A thoughtful Valentines Day gift can help build office relationships and express appreciation for an assistant. However, the wrong gesture — no matter how heartfelt — can create tension or even jeopardize your career. Shopping for your assistant isn’t always easy, but these HR-approved ideas can help you get started. If you are new to the office, however, Forbes recommends getting a grasp on office culture before buying anything.
Anything But Red Roses
The iconic gift for Valentine lovers, flowers can also be presented to assistants, according to Gifts.com. When giving flowers, look for a simple, non-romantic arrangement like a basket full of white daisies. Avoid red roses and use the idea of your mother as a litmus test. If you wouldn’t be comfortable giving the flowers to your mom, they aren’t right for your assistant either.
Bee Pampered
Your assistant breaks her back for you everyday, so give her some pampering this February. Burt’s Bee’s (BurtsBees.com) offers lots of great holiday gift sets perfect for pampering. When selecting one for your assistant, avoid titles like “Kissable Color” and look for platonic ideas like The Hand Repair Kit, Tips and Toes, or Burt’s Bees on the Go. Gift sets range in price from $6 to $20. Because Burt’s Bees products are all natural, you can rest assured that anyone will like one of these kits, regardless of their commitment to being green and organic.
Not Too Sweet On You
Chocolate confections are another iconic Valentines Day Gift, and if you avoid the foil hearts, you can easily extend this tradition to your assistant. Do something special like having chocolate covered strawberries delivered by FTD.com. Perfect for a single assistant, this gift can also be expanded and given to the entire office.
Calling You By Name
Tell your assistant just how amazing she is with a personalized cartoon. Sold at Treasured Keepsakes, personalized cartoons are available as mouse pads, framed wall prints, and keychains. Simply choose the format that you like and personalize it to your taste. Framed prints start at $11.85, and keychains cost $6.95.
Professional Style
The leather iPad or laptop case from Rustico is a perfect gift for the stylish and sensible business associate. The rustic look matches any style and the durable build is perfect for long meetings or business trips. This is a perfect gift to show how much you appreciate your employee’s hard work.
A Bit of Warmth
You don’t have to cuddle to give your assistant a bit of Valentines Day warmth thanks to this USB heated blanket. Available from Convenient Gadgets and Gifts, the USB-powered blanket and shawl costs just $19.95, and it creates heat when plugged into the USB port of a laptop or PC. The blanket is perfect for cold winter mornings in the cubicle, and the shawl even has a clip to hold it shut so that your assistant can keep her hands free for working.
Smart Trinkets
Buying your assistant a diamond ring or a fancy necklace might get you into trouble, but the Nine Key Typewriter Bracelet is the perfect piece of jewelry for office gift giving. Sold at Uncommon Goods for $100, this funky bracelet is handmade from antique typewriter keys set in sterling silver. With this bracelet, your assistant will always have the “write” style.
Hot and Cold
The USB Drink Chiller and Warmer costs only $11.95 from Convenient Gadgets and Gifts, and it is just what your assistant’s desk is missing. It can keep cool drinks at a frosty 45 degrees, or warm drinks at a toasty 115 degrees. This practical gift is better than any hot and cold romance.
