i want to send my LOR a thank you gift

[a fragrant plant]

i'm meeting her next week for coffee/lunch and i'd like to give her a small gift to thank her for her support (she submitted 9 LORs, read my SOP and most importantly, being supportive all the way). you know, i think a small gift in the festive season would be nice. any gift ideas?

*she's in her 60s.

[keylimekai]

I offered my LOR writers beer or vegan baked goods

[rising_star]

I got mine gift certificates to this vegetarian restaurant in this town (for 2 of them, who I know like to eat there and who are vegetarian) and a gift certificate to a local wine shop.

I should clarify that my 3 LOR writers were also the three members of my MA thesis committee, and that I got them these gifts after I had defended and submitted my MA thesis. I didn't get them a separate gift for the applications...

Edited December 9, 2009 by rising_star
to add more info

[ana3a]

I would get her a planted, non-bloomed red amaryllis bulb, goes well with the holidays. It is very dramatic and beautiful when it opens up. Just avoid cheesy holiday plants like poinsettias etc -)

[a fragrant plant]

I would get her a planted, non-bloomed red amaryllis bulb, goes well with the holidays. It is very dramatic and beautiful when it opens up. Just avoid cheesy holiday plants like poinsettias etc -)

although I'd love to receive flowers as gifts, I don't think it's something for her. She is a frequent traveller so I don't think she has time to look after plants

[alexis]

I'm so mad at myself, I meant to buy cookie mix at the store tonight and make them to give to my LOR writers tomorrow along with a thank you note (it's the last day of classes tomorrow). And...I forgot.

Oh well, guess it's just a thank you note

[Ziz]

Last time around I made Christmas squares/truffles and packaged them up nicely.

[ScreamingHairyArmadillo]

Here's a blog post with a professor's point of view: http://science-professor.blogspot.com/2009/12/gifted.html

However, I may bake my PI and rest of the lab some peanut butter cookies (and maybe try my hand at some oatmeal raisin, too). Otherwise, I think a thank note will suffice.

[JennyFieldsOriginal]

i'm getting my LOR writers small edible/drinkable things-- chocolates and tea for the two i'll be able to give something to in person, and a starbucks card for the one i have to mail something too. along with a heartfelt thank you note, of course. if they don't want these things kids, spouses, the dog, etc can always eat them. i was thinking maybe a fun book for my one letter writer. i'm keeping it under twenty bucks so it's not like an OMGZ HUGE DEAL but they did so much for me and i wouldn't have made it without the support of these people, so they certainly deserve a little something they can enjoy.

[11Q13]

i'm meeting her next week for coffee/lunch and i'd like to give her a small gift to thank her for her support (she submitted 9 LORs, read my SOP and most importantly, being supportive all the way). you know, i think a small gift in the festive season would be nice. any gift ideas?

*she's in her 60s.

A thank you card...I thought that was the standard choice.

[a fragrant plant]

I have already sent her a thank you card immediately after she submitted the LORs. I want to give her a small gift for Christmas. I like the idea of home baked cookies. I'll see what I can make! Thanks!

[Liesje]

Hmm, I'm struggling with this myself. My first inclination is a nice bottle of scotch, but I don't think that says the right things about me or them =x

This is a particular challenge for me because 2 of my LOR profs are married to each other. I guess just that means I need a generic gift for the both of them, but that feels impersonal. I can think of books to get 1 of them, but then I have to get a book for the other as well, and no idea on the 2nd. Maybe DVDs? Ken McMullen's Ghost Dance, featuring the Derrida cameo?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nmu3uwqzbI&feature=related

[a fragrant plant]

If I complete my applications on time I'll make her some blueberry muffin this Tuesday.

[herring]

I would stick with either a thank you card or something home-made and meaningful..

Nothing of value unless you're very close and know it would be appropriate + appreciated. (i.e, I wouldn't get scotch unless you know they love scotch and/or have been out drinking with them, and don't show up with red label).

[BCHistory]

I sent thank you cards to my referees. If I was in their position, I think I would be slightly uncomfortable receiving a gift of value. Sometimes a thoughtful thank you is more than enough.

[kobie]

I really want to send a gift to my LOR. They wrote me the recommendation for both last year and this year and gave me helpful advice and encouragement.

However, I am away from the country and we mostly have communicated through emails. The ony thing I can think of is sending them a thank you ecard, but I don't know if it is kidda informal to do.

Are there any other things I can do to thank them?

[DUcky]

I gave thank you cards to all my LOR providers, and some fine scotch to one of my research mentors.I knew he was into scotch and he was visibly very happy with it.

[readeatsleep]

i think a home made gift is good. i made my letter writers cookies - lemon sugar cookies! just something that takes a bit of time on your part to recognize the time the letter writer took on their part.