Gifts for Administrative Professionals

If your desk doesn't look like this, perhaps your Administrative Professional deserves some thanks!

Every year, the fourth week of April is designated as Administrative Professionals’ Week and this year April 25th specifically is Administrative Professionals’ Day. So who is it in your business who takes care of all the stuff you don’t have time for? You know, the organizing of files (so your office doesn’t look like this), booking flights, scheduling appointments, handling all the details so nothing falls through the cracks and you get to do what you’re so good at.

I guarantee your Admin knows all about this day and if you don’t acknowledge, well, let’s just say you may want to handle your own travel plans next trip, lest you be put on a schedule with 3 connecting flights and tight connection times. Ha Ha!

You may be tempted to wait to the last minute and then pick up a box of chocolates. Oh, but wait. I said Administrative Professionals’ Day, not Valentine’s Day! Don’t go there.

A nice lunch out? Sure, that could work

1. If you work in the same office. Many people have virtual assistants or don’t work in the same geographic location. And
2. If your admin considers lunch with the boss a delightful treat.

If you really want to send the right message, a message of appreciation and gratitude for what she or he does for you day in and day out, here’s a better Administrative Professionals Day gift idea. Gratitude Cookies from Zen Rabbit. Or maybe Gratitude Cookies and Zen Crunch, together – they do make a nice combo package.

Money Trees bring good luck & prosperity to those who keep them in their offices

Or perhaps a very cool Money Tree?

Since taking care of a gift for your Administrative Professional is NOT something you can delegate to your Administrative Professional (please!), you need to take action NOW while it’s fresh in your mind. April 25th is approaching faster than you think and you do NOT want to be caught short.

Check out the gift packages at ZenRabbit.com and get free shipping on orders placed by April 18, 2012.

Black Friday Insanity

It’s Black Friday 2010 and I can’t help but be a little, hmm, what’s the word? Surprised? Amazed? Incredulous? Seriously, there’s still THIS much hoopla around this day devoted to shopping – for a bunch of non-essential stuff?

I’m a girl, so I totally get the love of shopping thing, but Black Friday takes it to a whole different level. Please tell me the people lining up at noon on Thanksgiving at the big box electronics store really need another 40” TV. I have a very hard time believing anyone buying anything today needs these items. Nor do I think anyone they might be buying them for needs them either.

It drives me crazy to hear people blaming “this economy” as the excuse for everything. In my opinion, it’s been a good scapegoat for people’s laziness and lack of initiative. BUT, if the citizen’s of the U.S. actually believe that the world is going to hell in a hand basket and money is in short supply, how do they justify their insane spending on Black Friday? That at least they’re “saving” money at these wildly marked down sales? And that the stores can afford to sell at 70% off – well there’s a whole other topic I’ll leave alone for now.

Here’s an idea. If you say you don’t have enough money to make ends meet, stay out of the stores. It doesn’t matter how good a “deal” it is. Tone it down a notch. Maybe you could make the holidays about heartfelt gestures and spending quality time together creating memorable experiences this year.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go get the new Katy Perry, Bon Jovi and Keith Urban CDs that are on sale for (only!) $6.99.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Clients

Many business people traditionally send holiday gifts as their way of showing appreciation for clients, customers, partners, etc. For those who like the idea of concierge service, gourmet food treats and making a great impression, this video offers some nice gift ideas. Look for the special offer at the end!

Gifts For Dads Who Have Everything

Father’s Day is approaching and every year my clients and friends lament they don’t know what to get for Dear Old Dad. We all want to find a memorable gift for Dad, something he’ll be excited to tell his buddies about. I know in my own case, anything my dad wants throughout the year, he’ll just go buy for himself. And he doesn’t really have any hobbies like golf or tennis or fishing that need equipment or supplies. It can be quite frustrating.

If he’s local, you can always take him out for brunch or make a nice dinner. If not, you have to come up with another idea. One year my brother and I gave Dad a personal chef, who would make 10 dinners and put them in the freezer for him to enjoy later. We’ve given theater tickets, and movie tickets would be a good idea too, if your dad likes movies. Restaurant gift certificates and other “experience” type gifts mean he doesn’t have to find a place to store your gift.

Oh, and I think this was the best idea ever, before everything became digital, we made a poster sized collage out of a bunch of pictures from our childhood, took a picture of that and framed it. Many years later it still hangs in his home office.

Of course my dad is a fan of The Gratitude Cookies as well as the Zen Crunch and he never tires of getting that as a gift. It is a unique gift idea that allows you to show appreciation for all that your father’s done for you. You don’t have to worry about getting the right size, color, brand, etc. Plus you can have it delivered right to his door with your personalized message, whether he’s down the street or across the country.

Need specific ideas? I suggest the Cookies & Crunch package, which gives Dad both treats of Gratitude Cookies and Zen Crunch. Or the Ultimate Appreciation, which is a whole bunch of different gourmet goodies, if you really want to make a statement of gratitude!

June 20th is coming up quickly and even if he’d never say it, Dad will certainly appreciate something more than a card or a phone call.

Gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and while we might want to celebrate these brave and admirable souls for more than just one week a year, let’s start with this. I’ve written before about finding memorable gifts for teachers here.

If you’re a parent who wants to find the perfect gift for your children’s teachers, think about what teachers might cherish most. What teachers want is probably what you would appreciate as well. Maybe some peace and quiet, a few minutes of alone time.

If you’re not up for spending enough for a spa visit, give the teachers you appreciate a few pause and savor moments with a memorable gift of a Gratitude Cookie package from Zen Rabbit. School teachers, music teachers, karate teachers, can all enjoy your expression of thanks.

One idea is the Signature Box, which holds 20 Gratitude Cookies™ paired with a jar of chocolate sauce.  Or the ever-popular Cookies & Crunch, which includes a dozen cookies and a bag of the amazingly addictive granola/nut brittle-like Zen Crunch. Or an Afternoon Indulgence combination of cookies and tea.

Whatever you do, make sure to acknowledge the great job performed by the important educators in your life.

Administrative Professionals Day / Week

Heads up ~ The week of April 18-24th is Administrative Professionals Week and April 21st is Administrative Professionals Day. Started in 1952, as National Secretaries Week / Day, it was organized to call attention to the value and contributions of administrative professionals in the workplace. Over the years, this has become one of the largest workplace observances and is celebrated worldwide during the last full week of April.

Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. More than 475,000 administrative professionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrative professionals work in offices all over the world. (this info comes from the International Association of Administrative Professionals.)

Think about it, how much more difficult would your job be if not for your fantastic administrative support people? Since gifts are by far the most common way of giving recognition to these most important people on your staff, check out these gift ideas:

Afternoon Indulgence=Cookies & Tea

Zen Crunch in Velvet Box

Gratitude Cookies & Chocolate Sauce

Saying Thank You for Gifts

Last night I was talking with a friend who was furious she hadn’t gotten a thank you for a care package she sent to someone. She wasn’t looking for an elaborately written thank you note; she would have taken a quick email or even a Facebook post acknowledging receipt. And she was sure the person received it because there were gifts inside the box for a second person, who did send a thank you email.

Since Zen Rabbit is in the business of sending gifts, I’ve heard this complaint from plenty of others over the years. While I understand how it can be frustrating to not get a thank you or even a confirmation of receipt for your kind efforts, I ask why you sent the gift in the first place. Was it to elicit a response, or was it to simply do something nice for someone? You did the good deed and can feel honorable for making the gesture. End of story. Without getting all philosophical, it’s better not to have any expectations.

Sure, it would be fabulous if everyone had good manners and promptly said thank you when they get a gift. But the reality is, not everyone had a childhood in which Mom made them hand write cards within 24 hours of accepting a present. So give with the idea of sharing love with and appreciation for others and let go of the anticipation of anything more. Maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Holiday Gift Giving for Small Businesses

Congratulations to the 47% of small business owners who intend to give gifts to customers this holiday season. And even more kudos to the 10% who say they are increasing their gift giving this year, in part to use this as an opportunity to win over more customers.

Regardless of what’s going on “in the economy,” your customers want reassurance that you still value their business and that your company is still around and functioning. Now is not the time to cut back on client appreciation; now is the time it’s more important than ever!

Among business owners who are giving gifts, one in four said they’ll continue to give holiday gifts to customers because they have done it for so long it would seem strange to stop now. The top reasons business owners will give gifts to clients, include:

• To say thank you (82%)
• To celebrate the season (38%)
• To stand out from the competition (25%)

While all three of these reasons are great, from a marketing standpoint, the third is significant. Since so many people have decided the can’t or don’t want to recognize their clients this year with holiday gifts, the ones who DO choose to make the effort will certainly stand out from their competition. That is a move that will pay off down the road. Customers will remember who was still reaching out to them in 2009, when others were retreating in fear.

Of course you want to be sensitive to the times; lavish and pretentious is so 2006. But gift cards, plants, and making a donation to a charity on a client’s behalf are very acceptable this year. And food gifts are always a good choice because while some people may not drink wine or liquor, everyone can enjoy either eating or sharing a gourmet package. Tie in the gratitude theme, as the Cookies and Chocolate Sauce package does, and you’re good to go!

The statistics shared here come from the American Express OPEN Small Business Holiday Monitor, an annual survey of business owners conducted since 2002.

Gift Ideas for Teachers

Finding memorable gifts for teachers can be a struggle for parents. Of course you want to find something different, distinctive and appropriate, within a reasonable budget. Oh, and if it could be a gift that the teacher would genuinely appreciate, that would be perfect!

Forget handmade crafts or the ugly scarf. The Gratitude Cookie™ is the perfect present for teachers. Think about it. The reason these cookies are so named is because when you give them, you’re showing appreciation for the person you’re presenting them to. Plus, we encourage the person eating them to think about something they’re grateful for too, so the chain of gratitude expands.

Spare yourself the time and stress of searching for gifts for piano teachers, dance teachers, soccer coaches and scout leaders. Show your appreciation for everything these educators do for your kids.

One idea is the Signature Box, which holds 20 Gratitude Cookies™. The card that goes in the front of the box can be customized, perhaps with a picture of your child, and whatever message you’d like to include. At $25.00 a box, it makes a great impression and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

The Gold Seal Gratitude Box is another great gift package for teachers. A dozen all-natural butter-sugar cookies, this box says a lot for $12.95, making it a fantastic choice for when you have a bunch of people to buy for. In fact, this particular package is available in cases of 12, so you can keep a few boxes on hand for last minute gifts.

And for just a little token of appreciation, the Pillow Packs are perfect for making a notable impact. Four yummy cookies give your teacher a few minutes of zen-blissful time.

As the season for giving teacher gifts approaches, it can be to find unforgettable gifts that you and your child are excited to give.