Gifts for letter writers?

[loginofpscl]

Hey guys, I've been thinking hard about getting my letter writers trinkets of appreciation for the ~11 letters they wrote for me. I hoped to get ideas from you guys-- Some would suggest a thank you card, but I am determined to gather ideas for a good present. I am in Chemistry, if that helps!

[LittleDarlings]

I got gift cards and a thank you card for my letter writers. I just wanted to show them that I appreciate what they did and I was probably so annoying because I had to send a few reminder emails so I definitely wanted to give them something.

[ratlab]

It depends on the letter writer for me. I think I am going to get my main adviser either some really good coffee or a Starbucks gift card (seeing as there's one right across from our building). I am going to bake one of them a pie or something good, and a coffee mug from the school I'm going to attend (we're close). I think I'll buy a coffee card for my last one (to the cafeteria coffee shop). I will be giving all of them thank you cards.

Edited December 29, 2013 by ratlab

[MsDarjeeling]

I really think a thank you card is sufficient.  In many ways writing LOR's is part of an academics job, so additional compensation isn't necessary.  

[silver_lining]

I just said thank you in a very well-written email. I don't feel comfortable getting them anything because I know that they would not approve. Also, it would seem like I am paying them off. Of course, this may differ according to what country you are from. 

[ratlab]

For me, I'm very close to my letter writers (or two of them ) and have frequent conversations that aren't academic or formal at all, so I can see how one would see extra gifts as inappropriate if your relationship is strictly academic. I think it also depends when you thank them - I only plan on giving cards when everything is done and I've decided on a school. I think earlier is a little weird.

 

While it is part of their job - taking the time to write a quality letter isn't. Also,if you're applying to 8+ schools it becomes a bit of a few hour time sink for your writers, so I think it's only polite to at least give them a thank you card as MsD suggests.

Edited December 29, 2013 by ratlab

[ratlab]

This is a pretty funny, cheap gift:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Exams-Very-Totally-Wrong-Answers/dp/0811878317

[silver_lining]

For me, I'm very close to my letter writers (or two of them ) and have frequent conversations that aren't academic at all, so I can see how one would see extra gifts as inappropriate if you have little informality in your relationship. I think it also depends when you thank them - I only plan on giving cards when everything is done and I've decided on a school. I think earlier is a little weird.

 

While it is part of their job - taking the time to write a quality letter isn't. Also,if you're applying to 8+ schools it becomes a bit of a few hour time sink for your writers, so I think it's only polite to at least give them a thank you card.

Agreed. My relationship with mine are only academic in nature. I also have no idea what to get people aside from anything related to alcohol!

[jellyfish1]

I'm going to send them hand written cards and bake them cookies. Something small and simple.

[nugget]

After the admissions decisions came in and I was certain I would not need to ask them to be an academic reference again, I gave my references cards and gifts (so that none of them would think I was trying to bribe them). I ordered mugs from my university, gave chocolates and gift cards (for coffee shops and I gave one restaurant gift card to someone who wrote a whole bunch of references and clearly put a lot of thought and effort into each one of them).

 

After being in grad school for a few months and seeing just how much work it is, I appreciate the time my profs put into my letters even more than before I started grad school. I'm glad I took the extra time and effort to express my gratitude as they clearly deserved it.

[Knox]

I had three letter writers. Two of them were strictly academic/professional relationships, so I only sent them handwritten thank you cards letting them know where I had decided to attend. The third I had a closer relationship with, so I sent her a Barnes and Noble gift card along with the thank you note.

[VioletAyame]

I posted a topic a while back asking if it's appropriate to give some holiday gifts to my letter writers. I was told that if our relationship was such that I would have given the gifts regardless of the letters then go ahead. I feel that it's a very good rule of thumb, and so my mentor/advisor got a nice scarf (a standard holiday gift IMO) and the other two got cards wishing them happy holidays with lots of thanks.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

I'm drinking buddies with my letter writers, so I think I'm gonna pick each of them up a six-pack or two of some obscure craft beer. 

[i.am.me]

I sent a gift with card to my letter writers - 3 followed up telling me they loved it; 2 no response (I sure hope they got it!)

 

My gift was unique to my cultural heritage for them to remember me. I mainly gave them the gift because my parents wanted to thank my letter writers also - so it was a family gift to show how much we appreciated their help.

[praxismakesperfect]

I was thinking of doing hand-written thank you notes and a bottle of wine.

[PsycD]

I'll be doing handwritten thank you notes on cards from the school I'll be attending (assuming I get in to one), a gift card for one, and dinner and drinks for the other two. 

[jellyfish1]

so are you sending gifts/thank yous now or after you get in? What is protocol here? I've already sent a brief "thank you" email, but I'd like to send a card at least.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

so are you sending gifts/thank yous now or after you get in? What is protocol here? I've already sent a brief "thank you" email, but I'd like to send a card at least.

Just send a gift with a little thank you card attached Something nice and simple that you know your professor would like. I'm thinking a 6-pack of craft beer for mine. 

[i.am.me]

I did sent mine after I finished applying and the whole process was complete. I sent a follow-up on the schools (there was only 3) and then emailed again to let them know where I am going. My program was small, and the profs made it clear they wanted to know where I ended up and to keep in touch since graduates end up all over the world lol

[ffg]

I was thinking of giving my letter writers a thank you card with a handwritten note inside and probably a mug from the university I am going to attend (or a gift card if I don't get in anywhere). My only problem is that some of my letter writers I won't be able to see in person. Would it be weird if I mailed the gifts to their office? Do I ask for their address or take it off their academic website? I'm not exactly sure what to do .