Gift Idea's for my boss?

[Liz]

My boss' birthday is coming up next week. I'm trying to think of something to get her. Last year I gave her a gc for a pedicure and Bath and Body Works products for the shower.

She is a mother of three. I take care of her kids so I'm sort of on a budget. Probably under $80. The family has always been generous with gifts for me and my husband, but obviously they know how much I make.

I saw some places have a manicure, pedicure, and an hour massage for $90. To me this is a great price but I don't know if the massage is done by a professional or not. Any suggestions?

TIA,
Liz

[Chimichanga]

Depending on what she likes you could do a basket of sorts.

My sister and I got my mom a gardening basket for mothers day. we got her new gloves (she needed them), new tools, a boatload of bulbs, a GC to the local nursery and we splurged and got her a gardening tool bench, where she can pot plants and such. She really liked it.

I've done movie baskets, scrapbook baskets (got an album, som paper and embellishments) and they've all gone over really well.

[suzubeane]

Honestly? I never thought employee to boss gifts were appropriate or expected. (It's OK the other way around, though. Gifts are like bonuses.) But you already set the precedent, so you can't really NOT get her at least a token.

I think that $80.00 is way too much to spend.

Why don't you just get her a nice card, write something really heartfelt, and give her a certificate for free baby-sitting so she and her husband can have a date? Maybe free baby-sitting for an overnight, and they can have a mini-get away? She obviously already trusts you with her kids and in her home - the opportunity to get away for a little alone time and not have to worry about the kids or the house or pay a sitter would be an amazing gift.

[Liz]

Oh I don't think I made myself clear. I take care of her kids full time ~ 45 hours a week. We are friends but also employee/boss situation. To give you all an idea she and her husband gave my husband and I for our Christmas present a weekend getaway at a really great hotel plus dinner. I know that I can't obviously give her something like this because her husband makes 10 times the amount of money that I do. I would love to take care of the kids so they could go away for a weekend, but I need a break from the kids. I do feel like I should get her something nice since we are friends when the kids aren't around. Thanks for the suggestions!

[suzubeane]

No, I understood you worked for her full time when I answered.

Yes, they have been very generous with you. You may be friendly with her, but I suspect she sees her generosity to you more as a "bonus" than as a gift, for which reciprocation is really not necessary or expected.

These are clearly people of means and anything you buy for them is something they can buy themselves many times over. I'm sure they could afford to pay for a babysitter overnight, too, but you are in the unique position to give her peace of mind while she's away, and that's priceless. :) . I appreciate you need a break from the kids, but I'm sure that one weekend this year, you can stay with the kids an extra half-day, no?

[Liz]

Oh okay, I just wanted to be clear. I wrote the first post and didn't give the details. It's a tough situation for me because we don't really have a line where the friend ends and the boss begins. If you all understand what I mean. This is why I am posting. It does seem like everything I think of they could buy themselves. I'm just afraid if I give them a night out or a weekend away free they will take advantage of this.

Thanks for your suggestions! :)