<p>I’m a college student and I got my boss for the office’s secret santa- price is capped at $10. My boss is a woman, and the office is like a student development office at the college. Any suggestions would be great!</p>
<p>I always default to starbucks card or ITunes card (especially if you know she has kindle). Or something consumable for the holidays that she can share with family, if applicable - cookies, nuts, hot chocolate mix, etc.</p>
<p>D2 just got a mason jar and filled it with a a pair of fuzzy socks, lip balm, sample size bubble bath and hand lotion and a few pieces of chocolate. She tied a ribbon around it and added a tag that said Pampering in a Jar.</p>
<p>She has also filled a mason jar with hot cocoa mix and layered in marshmallows on top and sealed it. Then she tied a single serving bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream to it.</p>
<p>Another one was a manicure in a jar. Cotton balls, polish, polish remover and nail file.</p>
<p>I will ask her for more ideas.</p>
<p>Play it safe, nothing too personal(especially if the poliscinerd is a guy), no alcohol.
Winter/holiday themed kitchen towels-go to Target, Marshall’s, TJMaxx
Poinsettia plant-Costco has nice big ones for around 10 bucks, give or take a few
Plant from Trader Joe’s-take a look to see what they have a few days before the party, usually wrapped in a festive manner</p>
<p>It’s okay if it looks like your mom helped you pick the gift.
Buying for a boss is a mine field, going with a lame, neutral gift is better than inappropriate.</p>
<p>You might be able to find a nice silky scarf at H&M, Marshall’s or TJ Maxx for $10. I would observe her for a few weeks if you think she would wear something like that.</p>
<p>Funny, my D1 IS the boss and was wondering last night if she should get gifts for her small team… we had a long discussion about the pros & cons of this, and what she should get them. I know Secret Santas is a bit different, but still timely… We agreed no alcohol because it is an office. 
The coffee shop gift card is something almost everyone would use. Or agree that something consumable is good as long as you are aware of any food allergies (eg, nuts).</p>
<p>A season tea or coffee, perhaps? I am a big believer in gifting disposable, consumable items. You cannot anticipate anyone else’s taste.</p>
<p>I like to give Secret Santa gifts that the receiver can regift to someone else.
No worries if you can’t use it…pass it along.</p>
<p>Post #4 is right on.</p>
<p>I’m a boss, and if the limit is $10, I would be happy with something just for me (new color of Essie nail polish but better coming from a female employee) especially if you choose a color with a fun name where you can include a card that plays off the name. Or a nice coffee mug (nice meaning usable) filled with hershey’s kisses or jelly beans. Or frame with photo of a dog that you have just donated $10 to feed at the local animal shelter in her name. She can reuse the frame. And you include a note about how you chose this gift because you know she cares about animals or whatever.</p>
<p>I would say to stick with the starbucks or dunkin gift card</p>
<p>I would not like a Starbucks or Dunkin card as I don’t drink coffee, tea or eat donuts! ;)</p>
<p>NorMinn- you regift the gift card, pass it along…
BTW, both have sandwiches and Starbucks has lots of nifty doodads.</p>
<p>In my role as killjoy, I will point out that poinsettias are mildly toxic to household pets. You don’t want to be the one who made the boss’ dog throw up. </p>
<p>I like the Starbucks/iTunes ideas - very big hits, and if she doesn’t want it, one of her friends will.</p>
<p>beerme…just giving you a hard time! This is Caribou country and no Dunkin around here. 
But…I don’t think I have ever regifted! :)</p>
<p>My work has gone to a voluntary gift card exchange. It’s rather silly but it works. There’s a sign up sheet and you list a few gift cards you would like. I like it much better than when some people would clearly exceed the limit, and others would give something not so nice. I vote for a gift card.</p>
<p>I think gift cards are very impersonal. Beeswax candles like these are nice. You could give four to your boss and eight to other people in your family: [Amazon.com</a> - 100% Beeswax Candles - One Dozen (Set of 12) - 8" Tapers - Natural Wax - With Free upgrade to USPS Priority Mail](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/100%25-Beeswax-Candles-Natural-Priority/dp/B0035RNLKQ/ref=lp_3734471_1_23?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1383798465&sr=1-23]Amazon.com”>http://www.amazon.com/100%25-Beeswax-Candles-Natural-Priority/dp/B0035RNLKQ/ref=lp_3734471_1_23?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1383798465&sr=1-23)</p>
<p>A Christmas ornament is a nice gift, particularly if you tie it into something she likes. For instance, if she likes dogs, get one that relates to dogs. Or get one that has the college logo.</p>
<p>I greatly dislike getting gift cards. It says to me “I know I had to get you a gift but I couldn’t take the time to think of what you’d like”. It’s the same as sticking $10 in an envelope. No. Money would be better, I could spend it anywhere. A giftcard ties me to someplace I may not even like. </p>
<p>If the OP can’t think of something specific for the boss, then something generic, but not personal would be better.</p>
<p>Ugh, I don’t want tchotchkes. I don’t want your interpretation of nail color I should see unless you know for a fact I’ve been dying to try a particular one. I don’t want some mug I’ll feel obligated to use around you. I certainly don’t want a picture frame. Give me a SBX or iTunes or similar gift card, please!</p>
<p>^^^And that’s why it’s so hard to buy gifts. A Starbucks gift card would be bad enough, but an iTunes one would be the worst. Have never used iTunes in my life and not about to start now.</p>
<p>My recommendation is at least watch them for awhile and if they like Starbucks, then one of those, if they go to movies, then that gift card. If they hate McDonalds, don’t get them one of those. If they like to read, listen to what they like and get something similar. If they wear lots of scarves, then another would be okay. If they never do, don’t get them one.</p>