Admin Gift Ideas

[onetruething]

My husband has the world's best admin in his new job. She makes his stressful job much easier, and has gone above and beyond for him. I want him to get her something amazing for the holidays, but I've never met her, and he doesn't know much of her interests, hobbies, etc.  I'd love to get her something really special to show her how much we both appreciate her, but it's hard to do so impersonally.  Would love any suggestions. Willing to spend up to $250 and fine with either one larger thing or a basket of little things.

Thank you!!

[daisyfay25]

Does she get a bonus? I'd do $250 cash.

[just]

Nov 29, 2016 7:51:59 GMT -5 daisyfay25 said:

Does she get a bonus? I'd do $250 cash.

This. Cash (or similar) is always best.

If you really want to get her a 'thing' spend $50ish on chocolates/wine/etc and give the rest as cash.

[whisperingalene]

My boss always got me either a very nice luxury gift, complete with receipt, or would just do a visa card with a large amount. Both were very much appreciated. If you want to do something tangible above and beyond cash or a gc, I agree a really nice bottle of champagne (in a gift box presentation) along with the money would be well received.

Another admin used to get spa gift certs which she enjoyed very much, but you'd have to be sure she lived close to whichever place you choose (though Bliss is usually a safe bet in most cities).

ETA: Oh, and my husband has started to take his admin out for a holiday lunch at a nice restaurant after I suggested doing so (in addition to the gift)- it was a nice relaxing time to catch up outside of the office, plus delicious food and wine flights. (I had a great boss!)

[onetruething]

They are both public employees, so cash gifts over $50 are not allowed.

[Linie]

Could you give her one of those boxes with a choice for a nice weekend at a hotel? My PA loved those! Depends perhaps on her age...

[onetruething]

Love these ideas, thank you!!

[Deleted]

My boss would take us to lunch and hand us a card full of gift cards for various stores. My favorite year was a Starbucks card, Nordstrom card and Amazon card.

[mrs.jacinthe]

As an admin, I'd appreciate just about anything, but what would mean the most to me, aside from the physical gesture of a gift, is a letter detailing all the nice things he has to say, copied to whoever supervises admins at the company as well as HR. I thrive on recognition of my hard work.

That said, if a cash gift is unworkable, I'd skip anything personal - clothing, accessories, spa/hotel, as those fall under the semi-squicky personal gift category for me. Instead, I'd chose a luxury item from a store where, if she just wanted the equivalent value, it wouldn't be difficult to return/exchange with the gift receipt. Something like this cashmere throw from Williams Sonoma: www.williams-sonoma.com/products/solid-cashmere-throw-spring-tulip/?cm_src=AutoRel

[kris356]

If money is off the table, then I would definitely include a gift receipt. I would also probably buy it at a store with options (Nordstrom, Macy). This coming from an admin with gift cards to random places for years in her wallet.

And I would include a heartfelt thank you note with it. It really does mean something.

[emoflamingo]

I agree with mrs.jacinthe, I love a good letter that tells me how much I make a difference. My boss gave me a gift card to a salon & day spa once and I never used it because I just don't have the time (see signature lol) and I didn't have the funds to pay for the rest of anything (he gave me like $25). He has given me Amazon and iTunes cards before too and those were great because I spend too much money on Amazon and love buying music.

[isabel]

I would get her a spa gift card and a "certificate" for a day off on him (if that's allowed). If you do this, make sure a service or combination of services are fully paid for, including tip.

[chchchia]

Nov 29, 2016 8:41:04 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

As an admin, I'd appreciate just about anything, but what would mean the most to me, aside from the physical gesture of a gift, is a letter detailing all the nice things he has to say, copied to whoever supervises admins at the company as well as HR. I thrive on recognition of my hard work.

That said, if a cash gift is unworkable, I'd skip anything personal - clothing, accessories, spa/hotel, as those fall under the semi-squicky personal gift category for me. Instead, I'd chose a luxury item from a store where, if she just wanted the equivalent value, it wouldn't be difficult to return/exchange with the gift receipt. Something like this cashmere throw from Williams Sonoma: www.williams-sonoma.com/products/solid-cashmere-throw-spring-tulip/?cm_src=AutoRel

I am sorry, I go by the motto, money talks, bullshit walks. Annual evals or appraisals are for nice words, I want something tangible if it's going to be a gift.

Make it rain.  Make it rain.   49.99 a week for 5 weeks would work well for me..is the rule 50 at a time or a year? 

[calamity]

A gift card to a really nice restaurant or spa

[knx9211]

When my boss remembers to get our shared admin assistant a gift, he gives her shitty MLM stuff that his wife sells. I always just do gift cards (i.e. Macy's, etc.) so she can get what she wants. She likes to take her grandkids out to Panera on the weekends, so I make sure to get her a card for that, too.

Wait, do gift cards count as cash? Is this a stupid question.

[mel]

Nov 29, 2016 13:05:45 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

When my boss remembers to get our shared admin assistant a gift, he gives her shitty MLM stuff that his wife sells. I always just do gift cards (i.e. Macy's, etc.) so she can get what she wants. She likes to take her grandkids out to Panera on the weekends, so I make sure to get her a card for that, too.

Wait, do gift cards count as cash? Is this a stupid question.

At my old employer, gift cards counted as cash. 

[marie]

Nov 29, 2016 13:09:37 GMT -5 mel said:

Nov 29, 2016 13:05:45 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

When my boss remembers to get our shared admin assistant a gift, he gives her shitty MLM stuff that his wife sells. I always just do gift cards (i.e. Macy's, etc.) so she can get what she wants. She likes to take her grandkids out to Panera on the weekends, so I make sure to get her a card for that, too.

Wait, do gift cards count as cash? Is this a stupid question.

At my old employer, gift cards counted as cash. 

Same here... at my work they fall under the same rules as cash.

[berbles]

Along the lines of a spa GC, what about a bundle of therapeutic massages? My chiro/massage therapist does packages that you can buy for other people. Knowing that I have a bunch of massages already paid for whenever my back starts acting up would be an amazing gift!