Xmas present for the boss?

Here is my situation. I have a new boss this year that has been very good to me. He has let me handle a lot of projects(and has more planned) about things I am unfamiliar with. I've preformed well at them so far, but I know it was a risk for him to hand them off to me. It's been great experience for me and I feel it's put a few feathers in my cap. For this I am very thankful.

That said, I think he is lonely right now. He got his job in Aug and has been here alone since. His family lives in another state, so he is a family man that has been completely alone for a few months, and I think because of this he always tries to talk to me and be friends. He really is a nice guy, but I try not to be too personal with those I work with. That said, I will go into his office, start talking about work, then we will trail off into random conversation for 15-20 mins or so frequently.

He has given me a lot of chances to develop professionally, but at the same time, I dont want to seem like a kiss ass, or feel too personal. Could I send him a small gift? If so, what would be appropriate? I also dont want him to feel like he has to reciprocate and send me something on such short notice. If not a gift, then maybe a card? Please advise.

Is he not going home for the holidays?

A card or note will have the biggest impact. I used to give things to my staff and other peer managers and I find six months out, what sticks usually are the simple cards or notes that people pin on to their cubicle walls or bulletin boards.

Honestly, I was about to suggest taking him out for lunch, drinks or dinner but if you want to limit the outside of work contact (which I completely understand), something functional like a pen, stationary or a leather bound notebook?

invite him to your house for the holidays.

Why not a gift certificate to a nice restaurant? If you think that is too much by yourself, maybe get a few people to go in on it at $25-$50 each? Group gifts are appreciated and you can usually tell whose idea it was.

Over the years I had a lot of employees give me gifts that ranged from home baked cookies, to gift certificates, to wine. I was given home made candles, home raised honey, lots of good stuff. The food or homemade items always showed effort and the restaurant certificates were always appreciated. Wine can seem a bit generic.

A lot of it is the way you give the gift. Look him in the eye and give him a heartfelt "thank you" for all the reasons you described. I'm sure that will mean a lot to him. Bosses don't hear that enough.

Hope that helps.

I recommend avoiding gifts. I say this as a boss. I distrust the motives of those who send me gifts. A well-written and thoughtful card (even an appropriately humorous one) would be a much better choice.

I give my boss what I give my secretary - a small gesture. that way, no chance of being considered a suck up.

I wouldn't want my employees to give me gifts - unless we happened to have a strong (and longer than 6 month) friendship. The boss can give gifts, but not the other way around.

If you are really outgoing and it would be in character I'd say offer to take him to lunch.. and if you must give a gift I would make it a business book of some sort, especially if he is a fan of some specific author.

I think a whore might be just the thing.

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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I think a whore might be just the thing.

It would fix the lonely thing for a little while, true.

I got my boss a new putter. He's been talking about how crappy his putter is for over a year. He did a lot to help me this year to hit my numbers and helped me make a lot of money (although, also making himself a lot of money), so I thought a token present to say thanks would be worthwhile. I hope it doesn't seem kiss-ass. All these replies are making me nervous about it.

To each their own but personally I wouldn't accept a gift from any one who works for me.

Originally Posted by fredfred

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I wouldn't want my employees to give me gifts - unless we happened to have a strong (and longer than 6 month) friendship. The boss can give gifts, but not the other way around.

If you are really outgoing and it would be in character I'd say offer to take him to lunch.. and if you must give a gift I would make it a business book of some sort, especially if he is a fan of some specific author.

This is similar to how I feel about gifts from subordinates. I prefer not to get them, but I do accept the ones I get. I have never given a boss a gift.

sleep with him

I gave my bosses flavored bootleg rum. They loved it. Anyway, bootleg rum is a tradition over here during Christmas, so I dunno if it'd work for ya, but alcohol is a good way to forget you're alone.....

$20 bottle of wine, something nice but not too nice.