Credited gift ideas/dollar amounts for LOR writers? Forum

[eldizknee]

.

[sunshinefairy]

So my cycle's coming to a close and I wanted to send a small gift with a thank you card to me letter writers letting them know how it went. I was thinking something like a starbucks card or some other generic gift to throw into a card to mail them since I don't know them personally all that well. Thoughts? Any other ideas? How much should I spend to not look like a cheap jag-off or go overboard?

I was going to send flowers. Who doesn't like flowers?

[ccs224]

I'm giving charitable donations in the name of each of my recommenders. Seems like a better, less-bribey thank you. Since most of them were professors, I'm going through roomtoread.org.

[JuTMSY4]

I'm giving charitable donations in the name of each of my recommenders. Seems like a better, less-bribey thank you. Since most of them were professors, I'm going through roomtoread.org.

+1, that's an excellent idea

[orphanarium]

...

[Columbia Law]

I didn't spend too much. A friend of mine spent a little more than me and bought each of them a Rolex watch with an engraving. Whatever you feel comfortable spending.

[sch6les]

.

[worldtraveler]

Before someone throws out the bottle of wine suggestion, that's a terrible idea unless you're 100% sure your LOR writer does drink alcohol. A lot of people don't based on very personal reasons, and giving one of those people a bottle of wine is a really bad idea.

[Zara]

since I'm living abroad right now I'm going to send them each a box of local sweets and a thank you card.

and seriously an engraved rolex?!?!?!?

[ccs224]

I'm giving charitable donations in the name of each of my recommenders. Seems like a better, less-bribey thank you. Since most of them were professors, I'm going through roomtoread.org.

+1, that's an excellent idea

"Dear Professor, a $100 donation has been made in your name to The Human Fund."

That's actually pretty much what they're getting. I guess the difference from chocolates or coffee or whatever is that certificate saying "$20 has been donated in your name" doesn't seem like that much. I'm giving $100 each, though I'm relatively poor (but charity is worth it). If you can tailor your donation, I would suggest it. I'm giving one recommender a donation to an animal sanctuary, another to a suicide prevention network (a lot of his writing has to do with suicide), one a local charity, and the remainders Room To Read (I had five recommenders - a bit much, I know).

[orphanarium]

...

[RickyRoe]

Before someone throws out the bottle of wine suggestion, that's a terrible idea unless you're 100% sure your LOR writer does drink alcohol. A lot of people don't based on very personal reasons, and giving one of those people a bottle of wine is a really bad idea.

My LOR writer deos drink and I know what kind of wine he drinks. Would it be alright for me to send a bottle of wine directly to the school? Can you even send wine over the mail? I know the USPS doesnt allow sending alcohol, but maybe FedEx?

[Bigred2008]

Before someone throws out the bottle of wine suggestion, that's a terrible idea unless you're 100% sure your LOR writer does drink alcohol. A lot of people don't based on very personal reasons, and giving one of those people a bottle of wine is a really bad idea.

My LOR writer deos drink and I know what kind of wine he drinks. Would it be alright for me to send a bottle of wine directly to the school? Can you even send wine over the mail? I know the USPS doesnt allow sending alcohol, but maybe FedEx?

http://www.wine.com/default.aspx


I've used them a bunch of times, when I sent out thanks you for people I know drink wine. There are only a few states that don't allow shipping Maryland is the only one that comes to mind right now.

[iShotFirst]

I'm giving charitable donations in the name of each of my recommenders. Seems like a better, less-bribey thank you. Since most of them were professors, I'm going through roomtoread.org.

+1, that's an excellent idea

"Dear Professor, a $100 donation has been made in your name to The Human Fund."

TITCR lol, this is great

[eandy]

I made mine cakes.

[Bigred2008]

I'm getting them amazon gift cards

[orko60]

Yikes. I bought them each a book, moderately priced ($10-15). Is that cheap? I got something they would each want...

[kW 2 Kg]

Just thinking out loud (sometimes a bad idea on TLS). A "thank you" would depend on your relationship with your LOR writer. A really thoughtful thank you card would work or a memento that takes time and energy is more thoughtful than a mere gift card.
The book purchase sounds good if you wrote something on the inside cover.
I would hope that you would keep in touch with your LOR writers until well after LS.
A strong career is built upon lasting relationships.