Gift help.

April 30, 2008 4:03 PM

Gift Filter: I need help finding a nice gift for a co-worker.

I just started a new (summer) job. I love where I work, and everyone I work with is awesome (6 other people).

The administrative assistant's birthday is coming up in a few weeks. I'd really like to get her something - I'm thinking something small since I'll only have been working there a month and a half when it's her birthday. (I know her fairly well because we work together at various points during the day, and I worked in this office during the school year in a different position so I saw her from time to time).

I have some time to find something appropriate, and have enough time to shop online if need be. I can spend up to $40.


Things I Know About Her:
- she's about 50 years old
- she loves (loves) to travel
- she has lived in various places all over the world
- she is very articulate, intelligent, kind, and friendly - everyone in the office loves her
- she is also essential to our office - without her, the place would probably collapse

Things I Won't Consider Giving:
- a subscription of any kind
- a nice pen
- a desk plant, desk calendar, desk knick-knack


Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

posted by gursky to shopping (6 comments total)

If you're looking for something neat and travel-related, I'd peruse the online store at Flight 001. They have lots of neat things, from packs of products to make flying more pleasant, to mini spice boxes. You might be able to find something there that combines travel with some of her other interests. An etsy search for travel also returns some neat results. I particularly like this passport case.
posted by booknerd at 4:17 PM on April 30, 2008

If she loves traveling, chances are she loves regional foods as well. Does your town have any well reviewed/renowned/popular restaurants for any of the places she's been? You could give her a gift certificate for a dinner out. The nice thing about getting something like that is it encourages you to go out and (hopefully) have a good time with a friend/partner/date.
posted by nerdcore at 4:20 PM on April 30, 2008

Y'all couldn't just chip in for a cake?

I hate to sound like a wet blanket, but gifts for co-workers can create awkwardness, and in a small office, you really don't want awkwardness. Granted, I know neither you nor her nor the office itself, but I'm closer to her age than yours and more than once I've seen these things change dynamics for the awkward. Especially where the giftor is significantly younger than the giftee. Especially when no one else is doing any gift giving.

Personal rule of thumb- work in a place for at least a year to see what the social conventions are. If it's still not an issue, repost next april.
posted by IndigoJones at 4:36 PM on April 30, 2008

Travel writing! Does she have enough Paul Theroux? If she has a good sense of humor, I bet she would like the travel writing of Tim Cahill and/or Bill Bryson (excepting The Lost Continent). You might also consider Robert Young Pelton's The World's Most Dangerous Places, or the Onion's Our Dumb World (advanced senses of humor only).

IndigoJones: you have a point, but a gift as simple as a paperback book doesn't weird anyone out, in my experience.
posted by Countess Elena at 4:54 PM on April 30, 2008

I think you are incredibly well-intentioned, however $40 is excessive. Especially if you are a student and this is not a "real" job (which is how your post reads). Buying her some nice candy, or making baked goods, is a solid, safe solution. I would guess she'll probably put it out for everyone to enjoy. A book is a also a nice idea. Has she talked about an upcoming trip? If so, you could get her a travel guide for the area. If you are really set on giving her a more substantial gift, I would do it in private to diffuse the awkwardness of office politics.

You could also buy her a cookie bouquet, those are always fun.

Why don't you ask around to find out how birthdays work? Maybe there's already a collection but they didn't ask you since you are a summer employee and they didn't want you to feel obligated. Maybe the collection starts the week before the birthday. Or maybe they would be willing to go in on something with you and the group can spend the same $40ish without it being weird.
posted by ml98tu at 6:29 PM on April 30, 2008

May I suggest the travel book 'Molvania: A Land Untouched By Modern Destiny."

It's actually a spot-on fake travel guide about a country that doesn't exist. If she's a travel freak, she's probably read dozens of guides and would appreciate one that satirizes all of them.
posted by lpsguy at 5:56 AM on May 1, 2008