Work-at-Home Gifts

10 great gift ideas for someone who works from home.

Working from home has many benefits that will likely change your quality of life – in one way or another. Working from home can be the best thing ever for some, but for others, it can bring some challenges. The home environment presents a unique set of issues, such as distractions from children or pets, monotony and isolation.

People who work from home can face challenges in productivity, staying healthy and knowing when to take a break. However, you can help manage these bottlenecks easily with the help of a few useful gadgets. This friendly guide explores some practical gift ideas for working from home to brighten up your loved ones’ lives.

1. Ergonomic office furniture.

A home office should be comfortable and efficient for optimal productivity. Spending many hours sitting at a desk takes its toll on the human back. Since prolonged working sessions can cause poor posture and pain, ensuring your workspace has ergonomic office furniture is important:

Ergonomic office chair. Ergonomic office chairs come with a backrest that supports the spine in its natural curve. Their adjustable layouts and features allow the user to align the chair according to height and workstation. When purchasing this type of gift for someone working from home, look for models with lower back support, padded seats and padded armrests. Sufficient seat padding and depth reduces stress and pressure on the hips.
Standing desk. Sitting for extended periods is bad for health. Standing desks or standup desks allow individuals to work comfortably when standing up. They often come in adjustable designs to enable use when standing or sitting. Standing helps reduce the risk of weight gain and may lower blood sugar levels. When buying a standing desk for your loved one, consider pairing it with a padded standing mat.
Laptop stand. Irrespective of the desk your remote worker friend uses, a laptop stand is a worthy investment for people who compute on laptops. Laptop stands lift the screen to a suitable position to reduce neck pain and improve posture. They also protect hardware from accidental spills. Be sure to check for compatibility before purchasing.
Lap desk. Do you often find your loved one using their laptop on the couch or bed? If so, consider getting them a lap desk. Lap desks prop laptops to comfortable heights for reduced shoulder, neck and back pain. These accessories also help keep the laptop cool to prevent overheating.

2. Wireless keyboard and mouse.

Working from a laptop for extended periods can lead to poor posture and subsequent pain. Wireless computer accessories and peripherals, such as keyboards and mice, help maintain good posture while working. Ergonomic models enhance workflow and help reduce strain on the hands and wrists. Sometimes the most simple items make the best remote worker gifts.

3. External monitor.

Although some laptops have wide displays, a larger external monitor can help boost productivity. Ultrawide monitors allow easy multitasking for increased efficiency. If your remote worker friend has a small home office, check out mountable models and pair your monitor gift with a wall-mount unit. Modern monitors have multiple USB ports that help charge portable devices as well, which may come in extra handy.

4. Noise-canceling earphones or headphones.

From screaming children to traffic outside, many distractions at home can derail productivity. To help your loved one stay on track, consider getting them a good pair of noise-canceling headphones. Active noise-canceling headsets monitor the surroundings and eliminate ambient noise. This technology makes them a fantastic gift for anyone who works from home.

5. External hard drives.

There is nothing more devastating than losing data. Though cloud storage options are convenient, physical storage drives help to back up data easily. If the gift recipient handles large volumes of data, get them a high-capacity solid-state drive (SSD) that features ultrafast access times.

6. Lighting.

Ample lighting in one’s workspace is essential for productivity. Does your loved one burn the midnight oil frequently when trying to beat deadlines? Then a desk lamp will help improve nighttime visibility and reduce eyestrain. LED desk lamps come with custom brightness levels, USB charging ports and timers. If the person you’re gifting does a lot of social media videos or video calls, consider gifting them a ring light. A ring light provides ample lighting to improve video production quality.

7. Blue light blocking glasses.

Blue light emissions from computer screens can make it difficult to focus, which causes eyestrain. Prolonged exposure to blue light also causes disruption in sleep cycles. Blue light glasses reduce glare and shield the eyes from blue light to prevent strain during extended work sessions. You can also find monitor screens that provide privacy and block blue light.

8. Reusable water bottle or insulated cup.

Does your loved one drink endless amounts of water or energy drinks during their workday? Get them a reusable water bottle to encourage frequent healthy hydration. Dehydration makes you feel drained. Some come calibrated with time intervals to enable users to keep track of how much water they drink each day. Others come with built-in filters to keep water safe and clean. If they prefer hot drinks, consider an insulated cup or smart mug that will keep their favorite hot drinks warm for hours.

9. Smart display or speaker.

A smart display or speaker is a great gift idea for anyone who works from home. These gadgets don't take up much space on a desk, but can be programmed with meeting times, reminders, shopping lists and much more. You can even use a smart display for video meetings.

10. House plants and wall art.

Spruce up your friend’s home office with some decor like potted plants or artwork. If your loved one’s workspace is dull and plain, you can buy them easy-to-care-for live plants or even artificial ones. Artwork comes in a diverse range and helps add color and life to your workspace. Consider the gift recipient’s personal preferences and space before selecting a specific art piece.

Working from home is here to stay. The best work from home gifts help create comfortable and functional home offices. They encourage your loved ones to stay healthy and productive. Whether you are shopping for a birthday, holiday, anniversary or just a casual visit, you now know the gift ideas for loved ones who work from home.