30 Best Gifts for Your Boss

Of all the tough-to-buy-for people in your life, few feel quite as tricky as your supervisor. Choose something too over the top and you could make them uncomfortable. Go too low with a gift for your boss, and it can seem as though you’ve shopped the clearance bin. Not to mention the fine line between giving your boss something that shows you know them well and one that feels too personal. We’ve tapped the collective wisdom of five gift-giving pros for tips and picks to make it easy for you to gift like, well, a boss.

For the delegator

Delight them with this unexpected kitchen helper that does all the work for them, continuously stirring their sauce, stew or risotto without any hand holding at all. The metal and plastic tool is just under 9 inches tall, and with three speeds, it will keep all their stovetop cooking needs covered.

For the sophisticate

It’s tempting to go the desk-accessory route with a gift for a boss—especially if your setting is a traditional office—but the category can be trickier than it seems. Rule of thumb, according to Los Angeles-based lifestyle and etiquette expert Elaine Swann: “Choose something that’s going to be very useful” versus trinkets that seem fun and unexpected but, adds the founder of the Swann School of Protocol, ultimately just take up space. A posh pen holder makes an ideal resting spot for their ballpoints and rollerballs, and this leather version comes in a range of colors and textures, including premium crocodile leather. Find more work-area ideas in our roundup of little luxuries to keep your desk organized.

For the outdoor entertainer

Level-up their backyard barbecues with the product one of our tech experts declared a “life-changing backyard gadget.” With Thermacell’s E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller, they can create a 20-foot mosquito-free zone without the invasive smell of citronella—all they have to do is press a button to keep the insects away.

For the manager who prizes efficiency

“A phone charger is something most people would find a use for,” says Elanor Williams, associate professor of marketing at Washington University in St. Louis’ Olin Business School, and rarely do people find themselves with more chargers than needed. This one is way more elevated than the basic plug-in, which makes it a great gift for a boss. Available in five shades of Italian pebble-grain leather, it can deliver up to 10 watts of power, quickly boosting the battery on any device compatible with Qi wireless charging. It also serves as a sleek parking spot for their headphones, badge and other miscellany.

For the constant tinkerer

If you’re regularly getting recaps of your boss’s home renovation DIYs, the ETape16 digital tape measure is a perfect present. Beyond offering a digital readout, this streamlined gadget (which we also recommend as a gift for dads who have everything) can retain two previous measurements and calculate a midpoint for framed photos or anything else they might be hanging.

For the plant lover

A desk plant is always an appropriate boss present, and this curated set of six mini succulents with matching, modern planters feels even more giftable en masse. Even the boss with a black thumb can keep The Sill’s selection thriving; succulents are generally low-maintenance, requiring direct light, occasional watering (every two or three weeks) and really not much else.

For the jet-setter

Add a bit of pleasure to their business trips with this timeless-looking upgrade to hold their toiletries, jewelry or other small essentials, suggests Kristin Fisher, Philadelphia-based founder of the online gifting experience Bocu. The smaller case fits in the palm of your hand, the larger checks in at 12 inches, and both are handcrafted in a family-run Argentine workshop and available in more than a dozen shades of pebbled leather. Beyond all that, the female-owned company also touts its strong commitment to sustainability;, the Leather Working Group certifying that their leather is tanned in an environmentally responsible way as certified by the Leather Working Group. Says Fisher, “I love a brand with values and impeccable quality and design.”

For the nature buff

Help your manager be resourceful in a whole new way with this collection of foraging essentials by Brooklyn Brew Shop, known for its DIY sets. Included are a foraging knife with a folding blade, a mesh bag for collecting mushrooms and a sugaring spile for sap from birch or maple trees. And the kit’s two canvas bags in different sizes can hold all of the unearthed elements.

For the coffee connoisseur

Most like it hot when it comes to their coffee and other a.m. beverages, which is why this 10-ounce cup earned a spot on three of our experts’ gift lists. A built-in heating system that maintains your desired beverage temp for up to 90 minutes is “the extra something” that makes this mug feel giftlike rather than ordinary, says Williams. And Fisher, who received it as a gift herself, loves that it eliminates trips to the microwave for reheating. “Coming from a slow coffee drinker,” she says, “it’s been a game changer.”

For the tea aficionado

If the key to great gift-giving for your boss is finding something that reflects their interests, as Swann maintains, then subscription boxes are a no-brainer. “They make it easy to really home in on a specific niche,” she says, and suggests this one for people who’ve noticed tea is their boss’s morning sip. A gift card will net them a monthly shipment of four brews based on what they enter as their flavor preferences—enough for at least 16 cups, culled from more than 150 worldwide brands—plus reusable filters, steeping guidelines and tasting notes.

For the manager with a green thumb

With its artfully sloped design, this handcrafted watering vessel—a small version of the one various pros recommend in our roundup of foolproof gardening gifts—makes an impressive present for bosses who prize their indoor plants. It’s made of solid copper, with a spout that’s designed for drip-free watering, and it even comes in a gift box.

For the laid-back leader

A fun way to acknowledge the new “home-office casual” vibe is with these oft-Instagrammed colorful slides, suggests Fisher, who is still “obsessed” with the set she was gifted four years ago by a supervisor, she says. The 100% Australian sheepskin is “super comfortable and durable” and—bonus—the brand notes it’s committed to sustainable initiatives, including using natural sheepskin, leather and Australian merino wool that’s biodegradable. “I love knowing you can recycle these rather than toss them once you’ve worn them out,” Fisher says.

For the avid reader

Books are generally a fail-safe pick (even better if you snag an elegantly photographed cookbook or coffee table book that shows you’ve been paying attention during your workday chats). Swann points out that they’ll use a set of sturdy, elegant bookends much longer than the weeks they’re tearing through the latest thriller. This 15-inch ceramic set, handcrafted in artist Virginia Sin’s Brooklyn studio, will streamline their bookshelf, enabling them to replace haphazard stacks with organized groupings.

For the inventive exec

Gifting your boss a candle emblazoned with the word Visionary may be a little on the nose, but if it’s warranted, why not? There’s also a lot to love in the wick itself, says Elisabeth Noel Jones, New York City-based founder and CEO of GiftMeChic, who recently gave the hand-poured matte porcelain piece as a housewarming gift to a friend who had just taken his company public. Along with the messaging, she says, recipients enjoy a long-lasting candle (60 hours, according to the company) with a calming scent of saffron, rosewater and other subtle spices and florals.

For the techie

When gift-shopping, some people focus on stress over finding a “fun treat” someone wouldn’t buy for themselves—but the truth is, “People appreciate useful gifts more than is anticipated,” according to consumer-behavior research by Williams. And in this age of WFH life and virtual social calls, few things are quite as pragmatic as a leveled-up webcam. Lumina’s aluminum version, available in four sleek metallic shades, looks luxurious—and more important, it feels high-end, using AI functionality to keep you perfectly framed no matter how much you move and offering sharp image quality. “The 4K picture is phenomenal and it’s got a great microphone built into it,” says innovation and technology expert Steve Greenberg, host of the YouTube gadget game show “What the Heck Is That?” Typically, when webcams don’t function well, “it’s the microphone that drops the ball,” he says. “But this one does an amazing job.”

For the Netflix binger

Help them get cozy in their off-duty hours with weighted throw from a brand that’s known for its high-quality, cold-weather staples. Available in 10-, 15-, 20- and 25-pound versions in your choice of colors, it’ll provide a soothing hug and bring some warmth to their TV-watching. It’s also machine washable and can be tumble dried with no heat. See even more of our favorite weighted blankets in our Buy Side Rated guide.

For the new (or enigmatic) boss

When you’re truly stumped on what to give your boss, says Williams, go with a surefire crowd-pleaser: something that can be consumed. “Even if it’s not perfect, it’s going to be eaten or drunk, and then it will be a nice memory as opposed to something that sits on a shelf,” she reasons. Fisher suggests a small-batch item in pretty packaging, like Brightland’s cold-pressed olive oil Duo: the more bold Awake, ideal for roasting, and the smooth, perfect-for-salads Alive. Made with preservative-free ingredients sourced from family-owned Californian farms, “the quality is top-notch,” she says. “I use Awake whenever I host a dinner party because it has a bolder flavor than other olive oils; it’s great for dipping bread.”

For the astrologically curious

Whether they’re a balanced Libra or a passionate Scorp, this beautifully packaged candle, labeled with one of the 12 Zodiac symbols, is a way to gift something with “a personal touch without being too personal,” says Trae Bodge, a New York City-based shopping expert and founder of Truetrae.com. Crafted from soy wax for a cleaner burn, each 8-ounce candle lasts for 50 hours. Each has an amber, sandalwood, vanilla and musk base and notes of wild berries and peach blossom; Bodge raves that they smell “fantastic.”

For the foodie who never misses pizza Friday

The Scizza (as in scissors plus pizza) is the kitchen tool they didn’t know they desperately needed, suggests Greenberg. Deciding to literally reinvent the (pizza) wheel, the Aussie brand dreamed up this dishwasher-safe, stainless steel gadget with a spatula base that doubles as a server and won’t scratch your pans. “For me, it’s the only way to cut a pizza slice,” says Greenberg. It’s an especially great pick if they’ve gotten into cooking their own pizzas with an outdoor or indoor oven.

For the intrepid explorer

Give their next trip an upgraded view. At just under 12 ounces, these compact binoculars are a must-pack item for Bodge. Elegantly designed in a slew of saturated hues, they look good and provide an even more impressive peek at wildlife and stunning vistas thanks to six pieces of glass layered in anti-reflective coating. “They’re waterproof and fog-proof,” notes Bodge, and they can be paired with the brand’s photo rig adapter for wow-worthy Instagram pics. “My family and I take ours on every vacation,” the shopping expert says.

For the grilling enthusiast

An accurate and speedy food thermometer is “one of the most important tools” in any cook’s arsenal, notes Greenberg. And this one delivers literal split-second readings, using patented DCTi technology to get results in 0.75 seconds. Waterproof with built-in magnets for easy storage, this 4.3-inch gadget also boasts a “crisp, bright OLED, ambidextrous display that ensures visible readings even in low-light conditions,” says Greenberg. “Whether you’re barbecuing in the backyard at night or at a campsite deep in the woods, you’ll always get clear, accurate results.” For even more grilling presents to give, check out our gift guide.

For the flora fan

“A monthly delivery of long-lasting, farm-fresh and sustainably-grown flowers will bring a smile to your boss’s lips,” says Bodge. She loves Bouqs’s subscription as a butter-up-the-boss group gift. You can choose the delivery date and style—options abound from more classic stems like roses to tropical bouquets or even dried versions—or let the florist curate an arrangement for you from its collection of eco-friendly farms. A three-month subscription starts at just over $45 a month.

For the one with a sweet tooth

When in doubt, it’s always smart to go the chocolate route. Compartés’ best-selling box features colorful handmade gourmet truffles that look nearly as good as they taste, with seasonal ingredients and a chocolate ganache filling. “Your boss will most definitely appreciate this gesture,” swears Angela Yeranosian, the Los Angeles-based founder of gift shop Patet. For extra, uh, brownie points, you can personalize the treats with your company logo for a dessert that’s truly bespoke.

For the commuter

Go ahead, blow their mind with this super-sturdy alternative to the $5 street umbrella, a compact version of one of our favorite rain-protectors. Wind-tested up to 71.5 miles per hour, the Blunt Metro Travel Umbrella has “a radial tensioning system that makes it wind-resistant,” says Bodge, “so it will hold up on the blusteriest of days.” Available in 10 bold shades and one houndstooth print, it folds down to a totable 14.8 inches and, adds Bodge, “comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty and support for life.”

For the lover of little luxuries

Few things feel more decadent than a gift from the upscale fragrance company Diptyque. This faceted glass, hourglass-shaped diffuser doubles as an objet d’art that “not only will set the right mood in your boss’s office but will also leave the room smelling amazing,” says Yeranosian. The brand’s popular blackcurrant berry- and rose-laced Baies blend “has both fruity and floral scents,” she adds, “that will have heads turning once they pass by.”

For the burnt-out boss

Celebrate the end of a particularly taxing and time-intensive project with this curated box of herbal tea blends, including hibiscus blossom, blueberry merlot and harvest apple spice. The caffeine-free set, packed in a sleek, reusable box, “is exactly that reminder to take a moment through a busy day and unwind,” says Yeranosian. “Even if it’s something as simple as a cup of tea.”

For the avid note taker

Elevate their meeting vibe with this hardcover journal that’s handmade by skilled artisans in England using gilt-edged cream paper and a textured, lizard-embossed coating. Available in both a medium and large size, they’re Jones’s go-to “for both my work to-dos and personal journals,” says the New York City-based founder of GiftMeChic. Paired with the European brand’s set of 10 pre-sharpened gold-foil pencils, it’s a gesture that’s “as literal as it gets,” jokes Jones. “Your boss will appreciate the not-so-subtle nod of respect.”

For the amateur chef

If they’re the type to unwind in front of a hot skillet, they’ll appreciate this pretty-enough-to-be-put-on-display set. The “Fridays from the Garden” cookbook is stocked with more than 150 recipes from local chefs at the Los Angeles estate. But the standouts just might be the farm-to-table brand’s bestselling kitchen staples: the sweet and tart persimmon vinegar and the peppery olive oil that owner Richard Christiansen sources from a multi-generational family-run farm in nearby Ojai. Check out our extended gift guide for even more cheffy gift ideas.

For the boss who’s always bringing in cookies

Is baking their thing? If so, here’s a tool they probably don’t already have in their arsenal. With a quick pump of the lever, they can dispense their dough in consistently shaped spheres right onto a baking sheet. The easy-to-use gadget comes with 12 stainless steel disks, each with a different design, from Snowflake or Fleur-de-lis to Butterfly or Bear.