Inexpensive Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Boss

When it comes to holiday gift ideas for your boss you may be limited on funds, but that does not mean that you should not pick a well-intended and thoughtful gift for your boss. No matter how little you have to spend, your boss is one person that should not be missed on your list. From office accessories to gifts that can be enjoyed off duty, here are 10 inexpensive gifts that your boss will love (and that will make you a favorite going into the new year).

Pen and Pencil Set
This holiday, consider the idea of a pen and pencil set for your boss. A professional pen and pencil set can look luxurious while actually being quite inexpensive, costing anywhere from $20 to $50. For an upgrade, consider getting the gift set engraved. Many styles of pen sets, including wood and metal, can be found at novelty stores, as well as online.

Desk Calendar
Ever the busy boss, this holiday season consider the idea of an inexpensive desk calendar or planner for your boss. At calendars.com, you can find over 50 choices in desk calendars alone. If you wish to spend a little more (your average calendar will be less than $20), you can try to find a matching desk calendar and day planner set, so that your boss can always have access to his or her meetings and schedules no matter where they are at the moment.

Gift Basket
If they have not said that there is a holiday gift basket for everyone, they should. Gift baskets can be a great, inexpensive gift for your boss. You can either create the gift basket yourself for your boss or you can pick up a gift basket that has been pre-made. For a compromise, consider an inexpensive, custom-made gift basket for your boss. For approximately $30, you can get the credit for a great idea without actually putting the work into putting a package together.

Tickets to a Game, Concert, or Show
If your boss has a favorite sports team, band, or type of performance that they enjoy watching, then this holiday purchase two tickets for them. Tickets of this nature will cost closer to $100, which is more than most gifts on this holiday list. Although this might not be as inexpensive as you might desire once your holiday budget dwindles, it is definitely worth it to let your boss enjoy a nice night out at the venue of their choice. Remember, a happy boss makes for a happy office.

Take Your Boss Out to Lunch
When all else fails, consider inviting your boss out for a holiday lunch. Do not forget to let your boss know that the idea behind this lunch date is that it is your treat. Actually, an inexpensive lunch out with your boss may be your first pick, not your last. For less than $50, a lunch away from the office will allow you to talk shop or just get to know your boss better.

Gift Certificate
During the holiday season, gift certificates always get a bad rap, especially when given to a boss. A gift certificate does not have to be an inexpensive attempt to give your boss a gift. Instead, give them the gift of allowing your boss to pick what they want through a gift certificate to his or her favorite store or restaurant. Depending on where the gift certificate is to, you may end up spending around $25 to $50.

Bring a Basket of Baked Goods
Anyone who loves to bake may enjoy the idea of bringing an inexpensive basket of delicious baked goods to your boss. Take notes over the months leading up to the holiday about what types of baked goods your boss prefers. Some types of baked goods that you can include in your holiday basket are muffins, brownies, and of course, a variety of cookies. If you want to spend a little more, you can purchase a gift basket filled with baked goods.

Motivational Poster or Framed Art
The office of almost any boss is filled with at least one motivational poster or piece of art. If motivational is the niche for your boss, consider purchasing another piece of art this holiday. To keep this gift inexpensive, you can purchase the art and frame it yourself. The idea behind this gift is that you are able to show your boss that you are a dedicated, motivated employee.

A Bottle of Wine
This gift may not be popped open at the office (although it is the holiday season, so it could happen), but if your boss enjoys a good bottle of wine this is the perfect gift. While wine has a reputation of being expensive, there are a number of inexpensive wines, both white and red, that your boss is sure to enjoy. For more information of what type of wine to buy, you can do some research online, as well as by heading to a winery or local wine store for a little help.

Group Gifts
For an inexpensive holiday gift for your boss that ends up not being quite to inexpensive, consider the idea of a group gift this year. Group gifts allow the money that would be spent on several inexpensive gifts to be pooled together for a more expensive gift that lets your boss know just how much he or she means to the team. For more ideas on group gifts, check out this article.

Regardless of what type of gift you purchase or how much you spend on your boss this holiday season, your boss has spent the past few months (or years) getting to know you. Your boss will know the true intentions behind your gift and appreciate it in the true spirit of the holidays. If you do not think this is true, you may want to go ahead an go in on a group gift! Otherwise, do your best when shopping for a holiday gift for your boss and know that no matter what anyone says, it is the thought that counts.