15 appropriate gifts to your boss this season

I once gifted a fish bowl to my boss with a golden fish in it. It left many people wide-eyed and me; embarrassed. The boss accepted with a smile with no signs of shock. So I never really figured out if it was ‘appropriate’ or not. Gifting a boss can be really tricky. The kind of relationship and the company culture are decisive factors on how much and what are you willing to spend on. I go by these 3 rules.

They ought to be useful

They should be quality products. I’d rather not gift anything at all, but no cheap gifts plz..

Always tailor it to the taste and personality of the recipient.

Now that the holiday season is here , whether you are wrapping up things at work and want to say a thank you to your boss; wish him a new year; or a merry Christmas – here are a few suggestions on what to and what not to gift your boss this year.

1. Organizers, filofaxes and notebooks. These old fashioned black books still exist and a large population still swears by it.  Determine if your boss is one of them.  Choose your pick from Flipkart or if you dare, try a colorful one from indiacircus.com A bolly theme may not suit all work cultures. Exercise caution .

2. Kindle from amazon. 

3. A potted plant.  Science says that plants in the office make workers more productive. But this is a tricky one cos’ plants need to be taken care of . So if your boss is someone who cannot differentiate between potted plants and ashtray, this may not be ideal. Do think over the dimensions of the plant. You don’t want to end up with a 5ft tall plant near his cubicle. Your destination for finding plants – Ferns N Petals

4. Tea box.  A compilation of 9 different flavors of tea from Giveter

5. Experience. Tickets to concerts, plays , food tours, or some sporting event .

6. Bake a cake. Not every gift needs to break your bank. Seems the nation is in the grip of a baking fever. So don’t be left behind in showing your baking skills.

7. Gift basket. Another personal favorite and the most versatile of all. Can NEVER go wrong. Choose a theme and create your own tea/coffee basket, gourmet, snack/candy, wine/cheese, hiking essentials. However it still amazes me how there is no or very less options online to create your customized gift basket.Few options to check- Giftease, Ferns N Petals, Nature’s basket and Gourmet company

8. Book . Another tricky one. I do not rejoice giving anything which talks of how-to’s of the management mainly because I am not sure if they are engagingly written and chances are it can easily lull one to sleep. Do research extensively before you decide on one. This review may help – http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/leadership-management/155708/6-books-for-great-bosses-to-give-or-get-as-holiday-gifts/. If your boss is an avid reader find out his genre of interest.

9. Donation. Donate for a cause, in the name of your boss, on GiveIndia.  It is a thoughtful gift and they are sure to appreciate.

10. Wine & champagnes. You cant go wrong with wine – Wrong ! Red or white is a not a easy choice you see. If you aren’t sure pick up a bottle each.

11. For the sport lover. For the die-hard sports fan check for jerseys, golf lessons at Wishpicker

12. Watches.  Timeless and classic.

13. Cases and sleeves. Again time to try something quirky from Indiacircus 

14. Subscription to business magazines. Buy a year’s subscription to business or entrepreneurial magazines like Inc. India, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Wired at Bookstok

15. Amazon gift cards. Amazon has a wide variety of gift cards at various prices. If there are only few hours left for the said occasion and if you haven’t yet made up your mind on the gift and you feel like pulling your hair; then choose this instead – your safest bet !. It comes in beautiful black boxes and with a bow. Amazon.in

What is too passe’ this season?

Vases, candles, votives , coffee mugs,  the world’s –best-boss cards, calendars, wall arts, paintings, photo frames, wall/ table clocks,  paperweights, perfumes, clothing, flowers, cufflinks, chocolates, t-shirts,  pens and other lousy stationeries can all be ditched this year. Or if you HAVE to use them throw few of these items into your gift basket.

Enough said.

HAVE  A STRESS FREE HOLIDAY !!!