Gifts for Administrative Professionals’ Day that your admin staff actually like

First observed in 1952, the Administrative Professionals’ Day celebrates the vital role that the admin staff play in an organization. A few countries celebrate it:

• The USA, Canada, Hong Kong, and Malaysia: on the Wednesday of the last full week of April.
• Australia: the first Friday of May.
• South Africa: the first Wednesday of September.

This is not a public holiday but a celebration in the office. On this day, you should show your appreciation for your secretaries, assistants, receptionists, client services representatives, and other admin support professionals.

They are crucial to the smooth operation of your company, so why not prepare them some thoughtful gifts to raise their morale and strengthen your relationships? Check out the ideas below.

Gift Experiences for Administrative Professionals’ Day

Your admin staff work hard to become the office superheroes who they are, so giving them a pampering experience is a great way to show your commitment to employee well-being.

Spa Day

Give each of them a spa package with a generous time limit (at least 3 months) so they can enjoy it in their own time. A spa package should include a range of services like:

• Hair care and hair cut
• Massages and saunas
• Manicure and pedicure
• Facial skincare

Choose the package with the biggest variety of services so that the staff of all genders can use it or you could always purchase the existing products created by brands like the one above for International Women’s Day or Mother’s Day.

Design a beautiful list of compliments

What’s better to show your appreciation than a list of compliments? Plan ahead by collecting compliments for the admin staff from all other staff, and put them together in a big nice card, a display, or a digital graphic design.

Once you are happy with your design, offer it during an upcoming ceremony, take for instance, the mooncake festival as a celebratory opportunity to ask everyone to join in the celebration. Your admin staff may be moved to happy tears by the compliments.

Meal delivery

Who doesn’t love a free meal or snacks? Arrange some lunches or dinners to be delivered to their door during the Administrative Professionals’ Week. Remember to take into account their dietary requirements and choose a reputable caterer. You can also choose to get a food item in the form of a gift! Remember it all really ties back to presentation and packaging that should be high quality when gifting your staff. This small act of kindness can make them feel supported all throughout the workdays.

Personal recognition

Your high-achieving admin staff love to be recognized by awards. You can host an office lunch or dinner and thank each of your admin staff for what they have done for your organization. Your admin staff would feel flattered or warm-hearted by the recognition. After all, being a good leader means making your people feel appreciated.

Physical Gifts for Administrative Professionals’ Day

You can never go wrong with branded corporate notebooks and pens, but there are even more choices out there to wow your admin staff.

Stationeries and accessories

There is never a dearth of ideas for stationeries. Consider these refreshing ideas for stationeries below.

Pen holder and sticky notepad set is a clever combination for the admin staff who have to take quick notes during calls or from passing staff.

This interesting phone holder can make your admin staff feel like they were in a spy or sci-fi movie. These phone holders can also keep their phones from getting wet, for those who love the outdoor or commuting by bikes.

Personalized desk organizer

Admin staff are organized people, so they would love having a well-designed desk organizer. These come in different materials and can be branded with your logo:

• Cardboard
• PU leather
• Colorful plastics

This desk organizer comes in a folded cube shape that extends into an organizer, made of premium cardboard and adhesives, highly portable, with beautiful customizable patterns.

It can also be a wooden material for this desk organizer that gives a cosy, rustic feel for the admin professionals who love cottage care of a down-to-earth lifestyle.

The PU leather of this desk organizer has a luxurious and masculine feel, best for those admin staff who love premium products.

This plastic desk organizer is most affordable and lightweight, for those admin staff who prefer practical solutions and a color pop look.

Table decors

Admin staff are the timekeepers and planners of your office. While they are definitely using digital calendars and softwares in their work, these table calendars are highly portable collectibles. They can also be given as annual souvenirs.

This magnet pen can be transformed into fun shapes, Lego-style. This is such a unique gift for your admin staff who love games, fun, and quirky designs.

Wall decors

These wall decors can brighten up the walls and cubicles of your admin staff, sharing the same space with their family photos and motivational quotes.

This ingenious design can hold small stuff like keys, lanyards, cards, etc. It can also expand into a unique, eye-catching décor.

For the cardboard model lovers, these wall-hung pen holders can save space and lighten up their day at the same time. They can hold more than pens: USBs, lipsticks, small notepads, and keys can fit into them.

Wellness gifts

Humidifiers and diffusers are the companions for those admin staff who complain about their dry skin due to office air conditioning. They will make thoughtful gifts that show you care for their well-being.

Soy wax scented candles can create a warm vibe with a nice smell without any health issues. Your admin staff all love this aesthetic addition to their home or workspace.

Tips for gift giving that make your administrative professionals feel honored

Giving gifts to your administrative staff is not just about the physical item but also the thought and appreciation behind it. To ensure that the act is meaningful and well-received, consider the following steps.

Know Their Preferences

Pay attention to their likes, dislikes, hobbies, and interests. This will help you choose a gift that they’ll truly appreciate. Don’t assume that all admin staff are the same as they would feel offended by the generalizations.

If unsure, a discreet conversation with them or their close colleagues can provide insights.

Personalize the Gift

Personalized gifts, such as monogrammed items or custom-made presents, show extra thought and effort. A handwritten note or a card accompanying the gift can make it even more special.

Consider Group Gifts

If the budget allows, consider pooling resources with other team members for a more significant or elaborate gift. Group gifts can be especially useful if you want to buy something more substantial, like an experience (a spa day, concert tickets, a trip) or a high-quality item.

Be Inclusive

Ensure that all your admin staff receive gifts. Differences in gifts are fine based on tenure or closeness of working relationship, but remember to be inclusive to avoid making anyone feel left out.

Respect Boundaries

Always maintain professionalism. Avoid overly personal gifts that may be considered inappropriate or invasive.

The primary objective is to make your administrative staff feel appreciated and valued. The thought and effort you put into choosing and giving the gift are just as crucial, if not more so, than the gift itself.