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i can't accept this gift

Jenn04 Posted:

i can't accept this gift

My boss has gone crazy - he bought me a very beautiful gift and it has a big price tag......aroung $500!!! I am still in total shock. DH says I should have refused it! But I know my boss would have made me keep it.

I was verrrrrrry shocked and greatful but I am just feeling very bad. Especially because him and his wife also just took us to a very nice and pricey dinner last week. I only spent $50 on him and feel like crap. So I also decided to send his family a gift basket. Is there anything else I should do? I don't know y he went so crazy, he usually buys nice things but like $100 range.

Also some background - I am his assistant and do a lot for him at work and other stuff for him and his wife (anything they need really). But I really enjoy my job and love him as a boss. I just can't stop feeling so guilty and bad!
anneandchris Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

Stop feeling guilty. He is your boss and makes more then you. You do a lot for him and this is his way of saying Thank you -- accept it graciously!

If you want what about sending an edible arrangements to his house? Or does he have kids -- send something for them.

Jenn04 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift


Posted by anneandchris

Stop feeling guilty. He is your boss and makes more then you. You do a lot for him and this is his way of saying Thank you -- accept it graciously!

If you want what about sending an edible arrangements to his house? Or does he have kids -- send something for them.




Thx! I actually sent a basket today - fruit, cheese, chocolate etc. It was like $50. DH said I should have got one than was $100 but the big ones have so much useless crap and plus my boss is going away next week.
lizzie217 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

Jenn..it sounds like you deserve it...don't feel guilty! You work hard, he appreciates it...ENJOY
Mrs.NicolaXoXo Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

Wow! He obviously values you and you deserve it. I think the basket was a great idea and dont worry, he would never expect you to by him something very $$$$. I think what you did is perfect :)

bettybcafe82 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift


Posted by lizzie217

Jenn..it sounds like you deserve it...don't feel guilty! You work hard, he appreciates it...ENJOY



exactly. I would never feel guilty if my boss spent that much on me. Remember, 1-they make MUCH more then you 2- they do it because you are a vaulable employee and they are grate ful to have you. Enjoy it and def. do not feel guilty.
MrsJ08 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

Thats Awesome, He really does appreciate you and I would just accept it. so what did you get????
Jenn04 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

Ok thx girls for making me feel better. DH made me feel so bad for some reason and kept saying you shouldn't have accepted it. I feel like DH was mad. But maybe just felt weird bc me and DH don't even spend that much on eachother?!?? I dunno but starting to feel alittle better.

Ok and will tell u what it was - a Movado watch - it doesn't need to be a secret but I just felt like keeping it to myself at first. I actually probably wouldn't buy one if I had the money. But I have been eyeing them in our spirit points catalogue (a rewards/bonus program we have at work) - I guess he knew I was eyeing it and bought it! Crazy!!!!! I am nervous for other people at work to find out about it, its going to be akward.
MrsJ08 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

Hmm Maybe DH kinda feels like 'hey this guy bought her better gift then I did' and feels like his gift is nothing now...JMO...but thats a really nice gift!!!

Espo22 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift


Posted by lizzie217

Jenn..it sounds like you deserve it...don't feel guilty! You work hard, he appreciates it...ENJOY



i feel the exact same way. Just know now that everything you do is truly appreciated and doesnt go unrecognized
RadiantBride Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

Enjoy the gift! As your boss' PA you do a ton of work and that was just his way of showing his appreciation to you. He probably makes a lot more money then you do and just wanted to do something nice to show his appreciation. Dont feel ackward he wasnt forced to get it for you and dont worry about your coworkers. About DH maybe be is just a little hurt that he couldnt get you the Movado you wanted. Enjoy your gift as it was very well deserved (think to those times were you worked through lunch, or stayed late or did personal stuff for your boss and his wife)
GinaZ Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

it is customary for boss's to spend more on an assistant. Dont feel bad. It would be rude to refuse it. And its nice that you got him something- its usually not customary for the assistant to buy for their boss. At my job people have said your not supposed to at all. I may bake cookies though.

GinaZ Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift


Posted by Jenn04

Ok thx girls for making me feel better. DH made me feel so bad for some reason and kept saying you shouldn't have accepted it. I feel like DH was mad. But maybe just felt weird bc me and DH don't even spend that much on eachother?!?? I dunno but starting to feel alittle better.

Ok and will tell u what it was - a Movado watch - it doesn't need to be a secret but I just felt like keeping it to myself at first. I actually probably wouldn't buy one if I had the money. But I have been eyeing them in our spirit points catalogue (a rewards/bonus program we have at work) - I guess he knew I was eyeing it and bought it! Crazy!!!!! I am nervous for other people at work to find out about it, its going to be akward.



thats so nice! A lot of the higher ups at my company get assistants watches. I knew a girl that got a $3000 chanel watch one year. Too bad I work for the lowest end bankers. LOL. I want a watch!! Enjoy your gift!!!!
yelley77 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

A gift is a gift for that reason -- someone wanted you to have it. I know it's sometimes hard to not feel guilty, especially when the other person spent so much more money on you, but to me, it sounds like your boss wanted you to know how much he appreciates you and your work.

I don't think you need to send a gift basket (b/c then it looks like you are trying to make-up for the money you didn't spend, especially if you gave him his gift already), but it is a nice gesture and it sounds to me like he would appreciate it. If you chose to send something, Harry & David have some great holiday baskets and they aren't super duper expensive.

Enjoy your gift!!
MrsQ-in2007 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

First off, enjoy your gift!!!!! Second, I wonder - did your DH know you wanted that watch? Is it possible he got upset because he already bought it for you as a Christmas gift? Something to consider.

Regardless, one thing to think about is that at work you are supposed to gift-DOWN and you are actually NOT supposed to gift-up (meaning you are not supposed to give gifts to your supervisors/bosses/etc, but rather they are supposed to get their assistants a gift). I know that many people do get their bosses a gift, but it is NEVER necessary. So I think your original gift to him was good enough - but I'm sure he'll appreciate the basket you sent today.

Wear your new watch in good health!!!
futuremrsfab Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift


Posted by MrsQ-in2007

First off, enjoy your gift!!!!! Second, I wonder - did your DH know you wanted that watch? Is it possible he got upset because he already bought it for you as a Christmas gift? Something to consider.

Regardless, one thing to think about is that at work you are supposed to gift-DOWN and you are actually NOT supposed to gift-up (meaning you are not supposed to give gifts to your supervisors/bosses/etc, but rather they are supposed to get their assistants a gift). I know that many people do get their bosses a gift, but it is NEVER necessary. So I think your original gift to him was good enough - but I'm sure he'll appreciate the basket you sent today.

Wear your new watch in good health!!!



definately agree! he wanted you to have the watch & might have been insulted if you didnt accept it- send a thank you note and enjoy your watch!
Bride908 Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

That is sooo nice of him!! I would not try to match him, he is your boss and probably just wanted to show his appreciation. He makes more so I wouldnt event try to compare, and like I said he probably just wanted to show his appreciation for your hard work

Wish my boss was like that!!
Belongs2DanBuckley Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

I agree- just enjoy it...I'm SURE he didn't get it so you would get him something back of equal value. IM SUUUUUUUUUURE you deserve it!

NapaValleyGirl Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

Jenna!!

Enjoy the watch. You totally deserve it!!!
catsgirl Posted:

Re: i can't accept this gift

Enjoy it, you totally deserve it.

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