Preface Preface

• It's Christmas time, and you're shopping for the one in charge - the boss. Your success depends on scoring a Christmas gift for your boss that shows appreciation without sounding the suck-up alarm. Get prepped for the big presentation (of your Christmas gift) with these ideas for what to get your boss. Consider it a power shopping guide.

Toast the Season Toast the Season

• A seasonally inspired gift, be it a gag or something more serious or practical, means that you aren't just treating this like any other day of the year. 

Show you've been listening Show you've been listening

• Choose a Christmas gift for the boss that shows you've been paying attention. Maybe your boss talks up hot yoga (get Yoga Journal delivered to the office) or his mastery of the March Madness pool (give a fun basketball-themed mug). You'll score points showing you listen.

Perk up the office meetings Perk up the office meetings

• Meetings can drag on, even for the one in charge. Think of a Christmas gift that improves everyone's attention spans - from candy dispensers for an instant sugar kick to an espresso maker as an office perk 

Go for personalized, not personal, gifts Go for personalized, not personal, gifts

• Steer clear of a Christmas gift for your boss that feels too personal (to avoid awkwardness). But personalized gifts, like a monogrammed set of luggage tags or an engraved leather portfolio, are safe bets.

Make traveling easier for the jetsetter boss Make traveling easier for the jetsetter boss

• If your boss is always away on business, think on a gift to make packing easier, like a travel tie case or a portable charger for the all-important phone.

Get cred for giving a rad new gadget Get cred for giving a rad new gadget

• Find a techie Christmas gift for your boss that feels in the know - like touchscreen gloves for wintry days.

Scout out a big gift from the whole team Scout out a big gift from the whole team

• Look for a bigger ticket Christmas gift for your boss from everyone. You could go all in on a music speaker for the boss who loves to jam out, or a Fitbit gadget for the marathon-running boss.