15 Secret Santa gift ideas for your CEO

‘Tis the season for giving. And if you’ve signed up for your office Secret Santa, there’s a chance you could pick the top dog out of the hat.

Buying for your CEO or manager can be stressful, especially if you’re constrained by a budget, theme or that you might not know them very well. Naturally, there’s plenty of choice in shops this time of year, but what do you get for a person who, it seems, has everything?

We have pulled together a few ideas that are designed to suit different tastes, personality types, budgets and will actually come in handy. We hope the receiver is pleasantly surprised by whichever you pick.

1. If they’ve got ambitious business plans

Whether it’s just the one country for now, or the company has already entered some territories overseas, a World Scratch Map will make a wonderful tradition of scratching off a new country whenever the company fulfils its expansion plans.

This is not only a visual representation of the company’s success but shows that you believe in its success, too.

Photo credit: Not On The High Street

2. If they like the personal touch

All too often, CEOs are focused so much on the future that they forget to look around and smell the roses. Why not give them something to remember what the company is like right now with a little memento.

This could be a framed and signed photo of all the employees, a photo book of memories from the year with handwritten notes or something silly like a personalised mug of their favourite employee.

3. If they need a simple way to relax

It’s likely that your CEO is a problem solver whose mind is always hard at work. And it’s always helpful when you need a little think to take your mind elsewhere.

A zen garden is designed to provide inner peace and concentration. The act of raking various satisfying patterns into the sand is said to have a calming effect, which is ideal for those who are a bit stressed out.

Photo credit: Not On The High Street

4. If they don’t get away from their desk much

If you have the type of boss who is constantly chained to their desk and doesn’t see the light of day, you can bring the day to them with a light therapy desk lamp.

Not getting enough vitamin D can lower your mood and make you feel listless and fatigued. But pointing this lamp towards their face can boost energy levels and increase concentration.

5. If it’s been a tense year

Who doesn’t love a massage to relieve some tension? If you know it’s been a busy year for your boss, you can bring a touch of spa treatment to their office space with this heated back massager — perfect to work out any knots and reduce pressure.

Photo credit: Amazon

6. If they’re way too humble

Some CEOs are far too modest about their position. If this is the case for yours, you could get them something that will remind everyone who they are while remaining self-effacing with an 'I’m kind of a big deal’ desk plate.

7. If they always looking for inspiration

Most entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for new ways to keep learning and improving. And, bookworm or not, your boss will no doubt appreciate the thought behind a book that has influenced a fellow CEO.

Check out our list of books that inspired famous entrepreneurs, which includes titles such as The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau.

8. If their desk could use some livening up

A bit of greenery in the office improves air quality and adds a nice design feature. But if your boss has avoided getting one because they’re too busy to care for it, check out Patch Plant’s collection of unkillable plants — a lot of which suits budgets of £10, £15 or £20.

Photo credit: Patch Plants

9. If they prefer experiences over things

Some people really just don’t need any more stuff. If this is the case and you’re stuck for something to buy, an experience day offers an unexpected treat that can be remembered long after it’s finished.

There are thousands of experience days to browse from companies like lastminute.com, Buyagift and Not On The High Street as well as location-specific companies, like Indytute in London.

10. If they’re eco-conscious

For bosses that are aiming to be more environmentally friendly, there are loads of gift ideas out there that can help them save the planet.

Here are just a few:

• Help them save some bees with a bee saving keyring
• A gift voucher to permanently remove 25kg of CO2 from the atmosphere
• A garden tunnel to help the survival of hedgehogs
• A tree-planting puzzle
• A gift set of condiments and spreads made from surplus ingredients

Photo credit: Ethical Superstore

11. If they love to give back

Your boss is sure to have some causes that they support, and if you have an idea of what they are, why not make a donation in their name or give a charity gift.

Here are some charities that offer life-changing presents:

• Unicef’s Inspired Gifts
• Oxfam’s Charity Gift Cards
• Macmillan’s Gifts that Give
• Save the Children’s Virtual Gifts
• WaterAid’s Shop for Life
• Centrepoint’s More than a Gift

12. If they need to be a bit more organised

Even the top dog can get flustered and forget things. If your boss is known for being a bit scatter brained, there are tons of stylish and useful to-do list pads and organisers that will help them on their way.

Papier’s printed and personalisable diaries are always a crowd pleaser or you can shop from independent designers on Etsy.

Photo credit: Papier

13. If they’re a bit of a foodie

For the boss who likes whipping things up in the kitchen, you could head to an upmarket deli and pick out a selection of fancy ingredients from local suppliers.

If you don’t have time, you could order a pre-made recipe box or cooking kit — we like this sourdough starter set from Not On The High Street.

14. If they’ve got green fingers

As a way to relax, your boss might like to unwind by tending to plants or making things grow (other than their company). From herbs and coffee, there are loads of grow-it-yourself kits that your boss will love.

Some of our favourites include:

• This herb seed mix kit
• This grow your own coffee kit
• This grow your own air filtering plant kit
• This grow your own bonsai treet kit

Photo credit: Ohh Deer

15. If they always like to challenge themselves

Similar to those who love to keep learning, there are some CEOs who are continuously finding ways to challenge themselves. A simple gift to fuel this mentality is a puzzle book, like this super tough one created by the Mensa society.

Got some inspiration?

We hope you’ve now got plenty of present ideas that will delight your CEO and we wish that your office Secret Santa is a huge success!