what gifts do you get professors?

[collegejunkie]

to thank them for writing you a recommendation letter or, if you're close to them, for the holidays, etc?

i usually get wine, chocolate covered strawberries, or flowers. buying all of these at once made for an awkward moment at the grocery store when i was asked if i have a date and instead i said, "oh, no, these are just for my professors". i got a raised eyebrow and "i bet you have really high grades, huh?". pretty funny, but still. what does everyone else get? i usually include a thank you or holiday card as well.

 

[ZenSandwich]

I think a thank you note, or holiday card is acceptable. Anything above and beyond that is sort of weird and crossing the line.

 

[collegejunkie]

I think a thank you note, or holiday card is acceptable. Anything above and beyond that is sort of weird and crossing the line.

you don't do gifts? i don't think it's really crossing the line when you meet them and just hand it to them and then leave. i just had lunch with a professor and as we were saying bye i gave them their gift bag. nothing weird. i know wine is a popular gift here, maybe because of the region/area (lots of wineries). i just don't want to go to the school store and get them something lame with our logo/crest/whatever on it since they probably have tons of those. i am running out of ideas for repeats though (for example, i give my PIs gifts at the end of every semester because they do so much for me, and i don't want to just do the same thing).

 

[uttom300]

A card is about as high as I would go. It is a conflict of interest for them beyond that, because regardless of if its true, it can be taken out of context. It can be taken as teachers giving you good grades for gifts or for other "wierd" reasons. I gave gifts to elementary and middle school teachers, when it was cute, but now that you are an adult, there are more consequences. Just take a look at the Alabama law which makes giving gifts to teachers, basically more expensive than a card, a crime.

 

[julayla]

I wouldn't give anything more than a card. I agree with those saying that this is a conflict of interest and may not be taken in the spirit in which the gift was given. It has the potential to make the professor feel uncomfortable, especially if it's before anything has been graded.

Here is an article by a professor about the topic:

http://blog.ericgoldman.org/personal/archives/2005/05/what_gifts_are.html