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Your secretary is the one who keeps you looking good, on time, and prepared for the day ahead. He or she is out there on the front lines fielding calls, saving you money and time, and making sure that the day runs smoothly. The very worst thing you can do is to forget Secretary’s Day. It falls on April 27th, 2011 and April 25th, 2012.

Not everyone is aware that Secretary’s Day is a big deal. In fact, some bosses don’t even give a nod to it. But the bosses who value the staff they have will surely want to make this day a big event for their finest secretaries.

Gone are the days when the secretary made coffee and took notes. Today’s secretaries deal with vendors and clients and are in on the high level meetings. Most times they know everything that’s going on in the company as well. So, reward this faithful employee by gifting him or her with a special Secretary's Day gift.

Consider that a day off or pay for a day off if it’s not feasible for your secretary to actually be out of the office is one of the best gifts you can give. The fact that she or he is being noticed for their work and being paid for extra time that they didn’t ask for is a really big incentive for them to keep doing their best.  If you run your own small company, it’s easy for you to accomplish this. If you have budgets and constraints on you from higher levels, see if you can request this special gift in writing long before April rolls around. That way, you’ll be sure to get clearance and be able to spring your surprise.

Another way to arrange the special day off is to contact the husband or wife of the secretary. Get them in on the planning. Be sure that they know their spouse will have the day off with pay and then get them to plan a special day out with her or him on their end. It will be a dual surprise that will bring lots of joy.

If you want to go more traditional, stay away from personal items. Jewelry and articles of clothing or perfume are not appropriate. If you really feel that this is what your secretary will like, give her a gift card to a store where she can make the choice for herself. In this day and age, you don’t want any gift to be construed as inappropriate. No one could ever balk at a gift card (just stay away from Victoria’s Secret).

Roses or other flowers delivered to the office are always appropriate as is a special cake or lunch. If you’re going to do this, plan on a time when the staff can all congratulate the secretary in the break room or conference room so it seems more special. Godiva or other gourmet chocolates are also a nice idea as are any high end foods. Stay away from alcohol unless you’re sure that a bottle of champagne would be received well by her.

There are so many creative ways to thank an administrative genius. Just be sure that you don’t forget to actually do it!

More on this subject:

• Gifts For Administrative Professionals Week
• History of Administrative Professionals Day
• Secretary's Day Gift Ideas from a Group

Whether it is declared a national holiday or not, we think that it is completely acceptable to celebrate April Fool's Day. So with many people relying on us to provide some great April Fool's day pranks, we've polled Twitter, Facebook, and anyone willing to share. So here are some of the top April Fool's Day pranks, as told by you - the social butterflies.

10. Switching the salt and sugar at breakfast time. Lunch time. Or dinner.

9. Have coworkers bring several sets of clothing to work. Have them change pieces of their outfit after the culprit/victim has seen them in it. Let the confusion begin. (via @Mashable)

8. Put a piece of tape over the laser of a coworker or family member's computer mouse.

7. The famous "rubber band around the sink sprayer" trick. Wrap a rubber band tight around the kitchen sink sprayer and face it towards you. Sit and wait until someone turns it on.

6. Put a balloon or bubble wrap under the back tires of someone who will be backing out of their driveway or garage. When they run over it, they'll think they blew a tire or ran over something.

5. Turn on everything possible in the victim's car - this might include windshield wipers, a loud radio with obnoxious music, heat/air on high, etc. then turn off the car. When it's time for them to go somewhere, they'll have a rude awakening.

4. Scoop out the top inch of the victim's deodorant. Replace the gap with cream cheese and sculpt accordingly.

3. Choose a nail polish that you don't want anymore. Put out a piece of wax paper and lay the nail polish on it's side so that it spills out and dries that way. Once it's dry, pick it up and place it somewhere that it would be horrible to have spilled nail polish.

2. Set computer monitors screen views to go upside down, people will be so confused when they get back to their desks, and will have no idea how to fix it. (CTRL+ALT + Arrow Down Key twice) Note: To change it back, press CTRL + ALT + Arrow up key twice.

1. Don't do anything at all. Instead, sit with a sly smirk and ask questions. "Did you use the bathroom this morning?" or "How was your coffee?", "That's a nice shirt you have on today". Confuse them without even pranking them.

Have any to add to the list? Add them in the comments!

Looking for recipes for low cal and healthy foods for this Super Bowl Sunday? If you’re tired of feeling bloated and stuffed from greasy chips, take a look at these tasty recipes. This party may be your best ever with new tempting football treats that are also good for you.

Low Fat Potato Skins Recipe

Makes 8 servings

These potato skins make great party food; from Fiona Haynes, About.com Guide to Low Fat Cooking.

Ingredients

4          small russet potatoes

1/2       cup cheese, reduced-fat, shredded

1/2       tsp paprika

1/2       cup fat free sour cream

2          scallions, white part only, thinly sliced

Directions

Prick potatoes with a fork. Microwave on high for up to 10 minutes, depending on size of potato (or bake for 40-50 minutes in a 425 degree oven).

Allow potatoes to cool.

Cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out flesh, leaving a thin border next to skin. Reserve flesh for another use. Brush potato skins with a little canola oil or lightly spray with cooking spray. Place scooped-out potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes until edges are crisp.

Divide cheese among eight halves. Sprinkle with some paprika. Return potatoes to oven and bake or broil until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Serve with dollops of sour cream and scallions sprinkled on top.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa Recipe

(from Low Fat Cooking at about.com)

Makes 8 servings

Good protein Salsa

Ingredients

2          cups black beans - drained and washed

2          cups corn - drained

1/2       cup diced red onion

1/4       cup diced jalapenos

1/2       cup chopped cilantro

1/4       cup fresh lime juice

2          cups tomatoes - diced

2          cloves garlic - chopped

1          salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Add all ingredients and stir. Refrigerate.

Smoked Salmon Mousse

(recipes.sparkpeople.com)

This creamy, decadent spread helps a little smoked salmon go a long way.

10 Minutes to Prepare and Cook

Ingredients

6 ounces smoked salmon (preferably wild Alaskan)

8 ounces light cream cheese

zest of one lemon

juice from one lemon

2 T dill weed

1/2 t black pepper

1/2 small red onion, chopped

Directions

Place all ingredients in food processor and pulse until creamy and well mixed. If you don't have a food processor, chop salmon and mix together. Mixture will be chunky if prepared this way.

To serve: Spread on baguette slices and top with a thin cucumber slice and a pinch of dill. (These calories not included.)

Number of Servings: 16

Roasted Vegetable Dip with Baked Pita Crisps

(from www.associatedcontent.com)

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchini, sliced (4 cups)

2 medium yellow summer squash, sliced (3 cups)

2 medium red bell pepper, sliced

2 medium red onion, thinly sliced

4 cloves garlic, peeled

Cooking spray

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

Directions:

Heat oven to 400° F spread all the vegetables on a cookie sheet, spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with salt and red pepper, bake about 30 minutes, turning vegetables over one time. Place vegetables in a blender or food processor. Blend 1 minute on high. Serve warm or chilled.

Baked Pita Crisps

(from www.associatedcontent.com)

To make 2 dozen pita chips

Ingredients:

1 ½ pita breads (6 inches in diameter)

2 teaspoons canola oil or butter, melted

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Heat oven to 375° F. Split each pita bread around the edges with a knife to make 2 rounds. Lightly brush oil over pita rounds. Sprinkle with basil and cheese. Cut each round into 8 wedges. Place in a single layer in 2 ungreased cookie sheets. Bake till lightly brown about 6 minutes.

Yum, I'm getting hungry.

Football fans unite over the Super Bowl every year in January. If the party’s at your house this year, liven up a gray winter month with colorful decorations, delicious food, and a fun party atmosphere.

When it comes to Super Bowl parties, the guys want hearty food. So, save the dainty finger sandwiches for another time. Plan to have a buffet that can sit out all during the party. Have chili in crock pots—try different flavors. Bring out some rolls and cold cuts, chips, dip, hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings and of course football decorated cookies. Ask guests to bring their favorite appetizer and you’ll have your party work half done.

What can you do to create a super atmosphere for your Super Bowl party? You can make use of the football field as your guide. Think of ways to incorporate the theme of football into your setting. You might bring in some football helmets, line them in foil, and serve chips in them. Or you might buy football shaped drinking cups that the guests can take home at the end of the night. Football shaped cookies make a sweet treat and football shaped ice cubes are fun in the drinks. Decorate your table as a uniform and use big stick-on numbers as the centerpiece.

Guys won’t care much about fancy, but you still want to make it look festive. Hang up team banners, pennants, ads, or any other memorabilia you’ve got. If you have a healthy rivalry going between the two teams that are playing, hang up both uniforms and colors from each team.

Cut American cheese singles into the shapes of football jerseys and write numbers on them with Cheeze Whiz. Or make football shaped meatballs. The more interesting you make the room, the more fun you’ll all have.

If you have a bet going, blow up the betting card and make it the focal point. Set it on an easel or a kid’s chalkboard where everyone can see it.

Bring in some pom poms from the party store and have everyone give their best cheer. Make the guys join in, too, for fun. See who can come up with the funniest or silliest cheer and give out prizes.

Make beer or wine bottle labels that sport your name or your team’s name. You can order these online or you can make them yourself right from your computer using adhesive back paper.

Make shirts that everyone can wear and then take home. Write the team’s name on the front, or use a logo, and write each person’s name on the back of their shirt. Or you can write “The Dawsons’ Super Bowl Party 2011” in fabric paint.

Plan to have lots of cozy seating. If you can, bring in beanbags, inflatable chairs, gaming chairs, or anything you have around the house that’s comfortable. You might move furniture out of the way so guests can make themselves comfortable on pillows on the floor.

While you’ve got the furniture out of the way, why not set up a Wii challenge. During half time, you can all join in and try to beat each other at Wii sports. The worse people are at the game, the more fun it is for everyone who’s watching.

Go all out and make your Super Bowl party a hit this year.

If you're not all that fond of "The Great Outdoors", how about set up a camping experience indoors!  Turn off the TV, set up the "tent" and get ready to make memories.

You can use a real tent for your sleeping quarters, or create one of your own!  A couple chairs and some large sheets or blankets are all you need to create the illusion of a tent.  Grab a couple flashlights and books, tell some ghost stories, make shadow puppets and enjoy some one-on-one time with the kids.

What about the campfire, you ask?  Below is a fun craft that is perfect for pretend play!  Some toilet paper rolls, cotton balls and tissue paper make for a realistic mini campfire you can sit around to make your camp out even more fun!

Supplies:

• 6 cardboard tubes
• brown acrylic or poster paint
• large paintbrush
• red, yellow and orange tissue paper
• 2 twigs
• cotton balls
• white craft glue
• hot glue gun

Directions:

1. Paint all cardboard tubes with brown paint and let dry. repeat for a second coat if needed.

2. Cut tissue paper into three squares for each color. The yellow squares should be a little larger than the orange and the orange should be a little larger than the red.

3. Glue cotton balls to the ends of twigs for marshmallows.

4. Arrange cardboard tubes into a pile, you will need three of the tubes to be pointing upward with some room in the center of the pile where the tissue paper will be.

5. Use a hot glue gun to quickly tack them together, but reinforce with white glue as it holds together better.

6. Place a square of red tissue paper into the palm of your hand, lay a piece of orange on top of that and a piece of yellow on top of the orange square. Stick your pointing finger into the center of the yellow square and close your palm around your finger. Hold tissue paper in place and remove your finger.

7. Put some glue on the end of the gathered tissue that is in your palm and insert it into one of the open cardboard tubes that are sticking up at the top of the campfire pile. Repeat this process for all the other two sets of tissue paper and glue into the remaining two tube that are pointing upward.

8. For added stability, and to make this easier for your child to carry, glue the entire project to a piece of sturdy cardboard to create a base. You can even create some pretend rocks to go around the campfire!

And if you are doing a "pretend" camping trip as part of a kids party, why not give each kid their own little miniature camping lantern keychain as party favors?  They'll love them!