9 Essentials You Need At Your Desk

Sure, you’ve got the basics like pens and folders, but is your desk really stocked with all the necessities? Ed talked to some of his friends to come up with a checklist, so you can fill up your drawers with these items before you need them. (And psst, don’t forget to check out our list of must-have ’90s desk supplies for when your workday could use a little throwback love.)

1) Mini toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss
If you’ve got an important meeting coming up after lunch, you’re going to want to pop into the bathroom for a quick brush-up first.

2) Hand sanitizer
As the multimedia editor for PBS NewsHour Weekend, Corinne Segal swears by a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer on her desk. It’s especially useful after morning commutes. “I work near Times Square, and by the time I get into the office, I’ve usually made accidental contact with one or two trains, fellow passengers, escalators, and elevators,” she says. “It’s good to know the sanitizer is waiting for me at the office.”

3) Spare headphones and a phone charger
Is there anything worse than reaching the dreaded red strip of battery power dead zone? Chances are, there will be days when you forget your regular charger at home, so invest in another one that you can leave in the office. Throw in a pair of spare headphones or earbuds too, for those moments where you just need to shut out the rest of the world and get down to business.

4) A refillable water bottle
Go green and stay hydrated with plenty of H20 all day long by bringing a reusable water bottle to work.

5) Snacks
Brittany Nims, branded content editor for The Huffington Post, believes that anyone working in editorial absolutely needs “snacks for days” at their desk. “As a writer and editor, your schedule is never the same, and all-too-frequently you’ll realize you just worked through breakfast… and lunch… and dinner,” she explains. Her advice? Stockpile enough snacks to sustain an adult human for up to three days. Make your selection a mix of sweet and salty munchies that won’t go bad after a few days, like granola bars and trail mix.

6) A stockpile of napkins and plastic utensils
Meghan O’Keefe, deputy editor at Decider, has a secret stockpile of napkins and plastic utensils that she’s saved from past lunch orders in her drawer. “The napkins are a must-have for water and coffee spills. And you never know when you’ll need a spork,” she says.

7) Mini deodorant
Not all heroes wear capes. Whether you’re nervously perspiring while thinking about a big presentation or just sweating like crazy on a hot day, a travel-size stick of deodorant can save your life.

8) A period stash kit
It happens to the best of us—sometimes Aunt Flo unexpectedly crashes the party a couple of days early when you’re so not ready for her. Prep in advance (or be a lifesaver for a coworker in need) by putting together a makeshift period stash kit—including pads, tampons, liners, and aspirin—in a small pouch.

9) Joy triggers
Nims is a big fan of the mantra, “Surround yourself with things that bring you joy.” Whether it’s a framed picture of your family, a special award, or a cool mug, every Whippersnapper has a joy trigger (or five!) to display with pride. Since we spend so many hours of our lives in our cubicles, it’s important to liven them up with little things that make us smile and remind us what the hustle is truly all about.