Practical Business Gifts

Magazine subscriptions are one of the gifts I love receiving because I rarely take time to subscribe to magazines on my own, but thoroughly enjoy receiving hard copy reading material every month, especially when so much of what I typically read is online. Fast Company magazine is the perfect subscription for small business owners who want to keep up with business trends and ideas.

For business owners who work from home or keep important documents on-site, a fire-safe box is an important, but often forgotten investment, making it an excellent business gift idea. This box from SentrySafe is small, easy to move and locks to protect the most important documents, CDs, DVDs and memory sticks.

There are a lot of online productivity tools, but sometimes nothing beats a reliable, paper-based system, and Day-Timer is one of the most trusted. This starter set comes with a sturdy binder with undated calendar pages, tabbed address/phone directory, tabbed monthly dividers, 24-sheet lined notepad, business/credit card holder, vinyl zip pouch, handy reference pages and a page locator. It's the perfect gift idea for the over-scheduled, ready-to-get-organized, paper-loving small business owner.

The Contigo travel mug is spill- and leak-proof, and even self-seals to not only further prevent spills but keep your beverage nice and warm for up to four hours. This is an excellent gift for any small business owner who travels or works around expensive equipment that needs to be protected from a spill.

Sensitive documents need to be handled appropriately in every business, so a personal paper shredder can be an excellent practical gift for any small business owner. This Fellowes shredder is perfect for home offices, and has a lock that prevents the shredder from accidentally being turned on. It shreds paper, credit cards and staples into a wastebasket for easy disposal.

Sitting in one location all day can take a toll on your body, so all small business owners who work in an office need a comfortable, adjustable, ergonomic chair. This chair by Office Star has all of the features I look for in a good office chair: adjustable back height, built-in lumbar support, breathable mesh upholstery, and adjustable padded arms. It's a good looking, functional and comfortable chair you'll be able to sit in all day, every day.