ALT-2 Inexpensive Holiday Gift Ideas for your Boss
Once again, the holidays are just around the corner. The kids have given you their lists, you have a pretty good idea of what to give your spouse, and ideas for the other loved ones on your list are in the back of your mind. But what about your boss? Choosing a gift for your supervisor is often a source of unnecessary holiday season stress. You don't want to look cheap by spending too little, but overspending could make you look like a brown-noser. Give yourself a break by picking a budget-friendly gift. Here are some inexpensive holiday gift ideas for your boss, to help you spread holiday cheer without overdoing it.
What Does Your Boss Like?
If you have a close working relationship with your boss, you're likely to know about some of his or her hobbies. If possible, get something related to one of their interests. For the baseball-loving boss, his favorite team's calendar for next year or a hat are budget-friendly gift choices. Chances are, whatever your boss loves has low-cost gift items too. Presenting your boss with a gift chosen just for them makes a much bigger impact than one of those huge popcorn tins – or any of the other mindless gifts we're all guilty of giving to people we don't know well.
Mug
Giving your boss a coffee mug is a popular cliché, but that's only because it's such a good gift. Whether your boss sips coffee all day or just fills up from the water cooler, it's nice to be able to use a cup of your own. Instead of getting the standard novelty mug with a funny saying or comic strip on it, you can make your mug a nice gift with a few choice upgrades.
First and foremost, opt for a larger mug. Even at more expensive department and housewares stores, these typically cost $10 or less. Fill the mug with holiday candy, or some packets of your boss' beverage of choice; special coffee blends, flavored teas, etc.. To dress up the mug even further, make it into a gift basket. Place a candy-filled mug inside a gift basket, and arrange drink packets, other accessories and more candy around it. For coffee drinkers, this might be a container of flavored non-dairy creamer. Tea drinkers might appreciate a box of single-serving lemon juice shots, raw sugar or Splenda. Throw in some decorative stirrers, a package of cookies or a few candy canes. This whole gift basket usually costs less than $25, and looks great compared to just handing over a mug.
If your supervisor has a long commute or has to travel to conferences and the like, a travel mug is a more thoughtful option than the standard ceramic coffee mug. Even if she already has one, your boss probably leaves it in the car after her morning commute. Keeping the mug from you in her desk will save her from splurging on Starbucks if she needs to run out to a midday meeting.
Something Homemade
If you're skilled in the kitchen, giving out edible homemade gifts is always a great budget-conscious gift idea. Gingerbread cookies, apple cobbler and even homemade pickles make inexpensive holiday gifts. If you have a signature dessert recipe, mix up a batch for your boss. Another option is giving out your recipe with all the dry ingredients to create the dish, accompanied by a few kitchen accessories and an appropriate serving dish or storage container.
If you don't have a favorite dish, check your cookbooks or search online for recipes. Breads, desserts, preserves, and snacks are typically the best foods to give as gifts since they're less perishable than full-on meals and make for less messy transport. Some ideas for holiday-themed foods are gingerbread cookies, cranberry relish, and peppermint bark.
Desk Accessories
Another classic inexpensive holiday gift for your boss is something for their desk. For $30 or less, you can pick up anything from a quality pen to a selection of picture frames. Clocks, stress toys, blotters, and customized notepads are all nice office-specific gifts. The good thing about gifts like these is that you can mostly figure out what your boss' desk is missing, and know your gift will actually get used.
If your boss receives lots of outside snail mail, get him an interesting letter opener. Head to a personalized gift shop like Things Remembered for a personalized paperweight. Comb the aisles at Staples and other office supply stores for ideas, as they often have an executive gifts section.
Coming up with inexpensive holiday gift ideas for your boss is as easy (or as hard) as you make it. We spend more time at work than we do with our families, so you probably have some idea of your supervisor's tastes and interests. Creating a gift based on those interests, or what you think they'd use, is a winning gift idea at any budget.
