The season of gift-giving in the workplace can be nerve-racking, especially when it comes to buying a present for your boss. You’re hoping to strike a very delicate balance. Because the best gifts show you know and like your supervisor as a person, yet they need to remain professional and workplace-appropriate. Oh, and it shouldn’t be too expensive, either.
But if the perfect gift seems elusive, fear not: we’ll give you a few tricks for discovering great gifts for your boss. Just think about your answers to the questions below, and you’ll home in on the right present for your boss with ease. You might even have fun while you do it!
Boss Gifts by Style: How Does Your Boss Decorate?
During your next one-on-one with your boss, look around — is your boss the minimalist type or a collector? Matching your gift choice to your boss’s style can take you in two gift-giving directions: You’ll either choose something that matches their décor style and what they collect and like to display, or you’ll get them something like food items, a gift card, or office supplies that they can use up without creating clutter they’ll have to manage later.
Think desk organizers for all their pens and favorite knickknacks, simple business card holders for all the networking they do, attractive chargers that can stay on their desk, or a boss mug with their monogram. These great gifts are equally thoughtful, useful and decorative—the gifting trifecta!
Cost: $25.95. Gift a personalized acrylic desk nameplate to your boss this holiday season. Made with high-quality acrylic, this nameplate is a great desk accessory.
World’s Best Boss Certificate Mug
Cost: $19.85. This is the perfect coffee mug to impress your new boss. You can also customize your own mug. The outside of the mug features a bright white base for your photo, logo, pattern, or saying, while the rim & handle are vividly glazed in rich color.
Boss Gift Ideas by Interest: What Does Your Boss Care About?
A present that brings their favorite non-work things to the office is a surefire winner. So dig into what you’ve discovered about your supervisor over the past year: Is there a top hobby? Do they have a favorite topic of conversation? What’s their background screen on their phone or computer? A thoughtful Christmas gift like this could be a perfect way to show you put some effort in.
Think about ways to highlight those passions in your gift. You might personalize a laptop sticker or phone cover with an image of their favorite vacation spot, gift them a succulent to satiate their green thumb, get a custom water bottle or tumbler to support their healthy hydration goals, or chip in with your coworkers for a gift basket or lunch with their favorite cuisine.
Boss Gifts by Personality: How Does Your Boss Rally the Troops?
A great way to uncover what inspires your great boss is to take a hard look at what they do to motivate you: Is it forwarding inspirational memes, cracking jokes about the challenges ahead, boosting morale with never-ending snacks, or setting up detailed step-by-step plans?
Take this insight to determine the vibe for your gift. A boss who loves a good joke will dig a custom coffee mug or sticky notes with a funny twist. A more inspiration-minded supervisor might actually enjoy a business book, inspirational poster, a room-brightening plant, or even a tote or throw pillow featuring a feel-good message for their office. And if your boss is a foodie, get a sampler gift basket with their favorite treats — whether that means something salty, something sweet, something healthy, or a little bit of all three!
Boss Gifts by Work Style: How Does Your Boss Get Things Done?
Amplify your boss’s professional superpowers with an office gift that supports the way they work. If your boss plans the workday to the minute, help maximize their time with a gift like a personalized planner, a productivity app for their phone, or desktop accessories that keep every workplace item in its proper place.
If your boss needs time to do deep work, they can use a door hanger when they’re immersed in focus-demanding tasks, or a nameplate desk sign to signal when they’re available to chat. This can make their work day go a lot smoother, and show that you value their time. Does your boss develop ideas while at play? Give them a gift box containing a game, a custom puzzle, or something they can hold in their hands while they think. This is a thoughtful way to keep them focused and happy every day.
Inspirational Light Bulb Notebook
Cost: $13.70. Help organize even the busiest of days with a custom designed notebook! Made with your images and text on the front cover, this notebook is a great way to inspire your friend.
Cost: $27.85. This stylish planner is perfect for busy lifestyles. Help kick-off the new year with a planner that they can easily help plan their months, weeks, and write down everything that’s important to them! Before gifting them the planner, add an inspiring note or schedule a lunch or dinner!
Before You Buy, Ask: Would I Bring This to Work?
You’ve found the gift and you love the idea. Before you order, do a workplace-appropriate doublecheck.
One rule of thumb you can use is to imagine whether the item you’re buying would feel out of place if you spotted it in the office on a stressful Monday morning. If it would grab your attention in a bad way (think PJs, a bottle of wine or swear words), nix it. But if it would make you smile, and pass your office rules, it’s a winning boss gift idea.
From Weddings to Tech, our Zazzle Contributors are experts on a wide variety of topics and information. We hope their advice and ideas will help you be inspired!
