What do you get for the entrepreneur who has everything? It's a vexing question when the holiday season rolls around. After all, many entrepreneurs have achieved a certain degree of success and freedom -- financial and otherwise -- and by their own admission want for very little. Most spend the holidays humble and thankful.
Our Board of Directors certainly fits that mold. When we asked them to share their holiday wish lists, we deliberately left the question open-ended, to see what they would come up with. While a few simple luxuries made their way onto the list -- hey, this group works hard, they deserve a little pampering! -- most of their wishes had more to do with friends and family, the world around them and anything that helps them lead more fulfilling lives as entrepreneurs. Can't ask for much more than that.
Sir Richard Branson
Founder and President, Virgin Group
"Well, I'm very lucky. I've got this beautiful little island -- 70 acres large in the Virgin Islands -- and it's a great magnet to attract friends and family. So I'll have my parents there, and they're in their 90s now, and my children, my nephews, my nieces, and we all get together for Christmas and we'll all have a blast. We'll be kitesurfing, we'll be sailing, we'll be playing tennis, we'll be playing games. So we look forward to that."
Bob Parsons
Founder And CEO, The Go Daddy Group
"I'm wishing my mom finally hits a jackpot when she plays the slots in Atlantic City. It would make her really happy."
Dylan Lauren
Founder, Dylan's Candy Bar
"I would love gift certificates for anything that contributes a stress-lowering, beauty-enhancing, fun-inspiring life -- blow outs, Thai massages, training sessions, tennis lessons, etc."
Warren Brown
Founder, CakeLove and Love Cafe
"A 2011 that's sparkling with glimmers of hope and change! And good fish tacos in D.C."
Phil Town
Investor And Author Of Rule #1 And Payback Time
"Honestly, I'm a bit embarrassed to be wishing for anything except to thank God for the life I have, and to wish and pray I get to keep living it. I wish for my kids to keep being healthy and happy and to continue living with integrity, honor and mutual respect. I wish my relationship with Melissa to continue to grow in unity and that we continue to be healthy and happy and that we grow wiser every year. I wish that everyone could learn what I learned about investing well. I wish I knew more about how to help other people find their dharma, to live in peace and self-sufficiency. And I wish all of you reading this a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous and healthy new year."
Clint Greenleaf
Founder And CEO, Greenleaf Book Group
"My wish is that I have the time and am able to enjoy the little moments this Christmas with my young daughters. That's what all the work is for, right? Now it's my chance to have fun with them!"
Jennifer Hill
Startup Advisory And Venture Lawyer, Gunderson Dettmer LLP
"A weekend in Bermuda this winter and a weekend in Iceland this summer (both with my husband)."
Tate Chalk
Founder And CEO, Nfinity
"My holiday wish is for everyone to be better off this year than last."
Gary Whitehill
Founder, The Relentless Foundation And New York Entrepreneur Week
"I have one single holiday wish -- spending time with the woman I believe I am supposed to be with for the rest of my life. There is no rewind button in life and I believe in never ever ever taking anything for granted. She deserves to know the honest impact she's made on me previously, now and hopefully during our future together."
Lawrence Gelburd
Lecturer, The Wharton School
"Just one: Peace on earth and goodwill toward all."
Danielle And Jodie Snyder
Co-Founders, DANNIJO
"This holiday, we are looking forward to yummy home-cooked meals with the family and some quality chillaxing time in Jacksonville. As far as material goods, we're loving the DANNIJO psychedelic iPad and iPhone cases, we're obsessed with the Instagram app, a warm Patagonia fleece, Andre Agassi's autobiography Open and a cool distressed men's watch."
The original version of this article appeared on AOL Small Business on 12/22/10.