Help Needed...gift for boss - who has everything..

[lisaross]

thats the hard part..

I've been working for my boss whom is a lawyer since January 09. He is a GREAT boss, its him, me and another lady who's been working for him for about 10 years. He is jewish as i am but he is kosher so its hard to even bake cookies and bring they in - he also does not eat wheat - hard to please in the food dept. Do i not get anything and what about the other lady in the office - she would be easy to buy something for...i could ask her what she does at the holidays for him i guess or should i just hold off this year and not buy anything for anyone?

thanx

 

[Forevryoung]

My dad's employees chip in on something for him- a nice bottle of wine, a gift card to a favorite store, a gift basket of stuff he would enjoy...

Ask your coworker what she usually does and then ask if she wants to split a gift with you- two heads are better than one, and you can potentially spend less and get a bigger gift!

 

[beansmom]

i'm becoming a fan of the Harry and DAvid fruit basket...everybody eats and it's kosher...it's not something he has 10 of in the closet. It's just the thought that counts, eh? Oh, and write a note telling him what a great boss he is.

 

[AntePrincess]

I'd reconsider giving your employer a gift. Whatever your intentions, your giving a gift to your employer puts an undue burden on your coworker and, since it is neither a social obligation nor an expectation, it's essentially currying favor. In a professional environment, the medium of exchange is money, not gifts, if you also happen to be friends with your employer, entirely outside of the office, then a gift as a friend, given outside the office would be appropriate, but it doesn't sound like that's the case. It may be ugly to point out, but your employer is the one who would essentially be paying for any gifts you got him. He makes more money than you do, and what money you make already comes out of his pocket. The gesture gets mired in all of the social inequalities involved. On top of that, there are the cultural differences, he does not even celebrate the holiday in question, you'd be highlighting those underlying differences in the office setting and making a point of your religious (that's how the Christmas celebration would be perceived) difference when it could even personally offend him.

If you'd like to do something, would you be able to do something that did not highlight cultural or religious differences? Could you bring in kosher bagels one morning to mark the holidays and not specify that it was Christmas you had in mind? I think food would still be safest, just ensure that you get it from a kosher bakery, and it would be most appropriate if it was a general donation for the office rather than a direct gift to your employer, just make certain that it doesn't become a faux pas: ensure that it is kosher certified. However, if you can't do it without asserting a Merry Christmas, and I know there are a number who are absolute that it has to be Christmas rather than holidays, winter, or anything else, I wouldn't go there at the office.

 

[pearlieq]

Unless the tradition is different in your office, bosses aren't usually given gifts from their employees.

So, unless it's well entrenched, just write out a nice card and be done with it!

 

[BellyBaby]

I'd reconsider giving your employer a gift. your giving a gift to your employer puts an undue burden on your coworker and, since it is neither a social obligation nor an expectation, it's essentially currying favor. In a professional environment, the medium of exchange is money, not gifts, if you also happen to be friends with your employer, entirely outside of the office, then a gift as a friend, given outside the office would be appropriate, but it doesn't sound like that's the case. It may be ugly to point out, but your employer is the one who would essentially be paying for any gifts you got him. He makes more money than you do, and what money you make already comes out of his pocket. The gesture gets mired in all of the social inequalities involved. On top of that, there are the cultural differences, he does not even celebrate the holiday in question, you'd be highlighting those underlying differences in the office setting and making a point of your religious (that's how the Christmas celebration would be perceived) difference when it could even personally offend him.

If you'd like to do something, would you be able to do something that did not highlight cultural or religious differences? Could you bring in kosher bagels one morning to mark the holidays and not specify that it was Christmas you had in mind? I think food would still be safest, just ensure that you get it from a kosher bakery, and it would be most appropriate if it was a general donation for the office rather than a direct gift to your employer, just make certain that it doesn't become a faux pas: ensure that it is kosher certified. However, if you can't do it without asserting a Merry Christmas, and I know there are a number who are absolute that it has to be Christmas rather than holidays, winter, or anything else, I wouldn't go there at the office.

This is fascinating to me! Seems like so much trouble to worry about all these details! Social inequalities, burden, faux pas....? Tis the season of good cheer! For everyone! There should be no boundaries.

My boss was a Christmas NUT (6 big Rubbermaid tubs of Santas, 3 trees, etc) and her husband was Jewish. They celebrated both holidays, and cultural and religious differences are so interesting to me! Not something to be avoided, for sure.

If my Jewish co-worker or employee gave me a present for Hanukkah, I'd be flattered, even if it wasn't "MY" holiday. It just means someone was thinking about me.

Just wish things weren't so complicated for some. Just seems weird: bring in some bagels, but don't let anyone think they're Christmas bagels, that would offend! What? If someone brought in Hanukkah treats, I'd be shoveling them down! Say "thanks for sharing your holiday treats with us!" and chow down!

Anyway, sorry for the "what the?". My gift suggestion is a table centerpiece. They should last a long time, it's something that's nice but you don't often spend the $ on, and you can get a Hanukkah theme one with blue and silver accents; I know this because I used to be a florist. It's thoughtful, not too personal, and he'll make the wife happy (if he has one), which means he'll look like the hero at home. I like the food basket idea as well. As you can tell, I really appreciate food.

 

[lisaross]

thanx everyone, actually i am jewish as well..not as religious as he! My other co-worker is italian..i just feel that she's been working w/him for 10years - its a very small close office - he often orders us in lunch or takes us out..i'll see perhaps i'll just bring in some fruit/baked goods this year and see how it plays out!

 

[twinsr241]

thanx everyone, actually i am jewish as well..not as religious as he! My other co-worker is italian..i just feel that she's been working w/him for 10years - its a very small close office - he often orders us in lunch or takes us out..i'll see perhaps i'll just bring in some fruit/baked goods this year and see how it plays out!

Just got a chuckle from this -- "my other co-worker is italian" Are you saying she doesn't celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah? I think we're mixing metaphors here -- Italian is a nationality, Judaism is a religion.