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DONNA PLANK

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DONNA PLANK

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20 UNIQUE HOME GIFTS FOR EVERY PERSON ON YOUR LIST

01 Dec 2021 by Donna Plank

Every year, it seems the holidays sneak up on us—and every year, that brings
with it the dreaded-last minute gift panic. Finding a present that hits all the
right notes can be surprisingly stressful, even when it comes to people you’ve
known for years.

But have no fear! We’ve lined up a list of unique gifts for every “type” on your
list. And since we work in real estate, they’re all centered around home life.
From the coffee snob to the sports enthusiast, these presents are the perfect
way to bring beauty, function or a touch of whimsy to your loved one’s home this
holiday season.

 

FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN

We all know someone whose kitchen is their happy place—but once all the basics
are covered, it can be hard to find the perfect present. These gifts will be a
treat for the chef, baker, or food lover on your list, no matter how well
equipped they are.

1. The Coffee Snob
Glass Pour-Over Coffeemaker – $36
Have a java lover on your list who just can’t get their brew right at home? This
high-end pour-over system makes a smooth brew that can even be refrigerated and
reheated so your recipient can enjoy a perfect cup at any time.

2. The Foodie
Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit – $30
Help your favorite gourmand create restaurant-quality meals with this kit that
allows them to grow delicious mushrooms right in their cupboard. All they’ll
need to do is soak the wood and put it in a cool place, then wait a few weeks,
and voila—mushrooms! Best of all, they can keep growing mushrooms on the same
log for years.

3. The Baker
Vintage Etched Cake Stand – $60
If you’re lucky enough to have a fabulous home baker on your list, give a gift
that reflects the joy their treats bring to others. This lovely glass cake stand
is the platform that a beautifully decorated dessert deserves.

4. The Tea Aficionado
Flowering Tea Set – $25
Your favorite tea lover may have tried all of the herbal blends out there, but
we bet they haven’t seen tea like this. This set contains two “blossoms” of tea
leaves hand-sewn around flowers that bloom when you place them in the included
glass teapot and add hot water.

 

FOR THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER BE IN THE BACKYARD

For many of us, time outdoors is the ultimate source of rejuvenation. The
nature-lover on your list is sure to appreciate these presents that help them
maximize that joy in their daily lives.

5. The Gardener
Striped Garden Tote Bag – $37
Dedicated gardeners all need a great bag to carry their gear. This tote is
attractive and sturdy and will help them keep their home’s exterior beautiful
and welcoming.

6. The Flower Lover
Monthly Flower Subscription – starting at $40/month
If your loved one prefers to enjoy their flora without all the work, a delivery
of farm-fresh flowers is sure to surprise and delight. And you can keep the joy
blossoming year-round with a monthly or bi-monthly subscription.

7. The Environmentalist
Collapsible Metal Straw – $20
Know someone who is trying to bring less plastic into their home? This reusable
metal straw means they’ll never have to buy a box of plastic straws again. And
since it collapses into a tiny carrying case, they can use it at home or on the
go.

8. The Outdoor Adventurer
Solar Phone Charger – $29
Have a camper or adventurer on your list? This solar-powered phone charger,
which comes with a built-in flashlight and compass, is a must-have. It will also
make a great addition to their home emergency kit.

 

FOR THOSE WITH THEIR NOSE TO GRINDSTONE

Like it or not, most of us spend a good chunk of our lives working—whether at a
job or on projects and chores around the house. These gifts are designed to make
that work a bit easier and more enjoyable.

9. The Remote Worker
Home Office Lap Desk – $35
Working at home can be great—in part because you can work from anywhere in the
house. The remote worker on your list will appreciate this lap desk with a
built-in mouse pad and phone slot, which will allow them to work comfortably
from the couch or the bed without overheating their computer.

10. The Back-to-The-Office Worker
Bento Lunch Box – $27
If your loved one is heading back to the office, it doesn’t mean they have to
give up the healthy habit of a home-cooked meal. Send them to work with this
stylish lunch box packed full of nutritious food.

11. The Do-It-Yourselfer
65ft Laser Distance Measure – $50
The handy person on your list can say goodbye to unwieldy tape measures with
this nifty device. It’s perfect for DIY projects up to 65 feet.

12. The Clean Freak
Portable Sanitizing Travel Wand – $60
In the COVID-19 era, we’ve all become a little germaphobic. This UV wand kills
viruses and bacteria in seconds without any wiping or washing required. It’s
perfect for disinfecting shoes, computer keyboards, and more!

 

FOR THOSE MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR HOBBIES

Of course, there’s a lot more to life than work. If you’re gifting a friend or
family member who really lights up when they talk about their hobbies, we’ve got
you covered.

13. The Sports Enthusiast
Hockey Stick BBQ Set – $45
Looking for a gift for the sports enthusiast in your life that isn’t another
jersey? These BBQ tools made from repurposed hockey sticks are a great pick.
Perfect for cooking up food to watch with the game!

14. The Bookworm
The Book Lover’s Journal – $13
Know someone who loves to curl up on the couch with a good book? This journal
will help the book-lover on your list keep track of what they’ve read, as well
as their ever-growing “to-read” list.

15. The Runner
Marathon Map Hydration Bottle – $36
Help the runner you love to stay hydrated (and motivated) with a water bottle
inscribed with their favorite race route. It’s perfect for runs around the
neighborhood or just toting around the house.

16. The Tourist
Travel Backpack – $100
Make it easy for the travel lover on your list to bring back souvenirs. This
lightweight backpack folds flat so it’s easy to pack but sturdy enough to carry
their new treasures all the way home.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PUT FAMILY FIRST

For many of us, the greatest joy in life comes from our relationship with our
family. Help your recipient strengthen and celebrate those all-important
connections with these thoughtful gifts.

17. The New Parent
4-in-1 Baby Food Maker – $155
It’s hard to know what to buy for new parents once their registry is cleared
out, but if they’re interested in making baby food at home, this tool is a
must-have. It makes the process, from steaming to mixing, fast and easy.

18. The Genealogy Fan
DNA Kit – $99
Know someone interested in reconnecting with their ancestral home? This DNA kit
can help them trace their geographical heritage and uncover their family
history.

19. The Pet Person
Custom Printed Socks – $25
Is your friend’s pet their favorite family member? These adorable socks are sure
to put a smile on their face as they cozy up on the couch with their fur baby.
And since you can feature up to four pets on each pair of socks, no one needs to
feel left out.

20. The Documentarian
Mini Link Printer – $100
We all have that relative who snaps a million photos at every family event. Help
them capture each precious moment with this unique gadget that essentially
transforms a smartphone into a Polaroid camera. It makes it easy to customize
and print out snapshots to display around the house or insert into a scrapbook
for posterity.

 

READY TO GIVE YOURSELF THE ULTIMATE GIFT?

We want to be your real estate consultants through every season of life. So
please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or to ask for recommendations
or referrals any time of year. And when you’re ready to give yourself the gift
of a new home, contact us to talk about your options. From finding the right
neighborhood to identifying the amenities that will make the biggest difference
to your quality of life, we’re always eager to help.


Donna Plank

Credentials
• Have helped over 568 families/individuals with their real estate needs
• Received the "Outstanding Achievement Award in 2020 & 2019", "Top 9% of all
Company Agents Internationally" award in 2017, the "Top 14% of all Company
Agents Internationally" award in 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014 & 2013 and
the "Top 1% of all Company Agents" & "Top Office Producer in Volume & Units"
awards in 2005
• Branch Managing Broker of two different real estate offices
• In 2020, 100% of Donna’s listings sell, the average number of days on the
market is 65 days and on average, the sellers got 97.8 % of their asking price
• Prior to real estate, 15 years of experience in sales & customer service in
the food & beverage industry handling a client base with multi-million-dollar
contracts for fortune 500 companies
• A full-time real estate broker and branch manager
Designations & Certifications Include: Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN),
Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI), Cartus Network Affinity Specialist
(CNAS), Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Certified Agent Advantage
Specialist (CAA), Cartus Networking Marketing Specialist (CNMS), Cartus Network
Buyer Specialist (CNBS), USAA Movers Advantage Broker, Navy Federal Credit Union
Realty Plus Broker, Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Certified Distressed
Property Expert (CDPE), Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource Expert (SFR), Smart
Home Technology Certification, Certified Staging Consultant (CSC)
Being a real estate professional in the Chicagoland real estate market over the
past several years has enabled Donna to have the experiences and insight to
assist her clients in any type of market whether it is a seller's market, a
buyer's market, a renter's market, a distressed property market (Foreclosure or
a short sale) or an investor's market. Most of her real estate career has been
guiding and counseling clients on selling their home, purchasing their next
home, or facilitating a lease of a property. Several years in her real estate
career were spent as a Branch Manager, managing broker for two different branch
offices with over 40 agents in each office. In this role, Donna was advising and
counseling agents on growing their business, assisted them in answering
questions they receive from their clients, and negotiated contracts with
suppliers for the office. Clients refer Donna to their friends and family
because she is professional, trustworthy, and has a high level of integrity. She
makes time for her clients and tells them the truth even if it's not what they
want to hear. She is rewarded when a client says to her "Thank you!, we couldn't
have gotten through this without you". Donna's family and friends think of her
when they have a real estate need.
After almost 15 years in the ingredient business helping food and beverage
companies incorporate a sweetener into their products, it was time for a change.
Donna was inspired to become a real estate broker as she has a passion to help
others and enjoys meeting and spending time getting to know people. She began
her real estate career as a licensed salesperson with Baird & Warner in 2000. In
2006 she was promoted to Branch Manager of their Mount Prospect Office. In 2009,
Donna was recruited to manage the Berkshire Hathaway Starck Office in Mount
Prospect for another 2 years. Since September of 2011, Donna has been a real
estate managing broker and is currently working with @properties.
Donna's family of 7 enjoys bicycling, camping, fishing, gardening, snowmobiling,
hiking, or just relaxing on the lawn chair by day and by a campfire at night.
She enjoys gardening and has a perennial herb garden and aspires to have a
sustainable vegetable garden. Donna and her family enjoy pets. They have a
Red-footed tortoise named Darwin who loves sunning himself under a heat lamp and
having his shell petted and several colorful freshwater fish. Donna is a
lifelong resident of the Chicagoland area. One of the life lessons Donna’s Mom
taught her to live by every day is "Whatever you are doing, be passionate about
it. Dive in with all that you have and give it your all. Take risks—don’t be
afraid."
Current and Active Member of: Midwest Real Estate Data MLS (MRED); Mainstreet
Organization of Realtors (MORe); Illinois Association of Realtors (IAR);
National Association of Realtors (NAR)

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