Thank you Ideas

[AHorseOffCourse]

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Hey -

So regardless of whether I get into UC Davis vet, I want to do something nice for the people who were especially helpful with my application and during my interview practice. This includes the people who wrote my LOR, and vets who i knew professionally and personnally (who I use for my own animals) who were willing to sit down and talk to me about their careers, being in vet school etc.

I'm on a tight budget (like most of you probably) and I don't have a ton of time of my hands (who does?). Do any of you have any ideas that are professional, not over the top, but still show heart-felt appreciation? Here's the list of people that I'm specifically thanking......

LOR/interview help - VP of the company I work for (and a vet).
LOR - family friend
LOR - former manager of the company I work for
LOR - manager of the compnay that I work with, but not for
interview help - vet of the company I work for
Interview help - personal vet

Obviously the family friend and personal vet are the easiest for me to do something personal that says thank you. the rest of the work related people are trickier. I'm thinking starbucks gift cards for the VP and vet of the company, but not sure I could fork over enough $$ that it wouldn't be insulting (or prehaps get a smaller $$ card and pair it with a plate of homemade cookies???????).

I want it to be personal, geninune, and thoughtful. and I'm really horrible at that. Just ask my family and friends around the holiday times.......

Anyways - I would really appreciate ideas from both those of you who have sent thank you gifts, and those of you that recieved them - what was your best ever?

 

[peachykeenies]

Hm... I know that for my University, any sort of gift for a professor who wrote a LOR is seen as a bribe and is highly frowned upon.

But since all of yours came from former employers and family friends, it's probably fine! I think that anything home-made would be nice! If you're artistic at all, a small framed drawing or painting would be a pretty cheap/thoughtful option. And if not, you can't go wrong with baked goods.... yummmmm 😀

 

[Cautionary Tail]

Hm... I know that for my University, any sort of gift for a professor who wrote a LOR is seen as a bribe and is highly frowned upon.

Even if it's done after the fact?

I had two professors and one former boss (veterinarian) write my LORs. I gave them trays of baked goods and chocolate with a thank you card. It was around the holidays, so I figured anything they didn't care for, they could always just feed to the in-laws or something.

 

[twelvetigers]

I think it's fine to do whatever you want for your eLOR writers! They have done something special for you, they are rooting for you... so, you can thank them for that. No big deal. It's not a bribe because they're already like... on your side?

Here's a good thread from last year that's full of good ideas:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=742445

 

[KodaBear]

I got my advisor (LOR) some giant veterinary related plush microbes- heartworm, toxoplasmosis, mange and rabies.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/6708/

It seemed appropriate since she's a vet, and I took a parasitology course with her. I think I'm going to organize them in some petri-dish-like container with a bow 🙂

 

[Packen]

For the vets and prof who wrote my LORs this year, I am putting together a baked goods basket. Personalized some touches, like a pineapple for one vet that LOVES them, and MtDew for another that has quite an addiction 😉. In the end I think it is really the thought more than the gift, but I always feel a homemade gift (even if it is just using premade cookie dough) seems a little "extra".

Forgot to add, that in the past I have just written TY cards, but since I (finally) got in this year I am doing something more.

 

[lareinesoleil]

I got my advisor (LOR) some giant veterinary related plush microbes- heartworm, toxoplasmosis, mange and rabies.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/6708/

It seemed appropriate since she's a vet, and I took a parasitology course with her. I think I'm going to organize them in some petri-dish-like container with a bow 🙂

First of all, that's a really cute idea.

Second of all, slightly OT, but I clicked that link and lost like half an hour on that website - those toys ROCK.

 

[that redhead]

I'm planning on a basket of some sort for the small animal clinic where I started things off with a big thank you note for them all and then a small, more personalized thing for the vet that wrote my eLOR for me. I still haven't quite decided because while he's very nice, he's also a pretty private person and I don't know all that much about him!

I'm going to get my current boss either a little stuffed ferret or stuffed monkey (we have ferrets here and he did his publication paper on ferrets and he's spent a lot of time working with monkeys) with a thank you note.

For my last letter writer, I'll probably get her a nice card and maybe a baked good of some sort, or a little horsey thing.

Definitely at least a heartfelt note; that alone can mean a lot to someone.

 

[AHorseOffCourse]

Thanks guys - that helps a lot. I had completely forgot aobut the vet clinic, who hired me right out of high school that probably started this whole thing! that was almost 10 years ago - but some of the same people work there and would probably enjoy me showing up with something just to say thanks.

some of the people on the list are very private too - and at least one of them is a real healthly/workout person so really wanted to do something for him that was less junk food-ish. The whole petri dish/stuffed animal thing was too funny. I guess I can't go wrong with some cutsy chicken/turkey thing for the work people! (I work in a poultry business).

 

[peachykeenies]

Even if it's done after the fact?

I had two professors and one former boss (veterinarian) write my LORs. I gave them trays of baked goods and chocolate with a thank you card. It was around the holidays, so I figured anything they didn't care for, they could always just feed to the in-laws or something.

Sadly, yes (for UT Austin, at least?). My boyfriend brought his evaluator a nice pen, and his professor reprimanded him and told him that it was 'against the rules' for him to accept anything at all... which I think is a load of bull if the letter's already written!

Also, those plushes are AMAZING! I think I'm getting Mange!

 

[tigerkitten]

I LOVE those plushies! My sister bought me Heartworm, Mange, Rabies, and Toxoplasmosis for my birthday, right after I ditched my previous 20-year career for this path. It never occurred to me that those would make a good thank-you gift, but that's really good for a bio or microbio professor!

How about a vet you've been shadowing for a while? I have about 100 hours following a horse veterinarian around, at absolutely no benefit to her, and I feel it has really helped me. She loves wine, but a nice bottle would be foolish -- she and her husband run a wine bar! Baked goods???

 

[twelvetigers]

Who knew herpes would be so cute?

 

[thedogisgreen]

Now that I know I'm going to school in the fall and am leaving my job in 1.5 months, I need to figure out gifts. But I don't know what to do in terms of wanting to get things for some people and then feeling obligated to get things for others. Two of the three vets wrote me eLORs, but it's weird to just get something for two of them and not the other (or something distinctly bigger for the two).. Then, I want to get something for one of the techs who has helped me out a lot and also my manager, but then it's so many people and I feel like I should just get something for everybody. And I guess that would include the boss, who I only see at meetings once a month and have never worked with... ugh, this gets complicated. Suggestions?

 

[AngSchmange]

Now that I know I'm going to school in the fall and am leaving my job in 1.5 months, I need to figure out gifts. But I don't know what to do in terms of wanting to get things for some people and then feeling obligated to get things for others. Two of the three vets wrote me eLORs, but it's weird to just get something for two of them and not the other (or something distinctly bigger for the two).. Then, I want to get something for one of the techs who has helped me out a lot and also my manager, but then it's so many people and I feel like I should just get something for everybody. And I guess that would include the boss, who I only see at meetings once a month and have never worked with... ugh, this gets complicated. Suggestions?

Gift cards? Starbucks, donkin donuts come to mind 🙂

 

[xxalic3xx]

I'm thinking about getting gifts, too.

What do people think about Edible arrangements?
Do you guys think it's a good idea?

 

[thedogisgreen]

Gift cards? Starbucks, donkin donuts come to mind 🙂

I wanted to do something more personal for each person, I found some mugs with funny quotes for each of the vets - but then I should give the vets who wrote my letters more than the other one. And little things to everybody else. Though in the end, I guess it doesn't matter, they aren't jealous little kids..

 

[Cautionary Tail]

I'm thinking about getting gifts, too.

What do people think about Edible arrangements?
Do you guys think it's a good idea?

We used to receive them on occasion at one of the clinics I worked at, and they were always appreciated... especially (by me) if they happened to be the ones with the chocolate-covered strawberries. 😀

 

[Chinola]

I was actually going to dig up this thread today. I'm not sending actual gifts to any of my LOR writers. I'm just going to send them all thank you cards. However I wanted to send something to the vet clinic that I originally worked at in NJ (2 of the vets there wrote me letters). But here's the twist, I want to also announce to them which school I chose in this gift. I've told them all of the schools I was accepted to but I didn't tell them my decision. I was thinking food, cookies or something, but I want it to be colored in orange and blue (I'll probably be attending UF). Or it can have a giant gator head on it to represent UF's mascot.

Any ideas as to what I can send? Also, one of the vets isn't supposed to have sugar so is there any company that'll let me send one big platter or thing and then send another little something for him to eat that's sugar-free? I want this to be to the whole clinic since they all were awesome while I worked there, so I'm thinking something large-ish (4 doctor practice).

😍Thanks for any ideas! I'm so not creative lol

 

[Chinola]

I'm thinking about getting gifts, too.

What do people think about Edible arrangements?
Do you guys think it's a good idea?

Edible arrangements are an awesome idea! When my clinic used to get them we used to go like a pack of dogs ripping it apart. Definitely a big yes! Though they're quite expensive.

 

[Armymutt25A]

For mine, I called the one who wasn't local and thanked him. The rest I visited in person.

 

[Cautionary Tail]

Any ideas as to what I can send? Also, one of the vets isn't supposed to have sugar so is there any company that'll let me send one big platter or thing and then send another little something for him to eat that's sugar-free? I want this to be to the whole clinic since they all were awesome while I worked there, so I'm thinking something large-ish (4 doctor practice).

We have a local candy shop that makes amazing sugar-free truffles. I used to give them to one of my coworkers for the holidays because she couldn't eat anything on the cookie trays I was making for everyone else.

I don't know if you're planning on buying locally or having something shipped out, but I'd imagine that most places offer sugar-free options.

 

[AHorseOffCourse]

Wanted to let everyone know what I ended up getting for my LOR writers, and the vets/MD's who helped me through the interview process - I bought a bottle of speciality balsamic vinegar from a local winery, and paired it with a bottle of UC Davis olive oil.

So far they have been a BIG hit, and the costs were realtively low - less than $20 per person.

For the 2 clinics that I want to thank, I think I'm going to rely on an oldfashion home backed merignue pie once I hear for sure on the admissions decision.

 

[tigerkitten]

Wanted to let everyone know what I ended up getting for my LOR writers, and the vets/MD's who helped me through the interview process - I bought a bottle of speciality balsamic vinegar from a local winery, and paired it with a bottle of UC Davis olive oil.

So far they have been a BIG hit, and the costs were realtively low - less than $20 per person.

For the 2 clinics that I want to thank, I think I'm going to rely on an oldfashion home backed merignue pie once I hear for sure on the admissions decision.

OMG, I love the balsamic / olive oil idea! That is awesome! Is UC Davis olive oil sold in the campus bookstore?? I know at least one of my DVMs is going to get exactly this, now that you've pointed me in this direction. Thank you for the idea! 👍 👍

Another one is getting a big ol' Starbucks gift card. She LIVES on Starbucks.

 

[Felixor90]

First of all, that's a really cute idea.

Second of all, slightly OT, but I clicked that link and lost like half an hour on that website - those toys ROCK.

I've lost countless hours on that website. The mini pet cacti are extra cute. :3

 

[that redhead]

I've written each of my three writers a thank-you card. I think I'll probably forego a gift for the one, since I haven't seen or worked with her for a while now. My current boss likes golfing, cigars, ferrets and NHP, so I'm going to get him something related to one of those things. I'm a bit stuck on my last writer because he's a pretty private person and I'm not really sure what sort of thing he'd like. I may end up going with a homemade goods sort of thing for him. I'm planning to get a basket of SOMETHING for that whole practice, though, because they were all really great to me (and still are!)

 

[AHorseOffCourse]

Tigerkitten -

Yes, the olive oil is sold in teh bookstore, but you have to look around for it. I chose the one with the horse on front of it (naturally!).

I'm not sure exactly where you live, but if you go through Lodi, the balsamic vinegar I got came from teh Abundance winery, but is also sold through the Lodi visitor's center downtown.

 

[tigerkitten]

Tigerkitten -

Yes, the olive oil is sold in teh bookstore, but you have to look around for it. I chose the one with the horse on front of it (naturally!).

I'm not sure exactly where you live, but if you go through Lodi, the balsamic vinegar I got came from teh Abundance winery, but is also sold through the Lodi visitor's center downtown.

Thanks, AHorseOffCourse! I'm usually coming eastbound on 80, so I can probably snag balsamic vinegar in Suisun Valley or take a detour up to something Napa-ish. I am so happy - this suggestion is awesome!

 

[Mohorsegirl]

I'm planning on sending homemade baked goods... not by me, but I know the lady that does it 😉 WAY better than what I could make!

Here's her store link:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/janemariefoods?ref=seller_info