Briefcases have been largely replaced by polished backpacks, like this sleek and thoughtfully designed Troubadour Apex 3.0. Made of 90 percent recycled materials, it’s equally comfortable and convenient to tote to a meeting, the office, or through the airport. It boasts a super-strong bonded neoprene handle on top and a secret “stash” zippered pocket on one of the ergonomic shoulder straps, the perfect spot for a passport, phone, or anything else of similar size that needs to be accessed quickly while wearing the backpack.
The Apex 3.0 also has special zippered and cushioned section for a 17-inch laptop, plus more pockets inside. The back panel is breathable to make rushing to the gate no sweat.
In classic neutral colors, this vegan leather backpack/laptop bag makes a smart gift for basically any professional on the go, student, or new graduate on the go.
Whether you’re shopping for a student, an entrepreneur, a remote staffer, a busy mom juggling a crazy life, or a grandparent with a genealogy hobby, they all have one thing in common: A laptop. This sturdy yet slim 14-inch laptop sleeve converts to a stand with a quick flip. The angle is adjustable, and it has an expandable storage pocket for a wireless mouse, charger, or other small accessories.
The Moft Laptop Sleeve can be folded up into a stand at either a 15- or a 25-degree angle. The latter is best for using a separate keyboard and mouse. Either way, there’s space for ample airflow around the laptop. Plus, when it’s not being used as a stand, this sleek accessory serves as a mousepad.
With that trifecta of uses, it gives more bang for the buck than regular laptop cases, but without sacrificing its real purpose: protecting the laptop. It does that equally well for either super thin or standard laptops, since the material has some give. It closes securely and quickly with a magnetic flap.
At less than 1/3 of an inch thick, it coddles laptops without adding bulk. Many sleeves clunk up the laptop, causing it to eat up more room in a bag. But Moft has landed right on the sweet spot for size and performance.
I happen to be partial to the seafoam color, but it comes in six other colors too, so you can match it to their favorite color or the laptop itself. A 16-inch version is also available.
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.
