Rhonda Abrams The Passionate Entrepreneur

Are you stumped trying to find the perfect gift for the entrepreneur on your holiday gift list? Or are you still making up your own list for Santa?

If so, I've come up with a list of gifts that entrepreneurs will love:

• Business card scanner: I've got a pile of business cards on my desk that I need to enter into my contact management system, so this seems like an answer! ($149 from CardScan and many others).
  
  
• Basic contact management or database software: Help your entrepreneur pals keep their customers! Give them a database program. Intuit makes a simple one -- QuickBooks Customer Manager ($79.95). ACT by Sage Software is a long-time leader ($199).
  
  
• An appointment with a Small Business Development Counselor: These are trained business counselors who are usually experienced businesspeople. To top it off, it's absolutely free! Find your nearest SBDC at their web site.
  
  
• One day with a professional organizer: Everyone could use some help getting their office in shape. (Locate one in your area from the National Association of Professional Organizers.)
  
  
• Electronic shipping scale: No more standing in line at the post office just to weigh a package. Purchase a scale with a capacity over 50 pounds so your entrepreneur can weigh their suitcases to make sure they're below airlines' weight limits.

  One choice: the Royal Exacta, $79.95 from American Weigh.
  
  

• Business books: Entrepreneurs must keep learning in order to stay ahead of the competition.
  
  
• Gift cards to their nearest office supply or electronics stores: And add a gift card to Starbucks or their nearest local coffee house while you're at it. They're going to be working late, so they need their caffeine!
  
  
• Wireless headset: Holding the phone with their neck adds lots of stress to an entrepreneur's life. I've been using a Bluetooth-enabled Plantronics model in my office ($149).
  
  
• Gold-plated monogrammed computer mouse: If they're going to sit at their computer all day, they might as well feel like Daddy -- or Mommy -- Warbucks. ($16.98 from Lillian Vernon.)

Finally, give the gift that entrepreneurs want most -- more customers! Help them build their businesses by getting out there and spreading the word about their products and services.