Bosses Day Gifts for 16 Personality Types

Unlike Father's Day, Mother's Day and even Administrative Professional's Day, Bosses Day on Oct. 16 opens itself up to playful ribbing. After all, managers should have a sense of humor at least once a year and many bosses have it coming.

Low- and mid-level workers often feel either overlooked or under the microscope, but to be honest, bosses have eyes on them constantly. Even the smallest personality quirks get amplified when sitting at the top of the totem pole. Perhaps it's in response to television that upper-management types strive to fill the zanny shoes of "30 Rock"'s Tina Fey or awkward wing-tips of "The Office"'s Steve Carrell. No matter what the reason, every boss deserves an official 24 hours to be recognized for their peculiar, fun, or downright bizarre antics.

Of course, if things around the workplace tend to stay vanilla, try office supplies free shipping codes and snag all the pens, post-its and printer paper you can find. But if your manager skews off the straight-and-narrow, cater to their tastes. To honor the very traits that make your office chief unique, I've compiled a list of 16 off-beat gifts for your equally off-beat boss. Considering who they're for, I'm sure they can all be written off as a business expense.

1. The Kid at Heart Boss: Marshmallow Shooter
Water guns are passé and BB guns probably go against corporate policy. As if begot by fluffy, delicious gods, the marshmallow gun was practically invented for an office environment. It's safe, fun and, best of all, scrumptious. Grab one for the big guy exclusively with The Sharper Image free shipping codes, then get a couple more and convince the activities committee to approve a s'more hunting club. It beats a bowling league.

2. The Easily Distracted Boss: "This is Not a Book" by Keri Smith
The oddest thing about this anti-book is that it, in fact, completely resembles a book. The catch, however, is it's meant to be used for everything but reading. If your boss has the attention span of a squirrel in a vat of mixed nuts, she'll love Keri Smith's unliterary experiment. Among some of the best alternatives to reading: An "endurance test" to see how long you can keep the book raised above your head and a "friend builder," complete with cut-out eyes, noses and smiles to decorate nearby pencils.

3. The Mathematician or Clock Watcher Boss: Pop-Quiz Math Clock
The appeal of cosines, division symbols and square root thingies on a chalkboard is enough to make any nerd nostalgic. Offices -- particularly corner offices -- are full of former math whizzes and the Pop-Quiz Math Clock is a reminder of college glory days. Each number is replaced with an equation, ranging from basic multiplication to complex functions.

If your boss isn't into algebra, this clock still serves a purpose. Say your shift begins at 9 a.m.: How will he know you're an hour late if he can't calculate 3(pi-.14)? Until he remembers nine is in the same position no matter what mumbo jumbo takes it's place, you're free to hit snooze a couple more times. Save with Think Geek free shipping codes and impress coworkers with a practical application of mathematics.

4. The Cycling Fanatic Boss: A Unicycle
When our boss started pedaling his bike to work regularly, he bought a company unicycle. This little wheeled cyclops has become a favorite distraction around the office and I only see it getting more popular when snow arrives. Plus, if the boss has a mid-life crisis, he'll have all the skills necessary to don a bear suit and run off with carnies.

5. The Geek Boss: Computer-Themed Coasters
Writing code and helping oblivious technophobes all day can be mind-numbing. Occasionally, your IT boss could use a reminder of why she entered an overt love affair with computers in the first place. The remedy for this virtual rut: one of many computer-themed coasters, available from a variety of online stores. These condensation collectors run a gamut of digital in-jokes, from RSS symbols and Adobe icons to floppy disks and recycled circuit boards.

6. The Diet Cola Addict Boss: USB-Powered Beverage Cooler
Contrary to popular belief, not every boss is allowed to have a fridge in their office. This doesn't change the fact that all head honchos are hooked on some variety of diet soft drink (the cycling enthusiast not included.) For less than his hourly wage (just $20), pick up this mini-mini-fridge, just big enough for a can of soda and efficient enough to operate through a USB port. It's another one to buy from Think Geek. (I'm noticing a trend here...upper-management seems curiously lopsided with geeks.)

7. The Impeccable Dresser Boss: Lint Rollers  
Sure, you could go the classy tie or monogrammed cufflinks route, but why would you want to? They're both expensive, plus your boss probably spends more time picking dog hairs from his suit jacket than filing reports and arranging client meetings. Save his sanity and your paycheck with a lint roller. Honestly, they're invaluable, especially if he's a black-on-black kind of guy.

8. The Youngest-Person-in-the-Room Boss: Motion-Activated Candy Dispenser
Whether you work for a salary or hourly wage, we've all been there: One day you wake up and suddenly have to answer to someone years younger than yourself. Your new boss is just a kid who either climbed the ladder way to quickly or was brought in to "shake things up." Rather than grouse like an old person, take the high route and buy an ironic gift like the motion-activated candy dispenser. It'll remind her exactly how old she is while giving you an excuse to regularly bug her for treats. No need to get fancy, though. Grab a reasonably priced dispenser with a Brookstone free shipping code.

9. The Hermit Boss: Second-Hand Golf Balls
At some point you'll encounter a bigwig who's always absent, emerging from his office only to take lunch. It's a blessing at times, true, but what is he really doing behind those closed doors and shuttered windows? I guarantee he's perfecting his golf stroke. Let him winkingly know you're clued in to his shenanigans with a set of used golf balls, generously placed in a gift box with your request for a raise. Blackmail is a beautiful thing.

10. The Encroacher Boss: Boatloads of Binaca
For every boss who minds his own business and rarely emerges from his management cave, there's one who never leaves you alone. They're friendly and -- at times -- a little too friendly. This is the boss who regularly bursts your personal-space bubble to ask for a status report. Even if they don't have bad breath, enough miniature cans of Binaca-like breath freshener should send a pretty clear message. Short of a visit with human resources, it's the best option you have.

11. The Tightwad Boss: Stainless Steel Wallet
In today's recession-wracked climate, finances are tight all around. Hiring is at a standstill, raises are regularly overlooked and Fortune 500 CEOs are they only ones who can even dream of severance packages. With a stainless steel wallet, your boss will represent the corporate world wherever they go. And just in case you thought male bigwigs where the only ones who crushed holiday bonus dreams, there's a wider, more elegant version of the wallet made specifically for women. Pick both wallets up with Hammacher Schlemmer free shipping and cut an expense most worker drones can't afford anyway.

12. The Soon-to-be Retiree Boss: Anything Not Work Related
It's always sad when a beloved boss says farewell, but it's also a perfect time to show your appreciation with anything but the same office-oriented stuff she's been inundated with for years. Buy a pair of hiking boots for the numerous camping trips she'll take; a crystal martini set to entertain guests any night of the week; tickets for a two-week cruise in the Mediterranean. Simply put, go crazy with whatever is useful in life beyond office walls.

13. The Workaholic Boss: A Match.com Account
While some managers are content to relax once they reach the top, others can't help but work well past 8 p.m. only to head home, log on, and keep plugging away. It could be dedication; it could be an innate need to overachieve. It could also be plain loneliness. Inject some variety and much needed spice into their lives by setting them up with a Match.com account. Better yet, arrange something through It'sJustLunch.com, a dating agency tailored specifically to busy professionals.

14. The Bill Lumbergh Boss: A Life
For those unfamiliar with Gary Cole's suspendered character from Office Space, let me explain. Bill Lumbergh is the prime example of a boss whose only purpose is to nitpick the most mundane details, wander aimlessly about the office and drink ungodly amounts of coffee. In one hilariously deadpan scene, Lumbergh waxes endlessly about TPS reports, cover sheets and memos, all to the chagrin of an already apathetic employee. It almost hurts to realize how useless his position really is. Give this man a life!

15. The Bag Lunch Junkie Boss: Anti-Theft Lunch Bags
The office fridge is a place that "mysteriously" swallows food every time it's visited by your cubicle-mate. When it's your lunch, you shrug and let it go. However, when the bosses bag goes missing, there's hell to pay. To quell the problem and save your coworker from the business equivalent of running laps, grant the gift of a couple anti-theft lunch bags, ingeniously marked with fake mold spots. Your co-worker will never eat the bosses ham sandwich again, and given how infrequently the fridge gets cleaned, it likely won't get tossed either.

16. The Saint Boss: Lots of Cookies
I know it's against proper gift etiquette to give something in the hopes it will be shared, but come on: Workplace food is enjoyed by everyone and, given your bosses unselfish nature, he'll have no problem handing out the grub. Grab a box of 24, 36, 48 or 96 cookies with Montana Monster Munchies free shipping codes. The all-natural treat company specializes in raisin and chocolate chip goodies guaranteed to please health nuts and junk foodies office wide. Oh, yeah, your boss will be excited, too.

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