Gifts for your boss in Australia

The rules

A gift to a boss carries more weight than other work gifts. Keep it modest and impersonal, and give as a team if you can. Check the workplace policy; some cap gift values or ban gifts to managers.

If your boss has asked for nothing, an Oxfam Unwrapped goat sent as an e-card marks the occasion without adding clutter. The goat is symbolic and the money goes to farming programs.

Coffee first

Australian offices run on coffee, which makes it the safest category here. A Single O bundle suits a boss who likes trying new beans. Market Lane suits one with an espresso machine or stovetop pot at home; pick the grind. A KeepCup suits the boss who buys a takeaway on the way in every morning.

For one person giving alone, a T2 tea sampler or a local chocolate bar is right. Zokoko and Chocolate On Purpose both use native flavours, which makes them more of a talking point than a supermarket box. Chocolate can soften in transit in summer, so hand-deliver if you can.

Desk gifts

A boss who takes notes in meetings will use a Midori notebook. One who likes stationery and has firm opinions can choose their own with a Milligram card. A Dinosaur Designs dish holds rings or keys on a desk for a boss who would rather not get more stuff. The Fisher pen suits a boss who works on site.

Budgets and timing

From one person, stay in the low band: tea, a chocolate bar, a notebook. From a team, a coffee bundle, a gift card or the Fisher pen. For a send-off, a larger group can buy the Crumpler tote; check their laptop size first. A RedBalloon e-gift card goes out on the day and is easy for a team to chip in on at the last minute. Add a suggestion in the message so it does not sit unused.

Questions people ask

Is it appropriate to give your boss a gift?

It is fine in most workplaces as long as the gift is modest and impersonal. Gifts usually flow down, not up, so a group gift from the team is the safest form. Check if your company has a policy on gift values. If your boss has asked for no presents, a charity gift in their name with a team card is a good compromise.

How much should you spend on a gift for your boss?

From one person, keep it under about $30: a good pen, a notebook or a box of chocolate. From a team, $50 to $150 is normal, which covers a desk organiser, a keyboard or a coffee bundle. For a retirement or farewell, a bigger group can spend more on something lasting like a grinder or a work bag.

What do you get a boss who has everything?

Something consumable or something that helps someone else. Single-origin chocolate, a coffee bundle or a magazine subscription gets used up rather than adding clutter. A charity gift, such as paying for a goat through Plan International Canada, suits a boss who would rather not get more things. A metal desk puzzle also works for someone who likes a quiet challenge.

What is a good group gift for a boss?

Pick one useful item the whole team can afford together. A maple basket, a heated travel mug, a mechanical keyboard or a work tote are all solid choices. For a boss leaving or retiring, a coffee grinder or a set of salt and pepper mills will last. Collect the money early and get everyone to sign one card.