Give More This Holiday With These Gift Ideas for Admins & Office Managers
By Carolyn Foy Evans, Staples® Contributing Writer“It’s sooo hard,” says Bobby Cummings, owner of Cummings Wealth Management in Mount Pleasant, SC.
Picking the perfect gift for the admin and/or office manager at your small business can be difficult. After all, these staffers are the grease that keeps the inner workings of your company running smoothly throughout the year. Somehow, a jelly of the month club membership just doesn’t seem sufficient.
Start with a budget, so you have the cash to do more this holiday season. Decide how much you can spend on gifts overall, and then divide it equally by the number of admin and/or office managers to avoid conveying and preferential treatment.
“You need to be as uniform as possible not only in value, but in perceived value,” explains Julie McCallum, editor of GIFT SHOP Magazine in Sparta, MI. Your employees may have different interests and skills, but remember that these are gifts and not performance bonuses, so be careful not to reflect a pecking order.
Check out these gift ideas for administrative coworkers and office managers:
1. Gift Cards.These don’t have to be boring. Consider gift cards from favorite restaurants and retailers, movie passes or spas. “I want it to be something that’s a little extra treat for them instead of a necessity,” says Cummings.
Pro Tip: Juice up the packaging to make an impact. For example, give a Starbucks® card in a personalized coffee mug, or an iTunes® card with a smartphone accessory.
2. Gift Baskets.
“Gift baskets are another fantastic way to make it individualized, yet equal,” shares McCallum. “Shop based on a theme that you know your employees like.” For instance, choose gifts in a similar color or pattern to create a great gift.
3. Recreational Gifts.
All work and no play makes for an inefficient and frazzled employee. Help your admin or office manager enjoy downtime with a video streaming device for their home television or a one-year membership to Netflix.
4. Gourmet Food Gifts.
Delectable food is always a hit. “These are nice because you can make it personalized, yet have similar impacts,” says McCullum. “They also make good nongender specific gifts.”
Pro Tip: Reusable vessels like a cooler also make great personalized “baskets.”
5. Extra help.
The boss isn’t the only one feeling harried this holiday season; office staff are feeling the pressure of end-of-year tasks, as well as the holiday frenzy outside of work. Bring in temporary help to reduce the workload around the office, or even give your employee an afternoon off for holiday shopping.
6. Splurge.
If the budget allows, consider giving a splurge gift to these often unsung heroes of the workplace. Consider a fancy tech gizmo like a tablet for a wow gift. “I typically give one big gift to each admin employee that I know they will enjoy,” Cummings says.
The holidays come but once a year. Use these ideas to make the most of holiday gift giving.