5 popular executive gift ideas you must consider

Obtaining the appropriate professional holiday gift for significant commercial associates, customers and staff is simplier and easier than ever. Since the options are limitless, here is a list of five of the most popular executive gift ideas for the 2010 holiday season.

• Give the gift of laughter - Who wouldn't appreciate a tear-jerking laugh during the holidays? Giving the gift of free tickets to a local comedy club is a sure bet (most people are itching to leave the house after hanging out with the visiting in-laws). Bring their spirits back up with the gift of laughter. You'll be thanked in more ways than one.

• Gadgets and widgets for tech-crazy executives - While a bamboo USB flash drive is not a totally unique corporate gift the information you load on it has the potential to make a statement. You can provide links to funny holiday-themed home videos featured on YouTube, sales and marketing presentations from industry gurus or family vacation photos (of course, you'll need to go the extra mile by contacting your recipient's secretary and convincing her to email you the photos). Digital photo frames, iPhone dock clock radios, cool pen scanners and the all-important Bluetooth accessories are also popular business gift ideas for gadget connoisseurs this holiday season.

• Gift baskets are for everyone - Personalized corporate gift baskets are a staple during the holidays. Put a holiday-themed message on the wrapping showing your appreciation for your client's continued support. From chocolate-dipped strawberries to chocolate covered nuts and pretzels to wine gift baskets any quality selection will have your clients picking up the phone to personally thank you.

• Extend your charitable contribution - Does a key business associate support a local charity or does this person work hard to eliminate a life-threatening disease? If so, find out where their emotional sweet spot is outside of work and make a donation in their name. Not only is this a very thoughtful business gift idea, you are extending your support for an important mission. Send a card thanking them for their support during the past year and elegantly mention the donation made in their name.

• Give the gift of the Big Game - When most people think about getting an important client or employee a business holiday gift they usually consider getting them an inanimate object of some sort. Instead of spending money on a corporate promotional gift such as a designer watch or desk clock try giving the gift of sports. But a close associate a new putter and personalize the handle with his name or co. logo. You can put someone in box seats or in the front row of a major sporting event. Say this person is a fan of a team in a small market and only knows the result of a contest via highlights. A national TV college or pro package lasts an entire season - and so will the impression you make.

Help your customers market themselves: Instead of sending a corporate holiday gifts like a desk clock to a particular client consider putting your customer's logo on a unique promotional product. The quantity does not have to be a large run, but handsome enough for an impact to be felt. Or you could buy a large quantity of a particular promo item and change the logo according to each company. Make sure the promo item you choose aligns with their brand. Consider your budget before planning your gifts. Big client equals more unique, thoughtful gift. The intent here is to thank your customers by helping them advertise, rather than giving them a gift that may collect dust on a shelf.