Boss’s Day: 25 Practical Gift Ideas
Boss’s Day 2006 is on October 16. But, honoring your boss doesn’t need to cost you a fortune. The trick is to consider your boss’s personality, likes, and dislikes.
Here’s a list of gift ideas to get you thinking. You can keep your costs reasonable by splitting purchases among several (or all) co-workers in your department. Let’s honor our bosses this year without going into debt.
Food or Homemade Treats
- Cheese basket
- Mixed nuts basket
- Extra-sized basket filled with his/her favorite snack
- Lunch out, with all co-workers chipping in to pay for the boss’s meal
- Case of favorite soda, tea, sparkling water
- Favorite coffee: Why not grind a few pounds of your boss’s favorite coffee, set the bags in a nice basket, and decorate with a lovely bow around the basket? Your boss can refrigerate or freeze any extra to keep it fresh.
- Fresh Fruit Salad
- Boss’s favorite cookies
- Pumpkin bread/muffins/scones (perfect for this time of year)
- Pot-Luck Lunch
(Note: Is your boss dieting? If so, be careful! Try not to sabotage it.)
Miscellaneous
- Pewter/Stainless Steel Sculptures - There are some really neat ones out there based on occupation. For example, a great one is a psychiatrist’s office with a patient on the sofa! How about golfers? Computer junkies? Programmers? Teachers?
- Trophy - Find a local shop to engrave “Boss of the Year” on a trophy. Have each person in the department sign a card and list one quality they each admire about the boss. (You can each find just one, can’t you?)
- Plant/Bouquet/Balloons
- Concert Tickets (Make sure your boss and his/her spouse would be available to attend.)
- Favorite Sports Tickets
Fun/Sense of Humor
- If you’re allowed to have a bit of fun at work, it might be the most cost-effective way to go. Here’s an example of what I and 30 or so co-workers did one year: We all dressed up like our boss. Everyone wore suspenders (borrowed from co-workers.) We called it Suspender Day in honor of him. (I think he got a kick out of it, too!)
We were honoring him in a unique, creative way. Just be sure your own boss wouldn’t be offended or embarrassed by anything creative you might do.
If you capture any photos on your creative day, you could make duplicates or enlarge them — then give to each participant as a gift later in the year. (Don’t forget the boss!)
Gift Certificates
- Pet Lovers can’t help but buy special things for their beloved pet(s)
- Readers might love a certificate for Books, Digests, Magazines
- Shoppers usually have a favorite place to shop … where is it?
- Spa, Manicure, Pedicure
- Favorite Beauty Shop
- Health & Beauty
- Movie
- Opera
- Theatre
- Crafts - Is there a special ‘craft’ your boss loves? A shop he/she frequents?
- Volunteer Work - Does your boss need/wear special equipment/clothing?
- Sports Shop
Boss with Special Circumstances
- If you have reason to believe your boss is in financial need, simply give a certificate for a local discount or grocery store the boss visits often. Perhaps your boss will want to use it for everyday items such as tissues, necessities, etc.
Have co-workers chip in on a ham/turkey that would feed the boss’s family for a few days. Arrange for it to be cooked ahead, and boss can pick it up on his/her way home, or at a store near boss’s home. (If your boss is married, maybe let the spouse know ahead of time for planning purposes.)
I hope you picked up an idea or two while keeping more of your money in your wallet. Happy Gifting!
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About the Author:
Darlene Arechederra is the author of Savvy Saving for Busy Women — and Rat Race Blues for Women. She shares simple strategies for living well on less and enjoying a debt-free lifestyle. For the latest in money-saving articles and tips, join her free articles ezine at http://www.RatRaceRemedies.com/
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