The Community Roundtable

Empowering global community leaders with research-backed resources, training, and tools.

The 2020 Community Manager Gift Guide

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Gifts they’ll actually want. (We know because they said so!)

Self-care was the theme for CMAD 2020 and we had no idea how much we’d actually need it (2020, amirite?). During Connect, we dove head-first into self-care again with the Wellness track, which included: journaling prompts from the amazing Tara King, yoga from the incredible Linh Le, a “Mental Health for Community Managers” roundtable from the one and only Peter Broadley, and a soul-searching session that helped us unlock our inner superpowers by the quiet-but-mighty Laura Portalupi.

With everything *gestures wildly* that happened in 2020, we thought this year’s gift guide should be a mix of business and pleasure, wellness and fun, naughty and nice. This post isn’t sponsored and it doesn’t have affiliate links, we just really, really like them and know you will, too. When you can, shop small this year. When you shop small, you support a person, a family, and a community.

For the person who loves to-do lists, post-it notes, and checklists:

The Productivity Planner takes advantage of the Pomodoro Technique (beloved by TheCR team member Emma!) empowering you to focus your mental energy on the most meaningful tasks ahead. So, you can take advantage of every moment of every day. Get it here.

Image source: Intelligent Change (intelligentchange.com)

Notes for the Daily Struggle will keep you company on the Mondayest of Mondays. “If all else fails, scream into the void” is a sticky note message we can get behind. Use these sticky notes to help you get through the day or as a cry for help. Whatever helps you get through the day! Get it here.

Image source: Emily McDowell (emilymcdowell.com)

For the person who loves a good snack attack:

Universal Yums gift boxes. Try unique snacks from around the world. Sweet, salty, savory, and sometimes downright weird, your tastebuds will go on an around-the-world-trip even if you’re stuck at home. Choose your own adventure on their website.

Image source: Universal Yums (universalyums.com)

Ollipop – the soda alternative that’s sneakily good-for-your-gut prebiotics. I discovered this soda in California and I’ve been hooked ever since. I don’t know if this defeats the purpose or not, but I’ve been known to use the Orange Squeeze and Vintage Cola as a mixer for an *adult* beverage. Get it here.

Image source: Olipop (olipop.com)

For the person who could use some help unwinding after a long day/week/year. 😂

We love new workout gear as motivation to move. Yoga With Adriene has hundreds of free yoga videos. Use the money you’d save on classes to upgrade your mat and equipment (and then maybe make a donation to your favorite nonprofit!). Get it here.

Image source: Gaiam (gaiam.com)

If your hips are tight from sitting at a desk all day, this meditation pouf provides enough lift and stability so you can bring your awareness to something other than how uncomfortable you are during meditation. Get it here.

Image source: Brentwood Home (brentwoodhome.com)

We hope these gift ideas inspire you to give a unique gift to your favorite community manager this year. Have a small business or special gift you think our community managers would love? Share it in the comments!

Happy holidays from all of us at The Community Roundtable!

Community Manager Gift Guide 2019

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Did you read this Atlantic article about how gift guides work?

Well, fear not.

We are NOT in the gift guide pay for play game. Nary an affiliate link graces this post, just seven great gift ideas for the dedicated community pros in your life.

  1. Ivy’s Tea – Ivy’s Tea Co. is a pop culture and Hip-Hop inspired holistic health brand. We can safely say their tea is delicious – and lives up to their motto of “Drink Tea Like an Adult. You cannot go wrong with their signature Rise & Grind blend, but everything we’ve tried is delicious.
  2. SonSon – Known for their amazing bowties for dapper adults and kids, SonSon has also curated an amazing list of <$10 gifts.
  3. SkinButtr – Possibly the best smelling body butter in the world. Gift a tub to the cmgr in your life who is constantly typing their days away and give their hands a treat.
  4. Expedition Subsahara – Everyone knows the sign of a true genius is a messy desk. Sometimes you need to sweep that clutter away, and Expedition Subsahara makes the perfect lidded baskets to hide away desk mess.
  5. Dammit Dolls – It’s a fact – community managers are stressed out. Help give your favorite coworker a safe outlet for any work-related rage with a Dammit Doll.
  6. Snacks – Show your appreciation with something they can eat! Our favorite holiday go-to is picking something up at a local shop – always 110% better than whatever you could order on the site named after a big river… We recommend searching for a local business near you (or near the recipient) but if you need to mail a gift our favorites that ship includes: Sweet Lydia’s Handcrafted Confections,  Sappho Chocolates, and the Tipsy Scoop.
  7. Cosmic Help – Look, we can’t promise that gifting a gorgeous crystal for their desk will improve their karma, but it can’t hurt yours.

Did we miss something awesome? What’s on your wish list this year?!

PS – We’re serious, we have nothing to gain from those links above, these are just genuinely nice/cool/fun things we actually like.

PPS – Happy Holidays! If we could, we’d send ice cream (boozy or not) to each and every one of you!

TheCR Holiday Gift Guide 2016: Gifts for Community Managers

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It’s that time of the year again! The snow is falling (in Boston, at least!), pumpkin spice is everywhere and holiday music has taken over the radio. We’re continuing our December tradition of providing a short gift guide of toys and treasures that the community manager in your life might appreciate. Of course – the greatest gift of all is just a simple thank you, but I wouldn’t turn down some gummy bears to go along with it!

gifts for community managers

  1. Unicorn Tape Dispenser – Sure to fancy up any community manager’s desk, this unicorn tape dispenser is equal parts form and function! 

  2. The 2017 Volt Planner – Even though most of us live online these days, I’m still drawn to writing important things down. The Volt Planner is one part tactical planning space, and one part aspiration goal setting.

  3. Five Pounds of Haribo Gummy Bears – The gold standard of gummy bears. The resealable bag makes you feel like you can save some for later (no judgement if you don’t, though…)
  4. Cards for Community – Both a fun conversation piece and an actionable tool for community engagement. It’s safe for work, we promise.
  5. Fruit! – After eating all those gummy bears, a nice fresh orange or pear will be a welcome relief.
  6. Community Manager Swag – Nothing wrong with wearing your heart on your sleeve (or your t-shirt!)
  7. Wireless Earbuds – Between phone calls, Spotify and podcasts,  these will help your favorite community manager listen in style – no strings attached!

Have a favorite gift we missed? Let us know and we’ll update our list!

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Community Manager in Your Life

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By Shannon DiGregorio, Relationship Manager at The Community Roundtable

TheCR Gift Guide 2013

It’s that time of year! My inbox is full of (dangerous) sale emails and the mall is now a terrifying cross between Mad Max and my nightmares. In the spirit of getting into the spirit we’ve pulled together a list of items any community manager would love to receive – and BONUS! every single one can be purchased on the internet! Read on and find out how to show your favorite community manager a little holiday love.

1. Dammit Dolls – A perfect way to blow off steam at your desk and much cuter than a stress ball. (HT to @dgarberhds for sharing this in the Network!

2. Data Nerd Holiday Cards –  Fun and witty cards for any holiday you might be celebrating from Stephanie Evergreen (@evalu8r)

3. Mugs – Whether you’re herding cats or getting sh*t done you’re going to need a lot of coffee, or tea, or wine (no judgment here…)

4. Balance Ball Chair – Apparently all this sitting is killing us – fight back with a seat that works your core!

5. Treadmill Desk – This takes “walk the walk” to a whole new level.

6. Hand Knit Snuggie – Offices get cold – suit up with your own hand knit snuggie. (Note: this is not available for purchase online, so you’re going to either have to bribe someone over at Ravelry or get to knitting yourself…)

Not pictured, but still great ideas:

7. A gift certificate to a cool local class in their area – help your favorite community manager find an IRL community of their own!

8. And of course a membership to TheCR is always a great idea!

Here is a small virtual gift from us to you:

The Best Eggnog Recipe in the Whole World