Birthday Gift Ideas for Your Boss

Whether it’s Boss’s Day or his or her birthday, figuring out exactly what to get your boss can be tricky. You want to acknowledge the day, but what’s an appropriate gift? If you don’t know your boss well, you can still pick up on clues that give you an idea of what she or he might like. Here are a few specific gift ideas for bosses that are suitable for any number of workplace environments.

You don’t need to purchase a big gift for your boss to make the day special. Give the office a celebratory makeover, complete with balloons, streamers and confetti. Go one step further and have your coworkers write a thoughtful message in an ecard and send it straight to their inbox. They'll be surprised to see it when they log in for the day.

If your boss seems to have everything — or you’re simply at a loss when it comes to selecting an appropriate gift — then you really can’t go wrong with making a charitable donation in his or her name. Choose a trusted organization like United Way, the Red Cross or one of their partner agencies.

Sometimes, what your supervisor appreciates most is a simple word of thanks. (That’s what Boss’s Day is all about!) Grab some nice note cards and have all your coworkers write a short message telling your boss why you appreciate him or her. Tie all the messages together with an attractive ribbon for a surprise your boss won’t soon forget.

If your workplace is a stressful environment, then help take a little tension out of your manager’s day with a desktop Zen garden. These miniature centerpieces help relieve stress and cultivate creativity, and they’re a beautiful addition to any modern office.

If you have a boss who frequently travels for work, then chances are they don’t usually get a break to enjoy the destination. Gift a tour of a beautiful or interesting city on your boss’s upcoming itinerary. A perfect gift for the boss who has everything, a city tour allows a respite from work for a few hours.

If your boss is a wine lover, then consider asking coworkers to chip in for a wine of the month subscription. This type of service lets your boss try different types of wines each month and gives them something to look forward to long after the actual birthday passes.

They’ve got the baseball hat, gym bag, and license plate frame, so it’s clear they’re enthusiastic about the local sports team. Gather your coworkers together and pitch in for tickets to a big game. They’ll appreciate this meaningful gift, and the group cooperation makes giving easy for everyone.

Another great birthday gift idea for a boss who travels — a luggage locator is a small tag that attaches to a suitcase and tracks it everywhere. Your boss can see the location of the suitcase right from a smartphone, eliminating the stress that comes when luggage gets lost or goes missing.

Does your boss constantly scribble on a floppy spiral notebook, overloaded clipboard, or battered calendar? If so, they may appreciate a nice leather journal to jot down thoughts, notes, or to-do lists. Give the journal an extra-special touch by writing a nice message of thanks for your boss’s hard work on the inside cover.

Your boss will surely appreciate any recognition, whether it’s on Boss’s Day or his or her birthday.