only meant to show product examples of highly requested gift categories. Prices listed represent current prices at time of publishing and may vary.
Gifts for the coffee crazed
If the social media marketer you know has a coffee habit that rivals Lorelai Gilmore (don't most?), there's only one gift that really matters: coffee.
Local coffee shop gift card: $10+
It's a cliche at this point: Social media managers love coffee. Not only does caffeine run through their veins, but cafes are also a great work-from-home spot during the winter months. Going out into the world, even for just a few hours, is a great way to keep spirits high during the darkest, coldest time of the year.
A coffee shop gift card of any value would be deeply appreciated-especially if it's for a local spot.
Monthly coffee subscription: $15/month
If your recipient brews at home, their greatest nightmare is running low on coffee grounds and beans. With a personalized monthly subscription, their favorite coffee will be delivered right to their door. You can gift a subscription for one month or an entire year, depending on your budget.
Smart mug: $150
We've already emphatically mentioned how much social marketers love coffee. But, in the flurry of daily tasks, it can be easy to forget to actually drink your cup of joe. That's where smart mugs come in. They keep coffee warm for hours.
Like this mug, which allows you to set an exact drinking temperature. Social marketers can use this mug to prevent their coffee or favorite warm beverage from getting too cold or too hot (nobody likes burning their mouth mid-meeting).
Coffee and espresso machine: $200
If the social marketer in your life is still using their college coffee machine that takes a half hour to brew or has questionable cleanliness, it's time for an upgrade. A machine that brews both coffee and espresso is a great choice for those who want to experiment with making cafe-caliber drinks at home. Bring on the caramel lattes.
Gifts for wellness warriors
They drink electrolyte water and green juice during your 9 a.m. meetings. They love protein. Their workout class attendance rate is a KPI. Here's what we'd gift our favorite social marketer wellness enthusiasts.
House plant: $50
Not only do house plants beautify your remote work background, they have tangible benefits. They've been shown to reduce stress, sharpen attention and increase happiness.
This suggestion came from Sprout's Sr. Social Media Strategist, Olivia Jepson, who mentioned how beneficial it is to have green space indoors when you work in social's fast-paced environment.
You can find house plants and pots at local home garden stores-they often offer repotting and plant care services, too. Or you can get a plant delivered through a brand like The Sill.
Read how to balance working in social media and maintaining good mental health.
Instant camera: $60
Imagine sparking new content ideas without having to spend hours scrolling. With an instant camera, social marketers can capture content-or just hone their photography skills-the old fashioned way. Without running up against their app or screen time limits.
This fun lavender camera is an example of the newest generation of Polaroids. You could also consider buying new camera lenses, film and photography classes for social content creators who already have a film or digital camera at their disposal, and want to devote more time to their hobbies.
Spa gift card: $100+
While any social marketer would appreciate a spa day, fans of wellness trends would be even more excited to receive this gift. Especially for a spa that offers services like infrared saunas, massages and cold plunges. Bonus if the spa is especially aesthetically pleasing (just in case they want to capture content while they're there).
$100 is a great starting point, but spa services come with hefty price tags so budget accordingly.
A year-long ClassPass membership: $240
ClassPass, a monthly fitness and wellness membership, is a favorite for those who like to mix up their workouts. Every month, members accrue credits they can use toward different fitness studios, gyms and even beauty venues.
While you can give any amount toward ClassPass credits, $240 covers a year-long basic membership.
Under-desk walking pad and treadmill: $300
As these social marketers will tell you, sitting too long comes with harmful health risks. A walking pad or under-desk treadmill is a great solution to help get those steps in and warm up during chilly winter days.
Some walking pads come with a place to hold your computer-making it easy to walk while you work. Others only have a bar, which means they require a standing desk to use during the workday.
Gifts for on-screen talent
Social marketers who serve as the face of videos, webinar events and other digital content want to put their best foot forward. And they already have a state of the art ring light. Here's everything else they need to take their at-home recording to the next level.
Read our step-by-step guide to remote video production.
Portable charger: $25
Picture this: You're about to film a video for social when you get an alert that your phone is going to die. Now you have to try and squeeze in a good take without eating up all of your battery life. Or you have to stop and plug in (and hope you can find an available outlet).
With a portable charger, social marketers can make sure they're always ready to go. Plus, is it just us, or do chargers actually drain faster during the winter?
A portable charger like this one keeps social marketers' phones charged on-the-go. We especially like that it charges two devices simultaneously and works with a wide range of devices.
USB microphone: $85
Having a broadcast-quality microphone that blocks out ambient noise is a massive time-saver. With a high-fidelity microphone, social marketers can pull together videos quickly. As one of our Arb members said, "I'd like a podcast-caliber mic. Especially a cool retro one. It would really help with quick voiceovers."
This one has a bidirectional polar pattern that makes it possible to speak in the front while someone else speaks in the back, helping marketers capture audio from interviews or collaborate on posts.
Read our guide to getting your own podcast up and running.
Ultra HD webcam: $170
A blurry webcam-like the default on most computers-doesn't meet quality standards for hosting webinars or filming content. Social marketers who frequently serve as on-screen talent need a high definition version. For example, this webcam records in 4K and highlights the subject in all lighting scenarios.
Gifts for home office optimizers
These social marketers have a home office that rivals even the best Pinterest boards. It's organized and impeccably designed. But they're still missing tech that will elevate their work-from-home experience.
Note: All of these gifts are on the pricier side.
Google Nest Hub: $100
With a Google Nest Hub, you can view and control all your devices from a single dashboard. You can turn the lights on and off, change the temperature, listen to music, view your calendar and more. As one Arb member put it, the hub provides all the household information you need at your fingertips-without having to leave your home office. The ultimate luxury for optimizers.
Portable Bluetooth speaker: $150
A powerful speaker with crisp sound sets the right tone for a top-tier home office experience. Social marketers can jam to their favorite playlists or "co-work" to the voices of their favorite podcast hosts.
While this speaker is around $150, some of the more high tech versions will set you back much more. Make the right choice for you, with your budget and the recipient's needs in mind.
Noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones: $350
Members of the Arb expressed their frustration at continually having to re-purchase Bluetooth headphones that break after a few months. Others shared how helpful noise-canceling headphones would be for focus. Bringing both capabilities together is music to their ears.
While noise-canceling headphones help social marketers zero-in on the work in front of them and tune out the rest, powerful and reliable Bluetooth allows them to dive into their own rhythm. Plus, they're the perfect fit for an open-concept office.
Ergonomic desk chair: $549
We get it. A few years ago, we didn't know if hybrid or remote work would catch on. So, you still have that uncomfortable chair. Or the chair you bought because it looked beautiful, but doesn't offer proper support. Your favorite social marketer can relate.
The ultimate gift this holiday season is an ergonomic, comfortable chair that still has stylish, chic flair.
Give the gift of something social marketers actually want
Finding a meaningful, useful gift for a social marketer may seem daunting, but a thoughtful choice can make a big difference in their daily lives. From the coffee fuel they rely on to the tech they use to produce content, these gifts show you see and appreciate the work they do.
Whether it's a smart mug to keep their coffee warm or a pair of noise-canceling headphones for laser-focused content creation, each of these ideas serves as a reminder that they're supported. This holiday season, go beyond the basics and give something that truly enhances their work-and their well-being.
Want to win some of the prizes in this article? Join the Sprout Social Arboretum and follow our 2024 Holiday Engagement Giveaway.
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Aubree Smith
Aubree Smith is a Content Strategist at Sprout Social with a passion for helping others grow as social media marketers. Her enthusiasm for guiding others extends beyond Sprout, as she is also a registered yoga teacher.