I have had several bosses in my almost 40 years as an admin professional. Some of the gifts I have purchased are business card case with their initials engraved on it, scarves, gloves, chocolates, etc. There are a number of items you can get, just look around at some of the things your boss keeps in his/her office. A couple of years ago, I found a beautiful cashmere scarf for my male boss, and he loved it and wore it every day of the winter. I made sure that it matched his coat; I also purchased one for a female boss several years ago with the same response. Both items were under $20 at Sears.

Try Things Remembered located in most malls. They have a good selection of appropriate taste & price range.

The first year with a new boss, who was Italian, I bought him a well researched bottle of Italian wine and chunk of the best parmigiano cheese I could find, he loved it. One year a cashmere scarf, one year a leather travel wallet (which was a huge hit because it kept him organized...I would load it before a trip and retrieve as he came back so he was always organized), so creativity is the key. I look for things that they would not have thought to buy for themselves that they will sit back and say, "Wow, she really thought this through". A well researched passion/hobby can give you all kinds of great ideas. No trinkets and nothing that needs to be dusted!

I would try to give something he is interested in. For example, if he is a sports nut, give him a gift reflective of his favorite team(s). We have someone in the office who is a huge sports fan, so he has received a framed poster of his favorite baseball stadium, a desktop ceramic baseball park, things such as that.

I can always find something really nice at Red Envelope. www.redenvelope.com

Homemade items are always nice. But if you keep it simple a gift certificate at the local coffee shop, such as starbucks is always nice too.

Here's how etiquette expert Emily Post answers the question, "Should you give your boss a gift?"

"Generally, no. It could easily be perceived as trying to win favor. However, a pooled gift from you and other employees that isn't too expensive or personal is fine."

Plus, I've been lucky -- my bosses realize that the people who work for them make significantly less money than they do - they have always indicated that they would rather not receive gifts from their employees, and that people should not feel obligated to buy them presents.