Spotlight Selecte

16 Days of Voice Values Gift Guide: Transparency

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 high-Transparency friend can usually be found reading the fine print on her cosmetics labels or sharing an article on Facebook about the secret dangers of Doritos seasoning. She’s not a buzzkill — she just wants to be totally clear about what goes on behind the scenes. She’s drawn to things that are unprocessed, upfront, and honest about their process.

When shopping for a friend who values Transparency, try to stick with foods or body products with limited ingredients that are as natural as possible, and companies that are as up-front about their process and materials as they can be. She wants to know what she’s getting into, so no mysteries. (Note: You are allowed to wrap her present.)

DIY Natural Lip Gloss Kit

Your friend with a high Transparency value is probably pretty cautious about what she puts in — and on — her body. We love this kit for her because not only does it use natural ingredients, she gets to make her own lip gloss (and mix the colors until they’re just right for her), so she knows exactly what’s going into it, with no surprises.

Blooming Tea Set

A propensity for wanting to peek behind the curtain tends to be met with less than glorious results. In many cases, your high-Transparency friend discovers something she wishes she hadn’t and has to find a new web hosting provider/politician/breakfast cereal. But once in a rare while, she finds something truly special, like this tea. Brewed in a clear glass pot, she can watch as a tight bunch unfurls into a gorgeous flower of green tea.

Blue Apron Gift Certificate

Like most of us, your high-Transparency friend is probably a busy person. Some weeks, meal-planning and grocery-shopping fall pretty low on her priority list, and the thought of takeout again just doesn’t cut the mustard. Fortunately, you can treat her to a gift certificate for this ready-to-cook meal delivery service. She’ll love that their ingredients are farm-fresh and sustainably-sourced, and their meats have no added hormones. Plus with how-to videos to help her brush up on cooking techniques and the ability for her to control the drop-off schedule, this is a pull-no-punches service that’s sure to please.

Citrus Body Care Gift Set

Whose skin couldn’t use a little extra pampering? The farm-to-bottle practices of this San Francisco-based body care collection will delight your high-Transparency friend. Organic and artisan by definition, these aromatic products are the perfect match for someone who cares deeply about how products are made — especially ones she’ll be slathering on her body.

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: Security

by Katie Mehas

in Spotlight Selecte

For someone who values Security, careful planning, organization, and reassurance are key. She’s happiest when you make plans in advance, and you’ll never hear her suggest “playing it by ear” or “winging it.” It may sound overly cautious, but you know who you always turn to first when you need some emergency jumper cables or a couple Advil.

When shopping for a high-Security friend, help her feel prepared for a good time. While an emergency kit or a bug out bag may not be the most festive gifts (“Merry Christmas! Here are some rations to get you through nuclear winter.”), a picnic kit or a portable backpack chair ensure she has what she needs to relax and enjoy herself, no matter what comes up.

Buca Boot

The Buca Boot serves as a sort of trunk for your high-Security friend’s bike — all the functionality of a basket, but the the ability to lock it up if she needs to make a stop. It’s secure, weather resistant, and can be opened up to fit larger items. And can we talk about how gorgeous this thing is? I love the marine-grade wood and brass handles. I kind of want one in all three colors (and I don’t even ride my bike all that often lately).

2017 Midnight 12-Month Agenda

A high Security value points to a need to keep things orderly and secured away, and where better to track the details of one’s life and times than in this gorgeous monthly/weekly planner? With a foil-stamped botanical motif on the cover and plenty of room to write inside, your security-loving friend will feel great knowing everything’s all in one place.

VonShef Picnic Backpack

This picnic backpack is basically glamping for your lunch — all the fun of a picnic, without having to slum it with flimsy paper plates or discovering that you forgot glasses and have to swig from a communal two-liter. Your friend will love that everything is included for a deluxe picnic for four — from the silverware, glasses, and plates to an oversized blanket, wine opener, and chopping board.

ColdGear Infrared Tactical Leggings

If your friend’s lifestyle keeps her on-the-go, what better way to help her feel protected and pulled-together than these heat-retaining, fast-drying, anti-microbial leggings? Whether she’s a cold-weather hiker or simply walks her kids to the bus stop in frosty temps, she’ll have you to thank every time she notices how not cold she is.

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: Power

by Katie Mehas

in Spotlight Selecte

Having a friend with a high Power value may sound like a strategic political move but not much fun personally, but that’s far from the case. It’s true, your high-Power friend is likely to rise to the top in leadership roles and may even be in a position to give you a boost at some point. But she’s also great on those days when everyone else is feeling wishy-washy about deciding where to go for lunch. She’s an excellent organizer when there are things to get done — a community fundraiser, a group potluck, a zombie apocalypse. She’ll naturally take charge and delegate responsibilities while everyone else is still wandering aimlessly, and, chances are, she’ll do it without anyone even noticing it’s happened.

When shopping for someone who values Power, play up her confidence and leadership. A gorgeous business card holder — or even a set of gorgeous business cards — shows you value her career, which is an important area for her to shine. Think of activities where she’s able to take the lead — hobbies for which she leads a club or hosts an event, skills she’s mastered — and take your gifting cues from that. She’ll love knowing that you can see she’s at the top of her game.

“I’m Not Bossy. I Am the Boss.” Mug

Not to get too political here, but, as women, we’re often told to tone it down, even when we’re the ones in charge. Phrase that request as a question rather than a task. Make a little self-deprecating joke to lighten the mood. Smile more. Your high-Power friend has likely heard them all — and is probably sick to death of it. This mug shows her that you see her: she’s doing what she needs to do to get things done. It’s okay to be in charge. She’s the boss. A little Audacity thrown in with her Power? We love this tote, which reads, “My favorite position? CEO.”

Joan of Arc Quote Print

Aside from being gorgeous as a work of art, we love the quote from Joan of Arc on this print: “I am not afraid, I was born to do this.” For your friend who values Power, this statement is an excellent daily affirmation — just the thing to hang where she’ll see it as she starts her day. (Be aware that this is just the print. We’d recommend having this matted and framed, so all she has to do is pick a spot on her wall.)

“A Woman’s Place” Shirt

Whether she’s a passionate activist or someone with political dreams of her own, she’ll be proud to show off the powerful statement this shirt makes. It’s a clever play on words and a smackdown on the patriarchy. What’s not to love?

Cobalt Flame Cuff 2

The striking, royal color of the aura quartz crystal on this bold cuff bracelet totally embodies what a high Power value is all about. It’s about presence (wow-ie!) and purpose (Vega Jewelry says its pieces are for keepers of the flame — revolutionaries, progressives, those of that ilk). Wearing this rich piece, or really any of the pieces from this collection, is like a modern day crown for your friend who’s truly a queen at heart.

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: Playfulness

by Katie Mehas

in Spotlight Selecte

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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