There such a things as "Administrative Assistants' Day"? Sorry, never had a secretary before: what should I give as a late gift?

Leaving early, even if only a couple hours, is the best gift. As long as she won't have to catch up on work the day after, it will be deeply appreciated.

Take her out for lunch. Even if you can't do it during the "official" week, ask her now - tell her "I've been so busy that I couldn't arrange it earlier, but would you join me for lunch next [insert day] to belatedly celebrate Administrative Assistant's Day?" In all my years of office work, among the corsages and flower arrangements and tiny trinkets, the "gifts" I most cherished and remembered are when my boss took me out to lunch. Sometimes it was at a five-star restaurant, sometimes at the local buffet-style place. Either way, just the gesture of some one-on-one time meant a lot. Incidentally, http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/24789reminded me of my very first office job. I worked part-time via my high school's co-op program, and I wasn't anyone's secretary. I was the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telegraphy#Telex. But the head of my department included me when he took his two secretaries out to lunch for Secretaries Day (I think strictly because I was the only other female in his department, and he didn't want me to feel left out). That was 20+ years ago, and I still remember that luncheon fondly.

I'm an admin assistant with three bosses (I work for one, and help out the other two). One got me a balloon, candy and a card, one got me flowers, and the last and actual boss forgot, but then ran out and got me a new mug from Starbucks with a Starbucks card inside. The last was the most appreciated. Although the flowers are lovely as well. And I can't eat candy, so that didn't do much for me but make everyone else happy. I would NOT want to be taken out to lunch by my boss. What on Earth would we talk about?

Flowers might be too personal, and hey, they always wilt. I'm loathe to go the gift certificate route, but since you don't know her too well, that might be the answer. I love Chipotle, so that's what I would go with. But then I'm hungry, and possibly not thinking straight.

My bosses pitched in and got me a gift certifcate to a great restaurant I've been meaning to try. My husband was very happy about this too. One of them also gave me an inexpensive bouquet of flowers, because she said she thinks it's nice to have something tangible. I was very pleased. I swear to goodness though - I've said it before and I'll say it again - nothing is better than just having a boss who you know appreciates you. Beats any present, at least in my book.

Back when I was one, the Admin Assistants Day gift I appreciated the least was the card "signed" by the whole department, with most of the signatures obviously forged. She'll surely know you forgot, but try not to make whatever you come up with feel like an afterthought. Also, what anastasiav said.

Back in college, I did a stretch of work as an admin and an EA. Flowers are nice for the tangibility factor. If there's some service in the area like TakeoutTaxi.com or DiningIn.com that allow you to send a gift certificate that can be used at a multitude of restaurants in the area (or near where she lives), that might be cool. Just own up to forgetting and say why. "This is the first time I've ever had the honor of working with an assistant, I am so sorry I forgot!"

I thought it was now "Administrative Assistant's Appreciation Week." (it certainly has changed since "Secretaries' Day . . . ") But anyway, if it really is a week, then you're not later if you do something tomorrow. Especially if you make it Friday-specific it'll look like you planned it all along (like at 2:30, present movie/ dinner gift certificates and tell her to go use them- right now!)

I think when they watered it down from Secretary to "Administrative Assistant", the resulting puddle spread out into an entire week, so you have time left. Both chocolate and flowers are fine, but I'd just tell her you appreciate all her help, and since it's Adminwhatever week, give her Friday off.