Secretary's Day Gift Ideas from a Group

When you’ve got a great department secretary, you’re all going to want to get in on the thanks. If you’ve got a gal or a guy in the office who knows who’s on the phone and what they want even before they’re calling, who always delivers your mail with a smile and who has all of the latest scoop on the office goings-on, reward her for her expertise.

The group gift is actually easier to do than single gifts. If you have to go out on your own and try to shop for a personal present, it may trip you up. You don’t want to appear too personal, yet you sure don’t want to seem like you didn’t put any thought into it.

Celebrated on April 25^th, 2012; Secretary's Day can be the highlight of your secretary’s whole year. Pool together to get him/her the gift she’s always wanted, but maybe never bought for herself. This can include everything from donating one vacation day each of your own to her so she can have a week off to giving her a gift certificate to a spa for the day. It all depends on your circumstances and how much you want to spend.

The group gift can also include lunch out at a fancy local restaurant, or even just a local restaurant that is a favorite among the group.

Ask the boss to come, too, of course, and ask if you can give your secretary an extra hour or the rest of the day off after lunch so she can have some paid time off as a surprise.

If you’re a really busy office and can’t all leave for lunch, plan a dinner in her honor. Just be sure that you collect the money from everyone in advance so that no one is scrambling to figure out how to split it at the end. If the boss can use a company card, that’s even better. Nothing ruins a fun night out like the downer of trying to split the bill 11 ways.

Lunch in is also a nice idea for a Secretary's Day gift. Decorate the conference room and have a catered lunch brought in. The boss should make a speech and you should sign individually on one special card and present it to him or her.

It should be set at a time when everyone can sit for a few minutes and not just grab a plate and leave. Be sure it’s sponsored by the boss or else you’ll get stragglers who didn’t contribute to the lunch, and that’s not fair to those who have paid.

Flowers and chocolates are also appropriate. If you want, have them delivered so that she or he is surprised. As would Secretary's Day cookies or a gift basket.

Or you can have someone arrange to have their gift waiting on your secretary’s desk when she comes in in the morning.

The idea is to be thoughtful. If you know her or him well, collect enough money to purchase a thoughtful piece of jewelry you know they would like.

Or buy a whole season of DVDs of a series that makes him or her laugh wildly.

As long as you select a group gift that fits the recipient’s tastes, you’ll be sure to please that very special secretary this year on Secretary’s Day. Take a few moments out of the day and really pour on the thanks. You’ll be glad you did next time the secretary fields a call you didn’t want to take.