While there are certainly days when you may need to just snag a desk, plug those headphones in and begin furiously pounding away on that keyboard of yours, it probably isn’t healthy to spend all of your time in isolation. After all, isn’t that why you venture to coworking spaces to begin with?
Coworking and community go hand in hand, but it isn’t always easy to strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger. Sometimes it helps to have a little something to break the ice. Nothing fosters connection quite like being the person who comes bearing gifts.
Here are 9 fun and quirky gifts that will make getting to know your neighbors a breeze.
Earbud Storage System
Is there anything more irritating than having to untangle your earbuds every time you pull them out of your bag? It seems that no matter how meticulous you are about winding them up at the end of the day, they somehow magically transform into a ball of absolute mess by the time you are ready to use them again. You’ll make a new friend in no time with this handy little problem solver!
Blue Light Blocking Computer Glasses
If there’s one thing you know you have in common with your neighbor, it’s that you both spend a significant amount of time staring at screens. Pass along your best kept secret for keeping migraines and eye fatigue at bay with these blue light blocking computer glasses. These handy little glasses can help increase productivity which means shorter days at the office and more time spent socializing at happy hour.
We could all use a little help sometimes, especially when there are deadlines looming. Add a little humor to the hustle with this double-sided magnet and remember, friends don’t let friends drop the ball.
A high-value gift that doesn’t cost a thing? Yes, please! Meditation is a great way to practice mindfulness and manage stress and anxiety. Coupled with the benefits of increased focus and better sleep and it really is the gift that keeps on giving. Nothing feels better than giving out a hot tip that could change someone’s perspective. Who knows, you might even find someone to join you at your next yoga class.
A Good Read- Smarter Faster Better Transformative Productivity
One of the most alluring things about coworking spaces is that they are filled with like-minded individuals. From creatives to freelancers to entrepreneurs—finding common ground among a group of people who are into the same things as you isn’t a difficult task. If you share some of the same interests in business or life, chances are you’ll share similar taste in literature, too. Try swapping recent reads with your new friend—if nothing else, you’ll have something to chat about the next time you see each other.
Your Favorite Pen
You know that anxiety you get when someone asks to borrow a pen and the only one you have to loan is your most favorite? Nobody wants to be the person who is so worried about a silly pen that they actually have to ask for it back. Buy a big pack of your favorite style just for this occasion and lose the stress. Everyone can appreciate a shiny new pen, and it’s so much easier to strike up a conversation when you’re excited to give a gift versus sheepishly asking for your stuff back.
It’s true what they say—the key to anyone’s heart is definitely through their stomach. Nothing makes friends faster than doling out snacks in an office setting. Best case scenario is to show off your culinary skills by bringing something homemade, but empty stomachs appreciate pre-packaged goods just the same.
Natural Energy
Break away from the black coffee and introduce your new buddy to something they may not have tried before. Matcha is a fancy word for green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder. The result is a highly-concentrated mix that boasts loads of antioxidants and naturally occuring caffeine—it’s a perfect pick-me-up for that mid-afternoon slump.
What’s your go-to gift for getting to know new people? Share in the comments below!
