Bosses Day: 25 Gift Ideas for Your Wallet

Contact Author: darone@swbell.net Word count: 759

Bosses Day: 25 Gift Ideas for Your Wallet ©2004-2005 Darlene Arechederra

Finding the perfect gift for your boss doesn't need to drain your wallet. Read on for some practical and low-cost gift ideas -- including gifts for bosses with special circumstances.

1. Find a small gift for the boss's pet (pet lovers truly appreciate these gifts -- it warms the heart!)

2. Pick up a gift certificate for boss's favorite bookstore or magazine.

3. Give your boss something that makes her feel beautiful -- maybe at her favorite beauty shop or spa. If she enjoys being pampered, you'll find lots of choices out there, from skin, hair and nails to massage or even weekend retreats.

4. Buy local or shop online for a gift certificate at her favorite shopping place.

5. Pick up a ticket for boss's favorite movie, sporting event or concert.

6. Gift your boss with special equipment or clothing for any volunteer work he/she performs.

7. Visit the sports shop if your boss loves sports of any kind.

8. Pay attention to crafts she might enjoy. Does she have a favorite craft shop? Any supplies she might use on a regular basis?

9. Say cheese! Create a special cheese basket filled with the boss's favorite cheeses.

10. Pick up mixed nuts and fill an attractive basket with them.

11. Keep him/her awake in the afternoons with a favorite snack. Pick up a few items, fill a basket, and label them as Get-You-Through-The- Day Snacks.

12. Purchase a case of favorite soda, tea, sparkling water or non- alcohol beverage. Place in an attractive basket, wrapping with a large bow.

13. Create or pick up a fresh fruit salad for those who are dieting or prefer it to junk food. Food already prepared is likely to be enjoyed quickly.

14. Chip in with co-workers and take the boss out to lunch. (This is usually much less expensive than purchasing a large gift on your own.)

15. Grind some fresh coffee beans for boss. If your boss is a coffee lover, a coffee grinder can come in handy (as well as a small bag of his/her favorite beans.)

16. Make homemade batches of boss's favorite cookies or muffins. They're still a welcome treat -- for any occasion!

17. Set up a pot-luck lunch where employees bring a favorite dish. If co-workers are time-strapped, they can simply chip in money instead.

18. Pick up a small stainless steel sculpture that reflects the boss's occupation. These are attractive and will catch the boss's eye, over and over.

19. On a trophy, engrave *Boss of the Year* or *World's #1 Boss.*

20. Provide fresh pumpkin muffins, cake, bread or scones. Bosses Day always arrives in the Fall season, so it's a perfect fit.

21. Have coworkers sign a card and list one quality they each admire about the boss. Or list one really neat way the boss has encouraged each of you in some way over the past year. (C'mon! You can find just one good thing to say about the boss, can't you?)

22. Add some fun with a twist of humor (if the boss has any, that is.) A former boss used to wear suspenders every day, so we all picked a day to wear suspenders in honor of him (borrow if necessary). Call it Suspender Day and get a photo of everyone, including the boss. Make sure he/she gets a large, framed photo of this for desk.

23. Snap a picture of all coworkers and the boss. Enlarge one for the boss for his/her special day.

24. For a new boss you may not know well, you may need to investigate a bit. Is he/she a pet lover? Love kids? Live in the country? How about the city? Love to read? A world-class traveler? What might the boss need?

Try these if you believe your boss is in financial need:

25. Consider a gift certificate from a local discount or grocery store the boss visits often.

26. Chip in with co-workers on a ham/turkey that would feed the boss's family for a few days. Arrange for it to be cooked ahead, and boss can pick it up on his/her way home, or at a store near boss's home. (If your boss has a partner, let the person know ahead of time for planning purposes.) Have them promise to keep it under wraps!

Tip: Use the above gift ideas for Administrative Assistants Day, too!

You can indeed honor your boss on Bosses Day (and throughout the year) while keeping more money in your pocket. It's a win-win for everyone!

Author and ezine editor Darlene Arechederra inspires busy women to put the fun back in saving their money. Enjoy her complimentary newsletter, served up in a unique, down-home style of writing. Join her today at RatRaceRemedies.com