The Holiday Collection
The short answer: The best gifts for a boss are modest, useful and not personal: a group gift from the team, a coffee or tea sampler, a desk plant, a nice notebook, a favorite snack or a handwritten thank-you card. Keep a solo gift under $25 and a group gift to $5 to $10 per person. In fact, etiquette experts say a card is often better than a gift.
Our picks for gifts for boss
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Below are 30 ideas sorted by budget and style, plus the etiquette to know before you buy.
I've worked as an executive assistant and in HR, so I know gifts for the person in charge can feel tricky. The simple rule: give thanks, not a big gift.
First: should you give your boss a gift at all?
Gifts usually flow down at work, not up. The Emily Post Institute's advice on the workplace and the holidays is that employees generally shouldn't give a boss an individual gift, while a group gift that isn't too expensive or personal is fine. Its office gift-giving pointers suggest letting coworkers contribute anonymously to a group gift and choosing food over alcohol or personal items like perfume.
| Situation | What to give |
|---|---|
| Big team or formal workplace | A card, or a group gift |
| Small team, close working relationship | A small gift under $25 or a group gift |
| Your boss gives the team gifts | A thank-you card in return |
| Your office has a no-gift policy | A card only |
Group gifts for a boss ($30 to $100 total)
- Catered team lunch or breakfast. Everyone enjoys it, including the boss.
- Restaurant gift card for a spot near the office or their home.
- Coffee or espresso sampler from a local roaster. More ideas in our gifts for coffee lovers.
- Large desk plant like a snake plant or pothos, which are easy to keep alive.
- Nice leather portfolio or notebook set.
- Gourmet snack basket for the whole team to share.
- Donation to a charity your boss supports, made in the team's name.
- A framed team photo with everyone's signatures on the mat.
Gifts for a boss under $25
- Specialty tea sampler.
- Premium chocolate bar collection. Food is the safest office gift.
- Insulated travel mug for the commute.
- Desk succulent in a simple pot.
- Hardcover notebook with a quality pen.
- Candle in a neutral scent like cedar or vanilla.
- Book by an author they've mentioned.
- Cookbook for a boss who loves to cook.
- Wireless phone charging pad.
- Homemade baked goods in a pretty tin.
Gifts for a boss under $10
- Password Logbook paperback ($9.99). A practical desk book that keeps every login in one place. See it in our paperback shop.
- Gourmet hot cocoa packets. Hot chocolate is my favorite winter treat, and it's an easy gift to share.
- Holiday ornament in a classic style.
- Small jar of local honey or jam.
- Pack of nice sticky notes and pens.
- Bag of their favorite coffee beans.
Thoughtful, non-material gifts
- A handwritten thank-you card naming something specific they did.
- A note to their manager praising their leadership.
- Cover a task they dread during the holiday rush.
- A team "thank you" video message collected from everyone.
- A public shout-out in a team meeting.
- Bring them a coffee on the last day before the break.
Match the gift to your boss
| If your boss... | Try |
|---|---|
| Lives on coffee | A local roaster's beans or a sampler |
| Loves to read | A hardcover by an author they've mentioned |
| Works remotely | A delivered snack box or an e-gift card for lunch |
| Is new to the team | A card welcoming them, or a small desk plant |
| Is retiring or leaving | A group gift plus a card signed by the whole team |
| Juggles a hundred logins | The Password Logbook paperback ($9.99) |
| Loves to cook | A cookbook or a jar of specialty spice blend |
What not to give a boss
- Clothing, jewelry, perfume or anything personal
- Expensive items or anything that looks like you're trying to win favor
- Alcohol, unless you know for sure they enjoy it
- Gag gifts, even if your office is casual
- Cash
If you choose a gift card, the FDIC's guide to what you should know about gift cards suggests buying from sources you trust, checking the card before you pay and reading the fine print for fees and expiration dates. Our gift card ideas list the cards people actually use.
How to organize a group gift
- Ask one person to lead. They pick the gift and collect money.
- Keep it optional and anonymous. No one should feel pressured or watched.
- Suggest an amount, not a minimum. "$5 to $10 if you'd like to join."
- Sign one card from everyone. Include people who didn't chip in.
- Give it privately or at the end of a team gathering.
Keep work gifts on budget
Work gifts can quietly eat into the money you set aside for family. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) gives every person, including your boss and coworkers, a budget line and tracks each purchase, so you see what's left at a glance. For a practical under-$10 gift, the Password Logbook paperback is $9.99. Browse all gifts and planners in our holiday shop.
Want a free page to start? The Holiday Budget Starter Kit is three US Letter pages we email you after you join our list.
See also
The Holiday Collection
Give every person a limit and watch what's left
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner adds up every list for you: a budget for each person, a log of each purchase and the amount left to spend, plus printable gift, card, menu and to-do pages.
- Spreadsheet for Excel and Google Sheets
- 11 printable pages, US Letter + A4
- Instant download, 14-day fix-or-refund promise
Planning the whole season? See the holiday sets from $7, with early prices through Cyber Monday
Frequently asked questions
Should you buy your boss a Christmas gift? You don't have to. Emily Post's etiquette advice is that employees generally shouldn't give a boss an individual gift, while a group gift from the team that isn't too expensive or personal is fine. A heartfelt card always works.
How much should you spend on a gift for your boss? Keep a solo gift for your boss under $25, and set a group gift so each person chips in $5 to $10. A modest gift avoids looking like you're trying to win favor.
What is a good group gift for a boss? A good group gift for a boss is a nice coffee or tea sampler, a desk plant, a restaurant gift card or a catered team lunch. Let coworkers contribute anonymously and keep it optional.
What gifts should you avoid giving a boss? Skip clothing, perfume, jewelry, alcohol unless you know they enjoy it, gag gifts and anything expensive. Personal or pricey gifts can make the moment awkward for both of you.
What is a practical gift for a boss who has everything? The Password Logbook ($9.99 paperback) is a practical, under-$10 desk gift that keeps every website login in one easy-to-find place. It's useful, it's not personal and it's easy to wrap.
What should I write in a card to my boss? Thank them for one specific thing: 'Thank you for your support on the spring launch. I learned so much this year. Happy holidays!' Specific thanks means more than a generic message.
Is a gift card a good gift for a boss? A gift card for coffee, lunch or a bookstore is a safe group gift. The FDIC suggests buying from sources you trust and reading the fine print for fees and expiration dates.
How do I keep track of work gifts and my holiday budget? The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) gives every person, including your boss and coworkers, their own budget line, so work gifts don't eat into what you planned for family.
Free printable
Get the free Holiday Budget Starter Kit
A one-page holiday budget, a gift list with a spending limit for every person, and a 6-week countdown so December stays calm and paid for. You'll also get our weekly HomeBase email with simple holiday planning, budgeting and hosting tips.
