16 Days of Voice Values Gift Guide: Playfulness

by Katie Mehas

This holiday season, The Voice Bureau is offering up a list of our favorite gifts, organized by the Voice Values who will most appreciate them. Join us in a bit of festive cheer as we count down the 16 Days of Voice Values!

Your Playful friend is probably a lot of fun to shop for — and to be around. She’s quick with a joke, loves having fun, and doesn’t take herself too seriously.

When gifting for someone with a high-Playfulness value, adulting is overrated. Keep it light, with gifts that are fun, colorful, and remind her of an easier (read: less responsible) time. With as crazy as 2016 has been, we could all use a little bit of fun this holiday season, don’t you think?

Sloth on a Bike Tee-Shirt

I mean, it’s a sloth. On a bike. What’s not to love? Your high-Playfulness friend will appreciate the dose of sunny yellow silliness in her wardrobe — though, if she doesn’t love sloths as much as Kristen Bell does, there’s a whole menagerie to choose from, from llamas to panda bears.

DIY Ukulele

This fun DIY kit lets your friend build her own custom ukulele, in whatever pattern or design best suits her style — and then she has a perfectly custom ukulele, ready for all her future ukuleleing needs. (And you know her. You know she has ukuleleing needs.) As a bonus, Uncommon Goods donates a dollar to a charity of your choice with each purchase. If you want to gift a little something extra, you could throw in a lesson or two, or at least a link to some free online lessons. You may be glad you did.

Kipik Toothpick Holder

Okay, how stinking cute is this little guy? When your friend has a get-together, you know he’ll be the life of the party, and he perfectly suits her style. Plus, a tiny toothpick hedgehog is so much better than using an old shot glass (like the rest of us). It’s adorable and practical!

Streamline Rainbow Color Wheel Umbrella

On a rainy day, leave it to your high-Playfulness friend to bring a rainbow. We love that this oversized umbrella goes beyond the standard “rainbow” colors to feature a full color wheel. It’s bright, sunny, and a little bit unusual (probably a little like someone you know). Not feeling the rainbow? You can brighten her day with a blue sky or sunflower, too.

Not sure of your Voice Values (or your friends’)? Take our free assessment here.

**Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.**

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16 Days of Voice Values Gift Guide: Love

by Katie Mehas

in Spotlight Selecte

Those with a high Love value are, unsurprisingly, in love with love. But not just the shiny, Hollywood love of a rom com or the dreamy happily-ever-after of a fairy tale — your high-Love friend loves all kinds of love. She’s the first to greet you with a hug and a kind word, and her deep empathy for others leads her to a life of compassion and connectedness.

When shopping for your high-Love friend, think of ways you can help her express her love for the world. Whether she’s reaching out to a friend — or stranger — in need or literally wearing her heart on her sleeve, she wants to put herself out there. And, whatever you gift her, be sure it comes from the heart.

Be Kind Print

“If you can be anything, be kind” could be your high-Love friend’s life motto. She always thinks of others first, and this adorable print highlights her commitment to kindness. And she’ll be all about Cuddle + Kind’s mission — purchase of this print provides five meals to children in need.

Feed Projects Scarf

This gorgeous scarf is like a wearable hug for its recipient, with four different vibrant colorways. And not only are they made by at-risk women and artisans in El Salvador, each scarf provides a huge 35 school meals for children around the world, which your high-Love friend will, well, love.

Uzma Recycled Notecard Set

Whether she’s writing actual love letters or sending kind words to friends in need of a little boost, your high-Love friend will adore these cards. They’re recycled, so gentler on the environment, and made by marginalized women in India, so she’ll feel glad to be part of some small gesture to improve the lives of others.

Super Love Tees

Sometimes, we just want to project our message into the world. Wearing pretty much any shirt from Super Love Tees, your high-Love friend will feel seen and heard, and she’ll feel connected as she spreads inspiration and kindness to everyone she meets.

Not sure of your Voice Values (or your friends’)? Take our free assessment here.

**Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.**

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16 Days of Voice Values Gift Guide: Legacy

by Katie Mehas

in Spotlight Selecte

Your high-Legacy friend loves traditions — both maintaining them and creating ones to pass on. The holidays are probably a favorite season for her, because they’re so steeped in ritual and remembrances of festivities from days gone by — her grandmother’s gingerbread, her mother’s blown glass ornaments, the old Frank Sinatra Christmas record her father used to sing along with. ‘Tis the season to connect with where we come from, and she loves to share all of her holiday plans with the next generation, in the hopes that they’ll continue them someday.

When gifting with Legacy in mind, stay away from anything disposable. Your high-Legacy friend has a love of heritage that comes through in her often-vintage aesthetic and gravitates to heirloom-quality items that she’ll be able to bequeath to future generations. Help her connect with her family tree with a gift certificate to Ancestry.com or a copy of her family’s Ellis Island records (if they’re available and you know enough to find them), or give her a way to pass on cherished recipes, photos, or memories from previous generations onto future ones.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Film Camera

While this camera may have some fun, modern bells and whistles, the retro look is all Legacy. And, in an era when everyone has a digital camera at their fingertips at all times, there’s something charmingly old-school about a real camera with real film. Remember having real photographs you could hold in your hand? You can bet your high-Legacy friend does!

Vintage Bicycle Saddle Bag

A bike basket may be charming, Wizard-of-Oz-style, but sometimes you want something a little more contained. For a high-Legacy friend who needs to haul a phone and a couple small items but can leave her little dog at home, this vintage-style saddle bag is just right.

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 1-1/2-Quart Round Braiser

Le Creuset cast-iron cookware is designed to last a lifetime — or longer. Those who value Legacy will love the idea of owning something designed to be passed on, and will enjoy the gorgeous colors and superior cooking quality in the here and now.

23 and Me DNA Kit

There’s something so enticing about tracing back our ancestry, discovering where we came from. Whether your high-Legacy friend already has a detailed family tree or has no clue where to start, a DNA kit from 23 and Me will give them a fascinating look into where their ancestors came from. If she also has a high Depth value, consider adding on the Health package — she’ll love the detailed insight into her traits and hereditary wellness.

Not sure of your Voice Values (or your friends’)? Take our free assessment here.

**Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.**

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16 Days of Voice Values Gift Guide: Intimacy

by Katie Mehas

in Spotlight Selecte

Walking into the home of your high-Intimacy friend probably feels just as comfortable as walking into your own home — if not more. It’s a carefully curated cocoon of comfort, the ideal nest for nurturing friendships.

Gifting for your high-Intimacy friend should be just as up-close-and-personal as she is. Skip the gift certificates (unless it’s a particularly special one to your absolute favorite place and you want to share that experience with her) and stick to items that make her feel known, loved, and comforted. She’ll especially appreciate personal items she can work into her daily routines.

Natural Wake-Up and Sleep System

I don’t care how much of a morning person you are, there are mornings when it’s next to impossible to abandon the warmth of your bed, especially when you’re woken by the screeching of a traditional alarm clock. This super-cool system wakes you gently with light therapy, aromatherapy, and sound, making the transition from bed-nest to the world a little bit gentler.

Punjammies Lounge Pants

You can’t go wrong with a great pair of comfy pants — you know, the ones we all put on after we’ve peeled off our skinny jeans six inches inside the front door. Punjammies are especially great because, in addition to looking good enough to greet the outside world (unlike those hole-in-the-crotch stretched out yoga pants), they’re made by women in India who have escaped human trafficking. So not only do they feel great on, your friend will feel great knowing they’ve provided an opportunity for a safe, stable income for a woman who’s turning her life around.

Shimmered Boucle Scarf

The holidays are a great opportunity to get out and visit with friends and family, but after a few festive get-togethers, your high-Intimacy friend may be feeling a little burned out. Many fall in the “I” range in the Myers-Briggs personality type, and introverts can only be “on” for so long before wanting to retreat and refuel. This scarf gives her a way to add some festive (and, um, gorgeous) sparkle to her holiday outfit, but it’s basically like bringing your own safety blanket out with you. If you see her snuggling her scarf in the corner while nursing some ’nog or a mug of mulled wine, give her a little space — she’ll be back to join the festivities as soon as she’s recharged a bit (and she’ll be so thankful to you for the portable safe space).

Stitch Fix Gift Card

Yep, we just said no gift cards, but this one is for a truly customized, personalized experience, so it passes the high-Intimacy threshold for feeling seen and known. Stitch Fix is a personal styling service that starts with a fun, in-depth questionnaire about your friend’s apparel and accessories likes and dislikes. Your friend’s stylist will matchmake her with garb she’s sure to love, based on her own preferences, right down to whether she shows her arms (and how much arm!) and which colors and patterns she’d never wear.

Not sure of your Voice Values (or your friends’)? Take our free assessment here.

**Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.**

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16 Days of Voice Values Gift Guide: Innovation

by Katie Mehas

in Spotlight Selecte

People who value Innovation are always one step ahead of the game. They’ve got the latest tech, the newest gadgets, and the coolest, most useful toys. You can impress them with a gift that introduces them to something new, or something cool that helps them make the most of what they already have.

Don’t try to out-gadget someone with a high Innovation value. If the tech scene isn’t your usual beat, there’s a good chance you’re going to be impressed by yesterday’s (admittedly cool, but old) news. Instead, try going off the beaten path for something unusual — you might just start a trend.

LithiumCard Hypercharger

It’s hard to stay on the bleeding edge when your phone keeps dying. This powerful charger is the size of a credit card — making it ultra-portable — but charges as fast as a wall charger (without tying you to a wall). Quick, sleek, and super useful!

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

I know, a coffee thermos. Bear with me. This thing has a crazy cult following, with good reason. It doesn’t look like anything hi-tech, but it holds the temperature of your drink forever. My husband has poured himself a cup of coffee, left it open for an hour to cool off, taken it to work, forgotten it there, and gotten back to it the next morning — and it was still hot. This thing is almost too good, and the high-Innovation coffee-drinker will love it.

Fossil Q Wander Leather Touchscreen Smartwatch

One downside of having a passion for tech is that, well, it’s not generally that attractive. This line of Fossil smartwatches is a notable exception. You can customize the watch face and swap out the band for a huge range of styles, and it’s got a list of functions your high-Innovation friend will drool over.

EMPACK: The Multi-Functional Weight Training Backpack

Should your friend have a high Innovation value and a high value on fitness, the EMPACK might be just the thing. The EM in EMPACK stands not just for the creator’s nickname, but also for Evolving Motion. It’s a backpack and a weight training pack, with built-in water bladders that allow you to add weight for greater resistance. Your high Innovation friend can get fit on the go, without making constant upgrades to their equipment as they get stronger.

Not sure of your Voice Values (or your friends’)? Take our free assessment here.

**Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.**

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Brand Voice Development for Values-Based Business

Not sure of your Voice Values (or your friends’)? Take our free assessment here.

Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.

Not sure of your Voice Values (or your friends’)? Take our free assessment here.

Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.

Not sure of your Voice Values (or your friends’)? Take our free assessment here.

Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.

**Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.**

**Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.**

**Check out the rest of the Gift Guides in this series.**