Gift Etiquette - help!!

bxgell2 Posted: Dec 21, 2004 10:09 AM

Gift Etiquette - help!!

I'm a new attorney at my firm, and have my own secretary for the first time in my life! She gave me a holiday gift today (very nice sweater), so I have to get her something! I'm so new to this - how much should I spend? What kind of gift should I get her? HELP!!!!

nferrandi Posted: Dec 21, 2004 10:27 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

I would say somewhere between $50-100 would be good. What about getting her a gift certificate for a massage or a really luxurious mani and pedi?

tourist Posted: Dec 21, 2004 10:30 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

Posted by nferrandi

I would say somewhere between $50-100 would be good. What about getting her a gift certificate for a massage or a really luxurious mani and pedi?

wow- I don't sepend that much on my coworker- he isn't realy my assistant though, but he is the entry elvel preson in the department. I got him a movie gift certificate.

I guess a law firm is different though.

bxgell2 Posted: Dec 21, 2004 10:38 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

I was thinking about $100, just because it is a little different at a firm, and she is so amazingly good. She's not really a mani/pedi kind of woman... older and a little gruff. Maybe gift certificate to a steakhouse or something?

Janice Posted: Dec 21, 2004 10:43 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

nov04LIbride Posted: Dec 21, 2004 10:46 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

Coach leather gloves? When I was working on Wall Street, my boss gave me Tiffany earrings and a huge box of Godiva.

bxgell2 Posted: Dec 21, 2004 10:59 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

Posted by Janice

give cash, as an admin assit to investment bankers, the only reason we buy gifts is because we can only afford a certain amount. sometimes our guy's wives will buy us bags or something, but the cash is great. I would ask your coworkers what they normally do....

I just feel like cash is such a cop-out... and I can't get her anything fru-fru like coach gloves because she's older and gruff (though very nice). Any other ideas?

t Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:01 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

what about a nice coach wallet or her favorite perfume if you might know it

lillian771 Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:02 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

A gift certificate to a restaurant is a great idea. I also like the Amex gift card idea. Its a little more thoughtful than cash, but she can still use it basically anywhere.

MegLehner Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:03 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

At my firm the partners give secretarys and clerks cash bonuses. Last year as a clerk I got 1 week salary. But some of the attorneys I did a lot of work for got me seperate gifts. Many of them also got their secretarys gifts too. I would say 100 gift card to a restrurant or even a dept store is good.

Calla Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:11 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

I would also suggest $100ish as an appropriate amount to spend. Personally, I'd probably go with a department store gift certificate and a box of chocolates.

AnnBrunoXO Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:13 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

Cashmere scarf, gloves from Ann Taylor are nice. Anything from Coach is well-liked, you can't go wrong! A gift certificate to a steak house or spa, a basket of good lotions, soaps .....

I have a boss too that gives me cash every year - you can never have too much of that! :)

Janice Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:25 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

bxgell2 Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:29 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

Hmmmm... ok, I guess it will either be cash or an Amex gift card.

Thanks ladies!!!

pinky424 Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:37 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

I am a secretary at a law firm for 4 years now. If you worked with your secretary for 6 months or less I would say 75 - 100. If more than 6 months 100 - 200.

Donna Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:48 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

Just jumping on the assistant/secretary bandwagon and saying to please give her cash/amex gift certificate or a gift card to a store

It really is the best gift...

bxgell2 Posted: Dec 21, 2004 11:48 AM

Re: Gift Etiquette - help!!

Posted by pinky424

I am a secretary at a law firm for 4 years now. If you worked with your secretary for 6 months or less I would say 75 - 100. If more than 6 months 100 - 200.

Thanks!!