When is it?
Administrative Professionals Week is held annually during the last full week in April (April 20 – 26, 2008). Administrative Professionals Day is always held the Wednesday of that week (April 23, 2008).

Who is considered an Administrative Professional anyway?
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) defines administrative professionals as “individuals who are responsible for administrative tasks and coordination of information in support of an office related environment and who are dedicated to furthering their personal and professional growth in their chosen profession.”

That’s a little on the wordy side, so let me put it this way: If your job title is Office Coordinator, Secretary, or office manager, or if you hold a job title called Administrative Anything, of Assistant to Anyone, then you belong to the family. If you’re not sure if you qualify, check out the IAAP’s website. They list literally hundreds of job titles considered part of their family.

Brief History
Many people think recognition holidays such as Administrative Professionals Day were created as a conspiracy by flower distributors, candy manufacturers, and greeting card companies so they could sell more products. Although these industries may well receive some benefit from the holiday, the truth is that Administrative Assistant’s Day was originally organized in 1952 as National Secretaries Day, by the National Secretaries Association - now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

According to IAAP, Administrative Professional’s Day was established as an effort to recognize secretaries for their contributions in the workplace, and to attract more people to administrative careers.

An official name change took place in the year 2000. Due to increasing pressure for political correctness, and to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce, the IAAP announced the new names of Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day.

Since its inception, Administrative Professionals Week has grown to be one of the most recognized and celebrated workplace observances worldwide.

So What Happens on Administrative Professional’s Day?
For starters, Administrative Professionals can expect a little recognition for their hard work. After all, it’s your day. Many employers even give their administrative office workers a small gift, or take the office out to lunch as a token of appreciation for their hard work. In any case, (employers and bosses take note) a simple and sincere “thank you” this Wednesday will go a long way in the eyes of your hard working staff.

Phew! Christmas is over - time to pay off the credit cards ’cause there’s no more gifts to buy for a while, right?

Wrong!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!

Unless you’re a hermit and have absolutely no friends at all, there’s someone out there expecting a Valentine’s Day gift from you. Don’t disappoint them! You can spend a lot or a little, but spend you will.

www.GiftSpecialistsInc.com has gifts for that special someone starting at $11.95 ( For Someone Special )
for the more casual Valentine to the Chocolate Decadence for that really special sweetheart.

On Sale for Valentine’s Day is the perennial favorite Gift from the Heart with 2 bottles of select California wines and a little plush Teddy Bear holding an “I Love You” balloon.

Check it out! Glad to help…..

Put it off long enough yet? Don’t know what to do without having the shipping cost you a fortune?

We can save you! Trust me!!!

2 ways to save yourself without breaking the bank:
1) Gift Certificate. Buy it on line, have it emailed to the recipient! Instant Gift! Pow - saved!
2) Send whatever gift we have, then look on the left side of the our “Links”,Print A Gift Card”. Print out a card to tell them what you got them and that it is on the way.

There - Problem Solved! You owe me………

I was home this weekend, nothing happening, had a few beers.
I sat at the computer to write a letter to a relative back East. When I woke up, THIS was on the screen.
OK - which one of you did this???????????

The Day Before Christmas

Twas the day before Christmas and out in the clear
Came my very last 6 pack of fresh, ice cold beer
Mama in the kitchen and the kids still at school
I looked at the beer and started to drool

I know I had promised not to drink too much
But, that beer looked so good, I just had to touch
“Just one couldn’t hurt” was my first thought
I’m sure its OK, if I just don’t get caught.

I coughed as I popped that first beer with a “Pfffssst”
I scrunched my eyes shut, praying the sound she had missed.
I opened one eye as I looked at my wife
If she heard it, I though, I’m scared for my life.

The light in the kitchen glowed bright through the door
I opened eye two and stared to see more
Had she heard it or not? I had some misgiving,
Was I dead in my tracks? Or could I go on living?

She just kept on cooking, I saw from my seat
So I told my heart “Go on, you can beat”
With a sigh I lifted the can to my lip
Turned from the kitchen and took a big sip

The taste that I got from that first taste of beer
Reminded me this was the season of Cheer
My parents, my sister, my kids - all here with each other
We’d have so much fun - but then there’s my wife’s Mother

With no place else to go, she has to come here
With that thought in mind, I finished that beer!
She’s due here in a few hours, spending the night
The “Grinch” here in person, oh - what a fright

Beer two was a gimme, I can’t take her straight
It’s 5:30 now - she’ll be here at 8!
It’s so good - cold beer - no matter the reason
Helps get me through this tough Yule time Season

With two down the hatch, I looked at the rest
I’d better not drink them, If I know whats best
In an hour, at the airport the Grinch would arrive
My wife and kids went to get her - a one hour drive

What happened next, you may not think true,
But it happened, I swear - would I lie to you?
Down the chimney came a fat guy, his red suit all gray
My mouth flew open, with nothing to say.

In his hand was a six pack of my kind of beer
I still don’t believe it - Santa stood there!
Now - I hadn’t believed in Santa for many a year
But my eyes do not lie - he was standing right here!

He shook off the ashes and walked to a chair
A noticeable wobble as he walked over there

A smile came to his face, as he plopped himself down
“It’s too early now to deliver to this town”
“It’s time for a beer, a short nap I might take,
When it gets dark, make sure I’m awake”

As he open a beer, he motioned to me
“It’s OK, you too. No one will see.”
Although I knew better, what could I do?
I couldn’t let him drink alone, would you?

Beer three was now opened, ready for me to drink
I’m drinking with Santa - what would the kids think?
“You can’t tell them”, He said “There’s my image at stake,
I can just see their faces, what a sight that would make!”

“Where’s the presents”, I asked, “The sleigh, the reindeer?
I’d don’t hear them or see them, I know they’re not here”
“The elves dropped me off” he said. “I needed a rest.
I’ve had a few beers, I’m tired - they thought it was best.

“They’re making my stops, bringing children their toys
You know they come first, little girls and small boys.
“They’ll be back to get me, we’ve done this before
Then we’ll finish my rounds, its not such a chore.”

He finished his second, then he reached for one more
I had to stay with him, so I opened beer four.
Now I don’t know how many Santa had before he came here,
Or what time the elves would return, or from where.

At my house, however, I watched him drink three
Then close his eyes for a nap, completely care-free
I had Beer five and beer six as I watched lay in my chair
A sprinkling of ashes still clinging to his hair.

I saw the smile on his face and how peaceful he seemed
I watched as he napped, wondering of what he dreamed

When up on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
The six beers that I drank then took effect
I fell over the table - oh, what a wreck!

Through eyes slightly blurred, from my spot on the floor
There’s two elves in this room - wait, there’s two more!
They quickly woke Santa, with a gentle shake, I believe
“Come on, big fella. It’s time for you to leave.”

“There’s still plenty of places that we haven’t been
To disappoint all those children would be a great sin”
Santa stood up, gave a deep practice “Ho, Ho”
Picked up his empties, told the Elves “OK, Lets Go!”

With a big smile on his face he turned back my way
“You can put up with the Grinch - it’s only one day!”
As he and his helpers left me alone on that day
I knew I would make it - what else could I say.

Then I closed my eyes, on the couch I laid back
When next thing I knew, I awoke with a Smack!
My eyelids flew open, I tried to jump to my feet
But six beer then took over, the floor I did meet.

I looked up at them all, as my wife glared down at me
If they knew about Santa, I knew how happy they’d be!
I yelled “Santa was here!” but that’s not what came out
“Hanta wath herth” is what I actually did shout.

I tried to get up, but the floor held on tight
They all stared at me, I must be a sight!
6 empty beer cans were strewn on the floor
How could I tell them - Hey, Santa had more.

The Grinch looked at me with that “Told you so” stare
My wife’s icy look, oh what a glare!
I tried to tell of Santa, the elves and his nap
But all that came out was some drunken clap trap.

I know Santa was here, I saw him, I know did!
But I lay on the floor, sounding like a little kid.

The Grinch sneered at me, my wife was so mad
How could they know the experience I’d just had
I stopped trying to tell them and grinned ear to ear
Would they ever believe me? I just didn’t care

You see, tomorrows Christmas, and all will be well
To the Grinch and my family, the tale I will tell.
They still won’t believe that Santa was here
They’ll be convinced it was all from the beer.

I’ll tolerate the Grinch for the next day or two
I’ll just remember, that’s what Santa told me to do
For Christmas is here, the season of peace and great joy
I remember the feeling from when I was a boy

I got up early the next morning, before the day broke,
Went down to the Grinch, and all my kin folk
The kids opened their presents, this is clothing, this a toy
The whole house was filled with great Christmas joy

One present left unopened, still under the tree
Who was it addressed to - my gosh - it’s to me
Inside was a six-pack of my favorite beer
The note said “From Santa, Great Christmas Cheer!”

No one would believes me, who I drank with that night
But I know the truth - and you know - that’s all right!

I did it! I’m Famous!

The youngsters named a Gift Basket after me!

Introducing our new “Over The Hill” gift basket.

The Over the Hill gift basket comes with a very large “While You Were Napping” note pad, a hot water bottle “Bedtime Stimulator”, a novelty bar of Anti-Aging Soap, a quirky Medical Alarm System, a scrumptious box of fresh Dry Roasted Peanuts, a big bag of Salted Dipping Pretzels, a crunchy bag of Caramel Corn, a keepsake “Over the Hill” Kazoo for humming the Happy Birthday tune, and your personalized Gift Message.

You can add a 6 pack or two or a bottle of wine. Everything an old geezer like me needs!
Now I just have to find someone to buy it for me!

Dr. G

Ok - I’m not sure who did it, but it got done!
I left for ONE DAY and someone went in and cut the prices on some of the best sellers! I tell the youngsters to cut prices on the SLOW movers…..
Anyway - check out the website at www.GiftSpecialistsInc.com. 4 or 5 of the best are marked down. If you really want one, get ‘em while they’re hot! We will run out when it gets a little closer to Christmas, because our suppliers run out of the stuff that goes in them!
November also marks the return of one of last year’s favorites - Holiday Cheer.

Well, getting close to the weekend. Time to lock them trouble maker’s out of here!

Doc G

HA! November snuck right in there, didn’t it! Christmas is NEXT MONTH! You have just a little over a month if you’re sending things to folks in a different time zone.

Start thinking of where I you have to send things. Then think about standing in line at the shipping store. Then remember how much I you hated doing that last year! Think about how much extra I you had to pay because I waited too long and had to pay extra to get it there in time!
No,no, no - I mean think how long You had to …. oh, OK - last year was the pits!

Click here and get let the experts handle it for you. (Yeah, I mean us!)

No waiting in line. No carting things from the mall home to wrap, then back out to ship it Aunt Polly on the other side of the country.

Shopping from the comfort of home - beer in one hand, other hand for the mouse and keyboard, credit card number at the ready. (OK - so not all Great, but still better than fighting the crowds.)

So easy I’ll let Momma G. do it (again) this year!

Time to go to work.

Dr. G

OK - we all give in! The holidays are coming and there is nothing we can do it about at! It’s one thing in your personal life, but if you are a business - wow! Whole different story!

Not only do you have to worry about what and how many to give, if you put it off, you may have to worry if the popular items are still available!

Your valued clients are going to get a lot of gifts. Some are going to be from your competitor. How do you stay one step ahead of them? What can you give that client, without breaking your budget, that will make them remember you above and beyond the rest?

Customize your gift! Put your promotional items in it. Put your label on beverages! People will call you next year to see if you are going to do it again!

(And all you folks thought I couldn’t be serious!)

Dr. G

It’s still October, right? Christmas is still over 2 months away?

Why are some of my suppliers telling me they are out of the holiday stuff I want? I want to hear from whoever told the world it was OK to move all the marketing dates around!

When I grew up (last century, but not THAT long ago) nothing for Christmas came out until the day after Thanksgiving. That’s when they light the tree in Rockefeller Center in New York. No Thanksgiving stuff until after Halloween was over! No Halloween until after Labor Day. Tradition! This Generation “X” or “Y” or whatever letter they go by these days….. NO RESPECT FOR TRADITION!

“Guess everyone should start planning early for the Holiday Season. Don’t wait until what you want isn’t available.”

Words of wisdom from Dr. G

Welcome to the new Gift Specialists, Inc Blog!

Our IT department was sitting around the other day trying to think of how they could screw around with the “Old Man” (me). Well, this is it. A “Blog”. I may know pretty much all there is to know about Gift Baskets and gift programs for companies like yours, but hey - I’m an old man (by their standards)! I thought a “Blog” was something you called a plumber to get rid of!

So this is their idea - not mine. I could pick an industry, say Realtors. We have quite a few very loyal Realtor clients. I know they are big on “Closing Gifts”, and every gift company out there has some. But they’re all ones we put together for you!

What I want to know is - what do Realtors want that isn’t readily available? The one thing we in the industry aren’t doing, but can do, that would make all the difference to you?

Any ideas? A good one does two things:

1) Gets the one who gave it to me something (don’t know what yet..)

2) Shows them smart-ass kids us old farts got brains too.

Let Dr. G know. These young gun’s won’t be easy to show up!