We all have that one friend who is perennially disorganized.
The office bestie with the desk piled high with paperwork. The friend who never shows up on time. Or the sister-in-law who has a million great ideas but never seems to act on any of them.
We love our disorganized friends but we also want to help them get their life together. What’s a great gift that will actually get them to enjoy staying organized?
When it comes to selecting a great gift for the disorganized person in your life, here are some important things to consider:
- Your gift should provide support. Does your friend need help keeping their home tidy? Or managing their time? Or organizing their desk? Think hard about their specific needs so that you can come up with an appropriate gift.
- Your gift should suit their taste. Don’t forget to consider your friend’s taste and style. If they’re not into the minimalist, Scandinavian look then your gift may very well go into the junk pile. But if your friend loves bright and cheerful hues, then a colorful gift will definitely be well-received.
- Your gift should be functional. You want to give your friend a gift that they’ll actually want to use. After all, the last thing you want to do is add more clutter to their space.
Here are some great gift ideas for your disorganized friend.
For your creative friend who needs help organizing their brilliant ideas
Whether it’s a writer friend who has trouble keeping their ideas in order or a creative coworker who can’t seem to function in their cluttered office space, help your friend manage their creative pursuits with these thoughtful gifts.
A bullet journal. There’s a reason that the bullet journal is so beloved. Diehard fans have referred to the bullet journal as a Swiss army knife—it’s a journal, productivity tool, and habit tracker all in one. And with its dot grid pages, a bullet journal lends itself to making lists, calendars, daily logs, and more. A bullet journal turns messy, untangled thoughts into pages of tidy, orderly information. This is a game-changer for the disorganized, creative friend.
Daily Task Pad. Does your creative friend have a tendency to forget their well-intentioned plans? Help them keep their ideas and tasks at the forefront by gifting them with a beautiful notepad. Want to go the extra mile? Pair this gift with a set of pretty highlighters. They can color-code essential tasks and highlight important information.
Capotto Stackable Accessory Organizer. Your friend can say goodbye to office clutter with this streamlined, stackable organizer. With four compartments, they can store paper clips, rubber bands, washi tape, and other office supplies without sacrificing valuable deskspace.
For the friend with the messy apartment
Let’s face it, even the most organized person has trouble keeping their home in order. Prevent clutter from accumulating overnight and help your friend transform their space into a peaceful haven with these organization gifts.
Woven jute storage bin. A large basket can instantly make a space look put together. Your recipient can toss in blankets, throw pillows, toys, magazines, and other items that would otherwise end up on the living room floor. And with its pretty woven structure, this storage bin keeps the room looking organized and stylish.
Cookware organizer. Pots and pans take up so much cabinet space and they’re always a pain to organize. Your friend can keep everything in order (and maintain their sanity) with this handy cookware organizer.
Italian metal bookend. Does your bookworm friend own more books than they know what to do with? Then you can’t go wrong with these handsome metal bookends. They’ll keep books from collapsing onto each other and add a pop of color to their shelves.
For the friend who needs help managing their career
Whether it’s your favorite coworker who can never seem to find a pen or your friend who feels clueless about their career, here are the best gifts to help them manage their professional life.
Do Over: Make Today the First Day of Your New Career by Jon Acuff . If your friend feels stuck in their career or has no idea what to do with their life, this is the book for them. Author Jon Acuff offers smart and actionable advice on the four things that make a great career: relationships, skills, character, and hustle. This would make a great gift for recents grads or anyone looking to make a career move.
Ink+Volt Goal Planner. If your friend is feeling lost in their personal and professional life, then help them take the reins with a year-long planner. A planner is a must-have tool to get your life organized. Your friend will learn how to identify big picture goals and break them down into monthly, weekly, and daily action steps.
Dashboard Spiral Deskpad. This is the perfect gift for the freelancing friend with multiple clients or the friend who’s planning an important life event like a wedding or a big move. The Dashboard Deskpad features six focus areas where they can keep track of their various projects and take note of specific details, chores, and deadlines. And the elegant cover makes it look like a splurge.
For the friend who’s never on time
Maybe your friend has trouble getting started on a task or they can’t keep up with all their deadlines and assignments. These are the best gifts to improve efficiency and productivity.
Hourglass. Your friend can ignore digital distractions with this classic 15-minute hourglass. An hourglass is a great way to kickstart a task or hunker down on a work assignment. When you know you only have 15 minutes to do something, you’ll have no choice but to do it. Plus, an hourglass adds a touch of sophistication to their workspace.
Hourly planner. Your friend will never miss an important work deadline or appointment again with an hourly planner. This would also make a great gift for the disorganized friend whose career is appointment based, like hair stylists, real estate agents, trainers, therapists, and more.
Written by JiJi Lee
