12 Creative Ideas to Make Your Boss Feel Appreciated in 2025

Boss's Day is a great chance to show some love to the leaders who keep everything running smoothly (and maybe even save the day once in a while!). It’s the perfect excuse to break up the routine, have a little fun and let your boss know how much they’re appreciated for all their hard work, guidance and good vibes. Whether your office is big, small or somewhere in between - celebrating Boss’s Day is a chance to boost morale and bring a smile to your boss’s face.

The best part? You don’t need grand gestures or an extravagant budget to make the day special. From simple thank you cards to creative team building surprises, there are plenty of ways to show your appreciation in a fun and meaningful way. In this blog, we’ll share some awesome ideas to help you plan a celebration that will make your boss feel like a superstar – without overcomplicating things.

When is Boss’s Day?

Boss's Day is usually celebrated on October 16, unless that's a Saturday or Sunday, in which case it’s celebrated on the nearest weekday.

This year, Boss’s Day is celebrated on Thursday October 16, 2025. 

Is Boss’s Day worth celebrating?

Boss’s Day (also known as National Boss's Day, Bosses Day, or National Boss Day) is observed annually in the US. Patricia Bays Haroski founded the day in 1958 in honor of her boss (her father), on October 16 because it was his birthday.

Boss’s Day is the perfect time for employees to show some appreciation for their supervisors or managers. A thoughtful gesture goes a long way in recognizing the hard work that comes with leadership, and it can even help strengthen team relationships and boost morale. It’s more than just a chance to celebrate your boss — it’s also a way to appreciate the positive work environment they help create. Taking a moment to say thanks can make a big difference for everyone.

Ways to Celebrate Boss’s Day

Looking for inspiration on what to plan on Boss's Day? Here are some creative ideas for celebrating Boss's Day at the office:

1. Personalized Thank You Card with GroupTogether. 

What better way to celebrate Boss’s Day than by gathering messages of appreciation from the entire team? GroupTogether allows coworkers to contribute personalized notes, photos, and GIFs all in one place. Unlike a traditional card, GroupTogether includes even remote workers, and adds a creative and interactive touch that will leave your boss feeling truly appreciated. Create a GroupTogether for Boss’s Day today!

2. Team Lunch or Breakfast 

Bring food into the office for everyone to enjoy. Organize a catered lunch or breakfast, allowing the whole team to enjoy time together. Choose your boss’s favorite cuisine to make it more special.

3. Gift Basket

Get the team involved and create a custom gift basket with items your boss enjoys, such as gourmet snacks, coffee, office supplies, or even self-care items like candles or a plant for their desk. You might include gifts that reference time you’ve had together, inside jokes, or even a framed photo of the team at your last team building activity or conference.

4. Office Decoration

Surprise your boss by decorating their office or workspace with colorful balloons, banners, and a personalized sign celebrating their leadership. You can include a custom message like "Best Boss Ever" or add meaningful touches, such as their favorite colors or quotes. This simple yet thoughtful gesture will brighten their day and show your appreciation for everything they do.

5. Recognition Awards

Celebrating multiple bosses? Give each boss a light-hearted "Best Boss" award or custom trophies to recognize their unique strengths and contributions to the team. You can get creative with fun titles like "Problem Solver Extraordinaire" or "Master of Calm Under Pressure" that highlight their most valued qualities. Take it a step further by designing the awards to reflect your boss's personality or interests — for example, a mini trophy shaped like a superhero if they're known for stepping in to save the day, or a custom plaque featuring inside jokes from the office. Presenting these playful awards during a team meeting adds a fun, celebratory moment, and shows your boss how much their leadership is noticed and appreciated in a lighthearted, memorable way.

6. Team-Building Activity

If you have a budget for it, organize a fun team-building activity, such as an escape room, bowling, or a group painting session. These activities provide a chance for everyone to bond while enjoying a relaxed and lighthearted environment. It’s a fun way to celebrate your boss while boosting team morale. Plus, the shared experience creates lasting memories for the entire group!

7. Custom Cake or Dessert

Order a custom cake or dessert with a personalized message like "Best Boss Ever" to make the celebration special. You can also opt for a dessert bar featuring a variety of treats such as cupcakes, donuts, or cookies to cater to everyone’s tastes. This sweet gesture adds a fun, delicious element to the day. 

8. Office-wide Playlist

Have a boss who loves music? Create a playlist of your boss's favorite music or tunes that energize the team, and play it during the day for a festive atmosphere.

9. Charity Donation

Sometimes your boss may not want or need a gift for themselves, and would prefer to honor a cause they care about. If your boss is passionate about a cause, organize a team donation to a charity in their name. It’s a thoughtful way to honor them and make a positive impact.

10. Custom Desk Accessories

Jazz up your boss’s desk with personalized office supplies such as a custom nameplate, engraved pen set, or a high-quality notebook that reflects their style. Making their desk space more functional and personal creates a better work environment and reminds them of their team’s appreciation all year!

11. In-office activity or celebration

Take a break from the grind, and plan a surprise breakout session during the day with coffee, snacks, and fun trivia or games that focus on your boss's favorite topics or fun facts about the team. It’s an inexpensive way to mark the day and will bring the team together in a fun way. 

12. Surprise Half-Day

Get HR or corporate involved and arrange an early dismissal or a half-day so they can enjoy some personal time after the celebration. This is something the whole team will surely be on board for. 

Tailor these ideas to your office culture and your boss’s personality for a thoughtful and meaningful celebration.

What should I write on a card for Boss’s Day? 

What you write may depend somewhat on your relationship with your boss. If you’ve worked together for a long time, you might want to write a message that is more personal, or recalls memories you’ve had together. 

Here’s an example of a note you might write to your boss on Boss’s Day: 

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for being such an incredible leader. Working with you has been an amazing experience, filled with both professional growth and fun times. I'll never forget how much we learned (and laughed!) at the marketing conference last year—it was one of those experiences that made me truly appreciate being part of this team. Your support and guidance make every challenge feel like an opportunity, and I feel so fortunate to work under your leadership.

Wishing you a fantastic Boss's Day and looking forward to many more fun adventures together!

If you are newer to your job or work in a more formal workplace, you could write something like: 

Wishing you a very Happy Boss’s Day! Although we haven’t had the opportunity to work together for long, I already appreciate the leadership and direction you provide to the team. It’s clear that you lead with a great sense of purpose and dedication, and I look forward to learning more from you in the future.

Thank you for all you do to make our work environment so supportive and successful. I hope you have a wonderful day!

If you are putting together a card for Boss’s Day, be sure to use our AI Message Writer that makes the process of writing a message for your boss super easy. 

What’s really important on Boss’s Day 2025?

As you plan for Boss’s Day 2025, keep in mind that it’s the thoughtful, personal touches that really count. A grand gesture isn’t necessary when you can create something special with just a little effort. Start a GroupTogether card today and show your boss how much they really mean to the team. With GroupTogether, you can gather heartfelt messages from the team, sprinkle in some creativity, and make this Boss’s Day one for the books.

Get started today on your Boss's Day card today.

Meet the experts

Ali + Julie

Co-Founders, GroupTogether.

Life’s busy. That’s why we’re here to make it easy for you to collect money from a group. Less wasted time, less packaging waste, and spending a little less but giving a lot better!