With plenty of gift-giving occasions scattered throughout the year, it can be tricky to stay on top of your gifting game and make sure each present you give is just right – not only useful but also thoughtful and personal, showing its recipient you know them and their needs well.

For those of you who have a translator or interpreter in your life, you might be wondering what you could give them this Christmas, Valentine’s Day (or any other upcoming occasions like their birthday!) that they can use and enjoy, and that they don’t already have. 

Or if you are a translator or interpreter yourself, you might be looking for a way to treat yourself. After all, the self-gifting trend is on the rise and for good reasons – it can help you alleviate some of the gift-giving stress, avoid the awkward “gift face” when receiving something you’re not entirely thrilled with, and give yourself a well-deserved pampering!

Whichever of these scenarios fits you best, you might find this list of 10 Gift Ideas for Translators or Interpreters helpful.

1. A subscription to a project management platform

Running a freelance translation business comes with a lot of planning – you need to make sure your workload is well-organised and your clients taken care of. 

A project management platform, such as Trello, Asana or Wunderlist, is a perfect way to keep track of all that, boost your efficiency and make things less stressful – making it a great gift for any freelance translator or interpreter.

If you want to learn more about each platform and compare their features before making your choice, head to this article: https://languageservicesmarketing.com/plan-smarter-not-harder-3-tested-project-management-tools-for-your-translation-business/

2. Travel-friendly laptop stand

One of the many reasons why translators might prefer to work freelance is the freedom it gives them to lead the lifestyle that suits them most and incorporate frequent travel into the mix. After all, most language professionals love to learn about and discover new places, people and cultures!

And for interpreters, often working at different events around the world, travel becomes a part of their regular routine.

A travel laptop stand can help them stay comfortable wherever the work from – be it a sunny beach in a tropical location or a plane on the way to their next international conference – making it another great option for a gift.

3. Kindle

Although there’s a variety of specialisations within the translation and interpreting profession, what all language professionals are likely to have in common is their love of  words.

What better way to nurture that love than with a Kindle – an endless supply of books of all genres from authors all over the world that they can enjoy wherever they are!

4. Books

While many language lovers might be perfectly happy with using a Kindle, some prefer to do things the old-fashioned way – holding an actual book and being able to scribble little pencil notes on the margins.

Getting them a physical copy of a book they’re excited about – a new release or a classic you know they’d love to re-read – is a great idea for a gift. It also means you can further personalise the gift by adding a little note on the front page if you want to.

5. Headset

2020 has been a year of virtual communication. Online interviews and business meetings. Online tasks and projects. Even online networking events and office get-togethers.

We’ve all downloaded Zoom, tidied our rooms and home offices a bit and in some instances given up on dressing smartly from the waist down.

In any case, a lot of professional communication now takes place online and demand for video remote interpreting is on the rise. For that reason, a comfortable and good quality headset might be a perfect addition to a freelance interpreter’s arsenal.

6. Ergonomic chair

Translators tend to spend long hours at the desk – going over documents, doing work-related research, and checking and revising every little detail of each project. It’s therefore important for them to create a comfortable and healthy office space, and a good ergonomic chair is its must-have element. 

It really does make a huge difference for your physical wellbeing and can be especially useful for those suffering from regular or occasional back pain.

7. Courses

Freelance translators and interpreters love to learn! They’re continuously looking for ways to add to their skill set, boost their productivity, up their marketing strategy and improve the various areas of their business.

Relevant and useful courses can therefore make for a perfect gift, especially in the early months of the year, when many professionals evaluate the previous year and make plans for the future.

Whether in the area of translation and interpreting, or freelance marketing, there’s now a plethora of online courses available, both short- and long-term, so you can choose the one that suits the recipient of your gift the most. 

If you’d like to see the marketing courses that we offer – all specifically designed with freelance translators and interpreters in mind –head here: https://languageservicesmarketing.com/courses-for-translators/ You can either purchase the course of your choosing or get a gift voucher, which will enable its recipient to choose the course they want themselves.

8. Coffee maker

While not specifically designed for freelance translators and interpreters, a solid coffee maker is something that people of all professions and walks of life can appreciate!

For many, a morning coffee is what helps them start the day right. While you can always pick up a Starbucks on your way to the office, if your office is at home, that might not be the most convenient option.

A quality coffee maker can help you ensure you can still enjoy a delicious cup of coffee whenever you want and from the comfort of your home.

9. Scratch-off map of the world

With their love of words, languages and different cultures, translators and interpreters are quite likely to be travel enthusiasts as well.

A scratch map of the world can help them keep track of the places they’ve been to, display their adventures and provide some extra motivation to keep exploring!

Plus, it can be a great decoration for their home office!

10. Pen voice recorder

This little gadget is likely to be appreciated by those who like to make a lot of notes – to the point where it can be difficult to keep up with the speech, lecture or conversation they are making those notes on (especially if it takes place in a setting where they can’t use their phone).

It’s always handy to have a pen with you and it can be even more handy if that pen doubles down as a voice recorder, allowing you to make quick, accurate and useful audio notes for later reference, without straining your wrist. 

Have you found your perfect gift idea on the list? 

Or do you have any other options that you think could work well?