YULE 2.0: Christmas present ideas for comms and PR people

It’s Christmas time… and there’s no need to be afraid. Not now you’ve got this long list of presents for comms and PR people.

If you are after a secret Santa, a stocking filler or some ideas to buy a loved one this list is for you. Some are serious and some are not so serious.

A big thank you to the Public Sector Comms Headspace group who helped draw-up this shortlist.

Bullshit button

Amaze your friends and impress your colleagues by hitting the bullshit button everytime you’re asked to reach out, sprinkle fairy dust and achieve a paradigm shift. Not available in stun. Sadly.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 10.

 

Retro sweets.

A box of E-numbers from the 1970s especially for you. Caution: don’t be tempted to chop out a line of sherbet dip and snort it. True story: a school friend did this in VI form for the LOLs and didn’t look at all healthy after doing it.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 7. 

Extrovert’s Instagram frame

Lively up that office party with snaps of yourselves posing for the LOLs. Also quite handy for events that need sharable content. Like an awards bash. Or a community event.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 7

 

Grammar pedant’s mug

Tired of spotting the spelling mistakes in other people’s content. Why, with this mug you can celebrate your (correct) ability to tell people where they are going wrung.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 8

 

Magic wand for the impossible request

‘Hey! Comms person! You know I said can you weave your magic on this pdf I knocked up with clipart? And you rolled your eyes? Well, it’s okay! I gotcha back! Here’s a magic wand!’

For the comms person who pulls things out of the hat.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 10.

Complaint sticky for the underappreciated

Fed-up of never getting credit? Speed up the complaints process by having a simple to complete set of stickies to help streamline the job for you.  The box marked ‘promotion’ as desired outcome is rather marvellous.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 9

One for local government communicators

Scarfolk is a fictional council. However, I’m sure the place exists. A book of the Facebook page of the meme. It’s brilliant.  Worth it alone for the call-to-action: ‘For further information please re-read.’

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 9

 

One to help you understand how to make content

‘Mobile First Journalism’ by Paul Bradshaw is a cracking read from someone I rate very highly. Full of advice and tips on how to create content on a budget. It shows there are lessons in 2018 comms people can take from journalism.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 8

 

One for someone aiming to expand their knowledge

How to look at things in a strategic way can be tricky. This book from the excellent Anne Gregory and Paul Willis is really useful. Clear.

Concise and on the money.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 8

 

 

One for someone who is a bit of a grammar policeman

A deskplate for the grammar police officer in your life.

See? This makes it official. And you thought they were just being awkward.

Heck, no!

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 8.

One for people who hate meetings and calendars

The Disappointment Diary was a star last Christmas and for 2018 it’s BACK! With added disappointment. Cut out the middleman and take this pre-booked calendar of disappointment.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 7.

 

 

One for people who need a crystal ball

I see into the future! You will get a visit from someone who wants you to do something at the last minute! Or maybe even they haven’t even got round to telling you! A crystal ball set. Perfect. How did I know you needed one?

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 10.

 

One for someone who needs gin

A box of gin.

It can come in handy.

Caution: when the fun stops stop.

A career in communications should be considered responsibly.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 8.

One for someone who uses stock photos

Need a pic of a man with a beard licking a puppy? This book is for you! Explore the world of obscure stock pics and marvel at the photographer who has the perfect shot for the web search: ‘man on toilet + eating ice cream’.

 

Buy it here.Comms present rating: 8.

One for someone who likes liking

A personalised stamp so you can like something IRL. Just like you do on the internet.

Only, don’t forget not to download a pile of personal data in return for completing a competition.

 

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 7.

One for people fed-up of motivational pictures #1

De-motivational pencils take the contrary view.

Reach for the sky?

Not with a pencil that reads: ‘Do your best or don’t. Whatever.’

Or maybe you will. Whatever.

Buy it here. Comms present rating 9.

One for people fed-up of motivational pictures #2

If pencils aren’t enough for you the comforting trudge of the monthly wall calendar with a glass half full approach may be for you.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 8.

 

 

 

One for people fed-up of motivational pictures #3

In fact, why have a lack of motivation on the wall when you can have a t-shirt to walk around in from Modern Toss?

Buy it here.

Comms present rating: 7.

 

 

One for people looking to expand their video skills

Mobile video is a thing. Have I mentioned that in passing?

So, here is a small tripod that fits into a bag and you can pull out and put on a desk when you are interviewing someone.

Handy.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 9

One for someone who wants to know where we are now

Tom Dixon spent years as part of the Westminster bubble as a reporter. In this book he traces how comms has influenced elections. From more innocent days through to Trump, Brexit and fake news. It’s a cracking book and I suggest you read it.

Buy it here. Comms present rating: 9.

 

A big thank you to members of the Public Sector Comms Headspace who chipped into this list including: Julie Hannan, Jane Jarvie, George Vekic, Lauren Kirk, Shayoni Sarker Lynn, Alex Duffy, Leanne Ehren, Naz Ayele, Kathryn Clarke Yglecias, David Bell, Mark Templeton, Paul Compton, Emma Wild, Kelly Quigley-Hicks, Rob Bruce, Jude Knight, Meriel Clunas, Sharon Dunbar, Jon Matthias, Josephine Graham, Kathryn Smith, Hayley Douglas, Kaylee Godfrey, Ann Bridges, Heather Turner, Alana Feasey, Susan Haig, Emma Bowman and Tom Gee.