Has your team begun planning a celebration for National Boss's Day? If you need some ways to celebrate, this guide can get you started. Whether your boss loves gifts, entertainment, or team building exercises, you'll find something to suit every personality type.
What is National Boss's Day? 💼
National Boss's Day became an official holiday in 1958. Patricia Bays Haroski wanted to honor her father (who was also her boss) for all the hard work he put into his company.
Now, employees band together on October 16th to thank their bosses for their dedication and commitment. While being a boss is no easy job, the idea of National Boss's Day is to let your boss know that their work does not go unnoticed.
Celebrate Boss's Day with a thoughtful gift or activities for the entire team:
Here are some Boss Day gifts to get you started:
1. Personalized gift basket 🎁
Everyone loves a good gift basket! All you have to do is simply think of items that you know the recipient would love or that would make them feel noticed.
Gather the personalized items and place them into a sturdy basket (or another high-quality container). Wrap that container with cellophane and tie it together with a ribbon. You get bonus points if you can source items in your boss's favorite colors.
This personalized gift basket is a wonderful way to show your boss that you truly see them, you notice their hard work, and you appreciate them for who they are — not just what they do.
How to get started 👉 Add in a Chocolate Gift Box for a little something sweet!
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2. A custom video tribute 🎥
Here's a no-cost idea: Have the team record short video clips sharing their appreciation for their boss. Each person can highlight a quality they admire or recount a memorable moment. Compile the clips into a cohesive video and present it during a team meeting or send it via email as a heartfelt surprise that's extra personal.
3. A gift certificate 💌
Does your boss have a favorite store or restaurant that they talk about or are always bringing lunch from? If so, they would probably love to have a free meal or item from that place.
Consider buying them a gift card as a way of saying "thanks" for all of the times they have gone above and beyond for the team and the company. Like the gift basket, this is yet another way you can show how well you know your boss and that you pay attention to detail.
Here's a pro tip for nailing the gift certificate: If you don't know your boss's favorite store or restaurant, you can simply give them a generalized gift card that allows them to get anything they want. Put it inside of a card, and get all of your boss's direct reports to sign it. Your boss is sure to appreciate the effort and thought behind this gift.
How to get started 👉 Let your boss choose the perfect gift with an Online Gift Card!
{{online-gift-card="/blog/experiences"}}
4. A lunch party 🍴
There are several reasons why a lunch party ranks highly among Boss's Day ideas:
- It's pretty much guaranteed that your boss will get hungry during the day ✅
- If you order good food, your boss will certainly be appreciative 😌
- It's something that can be done even with remote or hybrid teams 👩💻
- It doesn't have to interfere with productivity if you're in the middle of a project 🕰
All you need to create the perfect lunch party is a little coordination. You need to make sure everyone on your team will be able to take lunch at the same time. If you are placing a group order, it's also important for you to figure out everyone's dietary preferences.
All that's left to do after that is make the call and prepare yourself to say something nice about your boss while everyone else is chewing.
How to get started 👉 Make National Boss’s Day a Lunch Party!
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5. Organize a slideshow 📸
If your team has been together for a while, you've likely collected some candid photos from events, meetings, or team building activities. Curate a fun slideshow that features your boss in action, whether they’re giving a speech, joining in on office fun, or leading the team. Add lighthearted captions and celebrate the highlights together.
6. Thank-you notes from the team ✉️
The chances are that your boss or team leader doesn't work hard for accolades. They do it because they truly believe in the mission of the company.
One amazing way to acknowledge their heart for the mission is to have everyone on the team write a note of thanks. On that note, have each person specifically highlight one thing they appreciate about your boss. Share this in your company's recognition platform!
This is another one of those Boss's Day ideas that requires some careful thought and coordination, but it will be worth it in the end.
How to get started 👉 Share some boss appreciation with a round of Workplace Gratitude!
{{workplace-gratitude="/blog/experiences"}}
7. Office Olympics 🏆
Office Olympics are a fun and competitive way to get your team together in celebration of one of your favorite people — your leader! Your boss is used to competing with other organizations in the workplace, so they will be no stranger to the top spot in whatever game you choose.
The important part is that you all have fun together. Make sure to have a snack to fuel you for the friendly competition!
How to get started 👉 Celebrate National Boss Day with a triumphant round of Office Olympics!
{{office-olympics="/blog/experiences"}}
8. A happy-hour wine tasting 🍷
A wine tasting is a great way to take happy hour to the next level. If your boss enjoys elegant activities, this would definitely fall into that category. Fortunately, wine tastings are not complex to set up and can be a fun way for distributed teams to get to know each other better, even as you celebrate the one person who works hard to make it all possible.
You can put together a wine-tasting kit for everyone on the team or allow each team member to bring their own. Either way, this Boss Day gift will give you a chance to learn a lot about wine while you enjoy each other's company.
For participants 21+ only.
How to get started 👉 Treat your boss to a Wine Tasting!
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9. Make a team playlist 🎶
This is a Boss's Day gift for those who are music connoisseurs. Create a playlist of songs that remind your team of your boss's personality or ones they know your boss loves. Everyone can contribute a few tracks, and the result can be a fun, personalized soundtrack that reflects your team’s vibe and your boss's tastes.
Use a free music streaming service like Spotify or YouTube to create your shared playlist.
10. Yoga class 🧘
If your boss is the peaceful type, a yoga class is one of those gift ideas that will be right up their alley. There's no talking in yoga, so a class like this lets everyone relax and release the stress of the work week. With virtual yoga, everyone can see the screen and complete the workout in the comfort of their own homes.
For those who have been encouraging their bosses to incorporate self-care into their daily routine, this is a great way to help them get started.
How to get started 👉 Help your awesome boss let go of stress in a Yoga Class!
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11. Virtual Escape Quest 🔑
The virtual escape quest is for the boss who loves a good adventure. You'll be solving puzzles to uncover hidden clues, with answers required in order to move on.
Not only can you host this fun event to celebrate your boss, but it's also a great way for your boss to see how well they've taught their team to work together toward a common goal.
How to get started 👉 Collaborate with your boss in a Virtual Escape Quest!
{{escape-quest="/blog/experiences"}}
12. Mindful Leadership Workshop 🦸
Treat your team captains to a workshop focused on honing mindful leadership skills to become more attentive and present leaders.
This guided workshop will explore the meaning of mindful leadership including it’s results at the personal and organizational level, self-reflection exercises to contemplate their own leadership skills, as well as tips to conduct regular mindfulness practices of their own.
How to get started 👉 Book a Mindful Leadership Workshop to positively impact your team as a whole!
{{mindful-leadership-workshop="/blog/experiences"}}
Celebrate your great bosses with Confetti!
Your boss does so much more than just sit around all day and delegate tasks to others. If you're lucky, they work incredibly hard to go above and beyond for their staff. Make sure you show your appreciation in return by doing something special for National Boss's Day.
If you find yourself at a loss when it comes to gift ideas, Confetti has you covered. We have seen firsthand how one fun event can bring teams together and build a culture of camaraderie. We have events to suit any boss's tastes and amazing coordinators who can help you pull everything together for a seamless experience.
Get in touch with the Confetti team today to learn more about our event options, and start planning your National Boss's Day celebration today.
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Frequently Asked Questions on National Boss Day ⁉️
How do you celebrate Boss's Day?
If you're wondering what to do for Boss's Day, you're not alone. Your boss will appreciate any effort that your team makes to celebrate them. Find out what items or activities your boss likes most, and coordinate with your team to plan a gift or event around those.
Make sure that you keep the celebration under wraps before the day of execution. Everything is more fun when it's a surprise.
What is a nice gift to give your boss?
The nicest gift you can give your boss is the one that best suits them. If they love personalized gifts, try a gift basket of their favorite items or a gift card to a nice restaurant. If entertainment is their thing, a movie or game night with the entire team could be a fun way to celebrate them.
How do you show your boss appreciation?
Besides giving them a Boss Day gift, you can show your boss that you appreciate them by taking the time to thank them for how they have personally impacted your life and work. You could also arrange for them to be honored on your company's recognition platform.
Those who work as hard as your busy boss love hearing specific ways that their hard work is paying off. It's the one thing that makes it all worth it!
Do you have to get your boss something for Boss's Day?
Purchasing a Boss's Day gift will certainly be appreciated, but it is not required. Even if you decide not to buy a gift, consider participating in the celebration. Just knowing that their team has their back is enough for most bosses to feel valued.
