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If you’re looking for great work-appropriate gifts, we’ve listed dozens of good work gift options below, from high-quality olive oil to home office upgrades.
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- 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 plan on getting them a gift as a thank you 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 a little 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.
Below, we’ve rounded up 46 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 46 best affordable, work-appropriate gifts for your boss:
This list includes a Sponsored Product that has been suggested by Crowd Cow. It also meets our editorial criteria in terms of quality and value.*
A sweet surprise delivered right to their inbox
Sugarwish
Sugarwish Treat Boxes, from $22, 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.
An audiobook subscription
Amazon
Audible Subscription, from $5.95 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.
Enjoyable, sustainable seafood and meat
Crowd Cow
Check out Crowd Cow’s gift bundles
Crowd Cow specializes in environmentally conscious seafood and meat that doesn’t sacrifice quality, all the way down to its 100% carbon-neutral packaging. If you’re not sure which gift bundle is best based on your boss’ dietary preferences, stocking stuffers like jerky and rubs also make great choices.
*Sponsored by Crowd Cow
The world… from their home office
Airbnb
Online Experiences, prices vary, available at Airbnb
While they may be an awesome manager, you may not know what they really love to do outside of the workday. Airbnb Experiences is a versatile way to gift them experiences from all over the world — from baking classes to virtual walking tours in major cities.
Read our review on Airbnb Online Experiences here.
A three-month subscription that delivers the best teas or coffees from around the world to their door
Atlas Tea Club
Atlas Tea Club, Three-Month Subscription, from $55, available at Atlas Tea Club
Atlas Coffee Club, Three-Month Subscription, from $55, 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.
The best socks they’ll ever wear
Bombas
Women’s Solids Ankle Sock 4-Pack, from $47.50, available at Bombas
Men’s Solids Ankle 4-Pack, from $47.50, 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.
A handmade, plantable card
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.
A towel designed like their favorite city or hometown
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.
A small plant or bouquet for their desk
The Sill
Calathea Vittata, $43, available at The Sill
Earth & Sky Small Bouquet, $39, available at The Sill
If they’ve expressed an appreciation for greenery, a small plant for their workspace could help brighten a bit of each day. (Note: If they have pets, you may want to steer towards pet-friendly options).
If they’re less into caring for plants, The Sill also carries beautiful, unique bouquets.
A beautiful frame for their desk
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.
A non-pretentious field guide to good wine
Amazon
The New Wine Rules: A Genuinely Helpful Guide to Everything You Need to Know, available on Amazon, $14.97
If your boss enjoys the finer things (like a nice glass of wine) they’ll probably like this book. In lieu of complicated or stuffy tips, “The New Wine Rules” by Jon Bonné is full of beautiful illustrations and useful, digestible tips — like a wine’s expensive price tag not necessarily being indicative of its quality.
*Arrives after Christmas
Trendy olive oil that elevates any meal
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.
A relaxing adult coloring book
Amazon
The Art of Mandala, $4.99, 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.
A fun desk toy
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 stay concentrate in meetings.
A virtual helper
Walmart
Google Nest Mini, from $24.99, 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.
A debut cookbook from a Michelin-starred chef
Amazon
“My Korea” by Hooni Kim, $22.49, at Amazon
Michelin-starred chef Hooni Kim’s debut cookbook is a crash course in the essentials of Korean cuisine. The book’s tagline of “traditional flavors, modern recipes” is exactly what you should expect — from its take on Dolsot Bibimbap to Budae Jjigae to Hanjan’s Spicy Rice Cakes.
*Arrives after Christmas
A personalized video message from their favorite celebrity
Cameo/Facebook
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.
A desk-friendly succulent garden
The Sill/Facebook
Hoya Heart Plant, $32, available at The Sill
This heart-shaped succulent provides the perfect touch of greenery to any space. The miniature plant is pet-friendly and thrives in bright direct light.
Comfortable house slippers
Everlane
The ReNew Slipper, $65, 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.
A face mask they can work out in
Under Armour
UA Sportmask, $25, available at Under Armour
Under Armour’s Sportmask was designed with athletes in mind, as reflected in its breathability, water resistance, and UPF 50+ sun protection. Thanks to the Sportsmask, they won’t have to sacrifice their workout routine or their comfort.
The best pens for their office
Amazon
Muji Gel Ink Ball Point Pens, $6.20, 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.
*Arrives after Christmas
A set of notebooks with a bullet journaling system
Amazon
Word. 3 Pack Lined Pocket Notebooks, $12.99, available at Amazon
These small books are the perfect size for jotting down quick notes and to-do lists. Each page is printed with circles to help them set up an efficient, organized bullet journal.
*Arrives after Christmas
A custom book embosser
Etsy
Custom Stamp, from $16.38, 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 books as well as envelopes.
Three months of great hardcover books delivered to their door
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.
Their favorite food from across the US
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.
A kit built for the work-from-home lifestyle
Macy’s
Pinch Provisions Work From Home Survival Kit, $19.99, available at The Container 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.
A desk sign with a hint of humor
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 as overly kitschy.
A healthy snack subscription
Love With Food/Instagram
Gift a Love With Food subscription, from $7.99/month
Love with Food delivers organic, all-natural, or gluten-free snacks that serial snackers won’t feel guilty about eating. The better-for-you chips, candy, and bars come from new and trending food brands, so they’ll always be excited to fuel their work day.
A leather business card holder
Leatherology
Business Card Case, $45, 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.
A soft throw to fight freezing office temperatures
Amazon
Eddie Bauer Sherpa Throw, $26.24 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.
A gift card to a popular women’s workwear shop
MM.LaFleur
Gift Card, from $50, available at MM.LaFleur
Popular women’s workwear brand MM.LaFleur makes excellent pants and blazers that are definitely an investment, but totally worth the price. Its stylish and comfortable wardrobe staples take the headache out of getting dressed in the morning.
A lightweight portable keyboard
Best Buy
Logitech K480 Bluetooth Multidevice Keyboard, $34.99, available at Best Buy
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.
Their new favorite way to make delicious cold brew
Blue Bottle
Hario Cold Brew Bottle, $35, 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.
A box of Korean sheet masks
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.
A key cable they can bring anywhere
Amazon
Native Union Key Cable, from $29.99, available at Amazon
This 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.
*Arrives after Christmas
A versatile toiletry bag to bring on their travels
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.
A durable suitcase
Away
The Mini, from $45, available at Away
Away’s highly popular mini versions of its internet-famous suitcase are back. The light and stylish polycarbonate accessory can store and protect your boss’ essentials like jewelry and accessories — and it’s nowhere near as expensive as a real suitcase.
A beautiful vase
West Elm
Barro Vases, available at West Elm, from $36
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.
And if you’re looking for something more minimalist, we recommend this version.
Desk cable clips that keep cords neat and organized
Amazon
Shintop 6-Piece Cable Clips Set, $7.99, 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.
*Arrives after Christmas
An insulated tumbler
Amazon
Hydro Flask 32-Ounce Travel Tumbler Cup, $26.21, 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.
A luxurious candle
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.
A way to celebrate the end of Q1
Harry & David
Moose Munch Premium Popcorn Classic Tin, $44.99, 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.
A decorative trinket tray
Bloomingdale’s
Jonathan Adler Hollywood Tray, $49.30, available at Bloomingdale’s
A sturdy and stylish stoneware tray from Jonathan Adler comes in handy for holding jewelry, accessories, and stray trinkets.
A protective cover for their AirPods case
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.
*Arrives after Christmas
The newest smart home device
Amazon
Echo Dot (4th Gen), $29.99, available at Target
Amazon’s newest version of its 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.
*Arrives after Christmas
A reusable utensil kit that helps them cut down on waste
United by Blue
Utensil Kit, $24, available at United by Blue
When they leave the office to grab lunch (or if they’re into camping and hiking), they can use these stainless steel utensils instead of plastic or paper options. It folds up conveniently so it can go with them anywhere.
Read the original article on Business Insider 
