Things can get a little challenging if you’re shopping for a gift for your boss, considering the level of relationship the two of you have in the workplace. Your boss is someone you work with in addition to being a friend or a coworker; therefore, they have the power to advance or ruin your career.
It’s never simple to make someone feel valued and appreciated, especially if it’s your boss, but if you take the time to do some research, you’ll be pleasantly pleased by the abundance of gifts available.
This guide will help you determine what kind of gift would be most appropriate for your boss’s personality and hobbies, whether you’re buying them a beautiful present for Christmas or their birthday or just to express your gratitude for all they do.
1) You should know your boss’s pastime, hobbies, or vices.
Although it’s unnecessary, you should at least try to find out about or pay attention to your boss’s hobbies and pastimes if you want to get to know them. You’ll not only get to know your boss better as a result of doing this, but you’ll also know what to get them the next time you consider giving them a gift.
For instance, if you notice your boss smoking every time they take a break, you might want to think about getting them a cigar-related gift, such as a box of cigars, a humidor, or an ashtray. An additional example would be if you observed them sipping scotch in between tasks. A stylish glassware set is a suitable present for them.
To avoid giving them the impression that they shouldn’t indulge in their hobbies, pastimes, or vices during working hours, be sure to make it clear that your present serves no purpose other than to increase their level of comfort or enjoyment when they can engage in such activities.
2) Give only appropriate presents; do not cross any boundaries.
If you are giving a gift to your boss, make sure it is appropriate and not too personal. A present that seems too intimately personal could provide an incorrect impression to your employer. To emphasize, your boss has the power to help or harm your career. Even if the gift is for a particular occasion, learn to respect boundaries. You should also not give your boss a present that is too personal just because they are overly friendly or funny.
Giving your boss underwear or a particularly intimate gift is extremely unethical, even if you mean no harm. Your employer, your reputation, and the company’s reputation could all suffer as a result of this action. However, if you want to give your boss some apparel, a scarf or a t-shirt are already beautiful gifts.
3) Buy a gift for your boss according to your relationship with them.
It is safe to purchase a present for your boss based on your relationship with them since it will be simple for the two of you to understand the message correctly without confusing the other party. If you want to show your boss that you appreciate them even though they are strict and the two of you don’t interact often, seek gifts that won’t be offensive.
For example, if you were to give them a watch, they would not only feel that it was too personal but also that they couldn’t afford one or that you were making fun of how old their watch was.
It’s not always the case, but you could want to choose the safest present instead, like a mug, desk lamp, bottle of wine, humidifier, or package of hand creams. Although it may seem like a small gift, they will undoubtedly be pleased and not feel insulted.
4) Purchase a gift for your boss together with your coworkers.
Joining your coworkers in purchasing a gift for your boss would be a great idea if you’re still unsure of what to get them because you don’t know them at all, or there are numerous options, and you can’t decide which one to choose.
Aside from developing much closer friendships at work, there will be little to zero chance that your gift will be the same as what the others have bought for your boss. The gifts you intend to give to your boss could also be a topic of conversation among you all, and if you’re deciding between two choices, your coworkers might also be able to assist you. Their opinions are important, and they may aid you in avoiding gifts that can be offensive, excessively intimate, or overly pointless.
Making a decision to buy a gift for your boss as a group is another common option. Using this plan, none of you would have to be concerned about your boss disapproving of your choice of an expensive gift. In addition, the cost of the gift wouldn’t be too much expensive since you have others to share the bill with. It would also cause you less stress to consider what gift you should buy.
5) Giving your boss a present doesn’t have to be expensive.
The idea that a present for your boss should always be pricey given their high status and the fact that you work for them is one of the misconceptions that workers have. We are all trying to make end meets, which is something your boss understands and why you work very hard.
Remember that the cost of your gift should never reflect how sincere and appreciative you are of them. Besides, not all bosses are materialistic; a simple thank you or greetings is already enough to make them smile. They also didn’t expect you to gift them anything, but a small gesture of gratitude can never hurt.
A letter, a bouquet of flowers, or just a cup of coffee will do for your boss. You could also gift them something they use daily, like stationery items such as a pen, notebook, planner, files organizer, etc. You can never go wrong about gifting them something they use every day, especially at work.
