What to give the boss for Christmas

Ok...need to do the politically correct thing and get a present for the boss of our firm. Any ideas? Was trying to think of something that could be useful as he travels a lot on flights. Suggestions?

A bulletproof vest?

got that for him last year.

A Lear jet?

A flask? Drinks are pricey on those flights, you know.

Interestingly enough, both of the partners of the firm do not drink!!?? One never really ever has and the other quite a few years back. quitters So, a flask would be excellent for me(for the medicinal sleeping pills on the transatlantic flights) but unless they need a shot of OJ, not gonna be that useful...as he runs off to add another item to the Blitz Christmas Wish List...

Noise cancelling headphones? (don't know what the budget here is...)

If you are wanting to be politically correct. You should not offer any gift. Otherwise a pen.

as for the budget...hmmmm. Tuff one. Enough to get a decent present but not too much that I give the indication that I dont need a raise.

I guess the politically correctness come from the fact that they will be handing out gifts to the "underlings", so would be nice to give back, ya know?

And will you have gifts for your other colleagues, above, below and on the same level as you?

A pen. Lawyers love pens, right?

N.B. Please, nobody buy me any pens - I have millions already.

We give our bosses a Tax Receipt... we donat money to a charity of our choice for them. Usually a Womens Cause.

This item of ahem personal attire might do the job. Depends on your boss's sense of humour though.

not sure of the implication of such a question Mr.Keydeck, but normally the partners get the rest of us something and we go together and get them something.

So it's a group of you, not just yourself, is that right? It's just that it puts a very different view on both budget and how the gift is seen if there is more than just you doing it. Just checking. PSP2?

Or, have a look at Forcounsel.com for some ideas. You lawyery people are odd.

@Yeti...hmmm...practical and yet affordable. Yeah, thought about the pen thing, too. But both have a Mont Blanc that they carry around.

In that case you can raise their awareness of global warming by getting them a Waterman this year.

@Keydeck...awesome site.

ok...going to check out some of the "business like" gifts. Pen, flask(that one is really probably for me), business card holder...blablabla. I like the Learjet thing, but just a bit too much on the expensive side. Thanks for the ideas peeps. Keep em comin if you think of anything else.

How about one of those silver dish things that sits on your desk and you put business cards in - it's only for dispensing cards in your office as they weigh too much to carry around, but they do look quite flash.

Or failing that does he do or like anything like say motorsport? You can buy bits of Ferraris quite cheap on the interspazz if you know where to look.

I would suggest a candle...a real wax candle (not easy to get these days) ...you know thoes little yellow ones you see at the christmas markets between 5 to 10 Euros (or a pair for a candle light dinner for closer friends or couples)
As a rule I do not buy presents anymore. There is too much stress attached to the whole thing and I do not wish anyone to be getting stressed out about having to buy a present for me.

I buy a stock of wax candles and everyone I know gets one.
A present of light is always a good thing,
especially in dark times!

As John Lennon said...Keep it simple!

Get him a pocket size Fiskars axe. (okay for big pockets)

I find it strikes that certain balance between raving loony and caring boss, and it's only 23 centimeters long.

Fiskars

Has he seen you sober yet?
People tell me the gift of sobriety is always welcome. Haven't tried it yet myself - it may work for you.

A cyanide capsule...
A peronal interview with Dr. Kervorkian...

It is better to give than to receive after all...

here's a link to think about if there are several of you going in on the gift... pc (which always looks good)
and if heifers aren't your thing there are other sites that offer chickens, seeds, etc...
http://www.heifer.org/

It depends on how much you want to spend really. Nice looking business gifts on the lower end of the spectrum tend to be well hard to find.

An easy and safe option would be the gourmet gift basket from Dallymayr. As you can see, they have pre-packaged ones which you can select according to content/price range. A lot of them have alcohol of some sort though, so you might want to have someone order a customized one, which they do as well. The high end ones get traded around a lot in the suit set from what I gather. You can also do the lesser priced ones for your favourite pa. Any of them will do for your favourite neighbor in Lehel

What's the budget? I like the gift basket from Dallmayr idea too..

Or an i-pod nano or the video i-pod for those long flights?

Nah, I want one of those. It's for the wood for my stove (honest).
But Blitz, you said they have Mont Blancs, why not get them some of the Mont Blanc leather accessories?
The pen case? The Palm holder?
Or indeed the matching propelling pencil to their set (if you know what one it is)?
Kaut Bullinger or the Mont Blanc store on Max.str. will have something.
A top-end travel clock in a case, folding leather small picture holders (so that they can carry pictures of loved ones, although them being lawyers, hmmm, ) or a fine shaving set (maybe Penhaligons) are other ideas.
Alternatively, ask their secretaries/assistants as they will know them better than you.

One of those little cases to carry your business cards in, with his/her intials engraved on the front.

For the busy business traveller, one of those little lamps that plugs into the USB port on your laptop.

Nothing. It's your boss. A card at best.

A turtleneck sweater made from David Hasselhoff's chest hair.

Sometimes in life you really do get what you wanted.
Last night I unwrapped (because I fly tomorrow and he's in Ireland for the weekend) half of my Christmas present.
A Fiskars axe.
Now that's a present.

ok...the update. I got the managing partner of our Munich office one of those office putting mats that kick the golf ball back to you when you make it. He an I go golfing from time to time and it was a hit!

The managing partner from our ATL office was a bit more difficult. But he is a history buff and likes reading about such, so got him (what looks to be) a pretty interesting biography on Ceasar and Italian chocolate.

So there you go. Thanks for all of the suggestions and good ideas. In fact, I have put some of the ideas on my last minute "hey, buy this for Blitz" list.

A book on "How to be a Better Boss" (?) !

a blow job in the stock room.
guarentee your promotion.

Aye

If you are the kind of guy who buys your boss a Xmass pressie, then save the money and do it quicker and cheaper by getting down and gobbling ...

herpes