Top Five Gifts to Give on Administrative Professionals Day

Managers, Administrative Professionals Day is the time to show your gratitude to the people who run your office and keep your business's gears oiled. In an effort to save you the embarrassment of dropping off some last-minute flowers in return for the tireless day-to-day effort and meticulous organization your support staff provides, we thought we'd give you a simple shopping list.

These gifts are the ones admin professionals actually want. Monster surveyed a small group of people from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and the National Association of Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (NAESSA) to find out what they would really appreciate on this occasion. Flowers didn't even make the cut.

Here's what they told us:

1. A day off with pay. Make sure it is at their convenience, not yours.

2. A gift certificate to a restaurant, hotel or play your admin can attend with his or her spouse.

3. A bonus or raise.

4. Payment for career-development seminars or training.

5. A massage, preferably at a spa, preferably somewhere exotic.

In sixth place was the old standby, lunch at a tasty restaurant. If you go for this option, please, by all means don't talk business or cut it short to get back to the office. Remember: It's their day.

While you should take the time on this day to show your gratitude toward your support staff, you shouldn't save up an entire year's worth for that one day. Tia Theriaque was just one respondent who stressed the need for regular respect and gratitude year-round. "It's time members of support staff are recognized for being the backbone of the workforce instead of being just a secretary," says Theriaque. "Extend [your support staff] some respect for the important role they have in the success of your business." As you can see, a constant show of thanks for jobs well done is worth a thousand bouquets.

Now, just remember the occasion, heed some of this advice, and you'll be all set. We've practically done the shopping and written out the card for you. You're welcome, but don't thank us. Thank your admin assistant for doing the impossible, day after day after day after day.

For more information and tips to help you advance your administrative career, see all our advice for admin professionals.