As the holidays approach, BusinessWest presents its annual Gift Guide, a look at what to get some of those hard-to-buy-for professionals on your list. This compilation includes everything from items for one’s desk to the latest gadgets and gizmos, to things that make life better for those who live on the road.

The holidays will soon be upon us, and although you may be on a tight budget this year, there’s an amazing array of affordable gifts sure to please the professionals in your life.

Shopping for others is rarely easy or enjoyable, but since Christmas is a time to express love, admiration, and appreciation, it’s worth taking the time to find a gift that matches the recipient’s personality.

BusinessWest has made your shopping easier with gift ideas to suit a wide range of business professionals. You can spend a lot or a little, yet bring joy to all — whether you are buying for the artistic type, the ultimate office organizer, a co-worker who loves luxury and convenience, the guy who delights in novel gadgets, or the man or woman who spends endless hours on the road.

The items have been arranged by categories, and we have added online addresses to speed up your gift buying. If none of these seems quite right, a gift certificate to an area store, restaurant, or theater venue is sure to be appreciated. And last but not least, for the philanthrophist, consider a gift to a charitable organization you know the person cares about and supports.

Inspirational Gifts

It’s easy to become overwhelmed at work, especially in these times when people are expected to do more than ever before. A little inspiration can go a long way, which is why a set of Motivational Desk Dice ($12.50 at e-corporategifts.com) is sure to be a winner. There’s no luck involved — every die contains one of 36 upbeat phrases, which range from “Be Thankful” to “Today.” No gambling required — these are a guaranteed bet and something that can be shared with others on those days when the going gets tough.

Something more practical and sure to be used frequently is an Inspirational Travel Mug with a scripted motif. With messages that range from “Make It Happen” to “Power of Attitude” and “Essence of Achievement,” one of any number of 16-ounce mugs ($6.59 at successories.com) is a way to start the day with a positive attitude.

If your coworker waits to get to the office to sip his or her cup of java, a ceramic mug with a meaningful message is a perfect gift; successories.com carries mugs with messages and photos to match. One is imprinted with a tree trunk and an inscription that proclaims, “Change is life-giving. It helps us grow into someone greater than we already are,” while another reads, “Above and beyond: When a team of dedicated individuals makes a commitment to act as one, the sky is the limit!” ($8.95 each at successories.com)

Gift givers who prefer to write their own message should look at a Personalized Framed Sparkling Sand Wall Print. You can ‘write’ up to three lines in the sand on the beach pictured in this matted and framed, one-of-a-kind gift, enclosed within a custom black, beveled 23-by-19-inch wood frame with a 3-inch mat and glass front. ($53.95 at mybusinessgifts.com)

And finally, for proud parents, there’s nothing like a Convertible Digital Photo Frame Keychain that snaps off and fits neatly into a desk frame, that showcases 51 continuously changing photos. ($39.50 at e-corporategifts.com)

For the Gadget and Gizmo Geek

It can be difficult to find a gift for those who are always up to date on the latest and greatest gadgets. But we have discovered a few staples that can make life easier, whether the person is traveling, working, or relaxing at home.

A Turbo Cell Phone Charger adds two hours of talk time when a phone battery runs out of power. This is a great gift for the traveler or sports enthusiast and could even save a business deal, if the person needs to make an important call in an airport and has no place to recharge their phone. ($17.99 at thinkgeek.com)

Most professionals who give frequent presentations are tied to their laptops, which makes it difficult to interact with the audience. A gift that can make a real difference is a Targus Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer. This nifty device allows the person to stop tripping over wires or asking colleagues to change slides. Instead, they can hold the little presenter and page up, page down, escape their slide show, darken the screen, and more from up to 30 feet away. ($24.95 at amazon.com)

People who love to know what it’s doing outside will delight in a desktop Wireless Weather Station. Many models are available and range in price from about $50 to more than $500 at weathershack.com. Basic models monitor the indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure, while more deluxe stations forecast weather up to four days ahead. Some include small wireless sensors, which could be placed outside an office window, while others provide free data via the Internet or wireless paging networks.

And if you want a gift with real pizzazz, take a look at the Eton FR600 Self-Powered Digital AM/FM/SW/NOAA S.A.M.E. Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger. ($79 at amazon.com)

Another deluxe but useful piece of office equipment is a leather mouse pad with digital display. This practical, state-of-the-art pad is sure to be the envy of all who like gifts with a purpose. It features a cushy silicone gel wrist rest, with a raised display that appears over its precision mousing surface, and shows the month, day, year, temperature, and time at a glance. It also monitors time in 16 cities and boasts a built-in timer, alarm settings, and even a calculator. ($56 at gifts.com)

All Charged Up for Business

Today’s professional has lots of battery-operated devices, and folks who can’t do without their iPhones or second generation iPods will be sure to appreciate a leather recharging-battery case. It provides up to 36 hours of extra power and has a streamlined design which makes it easy to watch video clips, movies, and more. ($70 at brookstone.com)

Professionals can avoid a tangle of wires or cable clutter at home or in the office with a six-outlet charging valet for handheld electronic devices. This attractive wooden cabinet has cushioned compartments to protect devices, and comes in maple or walnut. It organizes and charges up to six phones, PDAs, and more, and includes a six-outlet internal power strip and two 9-inch extension cords for connecting large adapters to the strip without covering any outlets. ($49.95 at brookstone.com)

Another great way to stay tuned in at all times is with a rechargeable USB battery. We found a model that’s convenient to carry and provides backup power for a cell phone, PDA, iPod, and handheld games, and can even deliver a fast one-hour initial charge. It comes complete with a cell-phone charger kit for leading models and a built-in LED flashlight. ($45 at rushgideon.com)

Driving Force

If you are buying for a person who spends a lot of time on the road, we have some great ideas.

Snowy days are a lot easier for those who own a Custom Fit Car Wintershade. It fits over the vehicle’s windshield and prevents winter precipitation from sticking to the glass. It’s easy to install and attaches to the inside with snap-and-buckle fasteners that keep it secure, even when the wind is blowing hard. The snow doesn’t seem as daunting when the car windshield can be cleaned by simply pulling it off, shaking it, rolling it up and storing it in the trunk or cargo area. (Price varies at drivingcomfort.com)

For those who want something a little less costly, an Icemaster multi-blade ice scraper is sure to fit the bill. This useful tool fits in the door pocket of any vehicle and has brass blades, which have been deburred to prevent scratching, lock in three different positions, and can be changed easily, even with gloves on. Developed in Colorado, the Icemaster clears hard ice and frost and cracks thicker ice, making it easier to get home on days when it’s freezing cold outside. ($19.99 at autogeek.net)

Some people practically live in their cars and could use a little help organizing their gear. A Carganizer may be the perfect answer. There are pockets for soft drinks or bottled water; a spacious area for CDs, tissues, books or even food; and mesh side pockets which can hold sunglasses, a cell phone, iPod, pens and pencils, and anything else that rattles around in the front or back seat. There’s even a lid to keep things looking tidy and Velcro straps on the bottom to secure it to the floor. ($17.99 at autosportcatalog.com)

Welcome Comfort

Not everyone has a vehicle with heated and cooled seats or an office that is always the right temperature. That’s why we think a cooling/heating seat topper by Cool or Heat LLC is a wonderful gift. It can be used in a car or on an office chair and includes a 12V DC vehicle lighter adaptor and a 110V AC wall outlet. This is sure to please anyone who suffers from back pain, or the stress and fatigue that comes from being seated for hours on end. ($119 at amazon.com)

Many people suffer from lack of sunlight. Working in a cubicle or windowless office can not only be depressing, it can increase the potential of suffering from a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder. It’s easy to shed light on that problem with the gift of a 26-inch Trademark Home Collection Sunlight Desk Lamp. Its lighting technology simulates outdoor sunlight, making colors appear more vivid and true to life. The lamp has a flexible goose neck that’s fully adjustable, and the light is designed to reduce eyestrain. ($25 at skymall.com)

Another welcome gift for the man or woman in your life who spends hours in front of a computer is a neck and shoulder massager. Homedics has a battery-operated model with heat for under $20 (at walgreens.com) that fits around the neck, while Brookstone has an upscale iNeed model that drapes around the shoulders and provides deep relief for hard-to-reach neck, shoulder, and back muscles, with weights to keep it in place. ($99 at brookstone.com)

Treats to Eat

When you’re not sure what to get, a specialty food or coffee is always welcome. If you’re looking for a small gift that leaves a sweet impression, how about three foil-wrapped Godiva Santas? ($15 at godiva.com)

For those who are always on a diet, try a chocolate-scented calculator. It’s solar powered, made of plastic, and really works, but is calorie-free. ($5.99 at mileskimball.com)

And a gift to thank the entire office for all they do is a membership to Citizen Bean’s Coffee of the Month Club. Grown in small cooperatives, this java will please all those with a social conscience as they enjoy a different variety each month. A bonus is that the coffee is sent with cookies or other tasty food items, along with a four-cup French press, a timer, and a few other surprises. ($200 at citizenbean.com)

If there’s a coffee lover in your office or your home who is fussy about their brew, an AeroPress Plunge Pot Coffee and Espresso Maker by Aerobie is a small indulgence. The Aeropress allows people to control the temperature of the water and measure how strong the coffee gets. ($25.95 at amazon.com)

Lunch is a big part of many people’s days, and those who pack their own food would probably be delighted to receive a Personalized Cooler Bag. In green or black, it’s a gift that will suit both guys and gals, can be monogrammed, and will be used every day. ($22 at americanbridal.com)

Sports and Hobbies

Your golf buddy may have to spend a lot of time in the office, but that’s no reason to forget the greens. It’s easy to broadcast where he or she would rather be with an I Love Golf Computer Mouse. ($25 at austads.com)

The golf lover might also appreciate a gift to keep their car as neat and trim as the greens. We found one called the Trunk It Golf Gear Case. It folds flat when not in use, but has plenty of room for shoes, hundreds of tees, sunblock, bug spray, towels, and whatever else the golfer chooses to store in its adjustable compartments. ($29 at austads.com)

If your professional is devoted to their gym workouts, try an Exploration Duffel Bag. Available in black with gray, orange, or blue, the bag is made of colorful, sturdy polyester, with front exterior loops for pens, a pocket with a cinch closure, top grab tabs to hang the bag in a locker, and side pockets that unbuckle to store gym or travel necessities. ($29 at bags-purses-totes.com)

Formulating your own game plan for shopping may not be easy, but we are sure that, with a little thought and inspiration, you will find a gift for your favorite professional that is personal, memorable, useful, and shows the spirit of the season.