Tag: Administrative Professionals Day

The series “Rules of Workplace Gifting” shares tips on giving in the office, from customized office supplies to your staff to high-tech gadgets for your remote employees. These gift ideas for Administrative Professionals Day will show your appreciation for the administrative team in your life.

Working in an office can be exhausting, and no one knows that better than administrative professionals who keep businesses humming. From taking meeting minutes to greeting visitors to dealing with outside messages, there’s never a shortage of job responsibilities.

This year, don’t let these office heroes go unnoticed. April 26 is Administrative Professionals Day, and it offers the perfect opportunity to give these workers the recognition they deserve.

Need some inspiration for how to celebrate? We asked five administrative professionals to share the gifts they received that meant the most to them over the years, along with a few suggestions for what they’d love to get in the future.

AJ Silberman-Moffitt, senior editor at Tandem Buzz

As an administrative professional with more than 25 years of experience, AJ Silberman-Moffitt understands how important it is to be recognized for your work, no matter what your title is.

A few years ago, Silberman-Moffitt was working at a software company. Although her job title was not “administrative assistant,” she still received a gift for Administrative Professionals Day. “It was a small bouquet in an attractive vase, but it wasn’t the gift itself that was so meaningful,” she said. “The gift truly touched me because the company remembered to acknowledge all the administrative professionals in the office, not just those who had ‘assistant’ in their title.”

For Silberman-Moffitt, tangible gifts are meaningful, but words of affirmation go even further. “What I enjoy most, and I believe others do as well, is to be acknowledged for diligence and hard work. Getting that recognition from and feeling appreciated by coworkers and peers is invaluable.”

Christina Russo, creative director of The Kitchen Community

Sometimes, the most meaningful gifts come as you close a chapter professionally. That’s what happened to Christina Russo when she left a job to pursue other interests.

After Russo handed in her notice, her manager surprised her by giving her an all-expense-paid trip for two to Walt Disney World. “It was the company’s way of saying thank you, and I have to admit that it made me briefly reconsider my decision to leave!” Russo says. “It wasn’t just the best gift that I’ve been given in my career — it was also the best present I’ve ever had.

“And yes, the vacation was everything I hoped it would be.”

Despite this high bar, Russo’s the first to agree that not every office gift needs to be so flashy to make an impact. “I LOVE loaf cake!” she exclaims. “What more could any worker with a sweet tooth want on Administrative Professionals Day?!”

Catherine Berra, author at CatherineBerra.com

Office presents tend to be impersonal, but they certainly don’t need to be. Says Catherine Berra, “When I held a very niche job as a personal assistant to a wealthy philanthropist in Washington, D.C., I was given a week every year at their home in Jamaica, which was always amazing. One year they gave me a top-of-the-line treadmill!”

Despite this focus on fitness, Berra would never turn down a sweet treat or other tokens of appreciation to celebrate her work. “While flowers are always a nice mid-April gift for Administrative Professionals Day, I do love getting chocolate! Anything chocolate would be amazing, really, but especially chocolate-covered pretzels.”

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Gift ideas for Administrative Professionals Day

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Sabrina Victoria, creator and CEO of Human Better 365

Most administrative professionals spend their working days sitting at a computer, and that can lead to back pain. For an extra thoughtful gift, get them something to ease their discomfort.

That’s what Sabrina Victoria received one year when she was an administrative assistant, in the form of a 90-minute massage. “I was so grateful for that gift and felt as if my boss had empathy for me that I was sitting at a desk hunched over a keyboard all day,” she said. “I felt heard and appreciated.”

When it comes to ideas for future gifts of appreciation, Victoria does not hesitate. “Popcorn! I always love popcorn.”

Carol Gee, author of Telling Stories, Sharing Confidences

When it comes to memorable gifts for administrative professionals, it pays to be creative. That’s what made one particular gift special for Carol Gee, who for 13 years worked for a physician-scientist at a public health school at a well-known Atlanta university.

Over the years, her employer showed her appreciation of Gee’s hard work in many ways, including spa days, use of her timeshare, and flowers. But the “Lobster Gram” she gave her was by far the favorite gift Gee ever received. It contained two live Maine lobsters on ice, plus everything she needed to cook them (a large pot, lemon, butter, bibs, claw crackers, etc.). “Paired with veggies and a lovely merlot provided by another professor in my department, my husband and I enjoyed an amazing meal,” Gee remembers.

She has plenty of other ideas for future gifts she’d love to receive, too. “I adore flowers, especially exotic ones that remind me of the time I spent living in Panama with my husband.” She also loves the idea of more gourmet dinners at home, such as a gourmet prime rib feast.

If you work in an office, chances are you interact with an administrative professional — or several — every day. These people form the foundation of every strong organization, and many industry leaders would be lost without them.

One day a year, on Administrative Professionals’ Day, we shower our dedicated administrative colleagues with gratitude and recognition. But these folks who work tirelessly behind the scenes — and do so largely in anonymity — deserve our thanks year-round.

Here’s what you need to know about Administrative Professionals’ Day, along with some tips on how to celebrate it at your office.

What is Administrative Professionals’ Day?

Administrative Professionals’ Day is observed annually on the Wednesday of the last full week of April (this year, it is April 26). It is also referred to as Secretary’s Day or Admin Day. While not a nationally recognized holiday, it’s an opportunity to express gratitude and acknowledge the many workplace contributions of administrative professionals.

Depending on where you work and the size of your team, a celebration may entail an office gathering to discuss and applaud the accomplishments of the company’s admins. In many offices, colleagues give thoughtful gifts that demonstrate their thanks for all the hard work admins do.

The role of the administrative professional

Many different job titles fall under the category of “administrative professional.” These can be anything from administrative assistant to receptionist to office manager, and many others.

Likewise, the duties of an administrative professional are numerous and varied. From greeting guests to ensuring the C-suite is running on time and efficiently, the office admin wears lots of hats.

“The admin role is the ‘first line of defense’ in ensuring an efficient environment at work,” says Meg Paulsen, VP, human resources for 1-800-Flowers.com. “They have to understand the nuances of the business, work seamlessly with others, and maintain the confidence of their leaders.”

One particularly important role the admin plays is welcoming visitors. “The admin is the first contact for guests of the company,” Paulsen says. “Therefore, they must drive much of the first impression of potential job candidates, vendors, and investors.”

As workplaces have evolved, so too has the role of the administrative professional. Paulsen notes that the expectations and duties of admins have changed dramatically over the years. “In the past, admin partners played a more tactical role, such as managing calendars and maybe grabbing lunch. Over time, the admin’s intimate knowledge of a company and their ability to navigate the politics of a workplace make them indispensable to a business’ smooth operations.”

The admin has also become indispensable to leadership. “A leader who really values and leverages their admin partner will ultimately be more successful than one who does not,” Paulsen notes.

Individuals in this essential role, however, often go underappreciated. Administrative Professionals’ Day provides a perfect opportunity to recognize the admins at your company for the many benefits they provide.

4 ideas for showing appreciation on Administrative Professionals’ Day

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to celebrate this important workplace holiday, Paulsen says. Here are four ideas for expressing your gratitude to your office administrators.

1. A thoughtful group gift

If your company is run by a hardworking, tightknit team of admins, then a gift that shows the entire group that the rest of the workforce appreciates their contributions is appropriate. After all, Paulsen notes, “Admin partners really are the backbone of a team.”

In that case, she recommends pooling resources for a group gift with a personal touch. For example, you could surprise each admin with a box of baked treats in their favorite flavor or a beautiful bouquet made up of flowers in their favorite color.

2. A heartfelt show of generosity

You can also pamper your admins with something a bit more indulgent. This could be buying them a spa gift certificate or delivering dinner to them. Or help bring the spa experience home with a gift basket that has everything she needs for the ultimate day of relaxation. Does your admin like to imbibe every now and then? Well, then, you can never ever go wrong with a bottle of wine (or two…or three…).

3. An office get-together

In addition to a tangible gift, it’s also a good idea to simply gather and express your thanks on Administrative Professionals’ Day. Take the opportunity to block off a lunch hour for the entire office to come together. Or, swap stories that illustrate the many contributions your admins make to the company.

4. A small gesture

You don’t have to spend a fortune to make your admin partners feel seen and appreciated. Even something as small as a card signed by the entire office can go a long way.