The Gift Suggestion Thread

[hobocamp]

My best friend since 8th grade is getting married in September (we're 30 now) and I'm wondering if it is ok to stray from the gift registery or not. We're not as close as we used to be, and she's living in a different city, so I really don't feel right calling her up and asking her if I can get her something besides measuring cups or sheets. I'm generally clueless about wedding etiquette, and she's having only her sisters as bridesmaids.

[Ripley]

It's always okay to stray from the registry. The registry is supposed to be a suggestion of what the couple would like, not a command that you must get these items and only these items. If you don't know her that well, the registry is safe, though, which does have that in its favor.

[batmom]

You can always check out her china pattern to get a sense of the household style that she's after so that you can feel more comfortable that it will fit (for example, as much as I appreciate all the gifts people gave us, I would get more use out of some of the items if they were in the same vein as my other dishes).

[marywebgirl]

Is there a reason you need to buy off the registry? If it's something nice or classic, that's fine, but at least keep it to the same store so if they do want to return or exchange it it's easier. Maybe I was a cranky bride, but I preferred things off the registry because it was the stuff I actually wanted, not stuff that would sit around in my parents' basement forever (which is where most of the engagements gifts are right now).

[sleepy]

I won't be needing this gift for several months yet, but I was wondering what one gives a dissertation adviser for helping you through the whole process? Do you also give your other committee members gifts, or just your main adviser? Certainly thank you cards for all of them, I would think.

[littleblacksheep]

I won't be needing this gift for several months yet, but I was wondering what one gives a dissertation adviser for helping you through the whole process? Do you also give your other committee members gifts, or just your main adviser? Certainly thank you cards for all of them, I would think.

I think thank you cards for all of them is a good idea. I only bought a gift for my advisor. He was a bit of a whiskey connoisseur so I bought him a relatively rare bottle as a thank you gift. I only got him that though as I knew that it was up his alley.

[bossyboots]

A gift for your advisor and a nice thank you note for the others should suffice. How about a really nice bottle of wine or port? Whisky is always lovely too -- as littleblacksheep said, though -- only if it's their thing. Another option would be an older edition of a special book
(academically related or not).

[starskin]

I'm going to visit one of my good friends up in Michigan in two weeks. It may be the last time I see her for at least a year before I go abroad. I want to give her a nice hostess/good friend gift. She works at a specialty store, so she has all the wine she needs. She's very into literature and poetry, as well as classical Greek and Roman culture (she's getting an MA in archaeology).

I was thinking of getting her a copy of The Portable Dorothy Parker or Lolita, but I'd be open to other suggestions.

[Deleted]

Starskin, does she write poetry as well as reading it? A blank book or journal with cover art relating to her interests might be nice.

[Carolinian]

Starskin, how about a reproduction artifact? Maybe an oil lamp or some pottery? I've also seen some nice repro glassware and jewelry.