Gift for advisor?

[nehs]

I finally successfully completed my master's thesis. Although, I was mad at my advisor since he was not able to meet my expectations interms of advising, nevertheless he was very friendly and approachable. Just that we could not expect subject expertise from him. Basically, my research was my own.

 

I still feel I want to send him a thank you note and a gift card (starbucks, since he loves coffee). What do you think? Yes or No? If yes, $100 card should be enough? Your thoughts ans experiences?

 

Also, I was thinking of mailing it to him, I can definitely go visit him but I figured that this will be a nice surprise since it comes in mail.

 

P.S.: Hopefully, this will not be looked upon as bribery!!

Edited June 3, 2013 by nehs

[Balatro]

Have you successfully defended your Masters and 100% done? I know back when I was in grad, there was a strict policy of no gifts until we were actually done. I think it's a little silly to think someone would jeopardize their career for a token of appreciation but I understand why they did it.

 

Also, yes, $100 would be plenty.

[nehs]

Yes I even received written approvals. I was thinking of $50 then I increased my budget to $100. MAy be I will go back to $50

[emmm]

$100 seems too much to me. It might be fine to spend that much on a more personal gift, but not on a gift card.

[St Andrews Lynx]

I think $50 would be more reasonable than $100.

[NeuroTU]

Agree with the others. For a gift card $50 seems more appropriate. Higher priced items should be more personal. 

[Nerd_For_Life]

$50 seems like plenty to me. $100 is a lot for a gift card, since its basically giving someone cash...just cash with conditions on it lol. 

I tend to go for less expensive but more personal things for advisors. Upon finishing my BA and getting a bunch of letters of recommendation and support from three key profs during my undergrad, I made them each a basket of homemade baked goods. I intend to do the same thing this year: once I'm done my MA, convocated, etc., and started my PhD program, I will give my advisor a gift basket of things I've baked along with a nice card thanking her for her guidance, etc.  

[DeleteMePlease]

50$ seems enough to me too. In the end its about the gesture not the value of the gift anyways.