40 best gifts for every type of boss in 2023

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From cute desk accessories to delicious food and snacks, these gifts will make your boss feel appreciated.

Whether we like it or not, most of us spend a majority of our time at work. It makes sense that you’d want to get your boss something to say “thank you” for their hard work and tutelage come the holidays. 

When it comes to finding the best gift for your boss, it is important to keep in mind that this is your boss. That doesn’t mean you have to neglect humorous gifts or take yourself too seriously, but the right gift for your boss should maintain a level of professionalism. Luckily, we did the heavy lifting and came up with an exhaustive list of the best gifts for your boss this holiday season. From presents that make their life at work easier to items they can enjoy using on their days off, this list has something for every kind of boss and budget.

A sweet surprise delivered right to their inbox

Sugarwish Treat Boxes

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. 

A sweatshirt that’s also a blanket

The Comfy Original

Why is it that all offices always get freezing cold? This is the ideal gift for the boss who always complains about the office temperature. It’s a plush wearable blanket they can curl up in whenever they need some extra warmth.

A cushion to make their desk chair more comfortable

Purple Royal Seat Cushion

Whether they’re working from home or in the office every day, spending hours sitting in a chair can get uncomfortable fast. This supportive, cooling seat cushion turns even the hardest of chairs into a plush, soft place to sit.

A leather business card holder

Leatherology Business Card Case

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. 

The best pens for their office

Muji Gel Ink Ball Point Pens

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.

A tool to relieve muscle tension

Buddy Back Buddy Elite

After hunching over a computer all day long, most of us could use something to get rid of all those knots and muscle tension. This handheld massaging tool will give them some quick relief, whether at home or at their desk.

Fresh and funny sticky notes

Knock Knock To Accomplish Stick Notes Packet

Office supplies may not sound like the most exciting gift around, but these sticky notes are anything but boring. From lighthearted and humorous to straight-up sassy, you’re sure to find a set of these sticky notes that will make your boss laugh– and help keep them organized. 

Their very own “The Office” mug

“The Office” Mug

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.

A subscription that delivers the best teas or coffees to their door

Atlas Tea Club Subscription

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.

A box of snacks from around the world

Universal Yums Yum Yum Gift Box

Level up their desk snack situation with a curated box of snacks from a country across the globe. Universal Yums creates snack boxes inspired by different cultures so they can taste-test their way around the world.

A set of fancy olive oils

Graza ‘Drizzle’ & ‘Sizzle’ Extra Virgin Olive Oil

If your boss is always talking about the delectable dishes they whipped up over the weekend, this set of high-quality olive oils from Graza will be a winner. The finishing and cooking oils, named Drizzle and Sizzle respectively, are made from fresh Picual olives in Spain and come in squeezable bottles for ease of use. 

A desk sign with a hint of humor

Lasercrafting Desk Name Plates

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. 

A mini humidifier to make their space more comfortable

Pure Enrichment MistAire Cloud Mist Humidifier

Dry air can make any workspace uncomfortable. This cute cloud-shaped humidifier will make their workspace more pleasant with a constant mist that runs for 24 hours, making it easier to breathe all day long.

A classic Moleskine notebook

Moleskine Classic Hard Cover Large Notebook

There’s a reason Moleskine notebooks have been so popular for so long; they’re quite durable and great quality. Whether your boss always needs paper on hand to take notes during team meetings or is known to keep a log of all of their genius business ideas, a new notebook is sure to get plenty of use. 

An eyeglass holder

Uncommon Goods Hand Painted Dog Eyeglass Holder

Is your boss always hitting up the team Slack channel with a “hey, has anyone seen my glasses?” If so, I think we all know what to get them this year: a cute, but practical eyeglass holder. 

A plush hooded scarf

Naadam Luxe Cashmere Ribbed Hooded Scarf

While you can’t control the fickle office thermostats, you can help your boss get suited up to stay cozy and warm even when the AC is blasting. This hooded, 100% cashmere scarf from Naadam is on the pricier side, so grab some of your coworkers and go in on this one together; now that’s teamwork! 

A cool calendar

Rifle Paper Co. 2024 Greetings From Around The World Calendar

Running a team comes with a lot of bookkeeping, deadlines, and logistics. A calendar that lets them step back and see the activities they need to do not just on one specific day, but in one week, one month, and one year overall is sure to help keep them organized. It doesn’t hurt that this one from the MoMA Design Store will make their desk setup instantly cooler. 

A mystery box of mini plants

Rooted Baby Mystery Jungle Book

Spruce up their desk setup with the gift of plants. These ones are adorably miniature, so they can really be placed anywhere to add a pop of vibrant color. 

A personalized video message from their favorite celebrity

Cameo Video Message

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.

A custom pet portrait

PrintAndPawStudio Custom Pet Portrait

For the boss whose pet is their pride and joy, what better way to spread some holiday cheer than with a custom portrait of their furry family. They can hang it up at work or at home, and it’s sure to make them smile everytime they see it. 

A reusable bag that can hold everything, and then some

Standard Baggu

For lugging all of their belongings to the office and back, stocking up on groceries, and so much more. This reusable bag may not look like much, but it’s made of durable, ripstop nylon and can hold up to 50 pounds worth of stuff. Plus, it comes in over 30 fun colors and patterns. 

A combination phone stand and charger for their desk

Mag 2: Essentials Wireless Charging Stand

For the multitasking boss who works on their phone and computer simultaneously, this gift will be a godsend. It’s a phone stand and wireless charger all in one, and even has space to charge their AirPods, too.

A desktop game to play when they need to let off steam

Portable Tabletop Air Hockey Arcade Table

When they need a break from the stress of the work day, this tabletop air hockey game will do the trick. It’s a fun, portable way to spend their lunch break.

A mini space heater for cold days

AmazonBasics Mini Space Heater

If a desk blanket is not enough to combat the office freeze, go for this personal space heater. The mini size is perfect for keeping their hands toasty while they type.

A nourishing hand cream

Nécessaire The Hand Cream

Luxurious hand cream is always a great gift — especially when it’s this one from Nécessaire. It’s small, fragrance-free, and has an elevated feel as an everyday essential. 

Custom stationery designed by independent artists

Minted Happy Dream Custom Stationery

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. 

A mug that keeps their drinks hot

Ember Smart Mug2

When you want a hot cup of coffee, finding out yours has gone cold is always a bummer. What if we told you you have the power to help your boss keep their hot coffees and teas as warm as they’d like all day long? No, we’re not taking about magic, we’re talking about the Ember Smart Mug2. 

A custom leather luggage tag

Leatherology Deluxe Luggage Tag

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. 

A beautiful planner they can start later in the year

Rifle Paper Co. 2023 17-Month Hard Cover Spiral Planner

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.

An audiobook subscription
Audible Premium Plus gives you access to a huge library of titles with extra perks.

Audible Subscription

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

The best socks they’ll ever wear

Bombas Women’s Ankle Socks 

Bombas Men’s Ankle Socks

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 towel designed like their favorite city or hometown

Claudia Pearson City Tea Towels

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. 

Trendy olive oil that elevates any meal

Brightland Alive Olive Oil

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.

Three months of great hardcover books delivered to their door

3-Month Book of the Month Subscription

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.

A kit built for the work-from-home lifestyle

Pinch Provisions Work From Home Survival Kit

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 versatile toiletry bag to bring on their travels

Dagne Dover Small Hunter Toiletry Bag

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. 

Desk cable clips that keep cords neat and organized

Shintop 6-Piece Cable Clips Set

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. 

A way to celebrate the end of the quarter

Moose Munch Premium Popcorn Classic Tin

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 protective cover for their AirPods case

PodSkinz AirPods Case Protective Silicone Cover

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. 

The newest smart home device

Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Clock

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. 

Read the original article on Business Insider