I'm stumped on this one. My boss is a gruff old Texan. His 40 yr old son has an abrubt, gruff personality as well. After spending 3 minutes with him you are left wondering, "Was he trying to be mean or was that supposed to be a joke?" He thinks he's being funny, but he generally comes across as a smartass. He has more money than he knows what to do with. So, do you have a picture of this guy in your head?
Well, he got divorcced and moved in with another woman. Rather than take all the furniture into his new relationship, he opened his doors and let us employees come pick out what we wanted. I got the most gorgeous dining room table and chairs and a lovely 7 ft tall prelit Christmas tree. I want to thank him. It was incredibly generous. I sincerely appreciate it. We're having a company Christmas party and I can give it to him there. Normally I would go with food, but he's been on a strict diet due to a diabetes scare. I don't want anything too personal because I will be giving it to him in front of his live-in chick. I dont want to make a big deal, just a heartfelt thank you. Gift cards wont due as he is a wealthy man. He likes baseball, his black lab, and he coaches little kids basketball. ANy ideas for gifts?
Thanks Friends. Hootch it is! That way if he gives me attitude, I'll just keep it and drink it myself.
Rich people getting rid of stuff don't want more stuff! Give him a heartfelt thank you card. Tell him why those things mean a lot to you. Just because he's gruff and short tempered, doesn't mean you can't give him a genuine note. It will make him look good to the new girlfriend too. Attach it to a nice bottle of spirits or box of chocolate for the holidays if you must, but don't try to give a "gift" as a thank you.
If he's exactly like you describe, he probably doesn't want gifts. Sounds like you got a great table, but giving the furniture away was probably more for himself than for the people who got it. I think a nice thank you card would be best, but I'd probably leave it at that.
I have worked with and still work with plenty of old coots like the one you describe. In my experience a direct look in the eyes with a firm handshake goes a long way. I personally would tell him clearly and with no frills over this handshake just how much you appreciate his generosity and since he's a grouchy old bastard with more money than sense, you don't suppose he needs things just a solid thank you. So there's your solid thank you. Otherwise, I don't think much will dent the fellow.
I would give a nicely written thank-you card.
Side note: I have a neighbor who is exactly like you described. He is a rich a$$ and has diabetes and is on a strict diet that he follows religiously but still won't give up his Johnny Walker Scotch. Maybe get a bottle of expensive liquor if your boss still likes to drink now and then.
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A bottle of wine is always a nice gift. He might like tickets to a baseball game, I know the season is a bit far off. Or a baseball collectible, like a ball in a glass case that hit a winning home run in a big game. I don't know a lot about sports collectibles but I am sure you could find something. You could send a nice holiday flower arrangement to his new home with a nice thank you card or message.
Edible arrangement! Everyone loves them and the fruit is VERY good!
This is the perfect occasion for a bottle of wine--and maybe O. of those tennis ball throwing sticks for the dog......
Liquor - a good quality scotch or vodka. I'm sure they entertain a lot.
Call his chick and tell her what you wrote above, and ask her? If not that, a really nice bottle of 25 year old scotch is always nice, or a gift set of wine, etc. Even if he does not drink it, he would have it to offer to his guests.
