Holiday gifting season is here, and while there are a number of solid gifts for friends and family, you can do better than a handshake or bottle of wine to wish your boss seasons greetings this season.
Whether for Christmas, Hanukkah, or just because, here are some easy gifts that show your appreciation for your colleagues or manager, while also helping you stand out from the card and cookie-wielding pack.
Diptyque Candle Gift Set
Sometimes the simplest gift is also the best gift, and we’ve never gone wrong with giving a candle for the holidays, especially from a brand like Diptyque. This season, the Parisian home and fragrance brand have unveiled a limited-edition gift set that gets you a trio of candles: Sapin (Pine Tree), Friandise (Sweet Treat) and Étoile (Star), all in Christmas-inspired colors and scents (think: cedar, gingerbread and vanilla). Each candle has a 20-hour burn time.
Personalized Brewing Co. 64oz. Growler
Whether they are using it for beer, cold brew, or just for display, this glass growler is sure to be a hit at the office. Made from amber, colored glass that actually protects your beer from UV rays (which can alter the taste of alcohol), the growler includes a metal cap, and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The best part: the price includes up to three lines of personalization on the growler label (beer not included).
Coach Card Case In Signature Leather
This structured business card holder is fashioned from luxe pebbled leather, with the iconic Coach logo embossed in a more subtle fashion. Slim, sophisticated and available in more a dozen rich colors and prints (if you prefer something aside from black), the card holder makes a chic and handsome gift that your boss will be proud to use.
Fasmov Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Man Bookends
These Stainless Steel Man bookends will help keep books and magazines organized, while serving as tasteful decor on a shelf, table or cabinet. The bookends are sturdy and weighty to prevent slipping, and feature padded bases that won’t scuff up furniture.
Travis Mathew Pure Talent Golf Bag
If your boss is a golfer, upgrade his accessories with this golf ball carrier, which features a bold green colorway and retro-inspired styling. A zipped compartment keeps your golf balls in place, while slots in the back let you store your tees. Use the handy clasp hook to attach it to your golf bag or backpack.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet Limited Edition Blended Scotch Whisky
Your boss doesn’t want a generic bottle of wine or whiskey. This year, get him or her this limited-edition Blue Label “Ice Chalet” set from renowned whiskey maker Johnnie Walker instead. This unique Scotch whiskey features a rare new blend crafted by Master Blender Emma Walker, aged in a mix of woods including ex-American bourbon casks and some wine and sherry casks. The liquid, meantime, features notes of creamy vanilla, spiced apple and plum with a “touch of smoke reminiscent of a mountain lodge fireplace.” The bottle is housed in a custom, parka-inspired bag designed by Perfect Moment.
The Original Buddha Board Art Set
The Buddha Board is one of the most popular gifts right now for those seeking relaxation and mindfulness. Essentially a water painting easel, the Buddha Board lets you create languid, beautiful images with your bamboo brush, then practice the art of letting go as the water — and images — evaporate. The idea is to release and channel your stress through drawing and writing, and then start over with a “blank slate” as you re-focus and move on.
Aura Digital Picture Frame
More than just a digital photo frame, the Aura Frame has been a hit with both techies and design enthusiasts alike, thanks to its crystal clear resolution display, WiFi-enabled photo sharing, and intelligent facial recognition software (which will call up photos of your closest friends and family members to display). Download the Aura app and anyone (with permission) can send photos from anywhere in the world to the frame – great if you’re checking in from Cannes, for example, or want to share red carpet photos from the latest premiere. Smart sensors on the frame help it adjust to the brightness in the room, and the frame automatically turns off when it’s dark.
Flamingo Estates Tablemates Balsamic + Olive Oil
The celeb-loved Flamingo Estates offers this beautiful balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil set, which comes in an embossed gift box that’s finished with a grosgrain bow. The balsamic is made from trebbiano and lambrusco grapes that are harvested by hand and then aged in oak barrels. The olive oil, meantime, features hand-picked olives that are then cold-pressed in Ojai, CA.
Simply Seat Cushion
Purple is known for their super comfortable mattresses, and they’ve applied the same technology and design principles to this ergonomic seat cushion. The unique grid design promotes better posture while relieving tension on your spine and glutes. The material also helps to increase airflow so you’re not stuck in a sweaty seat all day. What we like: the seat cushion comes with a machine-washable cover. A grippy bottom keeps the cushion in place to prevent you from slipping and sliding.
Sugarfina Pop The Champagne 4-Piece Gift Box
A bottle of champagne is always an appreciated gift but if you can’t spring for the bubbly, give this champagne gummy bears set instead. From LA-based Sugarfina, this set gets you four of the brand’s best-selling sweets, each infused with a touch of Dom Pérignon.
El Casco Adhesive Document Holder – Chrome and Black
The next time your boss needs to jot down a reminder, have him or her do it on this hand-crafted notepad holder. From Spanish accessories brand El Casco, who have been hand-crafting luxe office products and housewares since 1920, this tray features hand-polished steel, a sturdy base and a subtle logo etched at the top. A protective felt pad prevents slipping.
Boxbollen Original With App
If your boss or colleague likes to keep it light around the office, gift them the Boxbollen activity ball. The boxing-style game helps train reflexes and coordination as you keep the ball moving, without swinging back and hitting you. Promoted by a ton of celebrities online, the Boxbollen comes with an accompanying app that offers more ways to train, compete and track your stats.
Dr Martens Kiev Leather Backpack
If your boss has been lugging around the same beat-up backpack or book bag for years, upgrade him or her to this luxe leather bag from Dr Martens. The same care and construction that goes into the brand’s iconic boots is put on display in this bag, which features a handsome leather material, reinforced stitching and adjustable straps. A top carry handle lets this bag double as a tote. We like the separate outer pocket and the name card holder; inside, find a built-in laptop sleeve.
Birkenstock Zermatt Premium Shearling
Cozy gifts are all the rage this season and slippers are a great way to get in with the trend without getting too intimate. Your boss will appreciate the warmth and comfort of these shearling slippers, which feature a contoured footbed and genuine suede upper. Though they’re designed for indoor use, the grippy sole lets you take them outdoors in a pinch, say, if you’re walking the dog or picking up the paper. Choose from two colors.
Trade Coffee Subscription
A Starbucks gift card is fine, but getting your boss a subscription to a specialty coffee roaster is better. There are a ton of subscription box options on Trade Coffee’s site, where you can order freshly-roasted craft beans every month, all based on your taste and drinking preferences. Everything is packaged in a smart gift box and delivered to your doorstep.
Jolly Santa Flower Cake
If you’re looking for a fresh take on flowers, ditch the store-bought bouquets for something more festive, like this “Jolly Santa Flower Cake” from 1-800-Flowers.com. Red carnations, white cushion poms and button poms form St. Nick’s face and beard, which sits on a white pedestal finished with a satin ribbon. Shop the site for same-day delivery, corporate gifting, and bulk orders too, on everything from flowers to balloons to food and drinks.