Boss’s Day, observed annually on October 16th, presents a valuable opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and guidance of exceptional leaders. While showing appreciation should be a regular practice, Boss’s Day provides a designated moment to express gratitude with a thoughtful gesture. Navigating the realm of Boss Day Gifts can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope – you aim for sincerity and appropriateness without crossing professional boundaries or appearing overly eager.
Finding the perfect boss day gift involves striking a balance. It should reflect your genuine appreciation, align with your boss’s personality and interests, and remain within a reasonable budget. Thoughtfulness and appropriateness are key to making your gift impactful and well-received.
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Gifting etiquette expert Jennie Graham from Shadow Breeze emphasizes the importance of avoiding any perception of favoritism when selecting boss day gifts. “Establishing an appropriate budget is crucial. This amount can fluctuate depending on factors such as your salary, your role, and the duration of your professional relationship with your boss,” Graham advises. She suggests a starting point of $30 to $50, adjusting based on your specific context. For more substantial gifts, consider pooling resources for a group present, ensuring inclusivity within the team.
Ready to celebrate the inspiring leader in your professional life? Explore our curated collection of 25 boss day gift ideas that are both professional and genuinely appreciative.
For The Boss Who Appreciates Thoughtfulness
Knack
Knack Big Time Thank You Gift Set
Knack stands out as a premier destination for thoughtfully assembled gifts catering to diverse preferences, budgets, and tastes. Whether you prefer to curate a custom box or select from their expertly pre-arranged options, Knack simplifies thoughtful gifting. The Big Time Thank You gift set is an excellent choice for bosses, featuring a sketchbook for creative brainstorming, a set of pop-open cards filled with uplifting quotes, and a trio of miniature Belgian chocolate bars. A personalized note is included with every box, and you have the flexibility to customize further by swapping or adding items.
For The Boss Who Needs An Afternoon Pick-Me-Up
Amazon
Let’s Make Memories Personalized Conference Call Bingo Mouse Pad
In today’s work landscape, virtual meetings have become ubiquitous – and their novelty can wear off quickly. If you and your boss share lighthearted complaints about the virtual meeting routine, this humorous yet personalized gift could be a perfect fit. The Conference Call Bingo Mouse Pad injects a bit of levity into long computer sessions, offering bingo squares to mark off common virtual meeting occurrences such as “family members or pets deciding to join” or “awkward silence” – relatable moments in almost every Zoom meeting.
For The Boss Who Needs A Weekend Getaway
Best Features
Amazon
Bagsmart Weekender Overnight Bag
Your boss likely has a professional bag, but what about a dedicated travel bag? The Bagsmart Weekender Overnight Bag, both stylish and reasonably priced, could be the ideal nudge your manager needs to finally plan a well-deserved vacation. Praised by the Forbes Vetted team in their best weekender bags review, this bag is spacious, versatile, and includes a convenient buckle for securing a yoga mat. It’s a practical and thoughtful boss day gift that encourages work-life balance.
For The Boss Who Wants To Stay Organized
Amazon
Houndsbay Leather Catch-All Valet
If your boss tends to empty their pockets onto their desk at the end of the day, the Houndsbay Leather Catch-All Valet makes an excellent boss day gift. This stylish valet offers an elegant solution for workspace organization, keeping essentials visible and accessible. It also features a lidded back compartment for more private items and a designated spot for charging a cellphone. While typically priced slightly above $50, reviewers highlight the durability of its leather construction compared to cheaper alternatives, and an on-page coupon often provides a $15 discount.
For The Boss Who Prefers Putting Pen To Paper
Amazon
Rocketbook Flip Smart Reusable Notebook
For the boss who values the traditional pen-and-paper experience but also appreciates digital convenience, the Rocketbook Flip Smart Reusable Notebook is a game-changer. Available in various colors to match personal styles, this 36-page notebook allows for writing, sketching, and note-taking on specialized polyester composite paper. Notes can then be scanned to a cloud app, and the pages can be wiped clean with the included cloth. The top-bound spirals make it user-friendly for both right and left-handed individuals, enhancing its appeal as a practical boss day gift.
For The Well-Hydrated Boss
Editor’s Pick
Stanley 1913
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler
“Personalization elevates a gift,” suggests Jennie Graham. If your boss is a devotee of iced beverages, the engravable Stanley The Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler is a thoughtful and functional boss day gift. Renowned for its exceptional insulation, this Stanley tumbler keeps drinks cold for hours. Forbes Senior Updates Editor Karen Tietjen lauded a similar model, the Stanley IceFlow, as a “superior” tumbler, stating, “I sip from my Stanley when I want to stay hydrated, whether it’s filled with ice water or my latest hydration fixation.” Tumblers are customizable in sizes ranging from 14 to 64 ounces, with the 30 to 40-ounce range being particularly versatile.
For a more classic bottle shape that is leakproof and slim enough to fit in bags or car cup holders, consider W&P’s glass water bottle with a silicone sleeve as another excellent boss day gift option.
For The Boss Who’s A Fan Of ‘The Office’
MOST POPULAR
Amazon
‘The Office’ World’s Best Boss Dunder Mifflin Ceramic Mug
If your boss enjoys the iconic NBC sitcom The Office, gifting them Michael Scott’s “World’s Best Boss” mug is a definitive way to acknowledge their leadership on Boss’s Day. This ceramic mug is also highly practical; under $15, it holds 11 ounces of their preferred hot drink and features a comfortable handle, perfect for channeling their inner Michael Scott around the office. It’s a fun and lighthearted boss day gift.
For The Boss With A Sweet Tooth
Milk Bar
The Milk Bar Sampler
Milk Bar, the renowned New York City bakery, is celebrated for its innovative and delightful desserts. The Milk Bar Sampler, often priced at $60 but currently available for $50, showcases their most popular treats. This assortment includes B’Day Truffles, six assorted cookies in unique flavors like cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow and blueberry and cream, and a slice of their signature brown sugar Milk Bar Pie. For a boss who loves pumpkin flavors, the Milk Bar Pumpkin Coffee Cake Truffle Box ($40) is a seasonally appropriate and equally indulgent boss day gift, offering a sophisticated alternative to typical office treats.
For The Multitasking Boss Who Works Everywhere
Amazon
Logitech K380 + M350 Wireless Keyboard And Mouse Combo
For the boss who juggles multiple devices or stays connected even while technically off-duty, the Logitech K380 + M350 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo makes an impressive and practical boss day gift. This portable and lightweight set, available in several attractive colors like Lavender Lemonade, is compatible with MacBooks, iPads, iPhones, and more, pairing with up to three devices. The minimalist design of both keyboard and mouse ensures they are stylish enough for use anywhere, blurring the lines between office and personal spaces. Alternatively, the keyboard alone ($30) can be chosen for bosses who prefer trackpads.
For The Boss With The Candy Stockpile
Dylan’s Candy Bar
Dylan’s Candy Bar Personalized Mini Jar
The Dylan’s Candy Bar Personalized Mini Jar is a charming and customizable desk accessory, perfect for a boss who enjoys mints, mini candy bars, or hard candies. Priced at just $10 and adorned with colorful designs, gifting a pair of these jars allows your boss to organize a variety of favorite candies. Dylan’s Candy Bar also offers bulk candy refills (in half-pound bags from $9), making this a delightful and replenishable boss day gift.
For The Boss Who Deserves Recognition
UrbanStems
UrbanStems The Unicorn Flower Bouquet
A tasteful bouquet from a reputable flower delivery service is always a refined way to convey appreciation, making it a classic boss day gift. UrbanStems is consistently praised for high-quality flowers and unique arrangements, such as The Unicorn bouquet. This bouquet features a vibrant and whimsical color palette, perfect for brightening up any office space. UrbanStems offers quick delivery, often as soon as the next day, and includes a personalized note and care instructions with each order.
For The Boss-Turned-Gourmand
Food52
Bella Cucina Herb Infused Salt Gift Set
The Bella Cucina Herb Infused Salt Gift Set is an exceptional boss day gift for anyone who enjoys cooking, particularly if your boss likes to entertain. It also serves as a thoughtful host or hostess gift. This set of European imported salt crystals features unique flavor combinations like calendula and chive, or citrus and fennel, instantly enhancing dishes from roasted chicken to scrambled eggs with a simple sprinkle.
For The Boss Who’s Always On The Go
Sustainable
Made Trade
Executive Work Tote Bag
The Executive Work Tote Bag from Made Trade is a durable and spacious boss day gift, ideal for the boss who transitions seamlessly from office to gym to errands. With a 15-liter capacity and numerous pockets, including a laptop compartment and a 32-ounce water bottle sleeve, this tote is designed for organization and practicality. Made from heavy-duty Fairtrade Certified organic cotton in a Fair Trade Certified facility, it’s a sustainable and ethically conscious choice.
For The Paper-Loving Boss With Multiple To-Do Lists
Papier
Papier Scallop Spine Personalized List Notepads
For bosses who rely on to-do lists or are constant note-takers, the Papier Scallop Spine Personalized List Notepads are a stylish and distinctive boss day gift, surpassing typical office stationery. Designed by Matilda Goad & Co, known for scallop wave designs, each notepad contains 50 tear-away pages of high-quality paper with a foldable, beautifully designed cover.
For The Boss Who Likes A Good Cheese Board
Harry & David
Harry & David Gourmet Cheese Assortment
The Harry & David Gourmet Cheese Assortment is like delivering a curated cheese shop directly to your boss’s door, making it an impressive boss day gift. It includes express two-day shipping and features four award-winning cheeses: Toma cheese, a semi-hard snacking cheese; an Irish-style cheese with citrus notes; a nuanced blue cheese from Caves of Faribault; and creamy, nutty BellaVitano Gold cheese. An “add something extra” option allows for further customization with condiments, wine, or non-alcoholic beverages to enhance the gift.
For The Boss Worthy of Toasting (Sans The Alcohol)
Woman-Owned
De Soi
Champignon Dreams
Champignon Dreams, a non-alcoholic, champagne-like beverage by De Soi, is far from ordinary. With consistently high ratings, this drink blends adaptogens like reishi and passion flower with complex flavors of strawberries, grapefruit, and botanicals. Vegan, gluten-free, and only 35 calories per serving, it accommodates various dietary needs. Reviewers praise its rich, robust flavors and suitability for relaxing moments, making it a unique and thoughtful boss day gift for the discerning boss.
For The Boss Who Runs On (Good) Coffee
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
LC Starter Pack
The LC Starter Pack from La Colombe Coffee Roasters, a Philadelphia-based roaster known for European-style coffees, will impress any coffee-loving boss. This set includes two of their best-selling blends: Corsica, a bold, chocolatey roast, and Nizza, a smooth, nutty blend. Paired with a quality café-style mug and saucer, it provides a premium coffee experience right at their desk, making it a perfect boss day gift for caffeine aficionados.
For The Boss Who Lends A Hand
Salt & Stone
Salt & Stone Hand Cream Duo
A set of high-quality hand cream, like the Salt & Stone Hand Cream Duo, is a universally useful boss day gift. These eco-friendly, nature-inspired creams feature nourishing and subtly scented formulas with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Reviewers appreciate their lightweight, non-greasy texture, making them ideal for everyday use and easy to keep in a bag or purse. It’s a practical luxury many might not buy for themselves.
For The Boss With A Vinyl Collecton
TeePublic
TeePublic Vintage Sunset Vinyl Record Turntable T-Shirt
If your boss often mentions classic rock or vinyl records, a TeePublic Vintage Sunset Vinyl Record Turntable T-Shirt is a fitting and personalized boss day gift. Designed by independent artists, TeePublic offers a variety of music-themed apparel. The vintage design is also available as a sticker or mug if you prefer a non-wearable gift.
For The Francophile Boss
Goldbelly
Ladurée Paris Destination Box of 8 Macarons
Ladurée’s Paris Destination Box of 8 Macarons is a delightful boss day gift for anyone who appreciates Parisian elegance or the delicate sweetness of macarons. This box includes a chef’s selection of classic and seasonal flavors like passion fruit, black currant violet, salted caramel, apricot, and chocolate s’mores. The destination-themed packaging, featuring drawings of landmarks like the Empire State Building and Miami Beach, adds a touch of wanderlust, and the macarons are gluten-free.
For The Boss Who Likes Nice Pens
Poketo
Prism Rollerball Pens (Pack of 5)
Instead of a typical fountain pen, consider the Poketo Prism Rollerball Pens as a stylish and functional boss day gift. This set of five colorful pens features a chrome finish and a comfortable, slightly prism-shaped grip. They offer smooth black rollerball ink and are as visually appealing as they are practical for everyday use.
For The Healthy And Energized Boss
Black-Owned
Golde
Golde Superwhisk + Matcha Kit
For the health-conscious boss who appreciates matcha, the Golde Superwhisk + Matcha Kit is an excellent boss day gift. Golde’s Pure Matcha is celebrated for its flavor and health benefits, offering caffeine without jitters and supporting immunity and gut health. This kit includes a 40-gram tin of ceremonial matcha and a USB-rechargeable frother, allowing your boss to easily prepare foamy matcha lattes or enjoy matcha hot or iced.
For The Boss With A (Not So) Green Thumb
easyplant
Easyplant Fishbone Cactus
If your plant-loving boss has limited time for plant care, consider Easyplant’s low-maintenance options like the Easyplant Fishbone Cactus. This unique cactus, also known as zig zag cactus, features distinctive wavy leaves and comes in a stylish ceramic pot. Thanks to Easyplant’s self-watering technology, it only requires watering once a month, making it a perfect boss day gift for adding greenery to the office without the fuss.
For The ‘Perfect’ Boss Who Loves Candles
perfectwhitetee
Perfectwhitetee The Perfect Candle
The Perfectwhitetee The Perfect Candle is the candle equivalent of a “perfect white tee”: minimalist, modern, and subtly fragranced with sandalwood, bergamot, and cedar notes. Made with soy wax, it ensures a slow, long-lasting burn. Alternatively, if you prefer to gift apparel, Perfectwhitetee’s long-sleeved, raw-hem version provides lightweight warmth, making either a sophisticated boss day gift.
For The Boss Who Gets Chilly In The Office
Mark and Graham
Mark & Graham Personalized Turkish Cotton Throw
A warm and cozy blanket is a welcome boss day gift for offices that tend to be cold. The Mark & Graham Personalized Turkish Cotton Throw is made from 100% Turkish cotton, making it lightweight yet warm enough to use as a wrap at the desk or at home. Personalization with an embroidered monogram adds a special touch, ensuring it remains uniquely theirs.
For The Boss Who Sits For Long Hours
Purple
Purple Back Cushion
For bosses who spend considerable time sitting, the Purple Back Cushion is a thoughtful and health-conscious boss day gift. While a high-end ergonomic office chair might be beyond the budget, this cushion offers lumbar support and promotes better posture. Made with Purple’s breathable, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic Grid material, it’s a practical gift for office well-being.
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Should You Get Your Boss A Gift For Boss’ Day?
Giving a boss day gift is not mandatory, particularly as it is considered a minor holiday. However, it’s a thoughtful way to show appreciation with a small token if you wish to acknowledge your boss’s contributions. The key is to avoid extravagance, which could create discomfort for both you and your boss.
What Do You Get Your Boss For Boss’ Day?
Gifting expert Jennie Graham advises choosing a boss day gift based on your boss’s known preferences and interests, while keeping it professionally appropriate. If their hobby is unfamiliar to you, seek advice from someone knowledgeable in that area. Maintaining a budget-conscious approach (around $50 or less) underscores that the gift is a gesture of appreciation, not an attempt to gain favor. Crucially, Graham recommends, “Ensure your gift adheres to company policies regarding gift-giving and receiving, and unless you are certain it will be appreciated, refrain from giving alcohol.” From this guide, the Knack Big Time Thank You Gift Set, a personalized Stanley The Quencher, and the UrbanStems The Unicorn Bouquet are consistently safe and appreciated choices for boss day gifts.
