As the holidays approach, I’ll be asked, as always, what I want for a present. Then, others will stop and ask me what is a good gift for a writer, or a good gift for a developer, or just a good gift for a freelancer. And, the truth is, there are lots of great gifts for freelance writers and other freelance types. But, this idea popped up recently, and I thought it would be one of many good ideas for Christmas gifts or a birthday present, or even a thank you gift for a writer or freelancer.
Caffeine
You’ve heard of caffeine before. You may have dabbled in it. You may even need a morning cup of coffee to help you wake up.
That’s cute. Welcome to the major leagues. Here, freelance writers, developers, and other types consume caffeine by the pound. To us, a Keurig doesn’t make any sense because it only makes one cup at a time, and we’d be standing there all day if we did that. Caffeine stimulates our brains and helps us crank out product when the only thing between us and a cat nap on our desk is another hot cup of something.
Fast Lane Tea by Celestial Seasonings
If this isn’t your first time buying a gift for a freelancer or writer or developer in your life, chances are you’ve already gone the coffee mug route. That’s a great gift, and another probably wouldn’t be rebuffed. However, for a unique gift, I recently stumbled across a fun item that can kick your gift up a notch.
The company Celestial Seasonings is best known for its Sleepy Time Tea and other natural, herb-style teas. However, the company has a dirty little secret.
Okay, it’s not dirty and it’s not really a secret.
Celestial Seasonings makes a tea called Fast Lane. Fast Lane is made from regular black tea. Then, the add more caffeine, and cola, and some other energy stuff. When all is said and done, Fast Lane tea has more caffeine than a cup of coffee, all from an easy to sip, cinnamon-licorice, flavored black tea.
What makes Fast Lane a fun gift is that it isn’t really well known. While I joked about it being a secret, the truth is that it is not marketed or widely distributed. You won’t find it on the shelves at your grocery store, or pretty much anywhere else. In fact, according to the Celestial Seasonings tour guide, they have actually discontinued it four or five times. Every time they do, the University of Colorado at Boulder, which is just up the road, calls and begs them to start making it again. It’s very popular on a campus. Actually, that’s the only place it’s sold other than direct from the factory store, or online.
Chances are, even though your writer or programmer friend has been through tons of various stimulating beverages, chances are good that they have never actually had Fast Lane tea. So, for a unique gift for that writer or developer in your life, grab a fun mug, or one of those tall, fancy travel mugs and pair it with a box of Fast Lane tea. You’ll get a double take and a thank you. And, don’t be surprised if in a week or two you get a phone call asking you where you got it 🙂