What is Administrative Professionals Day?

Administrative Professionals Day is an office holiday celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of receptionists, administrative assistants, office clerks and other administrative staff. The annual celebration started in 1952 and takes place on the Wednesday of the last full week in April as part of the International Association of Administrative Professionals’ Week.

While it’s important to show appreciation for your employees throughout the year, this holiday offers a special day just for the administrative professionals in your office who assist you and support the office workflow. Admin Day gifts, such as gift cards, catered lunches, office parties or team-building events, are a popular way to thank your staff.

Related: How to Hire an Administrative Assistant

Administrative Professionals Day gift ideas

How do you say thank you to the people who hold the office together and keep things running smoothly? IPutting thought into the gift can demonstrate your gratitude regardless of your budget. Try these Administrative Assistant Day gift ideas.

1. Gift baskets

Themed gift baskets let you pamper your hardworking administrative assistant with curated items that fit their preferences. Plus, you can adjust the contents to fit nearly any budget. If you want to save money, find inexpensive baskets at thrift stores and add as much or as little as you want based on your budget.

Some gift basket ideas include:

• Gourmet food. Gift your admin assistants with a basket full of gourmet snacks, fruits, baked goods and beverages. When possible, choose items you know they like. Don’t forget about dietary restrictions and food allergies.
• Self-care. Encourage work-life balance with a self-care gift basket. You can choose to include items like scented candles, artisan soaps, body scrubs, face masks and hydrating lotions. If you have a bit more to spend, you can add a gift card to a local spa for a professional treatment.
• Favorite things basket. Do a little research to find out what types of things your administrative assistants like. Then, put as many of those items as possible into a basket so they get all their favorites in one big gift.
• Local favorites. By including items from locally owned businesses, you can support other area businesses and potentially introduce your administrative staff to new finds. You can include physical items from the businesses or gift cards to let the recipients choose what they want.

2. Plants

Employees may appreciate a plant that they can keep at their desks, creating a more comfortable and colorful ambiance at work. If your employee already has office plants, choose a different variety in an attractive container that they can add to their collection. Easy-to-care-for plants like cacti and succulents are a safe gift for any employee because they require minimal light and water. Realistic-looking faux plants offer an alternative in office areas with less natural light.

3. Office supplies

Administrative positions are easier with the right supplies. Thoughtful, high-quality office supplies can make an excellent gift. Consider the personal style of the administrative assistant and select unique supplies that fit in with their aesthetic. For example, one employee may appreciate getting a genuine leather laptop bag, while another might like receiving cute sticky notes and memo pads with fun characters. Handmade notebooks, custom letterhead and high-quality pens can make great gifts, too.

4. Event tickets

Experience gifts show your appreciation and give your administrative staff a fun night out. Tickets to a show, concert, class, game or another event that you think they might enjoy show your employees you pay attention to their interests. Depending on your budget, you can get your employees a season pass to a certain type of attraction, such as a museum or amusement park, or find one-time tickets they can redeem. You could also consider giving them a voucher or a gift card to a local venue so they can choose the activity.

5. Thank you cards

Writing a simple thank you card or appreciation letter is a kind gesture that you can do regardless of your budget for employee gifts. You can personalize the letter to highlight a few recent employee accomplishments you especially appreciated. Handwritten notes show the employee you genuinely and personally appreciate their work. The note is often more meaningful when it comes from a direct supervisor who has firsthand knowledge of the employee’s work habits and accomplishments. You can give a thank you note alone or add it to any other gift.

6. Equipment upgrades

Replacing an employee’s old chair with a comfortable, ergonomic version is a gift that can have a positive impact on their workday. New headsets, monitors, keyboards, adjustable standing desks, sunlight lamps and phone-charging stations can all upgrade employee efficiency and comfort. They show your team you appreciate their hard work and want to make their day easier. Check out their workstations to spot things you could upgrade, or listen to their requests and comments for ideas on what they’d like.

7. Time off

Your administrative assistants work hard for your company, so reward them with a day off. One option is to give them Administrative Professionals Day off without using their existing PTO or give them an extra day in their PTO bank that they can use whenever they want.

8. Memberships

You may consider gifting a membership to a local facility such as a car wash, gym or museum to your admins. Use what you know about the recipients to choose a membership that they’ll appreciate.

9. A day out

Pay your administrative professionals to play for the day. Instead of having them report to work, schedule a day of fun activities, such as spa treatments, a fancy lunch and an afternoon movie. The rest of the team can cover for them while they enjoy a day off.

10. Professional development

Offering your administrative staff professional development opportunities benefits them and the organization. Investing in your employees shows them that you value their contributions, which can improve retention. The knowledge they gain from those learning opportunities provides new skills and improved performance for your company. Examples of fitting options include a certification for a relevant skill, an online course or a conference for administrative professionals.

11. Public recognition

Make your appreciation for your administrative team known by making an announcement during a team meeting or holding an Administrative Professionals Day celebration.

Selecting the right Admin Day gifts

These Administrative Assistant Day gift ideas can get you started, but not every gift is ideal for every situation. These tips can help you choose the perfect gift for your administrative assistant.

Set a budget

Decide how much money you can spend on gifts for your employees. Setting a budget helps you narrow down the options for Administrative Professionals Day gifts to items that are affordable. If you have multiple administrative professionals in the office, calculate your total budget and divide it by the number of employees you’re buying gifts for. Handmade gifts, thoughtful notes and in-office activities can be affordable ways to show appreciation if you’re on a tight budget, but giving larger gifts can be a great boost to morale if you have the resources.

Personalize the gifts

Personalizing gifts with the employee’s name, interests or favorite colors can make the gesture more meaningful. Take note of their work areas and the things they talk about leading up to Administrative Professionals Day for clues. You can also ask the people who work closely with them, including their direct supervisors.

Poll your employees

Ask your employees what kinds of gifts and recognition they appreciate the most. Getting their direct feedback allows you to give thoughtful gifts that employees will actually use. You could also conduct an employee survey or questionnaire that covers different categories or types of gifts you’re considering to ensure each employee gets a gift they’ll enjoy.

Choose more than one

You don’t have to choose just one gift idea for your administrative assistants. Including a thank you card with any gift you give is an easy, meaningful addition without any extra cost. Time off is another easy gift you can group with other items. You might slip tickets to an upcoming concert inside a thank you note and add an extra day off to their PTO. With multiple items, you can give a well-rounded gift that appeals to most people.

FAQs about Administrative Professionals Day gift ideas

Why should you give Administrative Professionals Day gifts?

Admin Day gifts let your staff know that you recognize and appreciate their hard work. It can boost morale and make them feel more satisfied with their job. Happy employees who feel appreciated may be more likely to stay with your company. Celebrating your admin team reminds everyone just how valuable they are to the organization.

How can you celebrate Administrative Professionals Day virtually?

If your team is fully remote, you can still use some of the same Administrative Professionals Day gift ideas. Instead of dropping off physical gifts at their desks, have them delivered to their homes. Plan the delivery early to ensure they show up on the correct day. E-cards and virtual gift cards allow for easy, instant delivery when you’re not in the same location. You can also gather everyone on your favorite video conferencing app and have a small virtual ceremony recognizing your administrative team.

How else can you show appreciation for your administrative professionals?

Showing appreciation for your administrative professionals should be a year-round effort. Support their work by giving them the tools and resources they need to perform their jobs well. You can also verbalize your appreciation for their work or write them occasional thank you notes. Providing attractive benefits and competitive salaries are other positive ways to show your employees you care about them.