Gift Ideas for the Boss
6 Safe Bets

Last Minute Gift Ideas » Gift Ideas for the Boss

I've seen lots of "gift ideas for the boss" pages on the web and I have to say, I wouldn't give most of the items suggested. They're too personal or too random or too useless or take up too much room on the desk.

When giving a gift to my boss, I like to stick with safe items. After they receive my gift, I want them to think, "That was nice," and that's it. I don't want them thinking, "What the heck is this for," or "These will never fit me," or "How dare she?"

No, I say when giving something to your boss, be it a birthday, holiday or Boss' Day, stick with these 6 Safe Gifts that are also conveniently available as last minute gifts.

1. Wall Street Journal

   

   If s/he doesn't already get it, this makes a great gift. Professional, useful, and it will remind him of you every day. :)

   You even don't have to be a business person to enjoy it either. I'm a stay-at-home mom with little to no interest in Wall Street but I started reading my husband's WSJ and now I look forward to it every morning.

   They're running a GREAT deal right now-- Get The Wall Street Journal for 75% off!

   Even with the huge discount, it's a pricey paper. So if you weren't planning to spend that much, have a business colleague or two go in on it with you.

   

2. Gift cards.

   Give a gift card to Starbucks, a restaurant you know they like, or iTunes if you know they would enjoy some music. NOT Victoria's Secret or anything similarly personal.

   Available at the grocery store on your way to work.

   

3. Coffee.

   She or he will probably enjoy a pound or two of Starbucks with some chocolate covered graham crackers or a mug. If she's not a coffee drinker she can re-gift it.

   

4. A Really Nice Pen.

   A professional can always use a nice pen and even if he has a few, he probably can't find them. You can find them at any office supply store like Office Depot or Staples, or sometimes Costco.

   

5. Stationery.

   Go to a stationery store like Papyrus or Hallmark and ask for help. Or choose anything by Crane's.

   

6. Food

   If your boss has a sweet tooth and/or a family, a box of chocolates from a quality candy store is a good gift. A gift basket with a variety of items is nice too. You can pick one up at your grocery store or Costco around the holidays, or Target has a lot of good gift-wrapped boxes.

If none of these did it for you, and if your boss is a man, check out the last minute Male Gift Ideas page. But be careful with gifts of alcohol; they're not always appropriate in the office.

If your boss is a woman, there is a Women's Gifts page on this site too but except for the candle idea, the rest are more geared toward women who are your friends or family. You want to remember this is your boss and be respectful and professional.

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