The 44 best gifts for bosses

Finding the best gifts for your boss can be tricky. You want something thoughtful and genuinely useful while striking the right balance between personal and professional. Whether you're shopping for a holiday, birthday, or work milestone, consider what they actually enjoy, from a no-nonsense, jet-setting manager to a boss who works from home and takes meetings in slippers. We've rounded up unique and useful gifts, including productivity upgrades, clever gadgets, and quirky desk accessories, many of which cost less than $50.

A hand massager to soothe carpal tunnel symptoms

A hand and a white hand massage machine on an orange tabletop.

Comfier Wireless Hand Massager with Heat

The Comfier Hand Massager uses compression beads to target pressure points. Style editor Gabrielle Chase says it targets her palms and the often-neglected sides of her knuckles, leaving her hands feeling looser and easier to flex. Read more in her full Comfier Hand Massager review, and check out our guide to the most useful desk accessories our editors use to stay comfortable and focused.

A hanger to keep their bag off the floor

Brown leather handbag hangs from a gold hook on a white wall shelf in a sunlit room.

Clipa Bag Hanger

Keep your boss’s bag off the floor with this compact bag hanger, which hooks onto a table edge, chair, or bathroom stall door. It holds up to 33 pounds and doubles as a bracelet, so it’s easy to keep on hand whenever they’re out and about.

A mug that keeps their drinks hot

White Ember mug with lid sits on a round base on a wooden tabletop in a softly blurred interior.

Ember Mug 3

When you want a hot cup of coffee, finding out yours has gone cold is always a bummer. What if we told you you have the power to help your boss keep their coffee or tea as warm as they'd like all day long? The Mug 3 lets your boss set their preferred drinking temperature, then keeps coffee or tea warm as they work.

A set of pens that doubles as a desk game

Miniature tabletop golf set with green putting trays, metal clubs, a white ball, and a red flag on a beige surface.

Pen & Putt Desktop Golfing Pen Set

Although it may seem trivial, a small desk game can serve as a welcome break during long workdays, and this mini golf set doubles as a trio of pens your boss can actually use. The "clubs" are real pens, and the tiny putting green is a quick way to take a breather between tasks. It comes in a nice keepsake box, too. All in all, an excellent pick for bosses who appreciate a touch of humor.

A mini space heater for cold days

A black perforated desktop device sits on a white desk beside pens and office clips.

Amazon Basics Mini Space Heater

If a desk blanket is not enough to combat the office freeze, go for this personal space heater. The mini size is perfect for keeping their hands toasty while they type.

A footrest for under their desk

BlissTrends Foot Rest

If they spend long hours at their desk, this footrest can help improve circulation. Its high-quality foam and two-piece adjustable design let them choose the height that feels best, easing pressure on the legs and lower back while encouraging better posture and overall comfort. The non-slip base keeps it steady, while the zip-off cover makes cleaning easy.

A dedicated mug for their ice cream

Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker Machine

Sure, your boss would appreciate a nice mug for their tea or coffee, but you can take things up a notch with this gift. If they love to indulge in a frozen treat, this is the mug they need. The personal ice cream maker is great for making soft serve, classic ice cream, sorbet, and gelato.

A leather business card holder

Leatherology Business Card Case

First impressions matter, which is why their business cards deserve this handsome leather case. It has a no-fuss, invisible magnetic closure and can hold up to 20 cards. Choose from pebbled or smooth leather in a variety of colors, or upgrade to premium leather. You can also add a monogram for an additional cost.

A sweet surprise delivered right to their inbox

Red, yellow, green, and blue striped boxes with different Sugarwish candy and snacks in them.

Sugarwish Treat Boxes

Sugarwish's business model is simple: You pick the number of treats they receive, the recipient gets an email inviting them to select their favorite treats, and their selected treats are shipped directly to them. It's a practically foolproof gift for a boss because everyone loves candy, and you don't have to go through the awkwardness of figuring out their address.

A mini vacuum for the boss who eats at their desk

Small white electronic device sits on a desk beside a pencil, notebook, paper scraps, and a yellow character object.

Odistar Desktop Vacuum Cleaner

This battery-operated desktop vacuum is a clever tool for clearing dust, crumbs, and small debris from a desk or keyboard. Its compact, 360-degree rotating design makes it easy to maneuver into corners and other hard-to-reach spots.

Fresh and funny sticky notes

Colorful “TO ACCOMPLISH” sticky notes set displayed on a coral pedestal beside a textured sphere.

Knock Knock To Accomplish Stick Notes Packet

Office supplies may not sound like the most exciting gift around, but these sticky notes are anything but boring. From lighthearted and humorous to straight-up sassy, you're sure to find a set of these sticky notes that will make your boss laugh— and help keep them organized.

A cushion to make their desk chair more comfortable

Purple Royal Seat Cushion

"I was influenced to try this seat cushion after occasionally stealing it from my former boss, who was influenced to buy it after reading our Purple seat cushion review," writes Insider Reviews' executive editor Sally Kaplan. "Its signature GelFlex Grid design makes sitting at a desk all day a lot more comfortable and even helps me to maintain my posture. (This is the same stuff the brand uses on its mattresses to relieve pressure on your back.) It's also very breathable, and it comes with a washable cover in case you spill anything."

A box of snacks from around the world

Universal Yums Yum Yum Gift Box

Level up their desk snack situation with a curated box of snacks from a country across the globe. Universal Yums creates snack boxes inspired by different cultures so they can taste-test their way around the world.

A wireless charger for their desk

Smartphone charging on an iOttie wireless pad beside an Apple keyboard and desktop monitor on a white desk.

iOttie iON Wireless Plus Fast Charging Pad

Help them clear their workspace of cords with this compact charger for iPhone and Android devices. Instead of fumbling with a drawer full of tangled cords, they can just toss their phone onto the pad. It's an accessory that will become a mainstay on their desk.

A crossword book for an analog break

The New York Times Simply Easy Crossword Puzzles

This collection of 200 easy New York Times crosswords is a simple, screen-free way for your boss to reset between meetings or wind down after a busy day. The puzzles are approachable enough to finish without turning a quick break into more work.

An eye-massaging mask with heat

woman lying on sofa with Eye Massager with Heat,

Renpho Eye Massager with Heat

Sometimes in between meetings your boss just needs 15 minutes to regroup. This eye massager with heat is perfect when they need to rest their eyes, with relaxing heat and pressure massage. It's helped associate editor Kinsley Searles alleviate symptoms when she's had headaches, too.

A way to keep their desk lunches hot

Crock-Pot Portable Electric Lunch Box

If they're the type to bring their lunch, they'll be retiring the sandwich for last night's leftovers, and you don't even need a microwave. This Crock-Pot Lunch Box transports and heats food all in one portable container. It comes in four colors and the internal parts are dishwasher friendly.

A towel designed like their favorite city or hometown

Claudia Pearson illustrated City Tea Towels with designs themed around different US cities.

Claudia Pearson City Tea Towels

If they're a big fan of their current home or the town they grew up in, you can pay homage to that aspect of them with a cool, functional, and sentimental tea towel illustrated with city maps.

A personalized video message from their favorite celebrity

Cameo personalized videos from Tom Felton, Nathalie Emmanuel, and deadmauS.

Cameo Video Message

If your workplace is less formal, you could get them a personalized message from their favorite celebrity. Whether they love a certain musician, reality TV star, comedian, or actor in a show you've both bonded over, there's a good chance you can find them on Cameo. The price will depend on the star, but there are plenty of options.

A portable charger to keep them connected

Hand holding an Anker portable power bank with a USB-C cable and a 92% charge display.

Anker Nano Power Bank Charger

This compact power bank is an easy gift for the boss who spends long days in meetings, commuting, or traveling for work. Its 10,000mAh capacity provides plenty of backup power for a phone, while the built-in retractable USB-C cable means there's one less accessory to remember.

A food gift they can customize

Russ & Daughters bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon, coffee, and babka arranged on a bright blue tabletop.

Goldbelly E-Gift Card

Give your boss the gift of great food that's tailored to their tastes. They can order one of their favorite meals from afar or try something entirely new from one of hundreds of restaurants, chefs, and food makers that ship nationwide. Choose the value, add a thoughtful personal note, and send the e-gift card instantly or schedule delivery for later.

Relief from stress-induced headaches

Headache Hat Wearable Ice Pack

Clear some space in the office freezer and plant this cooling, compressing headband inside. When they feel a headache coming on, they can pull it out and put it on for some targeted pressure on their pain points.

A way to celebrate the end of the quarter

Harry & David Moose Munch popcorn gift tin with assorted flavored bags and a bowl of coated popcorn.

Moose Munch Premium Popcorn Classic Tin

Send them this assortment of sweet and savory popcorn to get the new quarter started. This particular edition contains four decadent flavors of Moose Munch: classic caramel, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate s'mores.

A compact Bluetooth speaker for their desk

Red Cleer portable speaker sits on a marble tabletop beside a gray sofa with purple cushions.

Cleer Scene

The Cleer Scene is an affordable, highly portable Bluetooth speaker. What makes it a particularly good value is its crisp, smooth sound, which is strong enough to fill a small room. Its built-in microphone makes it useful for calls, too.

Personalized stationery that's unique to them

Cream stationery card with "Ms. Elizabeth Bennett" above a row of illustrated classic book spines.

Rifle Paper Co. Personalized Stationery

A set of personalized stationery is a practical and thoughtful gift for a boss who appreciates handwritten notes. Rifle Paper Co. offers dozens of designs, from floral prints and monograms to food-inspired and pet-themed options, so you can choose one that feels tailored to their personality.

An insulated tumbler for their commute

YETI tumbler rests on a sailboat rail while a person operates a winch near the water at sunset.

Yeti Rambler Tumbler (20 ounces)

The Rambler is the perfect mug to get them from door to desk every day. Their hot or cold drink will stay at the right temperature, thanks to the Tumbler's double-wall vacuum insulation. Both the tumbler and lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup at the end of the day.

A classic Moleskine notebook

Stack of assorted hardcover notebooks with ribbon bookmarks rests on a wooden table.

Moleskine Classic Hard Cover Large Notebook

There's a reason Moleskine notebooks have been so popular for so long: They're quite durable and great quality. Whether your boss always needs paper on hand to take notes during team meetings or is known to keep a log of all of their genius business ideas, a new notebook is sure to get plenty of use.

A desktop game to play when they need to let off steam

Portable Tabletop Air Hockey Arcade Table

When they need a break from the stress of the workday, this tabletop air hockey game will do the trick. It's a fun, portable way to spend their lunch break.

A pocket fan for instant cooling

A navy blue mini fan is sitting on top of a desk.

Jisulife Portable Small Pocket Fan

This portable fan is perfect for frequent travelers, a post-workout cooldown, and days when your boss just needs a breath of fresh air.

"The handle folds back so that the fan can sit flat on a surface and provide you with blissfully cool air," writes former Insider Reviews' deputy editor Lauren Savoie. "I've used it at work, and I always take it with me when I travel to use as a bedside fan in a pinch. That way, I never have to worry about whether the sleeping accommodations will be as frosty as I prefer."

A coffee-scented candle to keep them alert

Literie Bodega Coffee Candle

If your boss's morning ritual revolves around a cup of coffee, Literie’s Bodega Coffee Candle brings the rich, cozy scent of espresso and cream to their desk or home office. The 9-ounce soy-and-coconut wax candle has a burn time of up to 50 hours. If coffee isn't their thing, Literie offers a wide selection of clever themed candles.

A MasterClass membership to inspire them

The MasterClass logo is displayed on a smartphone against a blurred blue and orange background.

Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

MasterClass Standard Subscription, Annual

If your boss has endless curiosity, you can't go wrong with an annual membership to MasterClass. They’ll get unlimited access to more than 200 classes taught by experts across business, writing, cooking, design, and plenty more, making it easy to explore a new interest.

Fidget magnets for the boss who's always in meetings

Pens stand in a green desk cup beside reflective metal spheres and the corner of a laptop on a white desk.

Speks Magnets

Speks fidget magnets are a low-key way to give your boss something to do with their hands during long meetings. Your boss can rearrange the small magnetic pieces into different shapes without reaching for their phone, making them a fun desk accessory for anyone who likes to stay focused.

A mini chili crisp set to wake up their senses

Fly By Jing gift box beside four jars of Sichuan chili crisp and sauce on a warm red background.

Fly by Jing Shorty Spice Set

They can give their lunches a serious flavor boost with Fly By Jing’s gift-ready Mini Sampler Set. It includes four 2-ounce jars of its bestselling Sichuan condiments, including original, extra-spicy, and extra-crunchy chili crisps, plus a sweet-and-spicy sauce.

Earplugs for a break from the noise

Two white loop-shaped earplugs rest on a soft white surface in a minimalist monochrome composition.

Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs

A pair of comfortable earplugs is a thoughtful gift for anyone who needs to tune out a noisy train car or busy office. Loop Quiet earplugs are designed to reduce sound without the uncomfortable pressure of disposable foam pairs, and their soft silicone tips come in multiple sizes for a more secure fit.

Noise-canceling headphones for focused work

Black over-ear wireless headphones rest on a gray fabric case on a dark tabletop.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Headphones

The Soundcore Life Q30 headphones can help your boss tune out distractions. They offer strong noise cancellation for the money, a comfortable over-ear fit, customizable sound settings, and up to 40 hours of listening with noise cancellation on.

Delicious chocolate for a sweet pick-me-up

Compartés Nostalgic Chocolate Bar Gift Set

Assuming your boss has a sweet tooth, you really can't go wrong with the gift of chocolate. This set of four chocolate bars is unlike any other and includes tasty concoctions like donuts and coffee and chocolate chip cookies.

A versatile toiletry bag to bring on their travels

Open blue toiletry bag with mesh compartments holding makeup brushes and cosmetic items on a plain light background.

Portland Gear Cascade Kit

The Cascade Kit is a lightweight, waterproof toiletry bag with a structured top that stays open for easy packing and plenty of pockets to keep essentials in order while traveling. A separate wet pocket is handy for damp items, while the exterior zip pocket has a see-through mesh pouch and elastic loops for small tools like a toothbrush, comb, or nail clippers. The wipe-clean material also helps contain any inevitable travel spills.

A tool to relieve muscle tension

Buddy Back Buddy Elite

After hunching over a computer all day long, most of us could use something to get rid of all those knots and muscle tension. This handheld massaging tool will give them some quick relief, whether at home or at their desk.

Cheers to their favorite team

MLB Ballpark Pint Glasses Set

If they're a die-hard sports fan and always letting you know it, lean into the fandom with these MLB ballpark pint glasses that feature a map of the surrounding area and the team logo at the base of the glass. If football or hockey is more there thing, there's glassware for them, too.

Coasters to protect their desk

A green mug of black coffee sits on a burgundy felt coaster beside stacked colorful graf lantz coasters.

Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Felt Coasters

This set of four merino wool coasters strikes the balance between practical and decorative. Choose from eight colors or a set of different-colored coasters.

Great hardcover books delivered to their door

Hand holding a Book of the Month subscription box in the air.

3-Month Book of the Month Subscription

Book of the Month has been around for more than 90 years — and it's credited with hand-selecting and helping popularize books that range from Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" to J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye." With your gift, your boss will get to choose between five new hardcover options the book club suggests every month, often highlighting new releases and debut authors .

A stylish lunch bag filled with their favorite snacks

Smiling person packs a container of lunch food into an insulated bag at a bright office desk.

Bagsmart Quilted Lunch Box

We tested the best cute lunch bags for adults and this puffy, quilted lunch bag is a polished upgrade for the boss who brings meals and snacks to the office. It weighs less than a pound and has both a top handle and a detachable crossbody strap, plus a side pocket sized for a water bottle. When it’s empty, the soft-sided bag packs flat inside a work tote for an easier commute home.

A subscription that delivers the best teas or coffees to their door

indonesia atlas tea club gift subscription of two teas, tea cup, and a photo of indonesia set against a white background

Atlas Tea Club Subscription

This subscription sends them delicious, unique single-origin teas or coffees from the best regions in the world for three months. It'll make each day just a little more pleasant.

Desk cable clips that keep cords neat and organized

USB cables are held by pink and green cable clips on the edge of a light wood desk.

Shintop 6-Piece Cable Clips Set

This small but practical gift will sort out their jumble of cords for good. If you're worried that the set doesn't look significant enough, you can pair a few of these cable clips with a nice card and some candy.

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