Should you get your boss a leaving gift?
Nobody has to, and that's exactly what makes it mean something. A leaving gift for a boss says one simple thing: you made a difference to this team, and we want you to know it. When a manager has backed their people, fought for their projects or helped everyone grow, saying nothing on their last day feels unfinished on both sides.
The reporting line does change a few rules, though. An expensive gift from one person can feel awkward, especially if that person is hoping for a reference or a good review. A group gift avoids the problem: it comes from the whole team, everyone gives what they can, and nobody stands out.
If your boss is leaving after a conflict or a restructure, keep it simple: a card signed by the team and a few honest messages are enough. The gesture matters more than the price.
How to organise a group gift
Organising a gift for a boss works much like one for a colleague, with a little more discretion, because managers tend to know what's going on in their team:
To collect the money, a money pot on any site you like saves passing an envelope round. Add its link to a Leaving Pack: the team suggests gift ideas, votes and chips in from the same page as the messages.
- pick one or two people to coordinate, ideally not their deputy, who works with them every day;
- set up a separate chat group, and make sure nobody close to them forwards it by mistake;
- let everyone chip in what they want, with no set amount and no list of who gave what;
- remember people in other teams, former team members and partners who worked with them;
- plan the hand-over: the leaving party, a team lunch or their last team meeting.
Ten leaving gift ideas for a boss
A good gift is about the person, not the job title. Start with what you know about them: their hobbies, what they talked about on Monday mornings, what they're doing next. A few ideas, from the simplest to the most personal:
- A good notebook or pen with a note from the team inside, for the ideas that come with the new job.
- A book chosen just for them, on a subject they love, with a line from everyone on the first page.
- A food hamper with local treats, or treats from the place they're moving to.
- An experience: a cookery class, a wine or gin tasting, a spa afternoon, a hot air balloon ride.
- A plant for their new office or their home, with a signed card.
- Something for their hobby: walking, gardening, photography or cooking gear.
- A photo book of the team, the events and the projects you worked on together.
- A voucher for a restaurant they love, to enjoy with family or friends.
- A short video of goodbye messages from the team, to watch on their last day.
- Written recommendations from the whole team, gathered in a Leaving Pack, which they keep on their profile for the rest of their career.
The gift that lasts: tell them what you learnt
Most gifts end up in a drawer. What a manager rarely hears is what their work actually changed for each person: the trust they showed a new starter, a decision they defended higher up, a way of working that still saves the team time.
With a Leaving Pack from Take Your Skills, everyone in the team writes a recommendation in secret, with help from an assistant if they don't know where to start. On their last day, you close the pack and your boss gets every message by email. They stay on their profile afterwards, ready to share with a link for the next role. It's free for everyone, and all you need to set it up is their first and last name: job title and company are optional.
There's a particular reason this suits a boss. People rarely write recommendations for someone who managed them, yet that view is exactly what a future employer wants to hear. You can create the Leaving Pack in a few minutes, then send the link to the team.
Card messages for your boss
Replace the parts in square brackets.
Thank you for believing in us, even when we didn't believe in ourselves. The whole team wishes you the very best.
You taught us to do the right things rather than lots of things. We'll carry on without you, but with your way of working. Thanks for everything, [Name].
Working for you has been a real privilege. Your high standards helped us grow, and your support kept us going. Good luck!
Thank you for always standing up for the team, even when it wasn't the easy option. Your new team has no idea how lucky they are.
You made the busiest weeks feel lighter. Thank you for your humour, your calm and your open door.
Thank you for the advice, the trust and the room you gave each of us to grow. Wishing you every success in the new role.
You gave me my first chance here, and I won't forget it. Thank you, and I hope we'll stay in touch.
A new chapter for you, and for us too. Thank you for making this team what it is today.
Messages if your boss is retiring
A retirement calls for something warmer, looking ahead to free time and their own plans.
Thank you for all the years you spent passing on what you know. Enjoy every minute of the time that's finally yours.
You're leaving behind a strong team and habits that will last long after you've gone. Happy retirement, [Name].
After so many projects for other people, it's time for your own. The whole team wishes you a wonderful retirement.
We'll keep your advice, your stories and your good humour. Thank you, and enjoy your retirement!
What to avoid
A few mistakes come up again and again when the gift is for someone senior:
- A gift that's too expensive, which embarrasses your boss and puts pressure on everyone chipping in.
- A gift from just you, which can look like you're after something.
- Jokes about their faults or past tensions, which have no place on their last day.
- Forgetting remote, part-time or other-site colleagues who also worked with them.
- Announcing their departure for them: always wait until they've shared the news.
Handing it over
The best moment is still the leaving party. One person says a few words, hands over the gift, then lets your boss reply. For those few words, see our farewell speech guide, and for the planning, our guide to organising a leaving party.
For more ideas, especially on a small budget, see our leaving gift ideas for a colleague: most of them work just as well for a manager.