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From cute desk accessories to delicious food and snacks, these gifts will make your boss feel appreciated.
MugsAndPins/Etsy/Otherland
Show a great boss your appreciation with a thoughtful (but office-friendly) gift.
Below, we rounded up some of our favorite work-appropriate gifts, from tech to coloring books.
Looking for more gifts from Insider Reviews? Shop gift ideas for everyone in your life here.
Whether virtually or in person, you likely spend the majority of your day with your coworkers. If you like them enough, you might even get them a thank-you gift for all the good times in and out of the office.
Giving a gift to a great boss — someone who makes a big difference in how you approach daily work activities and helps you grow professionally — can feel trickier. Since they’re your manager, it’s important that your gift maintains professionalism, but still gets the message across that you appreciate their hard work and know what they like, whether they’re fans of “The Office” or really love candy.
Below, we’ve rounded up 38 great gifts for your boss, from useful desk accessories to beautiful notebooks. Plus, since you’d never want your boss to know if you were late to the game, we have plenty of digital and same-day delivery options included.
The 38 best affordable, work-appropriate gifts for your boss:
MugsAndPins/Etsy
“The Office” Mug, from $20.50, available at Etsy
Remember when Kelly threw a party in “The Office,” gave out mugs like these as party favors, and quietly exacted revenge against Dwight and Jim for missing it? Well, if your boss is a fan of “The Office,” they’ll appreciate having their very own version of one.
Minted
Custom Stationery, $66, available at Minted
Beautiful, unique stationery is great for thank you cards or random “thinking of you” messages sent to loved ones. But few of us think to buy it ahead of the moment in which we need it. This gift is thoughtful, appropriate, and functional.
Cameo
Cameo video, from $1, available on Cameo
If your workplace is less formal, you could get them a personalized message from their favorite celebrity. Whether they love a certain musician, reality TV star, comedian, or actor in a show you’ve both bonded over, there’s a good chance you can find them on Cameo. The price will depend on the star, but there are plenty of options. You can read our full review of the service here.
Leatherology
Deluxe Luggage Tag, $40, available at Leatherology
These leather luggage tags are available in a variety of colors and come gift-wrapped. You can add a monogram for $10 or handpainted personalization for $40.
Sugarwish
Sugarwish Treat Boxes, from $23, available at Sugarwish
Sugarwish’s business model is simple: You pick the number of treats they receive, the recipient gets an email inviting them to select their favorite treats, and their selected treats are shipped directly to them. It’s a practically foolproof gift for a boss because everyone loves candy, and you don’t have to go through the awkwardness of figuring out their address.
Amazon
Rifle Paper Co. 2023 17-Month Hard Cover Spiral Planner, $40, available at Amazon
The hard thing about gifting planners is finding ones that work mid-way through the year. The 17-month Rifle Paper Co. planner starts from August 2022 and goes through December 2023, so your boss can mark down important dates, set to-do lists, and jot down any other notes for a long time after they get this awesome gift from you.
Amazon
Audible Subscription, from $7.95 per month, available at Audible
Whether they’re commuting to the office again or not, audiobooks are a useful way to pass the time no matter what they do. As a bonus, it’s a gift that can be delivered to them day-of.
Read our full review of Audible here.
Atlas Tea Club
Atlas Tea Club, Three-Month Subscription, from $55, available at Atlas Tea Club
Atlas Coffee Club, Three-Month Subscription, from $60, available at Atlas Coffee Club
This subscription sends them delicious, unique single-origin teas or coffees from the best regions in the world for three months. It’ll make each day just a little more pleasant.
Bombas
Women’s Solids Ankle Sock 4-Pack, from $49.40, available at Bombas
Men’s Solids Ankle 4-Pack, from $49.40, available at Bombas
Bombas makes the best socks in our closets. We’ve been vocal supporters of the brand for years thanks to its durability, comfort, and superior materials.
Another part of Bombas’ appeal is that the company donates a specifically designed pair of socks to a homeless shelter for every pair purchased. If you’re not sold on those, we also like these $20 tube socks from the Parks Project — which helps fund projects in national parks.
Etsy
Plantable Seed Cards With Envelopes, $20, available at Etsy
Sometimes the most thoughtful and appropriate gift is a handwritten card that they know you didn’t just pick up in a rush. These beautiful handmade cards on Etsy support a small business and are made of seed paper, so they can plant their card and watch wildflowers grow.
If you want to add something extra to show your appreciation, a Starbucks gift card is as safe as it gets.
West Elm
Claudia Pearson City Tea Towels, $20, available at West Elm
If they’re a big fan of their current home or the town they grew up in, you can pay homage to that aspect of them with a cool, functional, and sentimental tea towel illustrated with city maps.
The Sill
Echeveria Lola, $48, available at The Sill
Succulents make for great desk plants since they require little more than direct sunlight and occasional watering. This one also comes in a sleek pastel planter, making it look like a more upscale gift.
Framebridge
The Little Gift, available at Framebridge, from $49
Whether it adorns their desk in the office or their WFH station, a small frame filled with an image of their favorite memory, place, people, or pets is always appreciated. If you’d rather let them personalize it and choose their own photo, go with a gift card.
Brightland
Alive Olive Oil, $37, available at Brightland
If they spend a lot of time in the kitchen, they probably already know the merits of high-quality olive oil. A drizzle of Alive from Brightland adds a vibrant, zesty flavor to any dish. Plus, the beautiful bottle will look great on display in their kitchen.
Amazon
The Art of Mandala, $3.99, available at Amazon
Studies focused on the benefits of adult coloring books often reveal mandalas are the most effective designs for relaxation and induction of a meditative state. Their complex geometric patterns can be traced back to both ancient Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
This affordable book contains 50 mandalas that vary in complexity and detail, so they can slowly work their way up to the most challenging patterns or work on a simple design when time is limited.
Speks
Speks Magnet Balls, $34.95, available at Speks
The makers of our favorite magnetic desk toy have a new way to reduce stress and keep your boss entertained. These tiny magnetic balls make for a good mental break as well as help us concentrate in meetings.
Walmart
Google Nest Mini, from $29.99, available at Target
The Google Nest Mini offers a compact, affordable smart speaker with Google Assistant built-in. They’ll love being able to dim lights, control the volume on their TV, check the weather, and more, all with just the sound of their voice. Read our full review of the Google nest Mini here.
This option is best for people who prefer Google’s tech ecosystem. You may also want to consider the Amazon Echo Dot for Amazon users.
Everlane
The ReNew Slipper, $19, available at Everlane
Most of us are spending a lot more time at home these days. And it’s more enjoyable to do that when you’re wearing some of the most comfortable slippers on the planet. We are big fans of the ReNew Slippers from Everlane — and they’re relatively inexpensive.
Amazon
Muji Gel Ink Ball Point Pens, $5.80, available at Amazon
Muji’s fine 0.38mm tip pen is a cult favorite — including among our teammates. According to the company, the water-based ink enables smooth writing, minimal bleeding, and a mechanism that helps keep the ink from drying out. If they write handwritten notes for work, they may have an outsized appreciation for this small but impactful upgrade. They’re sold out on Muji, but you can still find them on Amazon.
Etsy
Custom Stamp, from $18.81, available at Etsy
This unique, thoughtful gift embosses books with “from the library of [their name]” by pressing down on it like a hole-puncher — it’s the kind of thing most people would never buy themselves but will genuinely cherish if they receive it as a gift. They can use it on book pages as well as envelopes.
Book of the Month
A Book of the Month subscription, from $49.99, available at Book of the Month
Book of the Month has been around for more than 90 years — and it’s credited with hand-selecting and helping popularize books that range from Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises” to J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye.” With your gift, your boss will get to choose between five new hardcover options the book club suggests every month.
Goldbelly
A meal from Goldbelly, prices vary
No matter where they’ve spent the year, you can send them their favorite foods from across the US by using Goldbelly — the company will deliver everything from Junior’s cheesecake to Lou Malnati pizza to their doorstep. Or, give them a gift card so they can pick out a treat for themselves.
Macy’s
Pinch Provisions Work From Home Survival Kit, $14, available at The Paper Store
If they’re getting tired of their office being in their living room, they’ll appreciate this kit that takes a bit of the strain out of working from home. A conference call bingo card, desk yoga guide, and fidget cube are just a few of the quirky (yet useful) items they’ll find in this set.
Uncommon Goods
Desk Name Plates, from $14.99, available at Etsy
If you and your boss have a humorous rapport going, they could get a kick out of this witty take on the everyday office signage. Plus, the sleek wooden and gold design let the sign speak for itself without appearing overly kitschy.
Leatherology
Business Card Case, $50, available at Leatherology
First impressions matter, which is why they should be pulling out business cards from a handsome leather case. It has a no-fuss, invisible magnetic closure and can hold up to 20 cards. Choose from pebbled or smooth leathers in a variety of colors, or upgrade to premium leather. You can also add a monogram for an additional $10.
Amazon
Eddie Bauer Sherpa Throw, $34.99 available at Kohl’s
Owners of this large, cozy throw only have good things to say about it. It’s plush and warm, with one side made of micro-fleece and the other made of sherpa fleece.
Best Buy
Logitech K480 Bluetooth Multidevice Keyboard, $34.99, available at Best Buy
If you notice your boss complaining about lugging their laptop everywhere, this might be a fix they didn’t realize existed. With a slim Bluetooth keyboard, your boss can leave the laptop at home and still get work done while traveling. We like this one because it’s quiet and comfortable to type on.
Blue Bottle
Hario Cold Brew Bottle, $37, available at Blue Bottle
If there’s anything that can power them through a long workday, it’s cold brew. Just combine water and ground coffee (not included), and stick the bottle in the fridge for a refreshing caffeinated treat.
Facetory/Instagram
Seven Lux 1 Month Gift Subscription, $19.90, available at FaceTory
The Korean sheet masks in this box are sure to bring some much-needed relief to any stressed-out boss. The brands, which often use out-of-the-ordinary ingredients, are usually difficult to find outside of Korea, but FaceTory makes them both accessible and affordable.
Amazon
Native Union Key Cable, from $29.99, available at Amazon
If your boss is always forgetting their charger at home and borrowing yours, this small portable cable charges up Apple devices quickly and claims to be six times stronger than the standard lightning cable, boasting a 10,000-bend lifespan. The knotted cable also looks great and makes it easy to fish out the charger from their bag.
Dagne Dover
Small Hunter Toiletry Bag, $40, available at Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover’s durable and quick-drying neoprene is most notably featured in the brand’s popular backpacks and gym bags, but it’s also well-suited for this small bag that organizes your boss’s life on the go. It includes a removable air mesh pouch and is available in a range of dusky colors and camo patterns.
West Elm
Barro Vases, available at West Elm, from $33.60
A vase is a pretty foolproof gift — it’s just as good for the recently engaged (or recently promoted) person as it is for someone who would always prefer a practical gift over a knick-knack. If you’re looking for something more minimalist, we recommend this version.
Amazon
Shintop 6-Piece Cable Clips Set, $5.88, available on Amazon
This small but practical gift will sort out their jumble of cords for good. If you’re worried that the set doesn’t look significant enough, you can pair a few of these cable clips with a nice card and some candy.
Amazon
Hydro Flask 32-Ounce Travel Tumbler Cup, $22.72, available at Hydro Flask
The ergonomic comfort of a classic tall cup plus Hydro Flask’s signature double-wall vacuum insulation makes this a coffee or tea vessel they’ll always keep on hand. It keeps their beverage hot for up to six hours and includes a press-in lid to prevent spills.
Otherland
Otherland Candles, $36, available at Otherland
With its beautiful packaging, unique scents, and special matchbox messages, Otherland turns the otherwise ordinary candle into a cherished gift. Take advantage of its limited-edition scents while they last, or find a suitable match in its diverse Core Collection.
Harry & David
Moose Munch Premium Popcorn Classic Tin, $54.99, available at Harry & David
Send them this assortment of sweet and savory popcorn to get the new quarter started. This particular edition contains four decadent flavors of Moose Munch: classic caramel, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate s’mores.
Amazon
PodSkinz AirPods Case Protective Silicone Cover, $4.95, available at Amazon
Apple AirPods: incredibly convenient, but also incredibly easy to lose and scratch up. A silicone cover is a cheap and attractive way to protect the case protecting their beloved earbuds.
Amazon
Echo Dot (4th Gen), $19.99, available at Target
Amazon’s bestselling smart speaker has an improved sound and look. Whether they want to coordinate a smooth-sailing smart home experience or enjoy music out loud, the Echo Dot can keep up.