The number of people who work from home globally is on the rise. Everyone including the likes of Richard Branson is telecommuting. You probably know someone in your family or a friend who works from home. The holiday gift-giving season is here and once more, you have to start drawing shopping lists. Your gift to someone who works from home should show you care and understand the unique challenges they face.

To help you out, we offer a few suggestions that are sure to excite any home worker.

Plantronics Audio 478 Stereo USB Headset [Broken URL Removed] ($30)

plantronics audio 478 headset

Working at home has many challenges and is often a juggling act that may involve household chores, children, pets and the handyman. A headset is definitely a thoughtful gift to filter out all the distracting noise and get work done. At less than thirty bucks, The Plantronics Audio 478 USB headset is a pretty thoughtful gift that features a foldable design, noise canceling microphone and the ability to answer and end Skype calls right from the headset.

Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac, iPad and iPhone [Broken URL Removed] ($64.78)

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Do you find yourself having to frequently move from working on your computer to answering emails on your phone or tablet? Many people these days find themselves constantly switching between devices. This why the Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard for the Mac, iPad and iPhone is great gift idea for anyone who works from home. With one simple touch of a button, you can toggle between devices. You can use the keyboard to instantly switch from typing an email on your computer to sending a text message on your iPhone. You can even control your Apple TV. The keyboard uses Bluetooth technology and is rechargeable via USB.

Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive [Broken URL Removed] ($159.99)

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A home office cannot be complete without an external hard drive for data backup. It provides a means to back up important data and maintain an archive of work files. The Seagate Backup Plus has up to 4 terabytes of storage, ensuring that the average home worker has adequate backup storage. It features an easy-to-use dashboard where you can create custom backup plans with a single click. It comes with a 5-foot USB 3.0 cable, and includes a pre-loaded NTFS driver for Mac, so you can use the drive interchangeably between Mac and PC without reformatting. The drive's unique adapter system offers powerful flexibility; choose between USB 2.0, 3.0, Thunderbolt and Firewire 800 technology. It works on all Windows versions (XP and higher) and Mac OS X 10.6 or higher.

Gunnar Opticks SheaDog Glasses [Broken URL Removed] ($79)

gunnar glasses

Many people who work from home -- especially those who sit behind a computer for long periods of time -- suffer from computer-related eye strain. Gunnar glasses protect the eyes from computer vision syndrome (CVS) by filtering out the harsh, high-energy part of the light spectrum. If you buy this gift, make sure you also purchase the eye wear carrying case.

Wondering what these glasses are like to use? Read our review of the SteelSeries Scope Glasses by Gunnar Optiks.

Ergotron LX Dual Side-by-Side Monitor Arm [Broken URL Removed] ($246.99)

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This gift is ideal for the nerdy home worker who needs more than one monitor. Ergotron is a leader in high-end, stylish and ergonomic mobility products for computers and other electronics. The LX Dual Side-by-Side Monitor Arm makes it possible to create multi-display work spaces. With a simple touch, you can lift, tilt, pan or rotate your monitors ensuring minimal eye and neck strain. The display-position adjustment uses Ergotron's patented CF motion technology. The arms are made of polished aluminum which offers great durability and aesthetics. When the monitors are not in use, they can be pushed out of the way to create more working room.

A Good Office Chair: Steelcase Leap [Broken URL Removed] ($889.00)

steelcaseleap

A good office chair is the home worker's best friend. Spending long hours sitting behind a desk, many home workers tend to develop poor posture which leads to back problems and other health issues. The Steelcase Leap features patented LiveBack and Natural Glide systems to ensure the best sitting posture. It is an ideal gift for anyone who has (or is developing) long-term back issues. The Steelcase Leap offers all the standard adjustments you would expect from a premium chair such as height adjustment, tilt and arm depth.

A Power Nap Chair: Caravan Canopy Zero Gravity Chair [Broken URL Removed] ($49.99)

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It has been scientifically proven that a short nap of 30 minutes or less in the afternoon can greatly improve cognitive performance. The folks at Google and other business giants such as Proctor & Gamble, Nike and others allow their employees to take power naps. Give the home worker the Caravan Canopy Zero Gravity chair this holiday and they will remember your gift for years to come. Sure, the Caravan Canopy may not be an EnergyPod -- the Power Nap chair used at Google -- but it is ideal for quick naps. The Caravan Canopy is manufactured from long lasting fabric, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use (e.g. porch or balcony). If folds down to a mere 5.5 inches thick and weighs only 19 pounds so it's easy to move around the house. Despite these small dimensions, it has a high-strength steel frame capable of withstanding a weight of 300 lbs. Other features include an adjustable headrest and smooth recline function that locks in any position.

Folding Exercise Peddler [Broken URL Removed] ($29.95)

folding exercise peddler

Insufficient exercise is a common problem among people who work from home especially computer programmers, writers and accountants. Ryan published an excellent article on the health issues that can arise as a result of sitting for too long. You need to be careful with this one, though, in case your gift is taken the wrong way. But, if you have heard the potential gift receiver complain that they are hardly able to get any exercise due to their job, then this could prove to be the ideal gift. The Drive Medical Deluxe Folding Exercise Peddler comes with an electronic display to monitor calories, workout time and revolution counts. Best of all, it is small and lightweight yet sturdy. It folds for easy storage and can be used to exercise both the arms and legs.

SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop [Broken URL Removed] ($29.14)

sklz-pro-mini-hoop

Finally, bring some fun into the home office with the SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop. As the saying goes, "All work with no play makes Jack a dull boy." This gift offers a home worker a unique and fun way to take a time-out and indulge in a solo game of basketball right within the home office or indoors. It is as durable as a professional hoop and comes with a clear shatterproof polycarbonate backboard. It only requires ten minutes to assemble and you are good to go. Consider pairing this gift with an SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop ball ($12.88) [Broken URL Removed].

Be sure to check out our other holiday list ideas such as this excellent piece on geeks who never grew up and another on those who live at the bleeding edge of tech.

What do you think about these holiday gift ideas for those who work from home? Do you have any ideas of your own? Share them with us in the comments below.

Image Credits: Shane Adams Via Flickr