MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares ways you can support the entrepreneur in your life this Christmas
More people than ever are turning to side hustles to top up their income, but while starting or growing a new online business might be their 2026 goal, it can be expensive to do so.
If you have a loved one who wants to launch their first business in the New Year, check out this gift guide to be inspired to find gadgets and gifts that will help them grow.
From courses to kit, there are lots of ideas to get started. But support doesn’t have to cost a penny, either.
Free ways you can support their business
Your time is the most valuable gift you can offer to help a loved one make money. If you have a skill that your friend or family could benefit from to help launch their online business, offer it instead of a physical gift. It might be helping them write a business plan, design social media graphics, or introduce them to people in your network who could help with their expertise.
Word of mouth is very important to any business, but especially one that’s starting out. When the entrepreneur in your life has a website or social media channels, make sure you follow them and like and share their posts. Tell everyone you know about them to spread the word.
Stocking fillers for entrepreneurs
The big gifts are mentioned below, but if you want some stocking fillers for business-minded recipients, there are a few surefire gifts that will always be appreciated.
A good notebook is never unwanted. You can pick up some great budget-friendly ones from shops like The Works, or pick up a reliable Moleskine for a trusted high-quality brand. Papier also has a big range of stunning notebooks.
High-quality pens are the next step, but they don’t have to break the bank. For fountain pen lovers, a LAMY Safari is the perfect choice, while to stock up on everyday pens that they’ll want in every pocket, the Pilot G2 gel ink rollerball pens are firm favourites of writers everywhere.
A portable selfie light is perfect for anyone who wants to make videos on their phone, on the go, while a mini phone tripod means they can take stable hands-free photos and videos. A magnetic power bank will extend their phone’s battery life while they’re out and about, while a slightly larger one will help charge their tablet or laptop too.
Gifts for digital nomads
If their new business involves a lot of travel, it’s important to be set up with kit that will help them keep going even with unreliable internet and power. That’s where the Nighthawk M7 Pro Mobile WiFi Router comes in, and for those taking their business on the road as a van-life nomad a Bluetti generator setup ensures they won’t run out of power at a crucial time.
For those who need to take their laptops and kit with them, a Gomatic backpack is a must-have. They started out designing bags for cameras, so they’re experienced in creating rugged, durable luggage and backpacks that protects kit without being bulky.
When you’re on the go, whether it’s regular trips to the city to work in a shared office space or travel the world as an influencer, keeping everything portable and minimally-sized is vital. The Kingston Dual USB SSD stick is the same size as a large USB key, but it can hold up to a whopping 2TB of data and has a USB-A and a USB-C connection, making it a perfect backup system.
Similarly, for those recording videos or podcasts on the go, a compact and reliable microphone is important. The Wave T5 Combi Lavalier Microphone comes with a range of accessories to fit devices and handle conditions such as breezy days with ease, and it’s all secured in a small protective case for travel.
Staying small, the ReMarkable Paper Pro Move is perfect for people always on the go who don’t want to be chained to a laptop all the time. It’s a palm-sized e-ink digital notepad, easy on the eyes. Importantly, it’s distraction-free, as it doesn’t run on Android or iOS.
Finally, one of the best gifts you can give someone who travels a lot for their new business is a few nights’ stay at a hotel where they know they’ll be looked after in comfort during busy days, like the Radisson Blu.
Gifts for a great desktop setup
For entrepreneurs who prefer to work at home, a good desk setup is important. They will be working long hours while they get their business off the ground, so an ergonomic and comfortable setup helps protect their health and comfort.
A fully adjustable office chair like those available from Boulies will help improve posture when sitting for long hours. For those who want to keep moving during the day to prevent fatigue and aches and pains, a standing desk is a welcome gift, as the UREVO Cyberpad Smart Treadmill to go underneath it would be, too.
A desk mat with a padded wrist rest will also prevent wrist strain, while a wireless Bluetooth keyboard and mouse like those from Seenda are ideal for placing in the most comfortable position without being restricted by wires.
Even the most desk-bound entrepreneur needs to go out and about sometimes, but instead of lugging a laptop with them they could consider an e-ink tablet like the Boox Go Color 7 Gen II. This eases eye strain but still allows them to get their thoughts down on the digital notepad and access emails and other Android-based apps.
For those who want to stream online, record podcasts, or have great sound on video calls, the MAONO DM40 Pro Microphone is ideal – and it looks great with its RGB lighting, too.
Gifts for motivation
Working from home staring at the same walls when you’re starting out as an entrepreneur can be lonely and demotivating, especially as things take time to launch. These gifts will help your entrepreneur stay focused without burning out, by improving their working space (whether that’s a dedicated home office or a corner of the living room).
A good coffee machine is always a welcomed gift from coffee lovers. A sustainable one is even better. Top that once more with space for large cups and an included travel mug, and you’ve got the new Tazza Pour and Go bean-to-cup coffee machine from Morphy Richards. It has a built-in grinder, and holds cups up to 6.7” tall, making it perfect for someone who needs a caffeine supply throughout the day.
Help improve the air quality in their work environment with an air purifier, which is a must-have for those with allergies. Levoit air purifiers come in a range of sizes, including a personal desktop size.
Add some office ambiance
For those who don’t have space for a whole desk setup, or who need to work off extra-large screens (such as artists), consider a Dangbei Atom projector. It can create a huge wall-projected screen to work from, while double up as an entertainment centre in their downtime thanks to the built-in apps.
Small office décor gifts can be enough to add some motivation to staying put in their workspace and keep focus, too. Choose seasonal things like a Christmas wreath from AliExpress, or a personalised photo calendar you’ve made on VistaPrint. Marketplaces like Etsy and NotOnTheHighStreet also have lots of unique and interesting office décor items, from photo frames to stationery to storage options.
Educational gifts for new business owners
New entrepreneurs often don’t take the time to invest in their education, but it can make the difference between sinking and soaring when it comes to launching their business. Help the entrepreneur in your life grow and succeed by gifting business-related courses.
The Evergreen Academy can teach people how to make a passive income from an evergreen course, for example. Or, a BBC Maestro subscription will give them access to online courses they can take at their own pace, from business giants like Steven Bartlett, Jo Malone MBE, and Peter Jones. If they like online learning, make sure to also tell them about the Open University free short courses, too.
- Some of the brands and websites we mention may be, or may have been, a partner of MoneyMagpie.com . However, we only ever mention brands we believe in and trust, so it never influences who we prioritise and link to.
