• OfficePOD. This is a self-contained 45-square-foot office space that can be set up in your garden or backyard, freeing up valuable space indoors. (Here’s Imran’s post about it from earlier this year.) At £5,000 ($7,000) per year, it would make an expensive gift, but it would make a comfortable and attractively designed office environment.
• Canon EOS 5D Mk II. With a full-frame 21.1-megapixel sensor, the 5D really is a dream camera, capable — when paired with the right lenses — of producing stunning imagery. Such quality doesn’t come cheap, though — the 5D Mk. II (just the body, with no lenses) costs around $2,700.
• A virtual assistant for a year. We’ve written about the benefits that VAs can bring many times previously — yet many people balk at the idea of paying someone else to take on some of their more mundane work. A year’s service from a VA would certainly make a great (if pricey) Christmas present.
• Bose QuietComfort 15 Headphones. While many people would consider $300 to be somewhat expensive for a pair of headphones, decent quality noise canceling units can be really useful while traveling. I have a pair of cheaper Sony noise canceling headphones, and while they’re not as comfortable or as effective at reducing noise as these headphones from Bose, they still make flying much less fatiguing, and make music or movies much clearer — I’d love to get a pair of these.
• Business class upgrade for your next flight. Flying business class is a little luxury that many of us refuse to pay the premium for, but a one-off upgrade would make a great gift that I’d readily receive.
• A year’s membership of a local coworking space. Coworking is a great way of getting some of the benefits of working in an office (less isolation, companionship, idea generation, synergies) in an informal cafe-like environment, working with other creative professionals, with the option to be as flexible as you choose. However, justifying the cost can be difficult for many, so a year’s membership of a coworking space would make a great gift.

What “money no object” web working gift would you like to receive this Christmas?

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• A pack of MOO cards. These cards make great alternatives to standard business cards, allowing you to create a customized, unique and fun set that you can personalize with photos.
• Web worker-friendly books. Some interesting books that have been published this year are “Trust Agents” by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith (WWD review here); “Friends With Benefits” by Darren Barefoot and Juile Szabo (WWD review here); “Crush It!” by Gary Vaynerchuk (read Nancy’s interview with Vaynerchuk here); and “The Whuffie Factor” by Tara Hunt (see Dawn’s post about the “whuffie” concept here).
• Personalized USB drive. Many web workers carry their offices around on their USB drives, so why not make that drive something fun, like one of these thumb drives from Pexagon Technology that come in a variety of colors and can be customized with themes, logos and text?
• A labeler. Many web workers (our own Nancy Nally included) swear by their labelers as a way of keeping their home offices organized. Nancy recommends the Brother PT-1290.
• A laptop desk. The Lapinator Laptop Desk (as recommended by Scott) helps keep your lap cool and provides a sturdy platform when working casually.
• iTunes Gift Card. Not only useful for purchasing music to work to, but also for acquiring those must-have iPhone and iPod touch apps.
• Poken. This nifty little USB device is available in a variety of styles and allows you to store and exchange contact information with other people wirelessly — no more paper business cards!
• Scott E-Vest Hoodie. Useful for web workers who travel a lot, this hoodie contains a plethora of pockets to store all of your gadgets while on the go, and also has a system for keeping headphone cords hidden and out of the way.
• Etre Touchy gloves. One of the problems with modern touchscreen devices, like my beloved iPhone, is that in cold weather you need to take your gloves off to be able to use them. These stylish and practical gloves from Etre are missing thumb and fingertips, enabling you to keep your hands warm and use your touchscreen device simultaneously.
• XShot camera extender. Great for taking self-portraits, but also useful for gaining elevation or finding a better vantage spot for taking photos at conferences and events — as recommended by Aliza.

What are you hoping to get in your Christmas stocking?

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Here’s a list of gift suggestions I’ve come up with ranging from $10 to $500 to accommodate any gift-giving budget.

For the Bleary Eyed All-Nighters

Can Haz Espresso? I’m more of a latte drinker myself but any caffeine addict knows that at the heart of any good latte or breve or cappucino is the perfect cup of espresso. For the spendy types, think of giving the web worker you love the Nespresso Concept D290 ($499 USD). But if you are looking for functionality, quality and cost-efficiency, take a look at the Gaggia Carezza Silvertone Espresso Machine ($179.99 USD). The machines are sleek, sexy, and high-octane generating.

For the Forgetful

If you’re like me, losing car keys or mobile devices is becoming epidemic. Rescue those absent-minded web workers with The Loc8tor ($169.99 USD). They can attach mini homing devices to their most frequently lost items. The Loc8tor leads them right to their missing things. The Loc8tor can also double as a personal alarm device.

For Those Who Sit for Hours

Web working can take a toll on the body with all the endless sitting. The HumanScale Foot Machine ($130 USD) can be used as a standard foot rest but it also has a ball-bearing, roller design to allow the stagnant web worker to increase circulation and exercise lower leg muscles with a gentle rocking motion. According to the promotional materials, “Studies have shown that 70% of all women and 40% of all men have health issues such as blood clots, varicose veins and pressure on the Achilles tendon due to pooling of fluids in the lower limbs — the result of prolonged, inactive sitting.” Save a web worker today!

For the Environmentally Conscious

For the web worker who loves to travel or work in the outdoors, keep them connected and powered with a Solar and Wind Charger ($80 USD). Suitable for cell phones, MP3 players, iPods, digital cameras and other handheld devices.

For the Mouse Maniacs

For being such a sedentary occupation, web workers can experience quite a few injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrom. The Switch Mouse from Humanscale ($103.95 USD) has a V-shaped base to position the wrist and forearm into a more natural stance and is size-adjustable for a custom fit. It also has a four-way scrolling dish that reduces repetitive motions and programmable buttons to remember specific functions. Super ergonomic.

For the Geekiest
Moving from the pricier gifts to a very affordable one, satisfy any geek tendency in your favorite web worker with the Ultimate 5-in-1 Geek Pen ($9.99 USD). In fact, it is affordable enough to get one for every web worker you know.

For even more functionality,  try a 2GB Pulse Smartpen from Livescribe ($199.95 USD). The pen can capture over 200 hours of recorded audio, linking the audio with what you’ve written. When you are taking notes while at a meeting, for example, the Smartpen ties the notes and audio together. Actual recording time varies by audio quality setting. (Requires Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista.)
For the Spying Kind

The Rovio Mobile Webcam ($299.95 USD) is a mobile web cam. Now why would someone want a mobile web cam? You can put a Rovio at your office and attend team meetings from anywhere. Or use Rovio to check on your pets at home. You can even test drive a Rovio online before buying. Put a few Rovios in one location, and you can even hold a Battle of the Rovios competition!

What are some of the cool gift items have you found for your favorite web workers?

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Remember The Milk: The Gift That Adds Value
I know, the basic version is free, and no, I’m not so cheap as to suggest you give someone a free gift. I’m talking, of course, about the Pro membership upgrade. It’s only $25 for the whole year, and it is definitely the gift that keeps on giving. Pro users can sync with mobile apps on their smartphones, and get priority support. If you have a GTD fan on that list, you can’t go wrong with this one.

VMware Fusion 2: The Gift For The Indecisive
Have someone on your list who can never make up their mind? With Fusion they won’t have to, since they can install virtual OS environments on their Mac computer. Perfect for web developers and web designers, or for anyone who needs to run an .exe once in a while. Hurry though, if you buy it today you get a whopping 50% discount. At that price, it’s almost a stocking stuffer! You have to enter the secret coupon code to get the special price. Here’s a hint: It’s “CyberMondayDeal”.

Media Temple (mt) Gift Card: The Gift Of Virtual Real Estate
Nothing says I love/admire/respect you and your work like giving that special someone somewhere to show it off. Luckily, Media Temple, one of the industry leaders in affordable, scalable web hosting, is offering a special “lite” version of their entry-level Grid-server hosting package. Normally, the minimum package will set you back $200 a year, plus $15 for domain registration. A streamlined version of said package, which still offers more than enough space and monthly transfer allowance for novice and light users, is now available for only $95, with domain name registration included.

Airport Express: The Gift For The Restless Soul
Know someone who spends a lot of time in hotels, many of which still, astoundingly, don’t offer in-room wireless internet? The Airport Express is the perfect travel companion. It doesn’t take up too much precious luggage space, it’s easy to set up, and the latest model supports 802.11n speeds. Not to mention you get AirTunes in the bargain.

Basecamp Basic Membership: The Gift For Your Favorite Startup
Starting a company or getting your bearings as a freelance project manager can be disorienting. If someone on your list is in that position, you can make their life a lot easier by giving them the gift of organization, in the form of a Basecamp Membership. The Basic one, which I recommend here because it’s the least expensive and not overwhelming for first-time users, will cost you $24/month, with no contract required, so you can decide how many months your giftee receives. Plus they get a free 30-day trial, so if they don’t like it, you can just cancel and they’ll forget you never actually got them a gift at all! Win-win.

Custom CSS Upgrade for WordPress.com: The Gift Of Color And Variety
This one is almost selfish. I’m just tired of looking at recycled WordPress themes with no unique identifying design aspects. Your friend with the WordPress.com hosted blog probably is, too, but $15 may seem like a lot to spend for what amounts to a vanity feature, especially for personal blogs. $15 for a year for Custom CSS, does not, however, seem like a lot to spend on someone you care about. Be a pal and send some credits.

While this list is by no means comprehensive, chances are someone you’re shopping for will appreciate one or more of these items. The best part about them? Your friends and family will actually use them, unlike that hideous sweater you bought them last year that they’ve buried so deep in the closet it will never see the light of day again.

Ideas of your own? Share them below. ‘Tis the season, after all.

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• Why iPad 2 Will Lead Consumers Into the Post-PC Era
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• Content Farms: The Players, The Benefits, The Risks