Almost everyone flies, and thus, almost everyone knows it is virtually impossible to sleep in a coach seat. Many of us have tried a neck pillow, perhaps bought impulsively for way too much money at an airport shop, only to find it didn’t help all that much. Maybe it gaped, so we slept a little but woke up with a sore neck. Or maybe it was so overstuffed that it held our heads in an uncomfortable position.
But if you know a frequent flier, gifting them the Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Neck Pillow will be a game changer for their trips. It gently cradles the head and neck with a springy memory foam that’s just firm enough to keep heads from bobbing without gaping. The adjustable front clasp allows the neck opening to be enlarged if necessary, so it fits travelers of different sizes properly. Perhaps the most unique feature is the straps that attach to the headrest in two configurations for taller and shorter folks. Plus, it can be squished and rolled into a case that attaches to your luggage and is earbud friendly.
Digital tools, it turns out, are not always the best.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the unexpected resurgence of paper planners (except for maybe in all the independent bookstores popping up). I had never used a paper planner. I was ferociously loyal to my paper wall calendar, however, where I scribbled in birthdays, doctor appointments, and the like. I used my email calendar for work stuff. One day, I saw my daughter and her friend toting planners, of all things. Then my niece asked for a planner for Christmas. If the digital natives were so enthused about them, I started to wonder: could even I be a planner person?
In fact, I could be. A Happy Planner person, actually. Having everything – work, personal, all of it – in one spot and clear at a glance is … life changing would be overly dramatic … day changing. I feel more together. A sturdy (Happy Planner covers are tough as can be and wipe clean), supremely functional, and pretty planner is a smart and thoughtful gift, because it’s practical and personal at once.
There are plenty of perfectly adorable planners out there, but details are what make the Happy Planner perfectly-adorables stand out. I went with the Classic day planner, a vertical style, in the cheery Smiley Face design above. (There are scores of other zippy options, including Colorful Leopard.) Aside from happy vibes, it’s got plenty of space to jot down appointments, reminders, social events, and deadlines. I now break down my long to-do list into manageable chunks, which makes bigger projects less overwhelming. And when I’m not feeling overwhelmed, I’m less apt to procrastinate.
Aside from 12 monthly calendars, it has weekly spreads with three daily boxes that can be divided into different areas of life, or into morning, afternoon, and evening. The monthly divider pages boast pithy sayings, and it comes with two sheets of cute stickers to highlight special days or just to get creative with. Planner themes come and go with the seasons. While it isn’t my cup of tea, they have a hugely popular Disney collection, as well as the Coolest Teacher Ever Daily Notebookto take care of end-of-year teacher gifts. You’ll also find academic planners like the gorgeous Midnight Blooms, perfect for a high school grad gift. Whoever your giftee may be, remember: even if you don’t think she seems like a “planner person,” you (both) may be surprised.
