32 Best Gift Ideas For Administrative Professionals Day In 2023
Appreciation is one of the most important factors that drive employee engagement in any organisation. However, if there was ever a job that was vastly underappreciated and undervalued, it would have to be that of an administrative professional. Starting from paperwork, accounts, reception duties, handling appoints and assisting customers, they do everything that ensures the smooth running of an organisation.
In order to appreciate and recognise all their efforts, Administrative Professional's Day is celebrated. But it is celebrated on different dates in different countries like Belgium, France and the Netherlands, celebrate in on the third Thursday of April. In the United States, Canada, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, it is celebrated annually on the Wednesday of the last full week of April. Similarly, in New Zealand, it is on the third Wednesday of April. In Australia, it is celebrated annually on the first Friday of May and so on.
This year, celebrate your professionals with the most amazing and unique gifting solutions. Here in this article, we have come up with 32 such interesting gifting ideas that your administrative staff are going to love.
32 Gifting Ideas For Administrative Professional's Day
1. Succulents With a Specialised Note
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Succulents are widely known as a symbol of strength and selfless love. They not only give off positive energy but also help brighten up any room. It brings along it an aesthetic look into the surroundings.
The best part is that there are so many different succulents to choose from. While jade is an excellent air purifier, cactuses are well known for their ability to adapt to almost any environment. These are just to name a few; there are so many more that you can find.
To make this gift even more meaningful, we recommend adding a personalised note along with it.
2. Bundle of Bestselling Books
Do you want to show your appreciation for an employee who is a bookworm? If this is the case, gifting a bunch of current best-sellers is the perfect gift for them. Sound's amazing, doesn't it? Your staff can always keep one around and read it whenever they want to unwind during the day. It is not just a great gift but also something really memorable.
3. Inspirational Quote Coffee Mugs
On days when your employees are more likely to feel overwhelmed and stressed out due to work pressures, they need a little "pick me up." To make it more personal, the quote on the mug can be from someone the employee admires or looks up to.
4. Assorted Box of Stationery Sets
Because your staff will be indulged in a lot of paperwork like accounting, finance, lodging registers, a stationery set will be the perfect gift for them. An assorted gift box can contain a notepad, coloured pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, a mini calculator, marker, sticky notes, glue, stapler, etc.
5. Assorted Sweets and Chocolate Box
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Sweets and chocolates are always a classic. Any gift can be levelled up with sweets and chocolates in it. Shakespeares's words— "Sweets are the uses of adversity"— are quite literally true to their meaning. Sweets can make anyone's day better.
After all of the stress our administrative professionals face on a daily basis, they deserve a little extra sweetness in their lives.
6. Self-Care Kit
A self-care kit containing grooming supplies, luxury soaps, scented candles, and even Sephora gift cards will be a delightful surprise for your employees. It will allow your administrative staff to relax, treat themselves, and unwind after a long week of work.
7. Tickets to Virtual Shows
Virtual shows are a real "thing" nowadays. Everything went virtual after national lockdowns were imposed. From online classes to online shows, there's something for everyone.
Recently a BTS (musical band) concert was held virtually, wherein the members performed from a virtual location. Ticket to the show was shared, and every fan could enjoy the show from the luxury of their rooms. Isn't that a great way to let go of some of the Monday blues?
8. Online Course For an Instrument Learning Session
Who doesn't enjoy music? And believe me when I say that we have all wanted to learn an instrument at some point in our lives but were unable to do so.
If you know any of your staff who has been really trying to learn piano, you can get them an online course for a learning session. This will be the best gift they will get on Administrative professional's day.
9. Retail Vouchers and Gift Cards
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This is my personal favourite. Not just because it is easy but because every person is different. The problem with generalised gifts is that not everyone might like them.
For example, one of your staff might be a huge Queens fan, while another might not have heard a single song. In this scenario, gifting a DVD of the best collection of Queens will not be a very good idea.
This is where gift cards steal the show. Gift cards or retail vouchers are coupons like cards where a particular monetary value is already assigned beforehand.
The user can redeem the amount in the gift card's specified stores and purchase the gift of their choice.
With Vantage Rewards, you can incentivise your employees with reward points that can be redeemed across a global catalogue of top brands and services. Check out here to know more!
10. SPA Package
After tenuous work schedules, long shifts, your staff can really use a relaxing SPA day. Every employee experiences pressure, fatigue, burnout both physically and mentally.
Therefore, SPA packages are always a good gifting solution. It is extremely therapeutic. It not only calms the body but rejuvenates the body, mind, and soul. Do try gifting this and let us know how much your staff appreciated it.
11. Stock Options
Today almost everybody invests in one form or the other. Among these, investing in stocks and crypto has become one of the most lucrative investment options.
The entry of several stockbroking startups is the best part of this trend. They have made investing far more accessible and simple than it was before.
Stock options can be in the form of ESOP's (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Gifting stock is not just a good gift; it is also a great future investment.
12. Subscription of Mindfulness Package For a Year
There are numerous health benefits of a good mindfulness program. Calming the body and mind, relieving stress, managing heart conditions are just a few in its long list of benefits.
Mindfulness also promotes a positive mindset, enhances stress management, and reduces the likelihood of burnout.
This will be extremely beneficial given your employees' hectic schedules. You can give your employees a one-year subscription to a mindfulness app that will help them practice whenever and wherever they want.
13. Caricature Frames
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Caricature dates back to the 1600s, which is a form of Italian art. It is a form of art where the character is a bit exaggerated, giving it a comic look.
You can create a caricature of your employee's favourite character or just them. You can also create a caricature of your employee with something they like the most, maybe their pet. The caricature can be framed and kept at their workstations with a personalised note.
This is one of the most unique yet memorable gifts that is guaranteed to bring a good laugh out of them.
14. Personalised, Engraved Notebook Pen and Thermos
Personalised items always make a wonderful gift. They indicate that the sender selected the gift with care and thought. Personalised gifts not only are memorable but also help in building better relationships.
On Administrative Professionals Day, you can level it up and give your employees a set of the three most important items— a customised pen, notebook, and thermos. You can make it into a bundle and keep it on your staff's desk to thank them for all their hard work.
15. Order In a Good Lunch
Food is love! Especially good food. Don't you agree? To bring a smile to your employees' faces, order a good lunch for them for this year's Administrative Professional's Day. Add a note on top of the box and a pretty flower to make their day better.
16. Make a Donation
You can make a charitable donation in the name of your employees and notify them about it. They will not only be happy, but they will also feel proud.
17. Personalised Tote Bags
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Tote bags make for great thank you gifts. They are multi-functional, eco-friendly, and durable. Other than customising these tote bags with the company logos, you can personalise them with their names or initials and make them feel recognised.
18. Point-Based Employee Rewards
In a point-based rewarding system, an employer gives away rewards as points. The employees can then redeem and purchase any gift of their own. It is the most flexible rewarding system.
Vantage Circle is a platform that allows a point-based reward system for easy recognition and thereby boosts employee engagement. Click here to know more about the platform.
19. Comfortable Chair Cushion
After a tiresome day at work, a comfortable cushion can mean so much more than just a gift. It is a small yet underrated gift to give your staff this Administrative Professional's Day.
20. Box of Artisanal Cookies
Anything artisanal is always unique, and a box of cookies is even more so!
Gift wrap a whole box with delicious artisanal cookies and shower your gratitude towards your staff. An additional specialised note will add the cherry on the top.
21. Scented Candles For Desk
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A set of scented candles for the office desk is another good way to thank your staff. Moreover, you can add your own customisations such as the shape, fragrance, ingredients, and so on.
A scented candle does not just look pretty; it adds a different aura to the room. A pretty-looking scented candle will definitely make your staff feel more comfortable and at peace while working.
22. Personalised Desk Organiser
We all know how messy and cluttered our office desks can be. The best gift in this gift guide for an administrative professional is a desk organiser. A desk organiser will have separate small cabinets each to hold on to the different stationery items.
This will not just help in reducing the clutter; it will also make the place look clean and sophisticated. It will also act as a nudge, preventing them from cluttering it in the future.
23. Motivational Quotes Coaster
Believe it or not, coasters are a very important part of office life. I am sure that nobody wants to work at a desk that is covered in permanent coffee or tea stains.
Your employees can use these coasters after drinking tea, coffee or any other beverage. The coasters can also be made interesting by customising them with bright colours and prints.
24. Desk Magnets
Desk magnets are an item that no one realises they need until their hands are full of notes that need to be pinned up. Your staff can decorate their cubicles and workstations with these. The magnets can either contain motivational quotes or their favourite characters.
Either way, your employees will surely be amazed and happy with this gesture.
25. "Thank You" Cards
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Always a classic!! Thank you cards have been the most classic way of expressing gratitude towards anyone.
Leaving a thank you card on your staff's desk and a rose will do the job. Gifts may come and go, but a thank you card will never get old.
26. Mason Jars For The Desk
You can also gift a personalised mason jar to your employees this Administrative Profesional Day.
Your employees will be able to use it as a decorative item for their desks. Mason jars with fairy lights are an amazing desk decorator and a mood changer. It looks fresh, beautiful and, classy.
Mason jars are also ideal for sipping smoothies and cold coffees on a daily basis. Mason jars can also be utilised as stationery holders by the more organised employees.
27. Sleep Tracking App Subscription
Good sleep is always important for a better next day. Lack of sleep results in crankiness and ultimately leads to an unproductive day.
Sleep tracking subscription will be very beneficial for your employees. It will let them know the accurate amount of sleep. It will also help them become aware of their sleeping trends. This will not only help them to be active at work, but they will also be more productive and engrossed at work.
28. Upskilling
One of the most beneficial gifts that you can give your employees this Administrative Professionals Day is an upskilling subscription.
Upskilling will not just be beneficial for your employees, but it will also be beneficial for the organisation. Some of our favourites for business upskilling is offering courses from Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera etc.
This will not just help them grow professionally but also personally.
29. Personalised Spiral Desk Calendar
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A spiral desk calendar is another very important desk item. It not only improves the look of the desk but also lets an employee keep a check on the dates and events.
Your employee can quickly jot down a date or add a note next to a date to help them remember it. This is undoubtedly one of the most useful items that you can gift your staff.
30. Assorted Box of Green Tea
Green tea, while not unappreciated, is not as well-known as coffee. However, there has been a huge shift in people opting for a cup of green tea. You can tap on this trend by gifting your employees a box of high-quality green tea.
You can take a box and add different flavours of green tea for different moods. There are teas to calm you down and also to relieve stress. To all the tea lovers, this is going to be a tea-heaven!
31. Personalised Mask and Sanitiser
What do I even say about this? A personalised mask and a sanitiser will probably be the best gift anyone can give in the post-pandemic era.
You can make a bundle out of these two items and wrap them together with a note if you want to add a personal touch.
32. Board Games
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You can also get a board game set for your employees as a token of appreciation. They will also be able to take it home to their families and have a fun game night.
You can add scrabble, jigsaw puzzles, monopoly, or any other board game that you might want to add. They will love this one for sure!
History of this day
Now that you know of the gifts that you can give your employees let me also brief you a little bit about its history.
There was a National Secretaries week that was started in 1952 by Charles Sawyer. The first observance of National Secretary's Day was celebrated on Wednesday during the week of Professional Secretary's Week.
In the year 2000, the name was changed to Administrative Professionals' Day. Along with that, the time was moved to the last full week of April. It is believed that the origin of this appreciation day goes back to the Post Second World war era. During that time, there was a boom in post-war business which led to the formation of the Secretaries association in 1942.
This day has since then been observed as a day to recognise, appreciate and thank all the administrative professionals for the tireless efforts they make for the growth of an organisation.
Summary
Appreciating your employees is one of the most important keys to retaining them. Let your staff know how much you appreciate their work. Recognise them before it's too late and keep the engagement in your organisation at its peak.
We at Vantage Circle are dedicated to ensuring that your employees remain happy, healthy, and engaged. Check out our website here to know more about how you can engage your workers today. We also share tips and strategies on how HR professionals and leaders can streamline their engagement efforts more effectively. Click here to read more on our blog!
Wrapping up, those were the list of some of the most meaningful gifts that you can share with your staff this year. Let us know which one you liked the most and which one you are planning to give. We would love to hear from you!!
This article is written by Namrata Borgohain who is an International Marketing Specialist at Vantage Circle. In her free time, she will be found either searching for cute dog videos or virtually wandering in streets of Santorini. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com.
