Presents for project managers

ByElizabeth Harrin Last updated: General

Looking for a present for the PM in your life? She might appreciate some of these gifts:

  • Vouchers for Starbucks or her local coffee shop — for keeping going when steering group reports are due
  • A subscription to Shattered
  • A retractable powder brush, so the inside of her handbag doesn’t get messy, and a fix-all-hide-all powder from Benefit for make up application on the train or in some poorly lit office toilet cubicle
  • A nice pen (my favorite is a pink free one from womenintechnology
  • A copy of Lesley Everett’s book Drop Dead Brilliant
  • A hardback, spiral bound notebook, something pretty but practical
  • A diary with enough space for notes as well as appointments —  we’re organized in our personal lives too!
  • A bottle of wine. Organic — it saves the headaches the next day
  • Chocolate-covered coffee beans. Or just chocolate. My favorites are single-origin chocolates from Thorntons but Reese’s peanut butter cups come a close second. Something in bite-sized chunks for the office drawer
  • Tissues for the desk in an attractive box
  • A manicure or massage — we spend so much time organizing others that we forget to take time out for ourselves. Add a facial to the list if she works in a built-up area with city pollution
  • Socks to wear under trouser suits. While men can wear funny socks with Homer Simpson on or “World’s Best Dad”, we need sensible, thin, classy socks in dark colors
  • Rose and Carnation lip salve from Cath Kidston. This has nothing to do with project management or saving time, it’s just fabulous. I was given some for Christmas (a gift I opened early) and it’s the first Cath Kidston product I own! Hurrah!
  • Something from Shiny Shiny (A Girl’s Guide to Gadgets) or from 21st Century Diva which has some great bags

And if none of those ideas suit, how about a copy of my book?!

Elizabeth Harrin wearing a pink scarf

Project manager, author, mentor

Elizabeth Harrin is a Fellow of the Association for Project Management in the UK. She holds degrees from the University of York and Roehampton University, and several project management certifications including APM PMQ. She first took her PRINCE2 Practitioner exam in 2004 and has worked extensively in project delivery for over 20 years.
Elizabeth is also the founder of the Project Management Rebels community, a mentoring group for professionals. She's written several books for project managers including Managing Multiple Projects.