It’s officially holiday shopping season, and unless you’re a professional year-round shopper, it’s about time to start clicking ‘add to cart!’ If you’re a healthcare worker pressed for time and need some assistance on the gifting front, we’ve got you covered.

“Receiving gifts is a love language for everyone, whether they think so or not,” says Vinny Chrepta, Senior Culture and Events Specialist and Curator of Moments at Wambi. “I’m always searching for the perfect gift that I can imagine the recipient cherishing for years to come.”

But Vinny’s not the only one of our Flock that knows where to shop. We asked our Flock members to fill us in on their go-to spots for the perfect holiday gift for family and friends alike. Enjoy the ten 2021 holiday gifts chosen by the Wambi team, with a balanced assortment of thoughtful experiences and delightful trinkets.

1. Custom soy candles from Mom Made Candle Co., $21

This woman-owned company will have the winning holiday scent to fill any home! To see the latest pours and to know when the holiday candle will be making its debut, make sure you follow Mags on Instagram @mommadecandle.

2. Wooden puzzle games from TwigaHomeStore, Starting at $12.90

TwigaHomeStore sells the perfect wooden puzzle games for adult and kid tinkerers alike! These puzzles and more can be found in Alexandr’s shop on Etsy. Aside: Who doesn’t love Etsy? Of course, we have a favorite model. See the Hammacher Schlemmer. Also, their catalog is MAGICAL. You’ll always stumble on some weird, extravagant product you want to gift to yourself.

3. Goods from Moon and Arrow

If you’re the “just browsing” type and are not quite sure what to get your best friend, Moon and Arrow in Philadelphia (also the HQ of Wambi) will have just what you’re looking for! The shop is currently ringing in their 10th Anniversary by showcasing their selection of fine jewelry cast in 10 karat gold.

4. Box of Chocolates from Criterion Chocolates

Everyone has a loved one who knows that the perfect gift is a box of chocolates. Criterion Chocolates feels the same way, and have been living their truth since 1929. If you feel overwhelmed browsing their massive catalog, we highly suggest their dark chocolate nonpareils.

5. Polymer Clay Earrings from KENNEDY Clay Company, Starting at $10.50

Millette Stambaugh, Digital Marketing Coordinator at Wambi, is keen to gift handmade polymer earrings from coworker Kennedy Franklin’s Etsy jewelry shop. “Not only do I love her seasonal collections, but the unboxing of her creations is an experience in and of itself. I can’t wait to share that joy with one of my friends this holiday season!” 30% off sale through Friday, 12/3.

6. Hotel Gift Card

Research if your favorite hotel properties offer gift cards for the holiday season. If they do, request if they can have an actual gift card sent to your home to place under the tree. We suggest framing the gift card for a more personal touch and instruct the recipient to switch out the gift card with a photo from their vacation once they’ve enjoyed their stay. We all know healthcare workers are in need of a getaway so it’s a win for a family member or a friend who might be taking on extra holiday shifts.

Here are some favorite hotels suggested by our team members:

• The Casa Marina in Key West, FL
• Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ
• The Hotel Bethlehem in Bethlehem, PA
• LINE Hotel in Los Angeles, CA
• YOTEL in New York City, NY

7. We’re Not Really Strangers Card Game, On sale for $17.50

One of our Wambi team members was recently gifted this interactive adult card game with a party invitation to come over and play it. She said, “It was so much fun; we laughed, cried and left a whole lot more connected than we already were.” If you’re looking to make up for lost quality time and don’t mind digging deep, this fosters meaningful connection without compromising the fun. Similar to the Wambi platform.

8. Food and Beverage Subscription Boxes

Let’s be real: Who doesn’t love a gift you can eat?! There are so many food subscription boxes out there, and most of them offer different delivery schedules to accommodate you and your dietary needs. This is the best kind of package because no two boxes will ever be identical and each one holds a world of surprises. We are especially fond of Driftaway Coffee, a monthly box that delivers select coffee beans and ground from 26 countries, and Munch Addict, a treasure trove of international snacks.

9. Pair of Socks from Bombas, Starting at $12.50

Did you know that the most requested item at homeless shelters are a pair of socks? For every pair of socks purchased, they donate a pair to someone in need. You can also shop slippers, underwear, and shirts. If you are looking for holiday cheer whose impact is not only far reaching, but also practical, here’s a gift that’s perfect for even the hardest of people to shop for. 20% off everything.

10. Grocery Delivery Service

If this year’s gift is more of a “need” than a “want,” especially for older relatives who don’t live nearby or anyone still sheltering in place, 10/10 would recommend gifting grocery delivery services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or even Walmart Grocery Delivery. While we can’t always be there in-person, we can still make sure our loved ones are cared for.

Wherever you are, whatever your reason for the season, we hope our 2021 gift guide will make things a little less stressful this holiday season. If you like what you read, check out our other gift guides made curated especially for healthcare workers: 

• 15 Delightful Last-Minute Gifts for Healthcare Workers 
• 15 Best Gifts For Nurses Week That They’ll Love 

TUCSON, AZ — Nov. 14, 2021. In the wake of unprecedented change, hospitals and communities are witnessing the evolution of the nurse leadership role. Nurse leaders are being asked to do more now than ever before, with added responsibilities as coach, counselor and constant communicator.  

From November 14-18, nurse leaders around the country will gather to redefine the nurse leadership role at the Synova Associates 25th Anniversary Nurse Leadership Forum. Wambi and Synova Associates are delighted to extend the benefits of their joint partnership to conference attendees.  

“To be partnered with Wambi, I am just overjoyed because we are both incredibly passionate about helping hospitals improve their human and patient experience,” shares Lori Gunther Partner and CEO at Synova Associates.  

Wambi is committed to inspiring and uplifting all people in healthcare, helping organizations transform their cultures to increase retention and improve the experience for leaders, team members, patients, and families. Right now, hospitals and communities across the country are struggling with nurse retention and burnout. Leaders have the opportunity to turn this around by creating an environment where people feel like they belong, are valued, and are seen for the work they do.  

Gunther shares, “One of the things that I love about our conference and the time that we get to spend together is that they feel seen and heard by each other as leaders. It’s important for them to have that connection.” 

During the 25th Anniversary Nurse Leadership Forum, attendees will have the opportunity to: 

• Gain the confidence to step into new opportunities 
• Develop skills for navigating uncomfortable, yet important conversations 
• Deconstruct understandings of other cultures and demographics and their impact on healthcare 
• Advance emotional intelligence to foster the development of healthcare teams 

This event is designed to provide perinatal and NICU nurse leaders an opportunity to connect, learn, and enhance their leadership. The agenda is full of inspiring content including Cy Wakeman as the keynote speaker.  

In addition, Wambi’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Bonnie Clipper, will be speaking at “Disrupting Employee Engagement,” sharing her insight as a disruptor, top nurse influencer, health care executive, thought leader, start-up coach and international speaker.  

If you are attending the conference in-person, be sure to visit the Wambi booth for a demo of the latest platform upgrade, enter to win a pair of BALA shoes (learn more about BALA here), and experience how Wambi is transforming hospital cultures to impact nurses and other healthcare workers. 
 

Although registration for the in-person event is closed, virtual registration is open until Friday, Nov. 12. The virtual program will provide access to the first two days of the main conference on Monday, Nov. 15 and Tuesday, Nov. 16. 

Click here to learn more about this event.   

After another challenging year, many hospitals leaders are making a concentrated effort to celebrate the hard work of their team members and searching for ways to combat nursing burnout and turnover. With the busy holiday season quickly approaching, now is a popular time to prepare Thanksgiving, winter, and holiday celebrations. In-person or virtual gatherings can be a great opportunity to improve the way your team feels at work. As Wambi’s Product Evangelist, Melanie Alm, shares, moments of connection with people who understand us can make a powerful impact.

In addition to providing opportunities for connection, one of the most important things to remember for your hospital celebrations is to integrate gratitude. Providing moments of gratitude will ensure your team members not only feel celebrated for their hard work, but also genuinely recognized. This gratitude is a powerful motivator to reducing nurse turnover.

“The greatest motivator for my teams is to be recognized by their peers and patients through Wambi,” shares Kathy L. Lynch, RN, MSN, Nurse Manager at University of Maryland Medical System, UCH Harford Memorial Hospital. “It makes them feel valued and helps them realize their hard work really does pay off.”

Whether your event is in-person or virtual, there are lots of fun ways you can incorporate Wambi into your hospital celebrations!

• Extend an Invitation: Did you know leaders can post a video on the Wambi newsfeed? Recording a video invitation is a great way to make the team feel special and get everyone excited. Users can comment and react with emojis, making the newsfeed invitation even more interactive!

*Pro Tip: Make sure to record your video horizontal (landscape)!

• Make Logging In Simple: By printing and displaying QR codes for logging in, team members can easily access their Wambi dashboard and reflect on the gratitude shared throughout the year. Your Wambi team can even set up a fun challenge for everyone to reflect on the Wambis they’ve received in the past.
• Get Photo Ready: Capture the moments shared during hospital celebrations by setting up a Wambi photobooth. It’s also a great opportunity for staff to update their Wambi headshot if they haven’t in a while. Having your photo uploaded to Wambi is an integral piece in receiving recognition from patients and families. While patients may not always remember your name, they’ll definitely remember your face!
• Put A Spotlight On Gratitude: Print out Wambi Spotlights Templates so you can display gratitude that has been received from patients and team members.
• Get Cozy With Hygge Elements: Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian philosophy centered on coziness and comfort. Create a space that is cozy and inviting by incorporating simple hygge elements. Want to host a hospital hygge? Click here.
  • The Embrace Joy Bulletin Board Kit makes decorating easy. The hygge inspired design features a Scadinavian border, a joyful quote, a list of seasonal celebrations and more. It even has a QR code that team members can scan and easily log in to their Wambi account.

• Set Your Playlist To Gratitude: Immediately boost the mood of guests with an inspirational playlist centered on gratitude and joy. Visit the “Embrace Joy Every Day” landing page to get your feet tapping, your heart pumping, and your spirits soaring!
• Celebrating Virtually? Wambi has a variety of fun, downloadable Zoom backgrounds to bring added joy. Be sure to share with the team ahead of time so they can be ready. There are a variety of designs to choose from like a favorite destination or seasonal celebration!

• Draw Names: As team members enter, provide slips of paper and a hat (or jar). Ask each guest to write down their name and place the slip of paper in the jar or hat. When team members are leaving, they will pick out a name and send a Wambi to that person!
• Connect Virtually: There are lots of fun ways your team can celebrate virtually like a karaoke competition, cooking class, games, personality quizzes and more! You can also host a holiday-themed virtual scavenger hunt by asking participants at home to find certain holiday-inspired items. Ideas could be a festive clothing item, décor with sentimental value, favorite coffee mug, and more! Once they bring the item back to the screen, have each person show-and-tell a little about their item at your hospital celebrations.

• Share The Fun: Don’t forget to create a post on Wambi using the photo booth photos so everyone can reminisce about the fun! Remind your team members to log into Wambi to react with their favorite emoji.
• Gifting With Gratitude: Planning on providing gifts for the end of the year to your staff or colleagues? We’ve got plenty of ideas to get you started! Check out the shoes, apparel, home essentials and more curated to help you with your gifting needs: 15 Best Gifts for Nurses or Last Minute Gifts for Healthcare Workers!

If you’re interested in finding out additional ways you can integrate Wambi into hospital celebration and events, we’re here to help!

“As cliché as it may sound, there is no limit to what you can do with a Wambi event,” shares Wambi’s Senior Culture and Events Specialist Vinny Chrepta. “In several instances, clients have wanted to create events where they encourage employees to log in and send a Wambi. If you have an idea for something, I am here to support you however possible!”

Have you found a unique way to incorporate Wambi into your celebrations? We’d love to hear from you! Log in to the Wambi Support Desk and visit the Wambi Community Forum to share your insights and best practices.

Interested in other ways you can integrate Wambi into your hospital culture?

Be sure to check out our Onboarding Experience: 7 Tips to Welcome Employees with Wambi article.