The Key to Celebrating Administrative Professionals Day is Being Thoughtful

If you’ve ever needed assistance at the office, you likely know exactly who to turn to. Their job title may vary, but they can always help with almost any task and ensure that the office runs like a well-oiled machine.  

Administrative professionals, receptionists, client services representatives, and secretaries. No matter what you call them in your workplace, they’re the backbone of any office. Their tasks can include everything from scheduling appointments and company travel to project management.  

Recognizing these invaluable employees is critical, not just to show appreciation, but to encourage them to stick around. Your office probably couldn’t run without them! 

That’s what Administrative Assistant Day is designed to do. You may have heard it called Secretary’s Day or Admin Staff Appreciation Day, but the goal of this professional holiday is to recognize all those team members who keep the office running and often serve as the glue that holds the team and even the company together.  

What is Administrative Assistant Day? 

Created in 1952 as National Secretaries Day, this day has gone through several name changes and makeovers and now recognizes all administrative professionals who help keep their offices running smoothly. Administrative Professionals Day is celebrated annually on Wednesday of the last full week of April.  

As remote and hybrid work become more common, support and administrative staff are more important than ever. They work hard to ensure that everyone feels connected and engaged, no matter where in the country (or the world) they may be working.  

Administrative Professionals Day is the perfect opportunity to show these team members just how much you value them and how grateful the company is for their dedication and commitment.  

Gifts for Administrative Professionals Day 

You can show administrative appreciation in a variety of ways, from a thoughtful gift to extra time off or even a physical award or certificate. Here are a few of our favorite Administrative Professional Day gift ideas.  

Order a flower arrangement 

Go traditional and order a beautiful flower arrangement. The admin can display the flowers in their office to brighten up the space and serve as a reminder of how much their company appreciates their contributions.  

Write a thoughtful note 

Sometimes the best way to express appreciation is to put it down in words. Consider asking the whole team or staff to write notes to the administrative professional to tell them how their work has helped that individual specifically. You can also share praise from happy clients who have interacted with the admin or secretary, just to let them know that their work hasn’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated.  

Give them some R&R 

We all need a break every now and then, and admins are no different. After all, their tasks can be varied and take them all over the office! On Admin Staff Appreciation Day, consider treating your administrative professionals or secretaries to a little rest and relaxation, whether that means a gift certificate for an activity they enjoy, or just giving them a little extra time off to recharge.  

Shower them with attention 

If your admin loves to be in the spotlight, singling them out for praise can be the perfect way to make them smile. You can have a simple awards ceremony along with a company-wide breakfast or lunch and give the administrative professional a physical award along with a gift card or other small token of administrative appreciation. If you’d rather keep it simple, invite them out to lunch at a nice local restaurant and plan a toast in their honor.  

Put together a gift basket 

The most thoughtful gift can be a selection of the recipient’s favorite things, such as sweet treats and gift cards to their favorite local shops. If you know your admin well, this can be a great opportunity to show how much you care. After all, the best gifts are thoughtful and meaningful, while keeping the recipient’s interests and personality top of mind.  

Donate to their favorite cause 

If your office administrative professional has a cause or charitable organization that they’re passionate about, consider collecting money in the office for a large donation in their name. Doing so can be a wonderful and heartfelt way to recognize their impact on your team and organization.  

Provide opportunities to grow 

Show your admin that you’re invested in their professional growth and their future with the company by giving them new challenges and opportunities. Or provide them with the chance to expand their skills in an online course or join a professional organization to help them stay on top of the latest trends and best practices. Encouraging growth can benefit not just the individual employee, but the entire team and the company.  

Stock up on caffeine 

Is your secretary a coffee aficionado? Think beyond just a Starbucks gift card and create a care package with everything coffee, from colorful mugs to beans from the local coffee shop. If you want to splurge a little, consider purchasing a French press or cappuccino maker to show your secretary appreciation.  

Handle the house cleaning or grocery shopping 

A great gift for your administrative professional could be simply taking an item off their to-do list. Paying for professional home cleaning services, yardwork, or grocery delivery can give them more time to relax, and they’re sure to appreciate it! 

Take care of their vehicle 

Car detailing can help a vehicle feel brand-new, and just like professional house cleaning services, it’s a great way to show your admin how much you appreciate them. Offer to have their car cleaned and detailed while they’re at the office so they can head home in a shiny clean vehicle.  

Make it a family movie night 

Show your admin that you care by treating their whole family to a movie night with a gift card, along with enough money for popcorn and snacks. That way, they can enjoy time with their loved ones without worrying about the cost.  

Splurge on a big-ticket item—literally 

If you really want to go all out on a gift, consider buying tickets to a concert, theatrical production, or professional sporting event. Just be sure it’s something your administrative professional is interested in seeing. You don’t want to send a sports skeptic to a football game or a theater hater to a play! 

Gift a streaming service subscription 

Binging a new favorite TV show or watching the latest movies can also be a great way to unwind. Consider gifting your admin a subscription to a streaming service on Administrative Assistant Day so they have something to watch while relaxing at home. Just make sure it’s a service they don’t already subscribe to.  

Send a thoughtful gift 

Overwhelmed by all the options? Client Giant can handle the entire Admin Staff Appreciation Day gifting process for you, from selecting the gifts to creating the personalized message, all the way to shipping. You don’t even have to lift a finger. We’ll make sure that your employee gifts are thoughtful and perfect for the recipient, and you’ll get to enjoy all the credit.