If I gave her a plant I'd just have to water it myself.
October 11, 2010 9:24 AM Subscribe
What do I get my boss for Boss's Day?
Yes, I know it's a greeting card company holiday and yes I know Emily Post says that you shouldn't get your boss a gift unless it's from a group. But I really like my boss and lately she has been even more supportive than usual, so I'd like to show my appreciation.
I don't really know much about her hobbies, beyond the fact that she likes golf. She's in her early 50s but seems younger. She's also well off, and I am broke, so I'm looking for something like a heartfelt token.
Previous gifts I have given her: A scarf I knitted (which she wears often), a picture frame with a photo of her sons in it, baked goods.
I wish I had time to make her something, but I'm swamped in handicrafts already. So does anyone have any ideas for an inexpensive, yet thoughtful gift?
No plants!
Yes, I know it's a greeting card company holiday and yes I know Emily Post says that you shouldn't get your boss a gift unless it's from a group. But I really like my boss and lately she has been even more supportive than usual, so I'd like to show my appreciation.
I don't really know much about her hobbies, beyond the fact that she likes golf. She's in her early 50s but seems younger. She's also well off, and I am broke, so I'm looking for something like a heartfelt token.
Previous gifts I have given her: A scarf I knitted (which she wears often), a picture frame with a photo of her sons in it, baked goods.
I wish I had time to make her something, but I'm swamped in handicrafts already. So does anyone have any ideas for an inexpensive, yet thoughtful gift?
No plants!
Get her a session to at the local driving range. Golfers always need to practice.
posted by lorebella at 9:32 AM on October 11, 2010
posted by lorebella at 9:32 AM on October 11, 2010
You can always get away with something cheaper if it's more fitted to her needs. And a combination of a couple of things is always good -- a funny magnet or a little edible treat can both add to and diffuse the seriousness of a heartfelt note without taking away from the sentiment behind it.
A couple Christmases ago I got my boss one of these with a heartfelt card and a small box of fancy local truffles. I knew she went to the gym after work every day, and was always poking me like a mom to drink more water, so I thought it would be nice.
posted by Madamina at 9:39 AM on October 11, 2010
A couple Christmases ago I got my boss one of these with a heartfelt card and a small box of fancy local truffles. I knew she went to the gym after work every day, and was always poking me like a mom to drink more water, so I thought it would be nice.
posted by Madamina at 9:39 AM on October 11, 2010
I would go non-traditional and edible and make her amusing custom M&Ms. Everyone likes M&Ms!
posted by DarlingBri at 10:13 AM on October 11, 2010
posted by DarlingBri at 10:13 AM on October 11, 2010
Get her a gift certificate to the local spa (massage and manicure)or(manicure an pedicure). After working with 100 other teachers for 30 years - I never saw a woman dissapointed because she received this gft
posted by pamspanda at 10:38 AM on October 11, 2010
posted by pamspanda at 10:38 AM on October 11, 2010
Response by poster: Folks, I think your definition of broke is different than mine. I'm not going to go without gas in my car or food in my stomach over this.
But I should have specified at the start - $20 or less, please.
phunniemee, I was already going to bring in a cake for all of the bosses (I do occasional admin work for a couple of the other managers) but the flowers thing is nice. I think I might have done that the year before last, but eh. It's better than just a card. And I used to work at a florist, so I can do it myself on the cheap. Thanks!
posted by elsietheeel at 11:19 AM on October 11, 2010
But I should have specified at the start - $20 or less, please.
phunniemee, I was already going to bring in a cake for all of the bosses (I do occasional admin work for a couple of the other managers) but the flowers thing is nice. I think I might have done that the year before last, but eh. It's better than just a card. And I used to work at a florist, so I can do it myself on the cheap. Thanks!
posted by elsietheeel at 11:19 AM on October 11, 2010
Best answer: Hand written thank you note. As a boss, let me tell you, these mean a hell of a lot more than any token gift.
posted by bfranklin at 11:59 AM on October 11, 2010
posted by bfranklin at 11:59 AM on October 11, 2010
I agree that a thank you note would be very appropriate and quite nice.
If you want a traditional gift, how about a handmade wooden pen?
posted by TooFewShoes at 12:07 PM on October 11, 2010
If you want a traditional gift, how about a handmade wooden pen?
posted by TooFewShoes at 12:07 PM on October 11, 2010
Best answer: As a boss, the whole idea of this makes me cringe. Nthing the handwritten note idea - I definitely want to know when I'm doing something that makes valued employees *feel* valued.
posted by mozhet at 12:24 PM on October 11, 2010
posted by mozhet at 12:24 PM on October 11, 2010
Response by poster: Interesting. Thanks for the input, bosses. I think I'll go with the handwritten note and a cake for the office, and save the flowers for her birthday (which is in three weeks).
posted by elsietheeel at 12:34 PM on October 11, 2010
posted by elsietheeel at 12:34 PM on October 11, 2010
For former bosses when I'm just stopping through town and might or might not catch them, I've gone note + bottle of wine. For my current boss, I'd be weirded out by gifting him something (but might take him out for a beer).
I'm actually leaving my current company this week, so I might grandfather Current Boss into the "former boss" category and leave him a small gift upon my departure - he'll be out of town for my last day, and it's been a good 2 years.
But nthing the No Specific Boss Day Gifts thing. The cake sounds ok though.
posted by deludingmyself at 3:07 PM on October 11, 2010
I'm actually leaving my current company this week, so I might grandfather Current Boss into the "former boss" category and leave him a small gift upon my departure - he'll be out of town for my last day, and it's been a good 2 years.
But nthing the No Specific Boss Day Gifts thing. The cake sounds ok though.
posted by deludingmyself at 3:07 PM on October 11, 2010
Response by poster: Well I'm glad I didn't bring her flowers! She took the day off at the last minute.
posted by elsietheeel at 8:17 AM on October 15, 2010
posted by elsietheeel at 8:17 AM on October 15, 2010
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Or an arrangement of cut flowers (not a plant) because they prettify the office. I think what you want to go for here is drawing attention to your boss for being awesome.
But I would go with cake. (I like cake.)
posted by phunniemee at 9:30 AM on October 11, 2010 [1 favorite]