‘Tis the season to be jolly and bless your lawyer friend, sibling, or lover with gifts she’ll actually use! With three days left until Christmas, it’s officially crunch time…If you are still racking your brain about what to purchase your lady in law, have no fear Shelly B is here with 8 great gift ideas for women in law.
1. 2018 Planner
There’s nothing more important than being organized and having a place to prioritize daily tasks and meetings – making a planner an excellent gift. However, before purchasing a planner, make sure your lady lawyer actually uses a planner because there’s a small chance she relies on her handy dandy smartphone for scheduling and organization purposes. Remember, the goal is to buy something she will actually use.
Things to remember when purchasing: 1) Stick to minimalistic designs and/or solid colors. Black, navy blue, plum, cognac, and blush are nice and professional. We don’t want her to be ashamed of her planner or nervous about pulling it out in front of her superiors, peers, and/or clients. 2) Leather (or leather-like) planners are key to maintaining a chic yet clean professional look.
2. Spa Day
I’m borrowing this idea from Andrea’s gift guide for resident physicians – click here to see her gift list. With the amount of stress that accrues from attending meetings, managing various personalities, writing memos, negotiating and drafting contracts, advising clients and business stakeholders, a spa day is like a gift from God. It comes from a place of understanding how chaotic life can be as a lawyer. Trust me when I say a gift like this will earn you major brownie points, hugs, and kisses throughout this holiday season.
3. Watch
Classic timepieces never go out of style, they can elevate an outfit with a simple flick of the wrist. That being said, you have to be very particular when purchasing a watch for a lady lawyer. #IssaNO to the blinged out super gaudy watches that rappers and celebrities wear. Fix your eyes on something clean, classy, and minimalistic…You have to aim for something that will make a statement without a million rhinestones or loud colors.
If you want to go hi-tech, consider donning your lady lawyer with a smartwatch that will allow her to check messages without looking at her phone – we all know how awkward it can be to check your phone during in-person meetings, especially if you are new to the legal arena.
4. Work Bag, Everyday Bag, or Party Bag
You can never have too many bags…need I say more? First, consider shelling out extra coins to invest in a quality bag that won’t fall apart after a few uses. Try to stick to brands you know your lady lawyer likes. Keep functionality and style in mind. However, feel free to purchase a clutch or purse that will allow her to slay during after hour work engagements, like networking events, client gatherings, holiday parties, and so forth. If you still feel clueless but are committed to buying her a bag, don’t fret. Just buy a nice bag, drop the receipt in the bag along with a note saying something along the lines of: “If you love this bag, great! If not, please feel free to take it back. No, I won’t get offended or think you are ungrateful. This is a placeholder, I want you to get a bag you will love.”
Please note the bag does not have to be a designer, concentrate on finding a nice quality bag you think she will love.
5. Loaded Gift Card to Express, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Zara, Banana Republic or other Retailer of Professional Gear
We all know you can never have enough work-appropriate clothes and it’s hard to buy clothes for other people – you have to think about their style, size, and fit. Save yourself the trouble and help fund her retail session by dropping a gift card in your lady lawyer’s stocking or Christmas card. She will thank you and put that card to use. I guarantee it!
6. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Compliance Package
If your lawyer friend, bae, or sibling is a little behind and still needs to complete her CLE requirements but doesn’t have the time to attend live seminars, be a doll and buy her a CLE compliance package. You will rescue her from inactive status and/or fees.
BONUS: If you really want to be sweet, pay her State Bar Membership renewal fee.
7. Vacation
The Airbnb Blog
If your lady lawyer is anything like me, she needs someone to step in and remind her that vacations are necessary. This gift may require a little assistance from your lady lawyer, so be sure to ask about dates, flexibility during particular months, places she wants to visit or activities she wants to engage in. If that’s a little much for your planning abilities, plan a relaxing staycation at a nice hotel with great amenities (cough-cough a spa), nice restaurant options, and great views.
8. Nice Bottle (or Bottles) of Wine
When in doubt wine it out! This gift can serve several purposes. It comes in handy when wanting to wash away a long day, unwind, or celebrate the closing of a huge deal. Even if she doesn’t drink, this gift will come in handy when entertaining friends, family, co-workers, and clients.
Let me know if this helps or what you picked for your lady lawyer lover, sibling or friend!
Xoxo, Shelly B