and I have determined she does NOT have an iPod. She has to commute a lot and is trying to get in shape so I thought the shuffle would be perfect!

What's a quid? . . is that a pound, or 5 pounds, or a crustacean that one barters with, or what?

Not at all. Do it!

Quite honestly if an employee of mine gave me something that expensive I'd be kind of skeeved out. I probably wouldn't feel okay about even accepting it. According to my parents 1960s/70s etiquette had it that you should not ever get your boss a gift; they should get gifts for you. Otherwise it upsets the power structure or something - face it, they have more money than you do.

However, my general rule is about $10 - $15 (5 quid or it used to be) for a boss/coworker gift and absolutely no more. Where I work we each toss in $10 and get the boss something nice for her birthday. So really, I wouldn't do it. Yes, she might be your friend as well as your boss but you don't want to throw the whole workplace dynamic out.

I think mygothlaundry's got it right; i wouldn't feel comfortable buying a boss or a coworker something that expensive.

I still think it's ok depending on where you work and your relationship with your boss. I am in academia and my boss and I really interact more like friends. Over the years him and his wife have been so good to me and it never felt weird when I got them something nice.

30 quid is what 60 bucks? That really doesn't seem very expensive, especially if they get along so well. But that's my take on it. Things may indeed be different if you work in a regular office.

Our section all chipped in a few bucks to get our boss a $60 gift recently. I think it would have been awkward from just one person.

I guess everyone else is right. This would be awkward if there are other employees and you had a disproportionately expensive gift. Perhaps get others to chip in and still get her an ipod?

I'm not a fan of this idea. It's a bit weird to buy bosses gifts. And you run the risk of coworker resentment.

Yes.

No.

It's a tough question. On the one hand, it's such a nice and thoughtful gift that is very specifically about her and her activities... so, as a gift, it's a great choice, and really sweet. But in terms of the etiquette and psychology of it, possibly not a great idea. Other employees (under her) would probably be like, wtf? And she might feel a bit embarrassed, as well, and then have to be extra sure that she didn't seem like she was favoring you.

If you think the others would want to go in together, it might be perfect. Otherwise, I think I'd go with something less expensive... or possibly give it to her privately. But that might seem strange, too.

/longer Eideteker

Definitely no from me - n-thing the skeeviness of being the boss and getting something like that. Especially now. Too many strings.

Take her to lunch instead.

Appropriate only if your line of work is in organized crime.

I agree, it's a bit heavy and I would be weirded out if a staffer got me that expensive a gift.