The new year becomes sweeter when the good wishes are accompanied by gifts. Especially if those gifts are not only enjoyable, but also useful. 

In buying gifts for different people, sometimes we’re confronted with a crisis and are forced to get some impersonal item. But a gift should be personal, especially if it’s for a journalist.

I offer my (very subjective) list of enjoyable and useful gifts for journalists, which you too can take note of when choosing new year’s gifts for your journalist friends or loved ones.

Power Bank (that you take with you everywhere)

Journalists are among the most active users of modern devices. Not even the sturdiest battery can endure being online 24/7, speaking on the phone for hours, chatting, audio-recording, video-recording, and numerous other activities. And since journalists are mostly outside, where there are no electrical outlets, a power bank can come to the rescue.

Another advantage of a power bank is that it can fit in even the smallest bag. 

Spell Checker

Working frequently with text means it’s not that easy to spot typos: a wayward letter that the eye nevertheless missed can always be found. A spell checker is a program that makes life easier, accelerates the work, and allows you to spend your energy on creating, rather than searching for typos. It helps save time, nerves, and the energy spent on self-flagellation when noticing typos after the text has been published.

E-reader

One of the greatest achievements of new technologies is the opportunity to fit an entire library in your pocket. The light, mobile e-reader allows you to spend your time wisely; for example, reading on public transportation on the way to an interview or while waiting in reception. 

Pen

In the digital age, an “analog” pen continues to remain one of the most relevant and valuable gifts. No matter how often we use various smartphones and programs, ink pens are irreplaceable, especially when device batteries are depleted. And if the pen is also personalized and stylish, it’s practically a precious gem in the journalist’s hand. 

Smartwatch

A smartwatch is not only a cool accessory, but also a useful piece of wearable technology. It allows you to carry out numerous operations from your wrist, without taking your phone out of your pocket or bag, thereby conserving your smartphone’s battery.

Photo credit: Pixabay

Selfie Stick

A selfie stick isn’t only for taking Instagram selfies. It can be very useful for journalists’ professional activities; for example, for live streaming or doing standups on the scene (such as Kim Kardashian’s next visit).

Photo credit: Pixabay

(Paid) Mobile App

Though there are numerous good free apps, sometimes what they offer is limited only because they’re free. Useful for journalists can be, for example, paid video editing apps that enable to quickly edit at an almost professional level the video taken, for example, with a selfie stick and to send to the newsroom or upload online.

Travel Voucher

Say, to Jordan (Petra) or Peru (Machu Picchu). This is the best example of combining the enjoyable with the practical — and useful for not only the journalist, but also the audience. Travelling gives the journalist the opportunity to not only relax, acquire new information, and broaden his horizons, but also subsequently turn the information into an article and make it available for an audience. Journalism becomes better when a journalist is inspired by at least one of the new seven wonders of the world. 

Anna Barseghyan

The views expressed in the column are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Media.am.