5 Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Boss

Every boss deserves a great Christmas — even if you don’t know them well yet. This blog helps readers choose a good gift for a boss, no matter how long they have known them or what their boss’ interests include. 

Not only do you have to spend anywhere from thirty to sixty hours a week under the watchful eye of your boss, but when the holiday season rolls around, you can't avoid getting them a gift that reflects how appreciative you are of everything they've done for you.

Some companies spare you this horrendous annual ritual of indecisiveness over which generic gift you can buy that is guaranteed not to offend. If your workplace doesn't have a "no gifts" company policy, however, you'll have to shell out and hope for the best away from the boring, and don't cheap out. 

Here are five gift ideas that will show your boss that you're a thoughtful, careful employee and might win you bonus points during your annual review!

1. Inspirational Books

A safe and easy present is some kind of inspirational book. It might be the story of Warren Buffet or Bill Gates, a cat who came home after a year being lost in the fields, or a famous athlete. Take into account what you know about your boss when choosing this book. Biographies can be inspirational, or the Chicken Soup series is often popular and has lots of interests to choose from.

2. Electronic Gadgets

Everyone likes neat gadgets they wouldn't buy for themselves. It might be mp3 speakers that work with iPods, a set of dips to help keep cords from tangling, an emergency battery boost device for a smartphone, or a USB drive made entirely of recycled wood. Look on gadget sites
and in electronics stores, but try to stay away from gadgets that reflect an interest your boss hasn't shown, as they can be taken the wrong way- like a pedometer!

3. Spa Gift Certificate.

It's not for every boss, but if you know your boss has been stressed out and wouldn't mind some pampering, try giving them a gift card or gift certificate to a nearby spa or salon. Even better, SpaFinder allows you to get a gift card that can be redeemed in a number of different spas, but if you want to stay away from revealing just how much you spent on them, you can get a gift certificate that covers a specific service.

4. Movies (In or Out)

Let your boss know that it's time to relax and get their mind off work by giving them the gift of movies whether a night in or out. You may be able to get a gift package from a nearby movie theater for a night out that includes tickets, popcorn, and drinks. Otherwise, buy a gift subscription for a month or two to a service like Netflix or Blockbuster's movies by mail program.

5. Desktop Decorations

If all else fails, you can get your boss something for their desk. It could be a portable weather forecasting station that allows them to see the weather at a glance, a digital photo frame so they can have an entire photo collection without taking up too much desktop space or a new plant. Ecospheres - small, self-contained glass globes that contain a mini-ecosystem, sometimes with plants or animals like shrimp are a thoughtful choice, or you could buy a flowering cactus that won't require much watering matter which gift you decide on, there are plenty of choices for any employee.

Even if you haven't known your boss for long, you don't need to interrogate them about their hobbies in order to choose a thoughtful and useful present. In a tight economy, this small gesture of gratitude can help win your boss' approval and appreciation and give you that little bit of extra job security!