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It’s hard not to say “bah humbug” to the holidays in 2020, but there are some thoughtful presents you can give to your co-workers, family members and friends that can help set them up for a better 2021. We’ve gathered some ideas to get you started.

For a manager who makes your work miserable
“Leading With Gratitude: Eight Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results” by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton (Harper Business), $29.99
This one’s for your crabby boss or grouchy manager who rarely says “thank you” or offers a compliment. Contrary to how they might behave, these individuals are usually decent human beings — they just have to make a conscious effort to catch others doing something right instead of spotting problems. This book teaches them to do that. Research, according to the authors, shows that grateful bosses not only have happier, more productive workers, but that they themselves also fare far better in their careers than their less appreciative peers.

For someone struggling with the new normal
“Working from Home: Making the New Normal Work for You” by Karen Mangia (Wiley), $22
Most of us landed in a work-from-home world with little or no time to prepare. Rolling out of bed and tiptoeing to our workspace in our pajamas and bunny slippers once seemed to be a treat, but if you’re still doing it, it’s time to stop, according to Mangia. “You’re missing a powerful pause (between home and work). And a critical mind shift for your success.” Other tips include how to set yourself up to look your best on Zoom calls and why you’ll look like an ass if you don’t acknowledge your kids and pets when they interrupt your presentations, among other things. Mangia also offers guidelines on when to accept and when to pass on meetings and workloads: “Does it have to be? Does it have to be me? Does it have to be now?”

For anyone questioning a college degree
“Blue-Collar Cash: Love Your Work, Secure Your Future, and Find Happiness for Life” by Ken Rusk (HarperCollins Publishers), $24.99
Not everyone wants to go to college, earn a degree and be saddled behind a desk for the length of their professional life. Never mind paying back student loans. You can skip all of that and start earning a paycheck right after high school, according to Rusk, who was once a ditch digger and now owns multiple businesses that bring in millions of dollars. The book offers guidance to those who want to pursue blue-collar careers that will help them achieve their life goals whether they are comfort, peace and freedom or buckets full of cash.

For the person who makes the meeting endless
“Making Conversation” by Fred Dust (Harper Business), $29.99
Meetings at work (on Zoom or in person) can be joyless time suckers and an absolute waste of energy. As senior design adviser for the Rockefeller Foundation and a former global managing director at international design firm IDEO, Dust offers advice for creative conversations designed to move things forward, leveraging components such as commitment, creative listening, clarity and context. When Dust observed this happening, he found “more people bridging divides than falling into them. I witnessed people tackling hard topics, not with trepidation but with a kind of excitement, even joy.”

For someone who needs to advance their career
Giving presents that will help recipients expand their portfolio of skills, pivot to new careers or explore new hobbies should prove meaningful. Gift certificates for online learning are available on sites like Coursera, Skillshare and Udemy, among others. Classes range from accounting, analytics, marketing and software development to creative writing, meditation, intermittent fasting and many others. Some providers even offer certifications and even degrees you can add to your resume or post on your LinkedIn profile. Prices vary widely, so check what you are getting yourself into before you get your heart set on something specific. Some learning sites are priced per course, others are sold on an “all you can eat” subscription basis.

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