- Gift birthday baskets are ideal if you're not certain what types of activities or hobbies your boss enjoys outside the office. A neutral birthday gift basket of coffees, teas, fruits, nuts or even chocolates are ideal for the boss. You can order these premade to save time. Themed birthday gift baskets are ideal if you know your boss' hobbies or outside interests.
- A Zen desk garden or a bonsai tree is ideal for a stressful work environment. Look on the boss' desk to ensure there is room for this type of birthday gift. You can even offer to make sure the garden or tree stays watered and tended.
- Many people like the fun of gadgets but seldom spend money on themselves to purchase them. Electronic brain teasers are ideal birthday ideas for a boss, for short breaks, boring telephone conference calls and brainstorming. You can give your boss electronic mahjongg or sudoku games.
- Harmless and humorous pranks are fun to do at the office. If your boss is the type to receive these without getting angered, everyone can have some fun. Replace the candy in your boss's candy dish with odd-flavored jelly beans or gourmet candies such as fish or mustard. Swap out all of your boss's drawers. If the drawers aren't all the same size, just move stuff from one drawer to a different drawer. The boss won't know where anything is for the day.
- Have everyone in the office donate a small amount of money. Call a local balloon delivery store. Order balloons to be delivered to your boss in the middle of the day. Some of these have delivery people who will sing when the balloons are delivered. If they do, ask for a specific song that you think your boss will enjoy.
