Here’s How to Choose a Holiday Gift for Your Boss
Did I hear someone say, “Employee of the Year?”
Whether your team hosts a version of Secret Santa or you want to buy something small to celebrate a year of working together, this is the time when you probably have to decide on a gift for your boss, which can either be a walk in the park or a huge pain, depending on how well you know them. We made it easier by talking to our own bosses here at Marie Claire to break down a few chic and upper-management-approved options you can shop now, stress-free.
There’s no hard and fast rulebook on how much to spend or what’s deemed “office-appropriate,” which can make it even trickier, so we tapped Kate Bellman, the head of editorial and content at Nordstrom, for insight on navigating holiday gifting for your work superior. Her first note? "A gift for a boss is a nice gesture, but it's not an obligation." But, by clicking on this story, you've probably already decided to buy something, and in doing so, you're already in good standing for that promotion you've been working towards.
With Bellman's road map, we scoured the internet to find the best holiday gifts for your boss, from a luxury candle to a lavish hand cream (which would also make an excellent gift for your coworkers). Not only did we ensure that the appropriate gift for every kind of boss was included, but every budget was covered. Even if you have a general idea of your boss' taste or, at the bare minimum, a working relationship with her, it's hard to go wrong with one of the vetted gift ideas on this list. As soon as your boss unwraps one of the items below, you’ll stand out from the rest of the office.
Best Gifts For Your Boss At a Glance:
- Marie Claire's Favorite Gifts For Your Boss
- Best Gifts Under $50
- Best Gifts Under $100
- Best Gifts Under $200
- Best Gifts Over $200
- What to Keep in Mind Before Buying a Gift For Your Boss
- Meet the Expert
Marie Claire's Top Gifts For Your Boss
- Best Gift for the Organized Boss: Sugar Paper 2025 Hardcover Desk Agenda
- Best Gift for the Cashmere-Obsessed Boss: J. Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap
- Best Gift Sets for Your Boss: L'Occitane Nourishing & Protective Hand Cream Set
- Best Gift for the Boss Who Loves Coffee: OHOM Ui 3 Mug & Warmer Set
- Best Gift for Your Boss in Winter: Nordstrom Cashmere Lined Leather Touchscreen Gloves
- Best Gift for the Boss Who Packs Lunches: Modern Picnic The Mini Luncher
- Best Gift for the Boss Who's Stressed: Etekcity Cordless Neck Massager with Heat
Best Gifts For Your Boss Under $50
If you have a boss who loves her dog more than anyone else, she'll love this festive pup-themed mug. Bonus points if one of the dogs painted on it looks like her best friend.
Bosses tend to be extra busy, so why not help them keep track of meetings and events with a chic planner? Weekly pages with ample room to jot down notes will keep them organized.
Customer Review: "I love how sophisticated this planner is. The simplicity mixed with the linen fabric is very demure." — Anthropologie
Don't let your boss' hands suffer in the winter. This gift set includes hand creams in five different scents: Almond, Lavender, Shea Butter, Cherry Blossom, and Verbena. Her hands (and cuticles!) will thank you.
Customer Review: "This is another L'Occitane must have. My hands are always hydrated and silky, never greasy. I use it around three times a day or as needed, a small portion is just enough to nourish your skin." — Nordstrom
If your boss travels a lot, gift her this amazing weighted eye mask. This snooze-ready style features four equally weighted pods that contour to the face to block out light and offer slight pressure to soothe and stress-relieve. It's made of cotton jersey and microfiber that feels comforting to the touch. This eye mask instantly soothes in-flight headaches and will help your boss get some much-needed sleep.
Customer Review: "I sleep very lightly and have a lot of issues with tension around my eyes. This is VERY comfortable and definitely better than a normal eye pillow. The weight is nice, and the design (drapes across the face) is comforting and stays no matter which way you are sleeping. I like it a lot." — Amazon
Who doesn't love a plushy blanket they can wrap themselves in and snuggle their work worries away? This one from Nordstrom's in-house brand is one of team MC's favorites, as well as a personal pick from Bellman. It measures 50 inches by 60 inches, features a four-inch fringe, and comes in seven different cute colors, including dark navy and moody gray.
Customer Review: "These blankets are amazing!!! I have purchased 3 of them and the colors have a beautiful sheen! I am extremely pleased with the quality for the money." — Nordstrom
If the pandemic taught us anything, it's that we can never be too careful when it comes to germs. Your boss will surely appreciate this dual set of moisturizing hand sanitizers that smell amazing.
Customer Review: "I love this entire line of sanitizer spray. They smell amazing and they hydrate instead of drying my hands out. Also these particular sanitizers cost $16 individually so you are saving $7 by buying the duo set." — Sephora
There's no doubt she hasn't heard about this viral tinted lip balm. Let her in on the hype with the brand's just-released flavor for the holidays—hot cocoa. Not only does it have a delicious chocolatey scent, but it leaves lips feeling oh-so-soft and hydrated all day long without any stickiness.
Customer Review: "I've been using this product for a couple of weeks and I love it! It is changing to the season where my lips dry out really bad and this keeps them really moisturized. The color is overall beautiful! I would definitely buy this product again!" —Sephora
This beautiful coffee table book celebrating iconic and inspiring women makes for a touching and inspiring present for a woman you also look up to. The book features illuminating interviews with and portraits of admirable women, some of whom are famous, others relatively unknown, but all of them have worthwhile stories. Some of the women featured include political activist Angela Davis, author Margaret Atwood, conservation and animal welfare activist Jane Goodall, professional golfer and Olympian Lydia Ko, plus 196 others.
This desk-friendly cactus isn’t just cute decor. It becomes a handy humidifier at the touch of a button, making your boss’ time in the office a bit more enjoyable, especially in the dryer winter months.
Customer Review: "I LOVE this cute little cactus humidifier! I got it for my desk at work where I was suffering from the extreme dry heat this winter. This little guy makes a HUGE difference." — Amazon
Who doesn't love cashmere? I can guarantee that this 100-percent cashmere beanie will not leave your boss' head this winter. Choose from neutral shades, including slate gray, oatmeal, ivory, and dark black.
Customer Review: "Beautiful soft and light cashmere beanie; this is the second one I have purchased from this company. Love the beanie it is lightweight, super soft, love it." — Amazon
When was the last time you replaced your hair brush? If it's been a while, I'm sure it's been a while since she has, too. Give her this brush for smooth, tangle-free hair (compatible with any hair type, by the way). Its luxe look is well deserving of a spot on her vanity.
Customer Review: "Great for getting through my curly/wavy hair! I cannot express how much difference this brush has made in getting my curls and waves tamed when my hair is dry." — Ulta
Best Gifts For Your Boss Under $100
Is your boss glued to her coffee mug? Now she doesn't have to sip on room-temperature coffee any more, thanks to you—and this warmer set! The sleek, modern mug comes in three colors and boasts a custom charger to heat up the liquid inside.
Customer Review: "Just started using my new Kopi Mug and totally in love!!!! I drink tea everyday and this mug keeps them warm all day long. Plus the wireless charger is also super convenient for my phone. Highly recommend." — Nordstrom
Now, she'll never miss a chance to send you an on-the-go Slack message. These leather gloves are far more stylish than your typical touch-screen options.
Customer Review: "These gloves are well-made, warm, and really do allow cell phone use when worn. Measurements for hand size are accurate, but I find it hard to fit with very small hands!! I highly recommend these gloves!" — Nordstrom
Since lighting candles is generally frowned upon in the office, gift her this luxe room spray from Diptyque to make her office smell amazing.
The holidays can be a stressful time, so your boss, who already has mountains of obligations on her plate, may be in need of some TLC. This cordless and heated neck massager is a thoughtful gift that they'll definitely appreciate. There’s nothing like a mid-day neck massage to relieve some stress.
Customer Review: "Wow! This thing ROCKS! It's like getting a deep massage at home. You can reposition it to target precisely where you have those awful muscle knots, and it works like a charm to relieve tightness and tension. The heat is a gentle heat that deepens the massage. I love it!!" — Amazon
Everyone needs a journal, and this one by Montblanc feels extra luxe, making it the perfect gift for anyone at work you're hoping to impress. The cover is crafted from fine Italian leather; the lined pages are silver-edged (ooh la la!); and the notebook features a built-in grosgrain ribbon bookmark. Your boss (or coworker) will want to pull this out during your next team meeting.
Buying your boss's jewelry doesn't need to be scary. This pair of chunky gold hoops are so classic, she'll want to wear them every single day.
Customer Review: "[I've] had these earrings for a while now and I love them! They haven’t faded or irritated my ears, which I love. I usually have to get new earrings by now because the color or the gold faded. Definitely worth it!!!" — Amazon
There's a good chance your boss is on her phone for a good portion of the day, and all those germs and screen time build up. Thanks to UV-led technology, this small but mighty device will charge your boss' phone and sanitize it at the same time.
If your boss travels frequently for work, this handy gadget is the perfect gift. It connects your AirPods to the in-flight TVs, so your boss will never have to use those uncomfortable wired headphones again.
Customer Review: "So handy for travel! I don't have to buy separate wired headphones or get the crappy airline ones anymore when I fly, and I'm not tied to the seat in front of me or dropping my earbuds on the ground when I have to get up. I've had no issues connecting or charging, and they've worked seamlessly so far. Very small and easy to pack too." — Amazon
Whether your boss is a huge jet-setter or needs extra neck support at home, working from the couch, this pillow will do it all. With its versatile shape, it can provide all kinds of comfort, whether as a back pillow or a headrest.
Customer Review: "I will never go back to a traditional neck pillow! This is my new favorite thing to bring with me for travel (plane, train, car rides etc.) You can configure this in a million different ways to support your neck/shoulders/lower back etc. For long-haul flights in economy, I've used this sleep soundly." — Amazon
What do you get your boss when you don't know what she likes? Consider this candle that has a hidden second gift. You'll find a clear quartz crystal inside the wax, perfect for your boss to use against any negative vibes. Once the wax is gone, you can turn the label into a plant with some soil. It's a win-win-win!
How adorable is this apron? There's nothing worse than ruining a great outfit while cooking, so every chef needs an apron as cute as this in their kitchen. Even if she's an avid Doordash user, this would be great to have on hand for when she has guests over and needs to play the part of a dinner host.
Best Gifts For Your Boss Under $200
An uber-luxurious scarf isn't something people tend to buy for themselves, which makes it the perfect gift. J. Crew's oversized number is one of our top picks for cashmere scarves. It's hard-working in terms of winter-proof warmth and not overly mind-boggling expensive—which is always a major plus. It comes in at just under $200 (even less due to the current Black Friday discount) and is made of 100 percent pure cashmere, which makes its reasonable price tag almost too good to be true.
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this wrap. The cashmere is soft and substantial. Incredible price point. I wear these all fall and winter long." — J. Crew
Does she carry her lunch to work every day in a plain old Tupperware container? This chic bag will change all that. With an insulated interior and crocodile-embossed vegan leather exterior, no one can tell you're carrying last night's leftovers. It's a contemporary and grown-up take on the lunchbox, one your boss who loves to meal prep will appreciate.
For the boss with a hundred family pictures on their desk, this digital frame will clean up some of the clutter and streamline their sentimentality. Allow your boss to show off their kids and other wholesome memories with this slim, 10-inch digital picture frame.
Customer Review: "I have bought many digital frames, this one is the very best. Easy to add pictures by using a app on your phone. It goes to sleep in the dark, I love this feature as I never turn it off. Great quality." — Amazon
Offices are notoriously cold, so give her the gift of chic comfort with this top-rated cardigan. Just like all of Barefoot Dream's cult-favorite blankets, it's made with a cozy-soft knit so she'll be wrapped in warm bliss all day long.
Customer Review: "Super soft and cozy for around the house. I have several Barefoot dreams cardigans and this one is my favorite. Perfect to throw on for school drop off. It’s literally like wearing a blanket." — Nordstrom
If her work bag is stuffed with books, make her commute easier with the TikTok-famous and editor-reviewed Kindle Paperwhite. It can hold an entire library's worth of titles, saving up space in her office and apartment. Thanks to its glare-free screen and adjustable backlight, she can read anytime or anywhere (the beach! The bath!) without a hitch. She'll also love the speedy page turns and the ultra-long battery life—one charge lasts up to 12 weeks!
Customer Review: "The 12th generation Kindle Paperwhite continues to cement its place as the top choice for e-readers, combining sleek design, enhanced functionality, and a user-friendly reading experience. With notable improvements from previous models, this version is ideal for both avid and casual readers." — Amazon
She can never have too many pairs of matching pajamas, especially when they are as cute as these. BedHead Pajamas are known for their fun prints, and every year, the brand comes out with many holiday patterns that are sure to spark joy. This set, for example, is covered in cute gingerbread men and their houses.
Fragrance is a notoriously tricky gift to give—you either have to know your recipient's taste very well or be willing to risk them not loving the scent you picked out. Instead, you can't go wrong with this perfume advent calendar. It comes with 12 deluxe samples (in pretty, displayable bottles!) from brands like Byredo, Kilian, Aqua Di Parma, and other luxury names. I can practically guarantee she'll find a new favorite among the bunch.
Customer Review: "Great value and a chance to sample several at once.” — Neiman Marcus
Simple yet elevated and oh-so-cozy, this is a gift she'll be wearing all winter long. Here at Marie Claire, we can't get enough of Sézane's knitwear—each of the brand's sweaters feels luxurious and special with eye-catching details (did you peep the crochet lace along the sleeves and neckline?). Choose from four pretty shades to suit your boss' fancy, and sorry in advance if you want to add an extra pick to your cart for yourself.
Every celebrity, from Jennifer Lopez to Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa, has been incorporating Uggs into their outfits, and the results have been chic. She’ll love this cozy pair for both at-home wear and casual, comfy winter looks.
Customer Review: "I wear these every chance I get. They're so comfortable. I get SO many compliments." — Ugg
Best Gifts For Your Boss Over $200
Why give her one piece of jewelry when you can give her 12? In the dozen different doors of this advent calendar, she'll get to open a shiny new surprise ranging from chain necklaces, stacking rings, charms, and hoop earrings. There's a style for every occasion too, and each piece is gold-plated, which brings this gift set's value up to a whopping $572!
Customer Review: "This is my favorite and only advent calendar I buy each year beautiful & whimsical are just a few words to describe this perfect collection." — Local Eclectic
She'll never look at her old sweatpants the same after trying this pair on for size. They're made from grade A, 100 percent cashmere, a.k.a. the best cashmere you can get, so you can rest assured these are as soft and cozy as possible. With a slim fit, they're elevated enough for her to dress up and wear outside the house.
Customer Review: "These joggers are beyond cozy and stretchy, so they’re very forgiving. I have several of them and they pair them with the matching Kaia sweater. It makes a super comfortable travel set!" — Naked Cashmere
Solve all of her haircare woes with just one hair tool. The latest and greatest version of the Shark Flexstyle, the FlexFusion, is now more powerful than ever, drying hair in record time and with no heat damage. It has every attachment she needs to do a variety of hairstyles, from big bouncy curls to voluminous blowouts and super sleek styles.
Customer Review: "This thing is powerful. As someone with thick curly hair, I love how strong the air is and all the different attachments. The rollers are amazing and add so much volume to my hair. The variety of settings makes it applicable to anytime you need it. It will definitely make travel easy as now I have only 1 tool to pack!" — Shark
Whether or not she believes in crystals and their different healing properties, she'll appreciate the beauty of this one sitting on her desk. She'll love knowing it's a one-of-a-kind piece you can't get anywhere else in the world. Amethyst and ametrine are said to boost creativity, concentration, and the exploration of possibilities, making it the perfect gift for her office.
A beauty advent calendar is one of those gifts that never fails to impress, and if you go with the viral Charlotte Tilbury calendar, you're sure to be in your boss' good graces for a long time. She'll have everything she needs to wear a full face of Charlotte Tilbury products, including the famous Beauty Light Wand highlighter, Lip Cheat lipliner, and Pillow Talk eyeliner.
Customer Review: "I got this as a gift for my wife as she is a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury products and she was pleasantly surprised and impressed, the products in the advent calendar are totally worth it." — Charlotte Tilbury
Charm jewelry is having a major moment right now as the fashion set accessorizes their totes. Do all of the work for her by giving her this two-in-one necklace set. Not only can she wear it as a necklace (which comes with an extender for a personalized fit!), but she can also wear the charm portion as a bracelet for double the wear! As a sweet treat, Jenny Bird is throwing in a full-size Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara for added fun.
Customer Review: "Love the charm necklace / bracelet. Totally on trend. Great quality and versatility. The different links are beautiful, as are the cute charms. JB didn’t disappoint. Looks great with my Stevie chain too." — Jenny Bird
She’ll always welcome a new elevated shoulder bag into her collection. This one is a personal favorite of mine (and the rest of the Marie Claire team) for its sleek, luxurious look that pairs well with any outfit—and I really mean any outfit.
Anything designer is going to land well with your boss, but if it's an item she uses every single day, then it's even more of a winner. She can hold up to six cards in this luxe wallet, which should be more than enough for all her essentials.
Sometimes, the best gifts are the most practical, but it doesn't hurt if it's beautiful to look at, too. This jewelry box is one of our favorites for its many different compartments and luxe, high-quality finish. With this box, you'll give your boss the gift of having a chic organized place to store her jewelry.
Customer Review: "Beautiful with lots of different sized compartments. Looks really nice. I love the colour and it's just the right size." — Nordstrom
What to Keep in Mind
- Consider Your Budget: "First off, start with a gift that works within your budget," advises Bellman. "Never underestimate the sentiment of a genuine, hand-written card if that’s what the budget allows!"
- Remember the Office Culture: "It’s also a great idea to recognize the office culture," says the Nordstrom expert. Some have a no-gift policy, while others celebrate together through office parties or contribute to a singular team gift."
- Pay Attention to the Little Details: "When it comes to picking a gift for your boss, it’s best not to go too intimate or personal but to pick up on some details of their personality or interests. If they’re never without a cup of coffee, a nice mug and a Holiday java blend tap into recognizing their day-to-day. If they like to travel, a travel-based coffee table book would make a thoughtful gesture. Cozy categories such as candles and throws are always a fail-safe or a classic desk accessory to give their office a timeless touch," Bellman offers. "When it comes to picking a gift for your boss, it’s best not to go too intimate or personal but to pick up on some details of their personality or interests. If they’re never without a cup of coffee, a nice mug and a Holiday java blend tap into recognizing their day-to-day. If they like to travel, a travel-based coffee table book would make a thoughtful gesture. Cozy categories such as candles and throws are always a fail-safe or a classic desk accessory to give their office a timeless touch," Bellman offers.
Meet the Expert
Kate Bellman is the Head of Editorial and Content at Nordstrom.
She is a fashion industry executive with 20+ years of multi-faceted management experience acquired in top brands such as Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and Kate Spade.
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Brooke Knappenberger is the Associate Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she specializes in crafting shopping stories—from sales content to buying guides that span every vertical on the site. She also oversees holiday coverage with an emphasis on gifting guides as well as Power Pick, our monthly column on the items that power the lives of MC’s editors. She also tackled shopping content as Marie Claire's Editorial Fellow prior to her role as Associate Commerce Editor.
She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management.
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