Set aside as a day for employees to show gratitude and appreciation to their boss, Boss’s day is celebrated on Friday, October 16th this year. Employees can take this opportunity to present their boss with a token of appreciation, but there are a few gift giving ideas to keep in mind when choosing a gift for this occasion.

If you choose to give a gift to your boss for Boss’s day, it is important to remember that you should stay away from anything overly personal or anything that could be perceived to have romantic overtones. For example, you don’t want to present your boss with an arrangement of roses or a piece of jewelry, unless you really want to spark some water-cooler gossip! Instead, try to choose more practical or sensible gifts, such as an orchid plant or a dish garden for their desk.

You may also want to ask around the office to check if your co-workers are planning on giving a gift to the boss – if you turn out to be the only person thinking of giving a gift, you may want to re-think the idea of giving a gift. If you are the only employee in the office giving a gift on Boss’s day, your intentions may come across as a bit self-serving; perhaps choose to write a quick thank you note to your boss instead – the gesture is sure to still be appreciated!

Should you find that your co-workers were planning on giving a gift but hadn’t yet decided what to give, suggest that everyone contributes to buy a gift together as a group. With the money collected, you can choose a gift basket such as one filled with their favorite fruits, or a gourmet basket that has a little bit of everything, and your boss is sure to enjoy!

Choosing a gift that has a bit more personal flair is also sure to be a hit, so if you know your boss loves chocolates, sports, or just loves the aromatic scent of stargazer lilies, sending a gift that incorporates their favorite things is a sure way to show your gratitude for all your boss does for you throughout the year!

It’s 9:00 in the morning. You walk into the office, headed for your cube. As you walk down the rows, nobody stops to say Good Morning. Flashforward to lunch. Nobody asks you to go to lunch with them, so you end up eating in the break room all by yourself while other co-workers chat at tables around you. As 5:00 closes in, you hear the buzz about Happy Hour. As your colleagues head out, nobody invites you.

Sound familiar? Do you feel a little like the odd one out at your office? Are you having flashbacks to the middle school cafeteria? No worries–turn that frown upside down! Here are some tips to win more friends at work. And be sure to smile–after all, nobody likes a case of the Mondays!

1. Bring Donuts!
Don’t forget to bring enough for everyone in your area. Put them in a central location, then be sure to let people around you know.

2. Smile and say “Good Morning!”
Seriously, this works. Oh, and attaching that with their name and a little conversation like “How’s it going?” Or, “Any weekend plans?” is always a good thing.

3. Learn the art of the segue!
A segue is defined as “smooth transition from one topic or section to the next”. So, when you have to discuss a work topic or upcoming project with a co-worker, take advantage of this opportunity! If you’re at their desk and you see a picture of their dog, then let them know how cute the dog is and ask questions–about the breed, how old he is, if he’s playful, etc. etc. Take any opportunity you can to make conversation.

4. Make the most of meetings
Ok, so let’s face it–most of us hate meetings. Especially 8:00 Monday morning meetings, or 4:00 Friday meetings! But take advantage of having a group of your co-workers together by starting up a conversation before or after the meeting. With the exception of 8:00 meetings, of course…

5. Cook something and bring it in
Bring out your inner Betty Crocker–or Pllsbury dougboy–and cook something to bring into the group. Whether it’s your Grandma’s homemade oatmeal cookies or brownies out of a box, it’s the thought the counts. Let your co-workers know to help themselves.

6. Compliment!
Who doesn’t like a compliment? Find opportunities to–sincerely–compliment your co-workers. For example, if you’re in the elevator with a co-worker and you like her handbag, let her know. Or, if you are in the parking lot and a co-worker pulls up in a shiny new car he just bought, make conversation and let him know how much you like it. This will lend itself to an entire conversation. This works best for co-workers of the same gender…after all, you’ll sound creepy if you’re a guy complimenting a woman’s handbag!

7. Participate!
If your office does community outreach, then participate. If someone is selling Girl Scout cookies, then buy them. If there is a collection in for a wedding gift, then pitch in. You get the point–don’t be a Debbie Downer!

8. Lure them with candy
Are you noticing a theme here? Put a huge, overflowing candy bowl on your desk just wait. This will definitely make your desk more popular!

8. Offer to get coffee
Headed to Starbucks? Then ask a few co-workers immediately around you or on your team if you can get them anything. Stopping by the supply closet? Ask if anyone needs a new legal pad or pen. You get the point!

10. Be outgoing!
Don’t be a wallflower! If you’re in the break room, don’t just sit there eating your ham sandwich all alone and looking all forlorn. Ask a table next to you “Mind if I join you guys?” And, join in their conversation instead of being silent. Say you’ve noticed someone you think you would have a lot in common with–for example, you’ve heard him/her talk about a band you also like. Well, don’t be shy, ask him or her to lunch! It’s as easy as “Hey, wanna grab some lunch?” It never hurts to try!

Now, get out there and make use of these awesome tips! Oh, and I’ll take a grande Vanilla Latte.