This is a guest post about one of the sponsors of the FamousBloggers CommentLuv $3550 CASH PRIZES Blogging Contest by Donna Fontenot (aka DazzlinDonna) who says about herself, “I’m a near-dinosaur in the SEO world, but I don’t really consider myself an SEO. I’m an online entrepreneur, affiliate marketer, and ebusiness coach among other things. Mainly, I’m a geek making a living online.”.

Raise your hand if you know someone who is considering supplementing their income by making money online – or someone who is ready to ditch the cubicle completely by becoming an Internet entrepreneur. These days, very few people wouldn’t raise their hands. Starting an online business is both exciting and scary, so help your friend start right by showing her that you believe she’s got the right stuff to make it big.

Anyone starting a new business of any sort – on or offline – needs some business essentials. You can help show your support for your friend’s new venture by giving a gift that says “This is a gift for success!” and it can be a gift that fits right in with the essential business tools she needs. Want some examples?

Head on over to Executive Gift Shoppe to choose a stylish gift for your budding CEO such as a swanky money clip, a “green” gift like the bamboo cell phone / MP3 / PDA charging station, or a beautiful and useful padfolio that’s perfect for organizing all the new tasks she’ll be taking on.

Remember how exciting it used to be when you’d go to school on the first day of the new year? What was one of the most exciting parts of that experience? If you were like me and many others, it was the chance to buy all new accessories – pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Business accessories are just an adult extension of that same excitement. Starting a new business is even more exciting, so give a gift that the new entrepreneur is sure to love. You’ll find something just right at Executive Gift Shoppe, I’m sure.

Speaking of gifts, you can give the gift of your thoughts at my contest entry 5 Steps To Impressing A Longtime Jaded Blogger With Your Comments. It’s free to share your knowledge gift, so please do. Everyone would love to know what you think. Or, if you’d prefer, tweet a link to my entry using the hashtag #FCBLcontest.

How do YOU feel when someone gives you a gift – especially a carefully selected gift that you can use regularly? Does the gift change how you feel about that person? Do you think of them every time you use it? Would YOU appreciate receiving more gifts?

Although the true meaning of Christmas is infinitely more important, the holidays do provide the perfect excuse to give anyone a gift for any reason:

• In appreciation for assistance they’ve given you
• Because you truly enjoy their company
• To serve as a regular reminder that you’re in their life

Even if you suspect that someone may be giving you a gift to enhance their own business relationship with you, wouldn’t you still appreciate the thought? I believe most people would – especially if the gift were thoughtfully chosen just for them. If there are relationships you would like to strengthen, read on.

We are not talking about promotional gifts sold in bulk although those are a good idea for promoting a business. Today we are talking about selecting a gift specifically for a particular person – something useful that they will use and that will also remind them that you were thinking of them.

I have pulled up dozens of articles on this subject and found them less than useful, so I’m going to offer my own suggestions on what I believe would make excellent business gifts – things I would appreciate receiving and would use myself.

Disclaimer: These links are to an online gift store owned by a long-time friend. This is not a paid advertisement and they are not affiliate links (although he does offer many affiliate programs and I am not opposed to using them).

I have worked with him for years and recommend him here and elsewhere because he has always been my favorite client. He is honest, dependable, and offers exceptional service. He is also intelligent and his business model allows him to offer quality products at very competitive prices. You can confirm that others share my evaluation of him by reading his testimonials.

So, yes it will benefit him if you buy from his store – but it will also benefit YOU as much or more.

That out of the way, here are some items I believe would enhance your business relationships and help you grow your business (which is, after all, what the GrowMap blog is all about).

Business Card Holders

Business Card Holders – Who doesn’t carry business cards these days? I have never seen a selection larger than the amazing variety they carry.

Many – probably most – can be engraved with a special message, their name, or monogrammed. I chose this one from the hundreds or maybe even thousands they offer for the distinctive color and room on the back for three lines of engraving.

If you want at least twenty-five you can even have your company logo and business name on the front as shown in this image and engrave a personal message on the back.

In the “old days” Corporations used to give engraved gold or silver Cross or Colibri Pens as performance awards or after so many years of service. Get free engraving on their entire selection of personalized pens and save 34% off on all Cross pens left in stock.

Laser Pen Projects the Time

Know someone who could use a new toy for their presentations? Check out the laser pointers from $10 up to $689 for the Phire Blue Light Laser Pointer. That is some expensive light, isn’t it?

They even have a time projecting red laser. Not sure what you’d do with it (check the time in the dark?) but someone else must know, right?

WIth the number of road warriors traveling and presenting you’re bound to know someone who could use a laser pointer. $10 isn’t much to spend to enhance a relationship with your favorite presenter.

Desktop Alarm Clock Organizer

For people that spend time in an office choose from these practical desk accessories:

1. Desktop Business Card Holders – unique styles – some with clocks – from $13-$230
2. Desktop Pen and Clock Sets – Cross, Movado, and Bluestone Designs
3. Inspirational Desktop Sculptures – unusual items including sailboats and horses and gifts for golfers
4. Blackberry Holders, PDA Stands, Cell Phone Caddies
5. Desktop Organizers – many with Howard Miller TableTop clocks

Atomic Travel Alarm Clock

For those who travel here are some ideas to make traveling more fun:

1. Coffee and Tea Travel packs with insulated stainless steel thermos bottles in totes, duffels, or travel packs. (While these don’t show engraving options you could ask if they could be.  They were a good idea for those who commute so we’ve included them here anyway.)
2. Eliminate the time and stress of changing between time zones with an Atomic Radio Controlled Travel Alarm Clock that changes itself for you. They have a nice selection starting at only $24 with three Atomic Travel Alarm Clocks that can be engraved.
3. While actually embossed rather than engraved, someone who travels will appreciate quality leather toiletry bags and travel grooming kits.
4. Make the hassle of airport check-in easier with Passport Holders and Airline Ticket Holders.  ($27 and up)

If you know someone on a more personal level there are far more gifts than I’ve mentioned here.  I created a post in a gift idea blog I’m developing that explains all the reasons I recommend Executive Gift Shoppe and provides links to even more of their products.

See anything you like? Would you be interested in reviewing any of the gifts? Would you like to WIN free gifts or gift certificates? Leave a comment so we’ll know and we’ll be in touch.