End of Course Gifts to Professors?

[Texsox]

I was a little surprised when several of my classmates brought gifts to the professor at the final class session. In one case the student was graduating, the others will still be around. Is this expected, welcomed, or frowned upon?

[wildviolet]

I have a colleague who draws/makes cards for a hobby, so she made a card for her advisor (she also talks with him about stuff like why her mom is pressuring her to get married at the age of 28). Anyway, I made a southern red velvet cake for our last class/potluck because I knew my professor missed southern things living up here in the Midwest. As long as the gift isn't weird, I don't see why it should be frowned upon. Oh yes, and for this same professor, we all signed a card and gave it to her in class when we found it was her birthday--she was appreciative.

[eco_env]

I was told in TA training that we aren't allowed to accept gifts from students. Presumably the same is true for professors at my university. But I gave cookies to my thesis committee in undergrad, and they didn't seem to have a problem accepting them.

[redandshiny]

I don't think any professors really expect it but if it's something small (and especially edible) they don't mind. In the past, for professors that I've really liked/actually talked to I've just make cookies/baked goods or brought them a $10 starbucks gc.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

I guess it depends how well the student knows them/gets along with them. For example, wildviolet gave a gift to her advisor whom she also talked with about personal things. There's nothing wrong with that. But if a student just brings gifts to every one of his/her professors at the end of a course it's a bit over-the-top and kiss-ass. I guess it would be less weird at a higher level, such as senior year of undergrad or grad school. It would be totally weird for a freshmen to be doing something like that. 

Edited December 28, 2012 by JoeyBoy718

[blakeblake]

I've rarely seen anyone give a professor a gift (though taking muffins or pastries to your thesis/dissertation defense is traditional).  It is generally acceptable to give a professor small gifts like a plant or food, but steer clear of anything expensive or with potentially romantic connotations (flowers, candy).  If you really want to thank a professor, try sending him/her a nice thank you card that explains why you liked the class so much or drop by the prof's office hours and explain in person.