Six Tips for Giving a Holiday Gift to a Good Boss

This is always a sticky gesture. You can't be sure how your boss will interpret a gift. The boss might think you're trying to win special favor or compensate for some work-related problem that no gift can resolve. Also, your co-workers might get into a competition with you or think you're trying to one-up them. It is safe to be politically correct and socially appropriate. The best way to do this is to offer a group gift. Then consider these six tips:

 1. Is the celebrated holiday recognized by all group members?

If you're thinking about a Christmas gift, think about whether all members of your group are Christians. If not, consider labeling the gift in another way, say as a "Thank you" gift for support during the year, or a "New Year" gift. Make sure every group members feels comfortably included.

 
2. How much money should you collect from each member before purchasing the gift?

Some group members may be more financially able than others to participate. For this reason, keep the value low enough that everyone will be comfortable contributing their share. For most work groups, $5 per person is usually a reasonable maximum. Multiply that by the number of group members to get your spending budget for the gift—and be sure to include in that amount the cost of a card, gift wrap, tape, ribbon/bows, sales tax and shipping, if involved.

 
3. What gift items are best to avoid?

Anything that can affect your boss's health, beliefs, or appearance should be avoided, as well as anything that would be legitimately covered by the department budget. For example:

Candy, alcohol and other consumables may be off limits due to diet restrictions, allergies or addiction.

Religious items might be inappropriate for the boss' use or could be offensive to the boss and/or some of the gift contributors.

Clothing could be a problem in that you need to know personal information, such as sizes or style preferences, and wearing that clothing to work could be uncomfortable on days when every gift-giver is not in good favor with the boss.

Professional magazine subscriptions might be eligible to purchase as a business expense, so these things might not considered thoughtful.

 
4. How do you find suitable gift items?

Even if you know your boss' interests outside of work, you may not know what your boss already has and a duplicate can be as useless as nothing at all.

If you know of a charity your boss favors, and no group member would object to it, consider making a donation on your boss' behalf—this gift carries no obligation back to the group to demonstrate use of the gift.

If you know one of your boss' favorite places to shop, a bricks & mortar or online store, a gift card to that particular store (versus a general bank card) is a safe idea—it allows your boss to use the gift privately in anyway desired.

For more tangible items, sites such as Surprise.com allow you to search a variety of items from many sources, based on the interests of the gift recipient.
 
 
5. How do you decide on a suitable gift item from the group?

First, narrow the selection down to about six different items. Then, ask the group to rank those items according to their preference. When the item with the highest rank is identified, ask all group members if there are any objections before you make the purchase. If someone feels strongly against an item, move on to the next one.

 
6. How do you present the gift?

Ideally, choose a time when all contributors can attend the gift presentation. This makes it clear that the gift is given by all group members equally. If one or a few contributors cannot be present, preface the presentation by naming them and explaining that they would like to have been present but are unavailable for unavoidable reasons. Then explain the reason the group decided to offer the gift and hand it over with the holiday sentiment (Thank you; Happy New Year; etc.)
 

NOTE:
These guidelines are applicable for purchasing a gift for a good boss. See below for information about giving gifts to bad bosses.

Christmas Gifts for Bad Bosses?

Don’t even think about it.

But if you are thinking about it, first consider whether your boss is a Christian.  If so, ask how you know. Is it because your boss lives according to Christian values? A boss who is abusive or unethical does not.  So why honor that person with a gift?

Or do you know your boss is a Christian because he or she boasts about religious affiliations, while demonstrating demonic behavior?  You get the point.

But here's the gut wrencher: Suppose you're a Christian and you want to turn the other cheek and bestow your kindness, thereby demonstrating your values? Don't do it—not even if your boss makes the hypocritical gesture of giving you a card or a gift. Your bad boss is not interested in your values. In fact, a bad boss is likely see your practice of Christian values as a weakness or an uncomfortable contrast and reign more terror on you knowing you'll take it. Don't set yourself up for this backlash.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow discovered that secure people live each day on an even keel, not seeking highs or lows, yet happily appreciating every day. Here's a chance to build your self esteem.

At work, the holiday season is just another series of work days. Exchange your skills for compensation. Give no gifts to anyone who tries to undermine your esteem. Hold your head high and celebrate with those who make your days happy.

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