Holidays gift for secretary

[Aeris]

Any advice or ideas greatly appreciated!

I've recently started working at my first really serious career-type job. I work in a 'BigCorporateDude' kind of place, and I share a secretary with about 5 other people, and I'd like to get her a small something for the holidays this week. I don't know her that well, so it's not going to be a very personal gift. I'm actually not entirely sure whether she celebrates Christmas, but there are no obvious indications that she doesn't - but I'd like to keep the 'thing' as non-specifically CHRISTMAS as possible.

I thought this would be easy, but now I'm stumped. I'm afraid to get candy or sweets, because what if she's diabetic, or on a serious diet?

What would you think about a small starbucks giftcard or something? Is that weird for any reason? Is there something better? (I have no idea if she drinks coffee, but I know you can get non-coffee things there - I always do!)

[rosiecat]

I like the gift card idea; but dont like it because it shows exactly what you spent.

OTOH  -  as a long-time secretary, excuse me, administrative assistant, I was never offended by a gift card (for any place).

A nice picture frame?  A fancy serving plate (thinking desert plate)? 

I would love a Starbucks giftcard.  Got one last year.  Bought CDs!!  And I drink/love coffee.

[Samantha]

Has she ever mentioned going to the movies? What about gift certificates to the movies, that will cover admission & (reasonable) snacks for two? Video rental gift certificates?

[Trisha]

If she has plants, that might be nice, a personalized mug, any type of "office" thing that might be nice (like her favorite kind of pens will show you notice, or a candy dish with some her fav candy) You could also invite her for lunch, tell her you'd like her to pick a day and place on you.

[miredrose326]

Being a secretary I agree with the gift card idea.  If you haven't noticed her drinking coffee I would say no to the Starbuck's gift certificate.  If it were me I would love a movie gift certificate or somewhere like Target. 

[Chocolate Cake]

Check to see if the other 4 people she assists are doing anything for her.  If at all possible, go in together for something bigger than each of you could afford on your own.   And, remember that cash is always appreciated, but don't do it unless you can make it a nice amount.

[KenveeB]

We go in on gifts together, with everyone who uses the secretary giving $5-10.  This year we're giving a collection of gift certificates to local restaurants so they can go out to lunch several times.

[Aeris]

Thanks all for the suggestions - I'm going to stalk her a bit today to see if I can glean any useful info. (She could hate movies, not eat candy, not drink coffee, and have 8 thousand picture frames already for all I know!!! I'm probably starting to overthink this...)

Part of the problem is that we really don't talk much - she sets a good distance away from my office (1/4 way around the floor from me), and I only ask her to do things maybe once every 2-3 weeks. When we do talk, we're both usually incredibly busy, so very little personal chitchat.

Normally, I would think going in with the others was a good idea... But I'm not comfortable going in with the others, as most of them I've never met, and we are stretched out along the hierarchy by *alot*. The highest ranking dude (who she does things for every 10 minutes or so) I'm sure can get her something expensive if he wants - my contribution would be a teeny tiny drop in the bucket. But I guess the real thing is that I wouldn't feel comfortable asking him if he'd like to get her something. (He's just so high above me that this question isn't appropriate).

Okay, all I know right now is that she smokes! I'll try to gather some more info...

I wish I knew if she drank alcohol, I could probably find one of those baskets with wine, olive oil, balsamic vinegar - I always thought those looked nice. Maybe I'll just ask her if she drinks wine...

[Aeris]

Woo hoo~! Recon mission successful: She drinks coffee. Religiously apparently.

Alright, I'm off to starbucks to see if they have any really cute mugs, or holiday blend coffees, or something.

[nliedel]

In my experience Godiva Chocolates can never go wrong, unless there is an allergy.

[green ferns]

Woo hoo~! Recon mission successful: She drinks coffee. Religiously apparently.

Alright, I'm off to starbucks to see if they have any really cute mugs, or holiday blend coffees, or something.

Great spy work! 

As a former secretary, ITA on the gift card; yay Starbucks!

[Brentwood]

For a secretary, particularly one you don't know well, I would say a nice pen and pencil set would be appropriate (and would be something I would appreciate if I were the secretary in question).

I love Starbucks. If went there as often as I wanted to and bought all the stuff there that I wanted, I would easily spend myself into the poorhouse. However, I do think that Starbucks gift cards get overused this time of year, and if a person received several of them it could have the unintended effect of feeling very impersonal.

[auntiem]

Great "stalking"! If she smokes, may I suggest a nice working vintage lighter? The second hand shops around here have a large selection and prices are very reasonable (around $20) for a very classy one.

[Brentwood]

In my experience Godiva Chocolates can never go wrong, unless there is an allergy.

I hereby volunteer to be the Godiva clearing house. Send ALL of your Godiva chocolates to my house with the address of your intended recipient, and I'll take care of, uh....(snarf, snarf)....seeing to it that...uh...(slurp, swallow)...they...get sent out. Yeah. That's the ticket!

[It's good to be Queen]

Back when I had a secretary, I knew she like to read (she always had a book with her to read at lunch and on the bus home) so I used to get her bookstore giftcards.  Great because bookstores carry so much stuff now (books, movies, DVDs).