A gift for my Vietnamese mentor?

December 28, 2015 5:19 PM

Looking for an awesome thank you gift for a coworker.

My coworker has done so much more than just show me the ropes and I would like to show her my appreciation. She is Vietnamese, has been in the US for only a couple years, and is the most gracious, skillful, and freely giving of "emotional labor" person I have ever met (and she has a wicked sense of humor.) I want to thank her with something awesome. Doesn't have to be Vietnamese, but must be awesome!!
I've read about chocolate or fruit for Tet but my ideas all seem so lame.

posted by mismatchedsock to Human Relations (2 answers total)

Best answer: A large bottle of good scotch or Champagne, wrapped in gorgeous red and gold paper.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:22 PM on December 28, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: My kid who is Vietnamese agrees. Whisky or champagne, the wrapping would be a nice touch too. It's a pretty standard friend gift. If you don't want to do alcohol, she suggests a big fancy box of chocolates - something that looks elaborate and pretty and can be displayed for company to be sort of a public gift. Fancy fruit baskets are what I use in Cambodia for the same purpose but unless you are somewhere that fruit is expensive or can buy expensive fruit (like Japanese melons - Japanese fruit basket packaging looks super beautiful if you are near a Japanese supermarket), a big fancy bottle of booze or chocolates will give the right message.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 9:20 PM on December 28, 2015 [1 favorite]