Floral Occasions & Holidays

Nurses are incredibly valuable, if not, the bloodlife of the medical industry. They are the first person a patient will encounter and the last one to see when they leave. This year especially, we must recognize and show our appreciation for the healthcare professionals who have cared for us during this current crisis. Kicking off on May 6th, which is National Nurses’ Day, National Nurses’ Week is the perfect opportunity to honor the very people who’ve dedicated their careers towards our well-being.  Continue Reading…

When you really think about it, what don’t moms do? Since the day you were born, she’s loved and supported you – not to mention, she probably cooked, cleaned, had a job, and drove you to all those extra curricular activities. Even when you might not have realized it (those teenage years, anyone?), your mom always had your best interest at heart. That’s why each year, we spend one day honoring all that our mothers have done for us. And if part of the celebration includes getting your mom a little something special, it should be a carnation – the official flower of Mother’s Day. Below is a brief history about just how carnations became the symbol for motherhood.

The History of Mother’s Day

It’s believed the first celebrations honoring mothers were in Ancient Greece, when Romans held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. But it wasn’t until Europe in the early 1800s that we saw the first semblance of modern Mother’s Day. At the time, families in the UK and England celebrated “Mothering Sunday.” A day celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, it encouraged people to travel back to their “mother church” – the first church they ever attended in their hometown – for a special service. Over the years, Mothering Sunday transitioned into a more secular holiday, known as Mother’s Day, and was celebrated by kids giving their mothers flowers and other small gifts.

Who Was Anna Jarvis?

Anna Jarvis is considered the founder of Mother’s Day here in America. The story goes that after her mother, whom she was very close with, passed away, Anna vowed to create a day dedicated to honoring mothers both alive and deceased. Continue Reading…

Administrative Professionals’ Day, aka Admin Day, celebrates those in the office who keep the wheels turning. Sometimes they’re called executive assistants, administrative secretaries, or office managers. An admin’s responsibilities could range from filing paperwork and coordinating meetings to assisting the CEO and managing the office. Both their title and responsibilities depend on the size and type of office.

One thing they all do is support the office in some way, and today is the day to say, “Thank you and Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day!” So what is the best way to do that?

What to Give: Good Thank You Gifts

• A gift like a plant, flowers, a box of candy, or a gift card to their favorite restaurant or coffee shop. These can all be made to feel personal when paired with a sincere thank you note (more on that below!).
• Lunch via a food delivery app i.e. Seamless, UberEats, etc. or when social distancing is over, at a favorite restaurant. Let them pick where to go, round up the team, and have fun. Order appetizers and dessert without asking; this is a celebration! Bring a card signed by everyone along with one of the gifts above if it’s in the budget.  If you’d like to send something now, food delivery apps are a great next option.
• Time off. If it’s within your ability to do so, let them spend the day or afternoon however they’d like.
• A Social Media Shout Out: Everyone likes to be recognized. Skip the photo (they might not find it flattering) and instead use a picture of the office or a stock “thank you” photo. (Another cute idea is to find and use one of their baby pictures. Make sure it’s tasteful– no nudes.) Say something along the lines of “Whitney rocks! We couldn’t do it without her. Here’s to the best admin an office could ask for.”

How to Give It: Card, Email or Text?

A handwritten card is the best method of delivery. It’s the most personal and doesn’t make the recipient feel like they need to respond as do email and text. Some tips on the message:

• Exclamation points: Use sparingly. It will depend on the length of your message but you’re probably fine with one or even none.
• Emojis: Pass. Use your words and save the silly faces for your friends. You know your office best, but generally a well-written thank you won’t need adornment.
• Make sure you’ve spelled names correctly.
• Proofread twice.

What NOT to Give: Bad Thank You Gifts

• No crude joke gifts; no “funny” profane mugs, t-shirts, or other off-color gifts.
• No alcohol. A bottle of wine is a lovely thing to bring to a dinner party but not the office.
• Nothing religious.
• No clothing. Accessories like scarves or gloves may be ok if you know them well, but clothing is generally too personal and intimate.
• Nothing you wouldn’t give to someone in a position of authority like your boss. For example, no lingerie, beauty products, or self-help books such as how to do your job better.

If you’re wondering if your gift is inappropriate, it probably is. Your best bet is to stick with one of these classics.

What to Write

Keep it short and sweet. Humor is fine but don’t let it get away from you; something that is meant to be funny often comes across insulting or just plain weird.
Here are some samples of what to write:

• Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day! Thank you for all your hard work keeping the office running smoothly. We truly appreciate you!
• Thank you for your help this year. You’re a hard worker, you always take the initiative to see what needs to be done, you’re quick to learn and you’re patient with those of us who aren’t. We are lucky to have you.
• Thank you for your excellent work and positive attitude. Things can get crazy here but you manage to take it all in stride and never lose your cool. Great job.
• Happy Admin Day! It’s people like you who make work a nicer place to be.
• I found this quote and thought of you: “The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was.” Thank you for being such an amazing admin and making it all look easy.
• You can run the office without a boss, but you can’t run an office without admins.
  • Thank you for all your incredible contributions. We couldn’t do it without you.

Written by Contributing Author Kathy Milano

“No gesture is too small when done with gratitude.”
– Oprah

Gratitude Tips to Thank Your Administrative Professionals

Admin professionals, we couldn’t do it without them! Administrative Professionals’ Week starts April 20th (with the actual celebratory day being April 22, 2020) and given the current times we find ourselves in with social distancing, many of us are working from home, including our administrative professionals who are helping to keep us afloat. While thanking your office superstars may not be the same as in years prior, gratitude is so important to let them know how thankful you are for, especially during these times where they are taking on more, while dealing with the heaviness of the world. That’s why we helped think of some ways to let the employees in your life know how much you value them, from a simple call or text to say thanks, to a grand gesture.

Write a Thank You Letter

Writing a letter takes time, attention, and shows appreciation. Express your thanks to your administrative professionals by handwriting and sending letters that highlight their strengths. Let them know the workplace wouldn’t be as efficient without them. Sincerely thank them for all they do; they’ll likely never forget it.

Send an E-Card

Sending an ecard is a quick way to express your thanks and it shows you care. One upside here is that you can browse a variety of cards and designs to fit each employee’s personality. You can also include your own personal message to really make it all about brightening the recipient’s day.  

Send a Thank You Email

A simple thank you via email can go a long way, but don’t stop there. Be more detailed and let your administrative staff know how their work makes a difference. Share praise from clients and call out your employees’ achievements. They’ll appreciate being valued. Continue Reading…