Well I love giving gifts and I believe that no matter who it is , you should gift someone with the right gift. By right I mean something which the person can use.
Anyway when it comes to your boss, you should again think official and not personal.
Here are some gifts which you can try out
1. You could gift your boss with a planner which is a very useful gift.
2. A desk clock is a good idea to give your boss. It is a useful gift for him as he or she will always be pressed for time. You can also gift a Calender with a clock which is not very expensive. it looks good on the desk and has multiple functionality.
3. You could also give your boss some display items which can be kept in the desks like small souveniers, a small statue or something.
4. An expensive pen set is also ideal gift for your boss.
5. If its your boss’ farewell party then you could gift a nice table lamp or some household item. If boss is a lady , she will always like to receive a thing of beauty, maybe a painting or a small sculpture. DUring this occasion you could make do with personal gift items.
6. If its a small occasion, give a small gift which suits the occasion, dont overdo it with the gift.. as it will seem that you are out to impress the boss. A nice carved pen holder is a good idea or you could also gift an embroidered leather case for spectacles.
7. If your boss is a foreigner then gift her/him with something traditional from your country.
8. You can also gift your boss with a book related to work or his favorite author if you know it.
Last but not the least it all depends on the relationship you have with your boss. Depending on that you can choose and decide on the right gift
Well thats it I guess from my side, use some of your imagination and always remember to keep it impersonal.