Your situation may be different from mine, but I keep getting all the same questions every year starting from the mid of November. Friends and family keep asking me what do I want to get as my Christmas gift. I don’t blame them for the fact that they can’t choose anything themselves. I do admit that translators are picky and unpredictable when comes to gifts. And to be honest, most of my Santas think that I dream only about the newest dictionary or a notebook.
True, it is much easier to buy something for a singer, a designer or a painter. I kept on sending links of books I wanted, but it makes no sense anymore. I can buy books myself, and it’s no such fun! My idea for this year is to save my dear friends some trouble and give them some gift ideas. And you can use it also, just to get something else than yet another dictionary.
Dear Santa…
1. Fountain pen
Even though I work with computers, I am pretty classy and getting me a beautiful set of pens is always a great idea. Most of the translators I know have this thing for fountain pens, so go and browse http://www.penshop.co.uk/default/pens/fountain-pen.html.
2. Unconventional reading accessories
I do read a lot, and I appreciate the structure of paper. I have quite a lot of bookmarks already, but there are some unconventional accessories I’d never buy myself, such as booklights or bookholers. Look for ideas here: http://www.seriousreaders.com/mall/departmentpage.cfm/SeriousReaders/_164497/1/GIFTS
3. Good espresso machine
As a freelancer, I’m deprived of usual office coffee breaks. But I still need coffee! Getting me a coffee mill and a bag of quality coffee from Peru can do as well (Fairtrade, please), but if you want to go bold, get me one of those!
4. Bed table
That’s a real gift! It’s always so difficult to find a good reading position in bed, with all these pillows behaving really nasty. A bed table is a touch of luxury and comfort I’ve been craving for… http://www.lapdawg.com/functions/bed-tray.html
5. Ebook reader
Ok, I have all these computers, laptops and Macs, but I don’t really have an ebook reader. And believe me, sometimes I really do want to read a book fullstop. With no browsers, skypes and facebooks in the background. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-3G-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002LVUWFE
6. Massage session
That’s one of these things I keep promising to myself to do after this project. And it never happens. If you want to make me really happy and relaxed, get me a massage session, with all these fragrant oils and calm music…
What are your Christmas wishes? Do you like getting translation-related gifts, or do you want something not work-related?
Marta Stelmaszak
Marta Stelmaszak is a translator between Polish and English, combining language skills with a thorough understanding of economics and business to help SMEs make as big an international impact as possible, providing translation and interpreting services for the legal, business and marketing sectors.
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13 Comments
I am with you on points 4-6! + I always want more of different cooking appliances that can help me cook better and faster
Got to confess I prefer something non work-related. I like clothes so I can dress up a little when I do eventually manage out of the house
Last time I got a beautiful necklace, the person I got it from was complaining that I don’t wear it too often. Well, how could I wear it home?! Since then, I don’t want to offend any giver, and I’d rather accept practical gifts.
Some of them are dreams, but here they are:
1 - Trip to New York
2 - Ipod stereo dock
3 - 2012 Moleskine agenda
4 - Dalí painting
5 - Seiko watch
6 - Hiking shoes
7 - Tailored suit
8 - Sopranos full DVD series
2012 Moleskine agenda sounds great! But… Sopranos?:D
Sopranos indeed!
Great series…I wonder if Tony Soprano has a Moleskine agenda…guess not :D:D
Wow… We have a lot of things in common (except for the eReader)! The espresso machine will change your life, but don’t forget to go out and get that caffeine out of your system.
That’s what I’m afraid of… With all this delicious coffee so close to me, I’ll never stop drinking it…
I’m happy to get dictionaries etc. but my husband, in particular, says my business should pay for them and he refuses to spend his money on them. Seeing as we have a joint bank account, and I can’t claim any tax relief, I don’t know where he sees the difference, but I suppose you have to humour the giver.
And he did give me a yogurt maker for my birthday and that’s great for translators. Done in seconds (plus the wait for nature to run its course), easy to eat while working and healthy with it.
I don’t have any interest in your first two ideas, but I can identify with the rest.
3 and 5 - way ahead of you! Do ask for a DeLonghi Magnifica if you can: it takes in beans, grinds enough for a cup, brews the coffee and tips the grounds into a bin. Can’t get fresher or handier than that and the smell is simply heavenly! My “New Kindle” arrived a few weeks ago and it is really great. People where I live have complained in the past of not being able to see e-readers in the sun, but this new “e-ink” is just like a real book. Plus, it connects in seconds to any wi-fi link for quick downloads.
4 - I’m very comfy reading in bed in the summer, but my shoulders get cold in the winter so I’ve asked Santa for a bed-jacket. Seems a bit “old woman” but hey, time to face facts!
6 - a massage is not something I’ve ever seriously considered, but it really would be nice to have someone take the crick out of my neck and loosen up my shoulders.
Rui’s idea of a Dali painting appeals, too. Something to encourage inspiration when the thoughts have gone down a cul-de-sac.
All this talk of Christmas when it’s only halfway through November! There are at least 28 translating days left! Back to work!
Hi, Sheila! A Dalí painting would definitely be inspiring, can’t find the words to describe his work sometimes! Regards.
Massage session, mmmm ….. I’m going to leave this page open so my hubby can see it.
By the way, love reading your lessons.
Thanks Marta for a good list. Here are some additions:
1. Electronic dictionaries
2. New smartphone
3. Subscription to association magazine or lingusitic magazine or journal
4. Wristpad for keyboard
5. Starbucks giftcards
These are just some more tips related to our profession, good also for client-vendor presents.
Wristpad for keyboard! I’m definitely asking for it this year! Thanks, Tess