Even more so than your mom, your spouse, or your best friend, your boss might just be the toughest person to shop for when it comes to gift-giving. Get something too personal and things can get awkward quickly, but buy them something generic, and they'll think you put no thought into it at all. Whether you're gifting as a team or giving them a gift just from you, we've researched presents at a variety of price points for you and your co-workers to explore.
Whether you happen to know that your boss is a hardcore foodie, caffeine addict, music enthusiast, or none of the above, we selected 40 thoughtful gifts that'll show them just how grateful you are for their guidance and support. And no, none of them are a new nameplate for their desk. These gifts are sure to please the head honcho, no matter what kind of person they are.
Busy bosses are perpetually at a 1% battery level. Luckily, this three-in-one hub will keep all of their Apple gadgets, like iPhones, AirPods, and even Apple watches, juiced up and ready to use. It's compact enough to keep on their desk and perfectly organizes cables, so they won't be scattered across their workspace.
Let's face it, the break room fridge at your office has probably seen better days. Why not let your boss have their favorite soda or energy drink always on hand with this cool compact refrigerator? It has a six-can capacity, which means it also frees up six cans of space in your communal fridge, so it's kind of a win for everyone.
Breathing cleaner air anytime, anywhere is a gift that everyone you care about will love, and the LG PuriCare Mini portable air purifier will help them do just that. Weighing just a tad over a pound, the product has an ultra fine particle filter, as well as a dual inverter motor for powerful airflow.
The Bluetooth-equipped gadget has a companion that can display the air quality and the status of its onboard filter. A battery that can last up to 8 hours between charges and a stylish carrying strap round up its key features.
Your boss can set the Ember Smart Mug to any temperature they want to keep their morning beverage as warm as when they first poured it. It's hand-washable and can be used for up to 1 hour without the charging coaster — or all day long with it.
Whether you and your boss are still working from home or have returned to the office, sitting in a desk chair all day can do a number on your back. This back massager uses deep-tissue massage motions and heat to soothe achy muscles and help ease pain from staring at a screen all day.
Though office life has certainly become more digital in recent years, having a stack of business cards on hand isn't just vital to making a good impression, in some circles, it's even a status symbol.
So, if you want to give your boss a personalized dash of splashy presentation, we recommend this wooden business card holder. It can be custom engraved to your specifications, and its magnetized lid makes for a more visually dynamic opening than the standard flip-top card case.
If your boss is always on the go, and always online at the same time, odds are they have a fair amount of mobile devices in desperate need of a charge at all times.
What makes this particular power bank such a great gift isn't just that its dual USB ports mean they can charge two devices at once. Plus, if they don't have an outlet nearby to recharge the power bank itself, the solar panels allow sunlight to do the trick.
Like anyone else, your boss likely can't muscle through the morning commute without their morning brew. But disposable coffee cups contribute to waste, and most travel mugs just take up space. That's what makes this cute, collapsable travel cup the perfect solution, making for a full cup of joe when they need it, and a compact puck when they don't.
Sure, it's not as flashy as a fancy watch or bracelet, but for someone who spends the bulk of their day clicking and scrolling, this ergonomically designed mouse is the best gift you can get them for their wrist. This wireless mouse offers great ease of movement, is designed to relieve wrist strain, and makes for a generally smoother user experience.
Some folks can just never put the work phone down, even as they work out. But though texting while walking can feel like a power move (very Aaron Sorkin), texting while biking can have disastrous consequences.
Thankfully, this Roam phone holder for bike handlebars ensure that your boss will never miss a message without ever having to reach into their pocket or take their hands off the bike.
Whether your workplace's air conditioning is constantly on the fritz or just plain non-existent, an overheated boss benefits no one. So ensure they're never sweating at their desk with this cool circulator fan. Small but powerful, it has three different speed settings and uses a vortex airflow to circulate cool air throughout the entire space.
Sitting slumped over a desk all day may not seem like back-breaking labor, but you'd be surprised how much back strain comes with a 9 to 5 office gig. That's where a supportive back cushion can make a world of difference.
But while there are many on the market, not all are created equal. We tested out the Purple Back Cushion ourselves and can attest that this posture-protecting support pillow really does deliver much-needed relief.
Having a job that isn’t physically demanding has its downsides, mainly how little time it leaves you for physical fitness. But instead of letting your boss pace past everyone’s cubicles just to get their steps in, step in with this helpful under-desk elliptical that will allow them to get some pedaling in whenever they have a burst of energy.
It can even keep them occupied during those dull calls from corporate!
“Boss who loves golfing” may be a cliche, but that doesn’t mean many of us don’t have higher-ups who love hitting the green. If your boss is always practicing their swing in their spare time, help them keep their countless pieces of golf accouterment organized with this great case. It has pockets for tees, balls, gloves, and even their favorite pair of sunglasses.
If your boss is the type who likes to trade the daily grind for a dingy and some fishing line on the weekends, this nifty little gift may be just the thing they need. The O’Pro Belt Clip Rod Holder is an adjustable holster that offers extra support for any fisher’s rod while they wait to reel in the big one.
This awesome mini-projector, which can project pristine pictures from any USB or HDMI-connected device like a smartphone or laptop, would be a great gift for just about anyone. But be aware, for a boss, it's a double-edged sword. On the plus side, they'll love being able to stream their favorite shows on their office wall. But on the other hand, it does mean that now, an impromptu PowerPoint presentation could pop up anywhere, at any time. So choose wisely!
Your outdoorsy overseer will be overjoyed when they unwrap this portable campfire. With up to 5 hours of burn time, this Shark Tank product is a keeper for camping, backyard bonfires, and even chilly nights at the beach. And because it's reusable, it truly is the gift that keeps on giving!
Being the boss means making big decisions. But indecisiveness can strike at any time, and when it does, it can help to have something a little bit better than the flip of a coin on hand. This spinning, decision-making paperweight will help give them just the nudge they need (or an excuse not to do whatever it is).
This notebook isn't just your average college-ruled pad of lined paper: It's a pad full of cleverly designed pages to help your boss bring their big ideas to life, using formats like diagrams and workflow charts. Besides, getting your boss to think outside the box will also help break up the monotony of your own workday, so everyone wins.
If your boss likes to keep their workspace tidy, they'll get a kick out of this adorable, small vacuum cleaner. They can plug it directly into their computer with its USB adapter and clean anything from the crumbs on their keyboard to lingering desk dust. Dare we say this even makes cleaning fun?
Michael Natale is the news editor for Best Products, covering a wide range of topics like gifting, lifestyle, pop culture, and more. He has covered pop culture and commerce professionally for over a decade. His past journalistic writing can be found on sites such as Yahoo! and Comic Book Resources, his podcast appearances can be found wherever you get your podcasts, and his fiction can’t be found anywhere, because it’s not particularly good.
Katherine (Katie) is the associate editor of Best Products, where she gathers unique gift ideas, tests out buzzy products, and puts too many items in her cart for research — her work can also be found on MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Oprah Daily. When she isn’t writing, you can most likely find her tending to her 50+ plants, starting a new DIY home improvement project, or playing with her puppy, Olive.
Zarah Kavarana is the contributing editor at BestProducts.com, where she spends her days hunting for shareworthy home, tech, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle finds, and resisting the urge to add them all to her cart. A Boston University journalism grad with a penchant for red wine, her hidden talents include poaching an egg and applying winged eyeliner on the subway.