We accept 
A good one knows how you take your coffee, each family member’s birthday, and your entire schedule for the rest of the month. Here, a few ways to show your appreciation.
Written By Christine Whitney
Market By Cynthia Cook Smith
The duties of the loyal assistant are many: From having your newspaper and matcha waiting each morning, to ensuring your appointments run on time (and covering for you when they don’t), to answering and screening your calls (you’re “in a meeting”), to booking your airline tickets, balancing your expense account, and beyond. A devoted one is worth his or her weight in gold, and now is the time to offer your thanks for all the late nights in the office and emergency trips to pick up your tailoring.
GIFTS
FOR YOUR
ASSISTANT
1
/13
Because florals aren’t just for spring anymore. And she’ll need a new wallet to accommodate that end-of-year bonus.
2
/13
It’s not just her diligence that’s admirable—she’s always dressed to the nines with runway-ready makeup. Your style-savvy assistant will surely appreciate Alexandre Birman’s twist on the classic stiletto sandal.
3
/13
You know all too well that she’s earned some pampering.
4
/13
You hired him because his attention to detail knows no bounds. A classic Smythson agenda will keep him sane (and stylish) come 2016.
5
/13
Everyone appreciates a personal touch—the handwritten card she sent after your interview sealed the deal. A hand-painted set from Bernard Maisner will come in handy for the holiday thank-yous she’ll be churning out.
6
/13
Your longtime helper will mist up over this pair of diamond and gold studs by fashion editor turned fine jeweler Jennifer Alfano.
7
/13
Let’s be honest: What every assistant really wants is a smashing handbag. You can’t go wrong with
one from Chloé.
one from Chloé.
8
/13
Morning, noon, and night, he’s nursing a bracing French Roast, so he’ll surely appreciate this major mug promotion from artist Jennie Jieun Lee.
9
/13
Your photography-loving right-hand man will get a kick out of this new photo book, which features Phillipe Halsman’s lighthearted images of 197 personalities—from golden age celebrities (Marilyn, Audrey, Maria Felix) to artists (Dalí, Chagall, Weegee) to Richard Nixon—in full flight.
10
/13
With the hours she’s been putting in, you know she’ll be catching up on rest over the holidays. She’ll sleep better with a pair of printed silk pajamas from fashion favorite Olivia Von Halle.
11
/13
Her indefatigable energy is the marvel of the office. Constantly on the go, she keeps a rotation of heels in her filing cabinet for hitting the town after locking up. Give her the gift of an even faster (and better) after-work beauty routine—less preparation time equals more dancing.
12
/13
Since you know he wants to get his name—and his business card—out there.
13
/13
A graphic cashmere throw is just what he needs for vacation hibernation in his new apartment. Add a bottle of whiskey as an extra-charitable gesture.
in polite
society
“
”
In polite society, your SPEED DIALS should include your ASSISTANT, your therapist, and yourTweet This
HAIR stylist.
SUBSCRIBE
VIOLET GREY has a file on everything from
the genius of Pat McGrath to
the best eyelash curler in the world.
TREAT
YOUR HOSTESS
Shop The Violet Files’ selection of star host and hostess gifts.