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administrative professionals' day (4/24) advice
How to Celebrate Administrative Professional's Day
Best Congratulatory Gifts
New Job/Promotion
If you've ever been hired for a new job or received a well-deserved promotion, you know exactly how exciting this milestone can be. Your friend, family member or co-worker possibly feels the same way, so share in their excitement by expressing congratulations.
If You are the Friend and Co-Worker
Friends and co-workers aren’t obligated to buy a gift, though they’re free to do so. Here are a few congratulations gift ideas to consider:
- A card, e-mail or phone call is a thoughtful way to congratulate a friend. Be sure to give him or her a handshake or hug the next time you see them too!
- Flowers and cookie baskets are fairly inexpensive options for your female friends.
- Co-workers should stay away from intimate items like flowers. A gift card to itunes or a book store is a thoughtful way to say congratulations.
- Going out for a few drinks is a great way to share in the excitement with a friend or co-worker! Give a congratulatory toast while you’re at it.
If You Are the Spouse or Parent
If your spouse or child starts a new job or receives a promotion you’re expected to celebrate the occasion with a gift or activity. Here are a few loving ways to say congratulations:
- Celebrate with an intimate dinner at a nice restaurant. It would be a nice touch to follow it up with congratulations balloons or cake at home.
- If it’s your child’s first job you may want to take him or her shopping for clothes or buy them work items, such as, a briefcase, business card holder or personalized stationery.
- Charitable donation – Give a gift in their name to an organization they’re passionate about or that represents something they stand for.
Don't Miss an Opportunity to give your Congrats to all of life’s occasions:
- A child receiving good grades
- Engagement
- Excelling at an extracurricular activity
- Marriage
- Religious rites of passage
- Retirement
- Getting into college
- Graduation
- A new home
- Expecting parents
History of Administrative Professionals' Day
Who really runs the office? Most business professionals will be quick to admit the real superstars of the company are their assistants and administrative team. Celebrate your direct reports on Administrative Professional/Secretary’s Day, April 25, 2012 with a gift that clearly shows your appreciation. For a larger staff, treat the team to small surprises all week long like a group breakfast or lunch.
End the Confusion. Is it Secretary’s Day or Administrative Professionals Day?
Well, it’s both actually. In 1952, National Secretaries Week was organized by the National Secretaries Association (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals, IAAP) to recognize secretaries for their efforts in the workplace. The celebration was also organized as a public relations effort to attract more people to the secretarial/administrative field.
IAAP defined administrative professionals as “individuals who are responsible for administrative tasks and coordination of information in support of an office-related environment.” Although the title, “secretary” was far more popular in 1952, as time progressed, other roles have developed from the role of secretary including, office coordinator, administrative assistant, executive assistant, office manager, and administrative professional.
Due to this growth, IAAP felt a celebration name change was due to keep up with evolving job titles and expanding responsibilities. In 2000, Professional Secretaries Day was changed to Administrative Professionals Day and the event became a weeklong celebration to honor Administrative Professionals during the last full week of April.
Whether you call it Secretary or Administrative Professional’s Day, this event has become a popular celebration held inside the workplace and is a great way to show your appreciation!
Make a Wine Gift Festive
Here are a few clever DIY ideas to dress up your bottles:
Gifting a chef with a bottle of wine? Bring a bottle of wine that's good to cook with, or one that would go well with one of their specialty dishes, or what they will be serving that evening. If you are unsure, you can't go wrong with a festive dishtowel that's tied securely with a matching ribbon.
Do you have an old sweater lying around that you don't plan on wearing this winter? Take one out of the "Going to Goodwill" pile and transform it into a cable knit cozy for your bottle of bubbly.
Only have one sweater, yet multiple bottles to wrap? No problem. Make a little fabric go a long way and tie a festive scarf around each bottle instead.
Heading to a holiday party? Make your bottle extra festive by stringing some jingle bells on a ribbon and tying them around the bottle. Supplies from a craft store run under $5 and a small pack is enough to spruce up several bottles.
Want to create a simple stylish look? Wrap a bottle in fabric or burlap. Secure by tying a length of leather cording, twine, ribbon or yarn around the bottle. You can even add a gift tag, or use a fabric marker to label the bags.
Appropriate Gifts for a Assistant or Administrative Professional:
- Career Boost: Payment of Membership in professional organizations or enrollment for professional certification. Give them free registration for appropriate conferences, seminars, and continuing education workshops.
- Rave Review: A heartfelt card with your thanks and appreciation.
- Gourmet Lunch: Take them out for a wonderful lunch or give a gift-card for them to enjoy.
- Flowers: A pretty floral arrangement or plant for their desk.
- Gift certificates: Coffee shops, favorite restaurants or bookstores are always welcome.
- Gift baskets: Send fruit, candy or baked goods.
- Time-off: Who couldn’t use a little rest and relaxation?
- Desktop Fun: Business-related items, such as personalized business cards, desktop name-plate.
- Monetary Bonus: Documented bonus for exemplary performance.
Gift Ideas You Should Stay Away From:
- Don’t get too personal. Stay away from jewelry and personal clothing items
- Cash. If you arrange a bonus or raise that is documented, your assistant will appreciate the gesture, but stay away from handing over an envelope of cash.
- Gag gifts. Your assistant works hard. Don’t make a joke out of it with a gag gift. Give a gift certificate or bring them breakfast, but leave the laughs for another time.
- Work. Save the Excel improvement courses for their review. Keep the gift positive, upbeat and in good taste.
- Absolutely Nothing! Don’t dismiss this day as not being important to your assistant (especially if others in the area are celebrating) and forgo a gift or card. Even a phone call after hours on their voice mail stating how much you appreciate them is better than completing blowing off the day entirely.
gift guides
Food and Drinks Make Great Gifts
gift etiquette
How to Choose the Right Flowers
Not all roses are created equal. Red roses are most often associated with undying love and are the flower of choice for Valentine’s Day.
Tantalizing Tulips
Not to be outdone, pink tulips represent caring, white are for forgiveness, red mean love and purple reflect royalty.
Captivating Carnations
Different color carnations also express a variety of sentiments with pink meaning gratitude, yellow reflecting cheerfulness and red denoting admiration.
Calla lilies are regal, hibiscus and orchids are delicate beauties, geraniums imply comfort and daffodils signify chivalry. Daisies suggest innocence, Ivy represents fidelity and gardenias reflect joy.
Every Occasion is a Flower Occasion!
Fresh cut bouquets and a variety of flower arrangements in traditional, modern and even whimsical designs allow you to express yourself on any occasion although the most popular include Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and birthdays.
Even if it’s not an official occasion you can pick up a single stem or a bunch of fresh flowers to brighten any room or make any day special.
So Which Flower Should I Choose?
If you’re not sure what type of flower to give, ask your florist for assistance. Check out our beautiful flower collections for some great gift ideas! Notice the types of flowers featured for different occasions and times of the year to help you make the perfect choice.
Don’t be afraid to combine blooms to send a bouquet representing all of your emotions. Or, throw symbolism aside and pick the flowers you think the recipient would most enjoy.
