Question: “What’s the best gift you ever received for Administrative Professionals’ Week?” —Administrative Professional Today
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{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel exactly as you do.
Now what company is this you work for? (LOL)
I am always spoiled rotten for APD by the team I work with (about 30) — cards, flowers, balloons, gift card, lunch out. However, I feel like I am already an appreciated, respected member of the team and don’t want to be singled out as none of them are singled out for a special day. Working with people you like and respect and who reciprocate, is invaluable. It’s the BEST way to celebrate APD.
A day at the spa and a surprise party as a big thank you at work! :)
I’ve told my bosses from the beginning not to worry about APD. If they treat me well throughout the year they’ve given me my gift. And if they treat me poorly throughout the year, one day is not going to make up for it. I usually get a lunch or gift card because they “want to”, even after I say no need. This year is a luncheon with entertainment; I have had appreciative bosses (and/or those with a guilty conscious.). I think there may have been at least 1 or 2 missed over the years (can’t remember); I just don’t dwell on it, and am usually pleasantly surprised.
We use the term “Office Professionals Day” at our office and invited all of our employees to join us for a catered lunch on-site. No one group was singled out (or left out) for this luncheon. It was a great way to show appreciation to EVERYONE at our office.
I have one boss who doesn’t do anything………..however when I do in fact receive a “Thank-You” it makes me feel extremely appreciated. My other boss who I work more closely with always gives a card and most often a plant that is well appreciated. She and one of the managers I work closely with also let me know often how much they appreciate my assistance and my knowledge.
I’m with Lisa, but I’ll go one step further. I find it kind of insulting. It makes me feel like less of a functional team member of my department.
I’ve never really liked Admin Professionals Day. I know that it was started many years ago to provide some recognition for an underappreciated segment of the work force. But it seems very old-fashioned to me, to single out “secretaries” for recognition, and not other office workers. I know that I am valued by my boss and co-workers, and they express their appreciation on a fairly regular basis.
I don’t like being singled out for a gift. I certainly appreciate it when someone gives me something, and would never make them feel bad for giving me something — but I don’t think it’s necessary at all.
A thank you would be great but it is aparently too much to ask for.
A thank you would be nice but that apparently is too much to ask for.
It was a gift specific to me. I am a huge Red Sox fan, so it was a framed poster of Fenway Park.
I like gift cards. (-:
Very thoughtful of you, Cid. And I agree with Sara’s idea… but (as a person who doesn’t like lunch surprises because I’ve already packed my brown bag lunch for the day) please tell them in advance not to bring in or make lunch plans for that day. And then (because many of us value our lunch hour as personal recharge or “alone” time or errand-running time), you could surprise everyone with an announcement during the brought-in lunch, that they should take another hour lunch break to use as they want (a walk in the spring time weather, a quick errand, anything that gets them out of the office for a little while…and if they’re too busy to take it today, take it another day this week)
(PS… re: the extra hour off for lunch, as a tax payer, I don’t see anything wrong with giving admins an extra lunch hour on Prof Admin Day …no doubt they’ve eaten a sandwich at their desk many times throughout the year :)
Cid,
Like some of the sentiments already related, thank-yous during the year go a long way. I think even a card on this day would be much appreciated, but if you are planning to spend “some” money, how about a lunch brought in, some fun pizza or local deli, etc.
I’ve been working for my company for roughly 18 years and have yet to get anything for this day. And the thru-the-year thank yous are few and far between. Good luck, and thanks for thinking of us tax-payers!!
I’m asking for some suggestions. I supervise a team of 9 Administrative Assistants, in a goverment funded organization. Because we operate our organization with tax payer’s money, money is not available for gifts. Any money for a gift is my personal money. With 9 AA’s that can get quite pricey for me personally. I certainly couldn’t take them each shopping for a dress and jewelry, mani’s and pedi’s and spas aren’t quite in the price range either. Help!! I want to acknowledge them somehow.
While working in Fairbanks, Alaska, my boss paid for my hotel and round-trip flight to Hawaii, then handed me his credit card for charging meals! No, we didn’t have a “special” relationship; he was an incredibly generous man. (BTW, I didn’t use the credit card.)
My manager is very busy and I am not sure he would know when Admin Day is unless I put it on his calendarn (which I don’t), but it doesn’t matter because he thanks me thoughout the year. He got my husband and me tickets to see “Love” in Las Vegas. I have gotten a day off with pay and to leave early with pay. Also dinner for me and my husband. I prefer to be remembered during the year not just one time.
My favorite gift was a $100 gift certificate to a day spa and fitness club. I had my first pedicure ever, which was the best ever with wine and and snacks. Then I had my eyebrows waxed and hair cut and styled. it was such a treat.
an american express gift certificate for $50
I think flowers are NOT a great gift (unless they mean romance…and that’s not welcome from colleagues!). Back when it was still called “Secretaries’ Day” I was the Director of Administration for an association and I got flowers delivered with a note “Happy Secretaries’ Day” from one of our board members. It was nice of him to think of me, but honestly I was a little confused as I wasn’t a secretary…but then I felt guilty for being insulted! (The flowers were placed at the front desk where perhaps the secretary who sat there felt insulted that they were addressed to me and no one got her anything… Anyway. It’s nice they changed the name to Admin professionals …
Over the years I’ve had lunches (some with a fashion show put on by IAAP), flowers & balloons, cards, and my favorite, a fuchia-colored feathered tiara that I still keep at my desk. (After all, I am audit queen!)
I typically get a spa gift card from my supervisor – aptly accompanied by a card that all members of my team signed with their person notes of thanks. Although I must say the team I work with is very good about saying thatnk throughout the year.
gift certificate for a massage, and dinner
My boss takes the whole staff to lunch. Since we all feel we are the best department in the company and work just as hard, it is nice to be recognized but not singled out.
A trip to Italy!
The best Admin Pro Day gift I received was when my previous employer took me to the spa @ JW Marriott Grande Lakes Orlando, for the afternoon. We had manicures, pedicures, and a champagne lunch by the pool. One day I’ll never forget.
I actually received a Coach clutch from my boss. It’s adorable and perfect size because I don’t carry the kitchen sink in my purse – just the essentials. Even though I have a new job I still remember my old boss and reflect kindly on her.
On the day I started with this company, which was Admins Day, my new boss had a card and a picture frame on my desk waiting for me when I came in! It was such a nice surprise to get a gift before I had even spent one day working for her! I have had several bosses since then, and always get flowers, cards, and sometimes lunch on Admins Day.
Was sent to the salon for a manicure and pedicure.
I really don’t like receiving gifts for the job I was hired to do for pay. If I do say so myself, I do my job really good. (The Thank You For A Job Well Done) I get from my supervisor means a lot to me. It makes me feel good to know that she needs me, she is really cool!!!
The whole administrative office attended a business professionals’ workshop that included a fashion show, fun meal, awesome giveaways, and the rest of the day off! The entire event lasted about an hour so we had free time to enjoy for ourselves. This was about 15 years ago but I remember it well!
I have to remind my boss, like 3 times that this day is coming up. We only celebrated it one time, a few years back with a lunch. :(
I’ve never received anything on “the day” but my boss will randomly bring me little goodies throughout the year – a keychain with my name on it, a small bar of handmade soap she picked up at a community fundraiser, refrigerator magnets whenever she travels, even if she’s been there before (I’ve got quite a collection from DC). The best one though was she specifically sought out a Pittsburgh Steelers magnet, pennant, & softside lunchbox for me (I bleed black & gold) even though she was in Philadelphia.
Even though she doesn’t recognize AP day/week, she *always* remembers my birthday and Christmas.
To Anon: How sad?…not even a thanks for doing a great job? You should send yourse;f an e-card ;)
A mall gift card and a half day off of my choice.
Best gift was concert tickets to see Jim Brickman (pianist) and a gift card for dinner … mostly because he paid attention to what kind of music I listened to and then got the tickets. Very observant boss. He’s the best.
A handmade glass Kaleidoscope he (not his wife) picked out for my birthday.
i once received a day off with pay – and I didn’t have to use my PTO. :-)
The best gift I have received was when my boss took me shopping for the whole day. She bought me a new dress, matching shoes and earrings. It was a great day, and I felt appreciated. The second best gift I received was cash – to use any way I wanted to. I took my husband out to dinner.
What gift? 10 years with no thanks even.
My boss of 8 years has always taken me to lunch at a restaurant of my choice. He was always so busy that it gave us a chance to really connect and catch up. He recently left the company and gave his interim replacement instructions to take me to lunch for Admin Day and to remember birthday.
The best gift I have received was when my boss took me out shopping for the whole day. We went together, and she bought me a new dress, shoes and jewelry to match. It was a lot of fun, and made me feel very much appreciated. The second best was cash – to use anyway I wanted to. I took my husband out to dinner.
All of my past bosses gave me either a lunch, plant, or card. What really mattered the most to me, though, was the sincere “thank you” throughout the year.
Nothing oh I’m sorry a box of chocolates. yahoo
Gift certificate to get my nails done.
A gift card to my favorite department store so I could go shopping!
My boss gives me a gift certificate to one of the pubs I like downtown so i can go and get a drink after a rough day at the office (lol).
I’ve never thought it was necessary. Gifts or recognition embarrass me. I just want to do my job the best I can.
Flowers and a very nice, funny card.
My boss doesn’t even remember this day.
I received a gift card to the spa across the street from the office last year. Every Wednesday for a six week period I would go over and get a 15 minute chair massage during lunch. It was wonderful!
For the past 20+ years, I have attended the Administrative Professionals Day luncheon and workshop, put on by our local chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is on the Wednesday of IAAP Week.
But, my most treasured gift was when I attended the First Annual Administrative Professionals’ Conference in Toronto, Ontario. I believe it was in 2000. I still communicate with several of the speakers who were at that conference, in the form of e-newsletters and e-mails, so I have to say that it was the best gift that my company could have given me.
An investment in people is an investment in the company.
One of the best Admin Professional gifts I have received is a beautiful outdoor hanging plant. It kept ‘giving’ blossoms all summer long! Another winner was a gift certificate to a local spa for massage treatment.
my boss gives me a plant every year. I love it… because all the plants in my apartment make it feel so warm and it’s a gift that keeps on giving. I love all the plants that I have…
A card that simply said “Thank You” and they took me to lunch!
An increase in pay is all I need.
Gift certificate to a spa !!!