NWR: Giving a thank you gift?

levioosa

I'm not sure about the etiquette behind this, or if it would be weird/inappropriate.  

I had a few people write me letters of recommendation for my application.  I would like to send them a thank you card, and was wondering if it would be appropriate to also include a small gift card to Starbucks/Jamba Juice.

Thoughts?

Jen4948

I'd send the thank you notes no matter what, but if the people who wrote the recommendations know you only in a professional capacity, then I wouldn't bother with gift cards. If you have social or personal relationships with them, then the gift cards would be a nice gesture.

Viczaesar

levioosa said:

I'm not sure about the etiquette behind this, or if it would be weird/inappropriate.  

I had a few people write me letters of recommendation for my application.  I would like to send them a thank you card, and was wondering if it would be appropriate to also include a small gift card to Starbucks/Jamba Juice.

Thoughts?

I'm not sure what you should do, but in case it helps, I tend to give physical gifts for my letter writers.  I gave carved mini gourds to my letter writers when I was applying to my doctoral program, and last year (after a round of fellowship applications requiring many letters) I gave my three recommenders homemade vanilla.  After job letters and fellowship letters from the last couple of months I'm giving my letter writers bottles of homemade lemoncello for the holiday season.  I feel more comfortable with physical, homemade objects than gift cards.

emmyg65

A letter of thanks and an update on your application is enough. I wouldn't do gifts because it raises the question of tit for tat.

lc07

I would do a very sincere letter of thanks. I would not give a gift. Even though I know it isn't your intent, it could come across as "paying" for a good recommendation if it somehow came up in conversation down the road which would obviously be unprofessional.

jacques27

Is this for grad school?  Are these people professors?  If so, I would say no on the gift.  Most of my friends in the academic world would say that writing these letters are just part of their job, if they feel they can give the recommendation.  What they do like is receiving a nice expression of thanks and to have some follow-up if you get into a program.  They like to know what ever became of you and their recommendation, but gift feels too much like bribery.

levioosa

Thanks, everyone! 

It was for a grad school reference so I wasn't sure what to do.  One is a professor, and the other two are my boss and a personal reference (although I've known my boss since I was two, so it feels a little more personal.)  I don't mean to give gifts in a "tit for tat" way, but I see how it could come off that way.  

I'll just continue on and write them sincere letters without the gifts.