Figured I would post this on the Parent’s Cafe since many of you have decades more experience in a corporate environment than myself.
Anyways, in a few weeks, my internship will be coming to a close and while I intend to give my bosses and mentors hand written thank you cards, I want to give small gifts to those who have helped me the most. I was wondering if bringing a rather cheap but still high quality bottle of liquor to an office would be considered inappropriate, even if it is gift wrapped (one of my bosses loves rum). As for the other two, I have no idea what to get them. Would a gift card be considered acceptable? If not, are there any small gifts which employees have given you, that you either still remember fondly or enjoyed during the moment?
If this was a paid internship, I would not give a gift. The note is fine.
Also, if you decide to get a gift, make sure it is within the rules. As a government employee, I was not allowed to give my supervisor a gift unless we had a personal relationship outside the office (my supervisor had been my friend for 25 years), but even then it couldn’t exceed $25. At a private corporation, same $25 rule applied unless it was for a special occasion like a wedding gift. Leaving the office would not be a special occasion.
Be careful not to bring liquor into work even as a gift and wrapping. I’m not sure why but I think there was problem I’ve read somewhere like giving wine as a gift to teacher. So I stay clear of it. Crazy things could happen.
I think a note is fine. If you do want to include a gift, I would not choose liquor. How about a gift card to a local coffee shop OR bringing in baked goods or bagels on your last day?
Does the office have a shared breakroom/kitchen? A plate of cookies or cupcakes or some other treat with a nice note to all that you really enjoyed being there etc. will be appreciated by everyone (even if some don’t eat treats). Give the bosses cards as you planned.
Thank you for all of the advice. Yes my office has a shared break room, and yes bringing baked goods sounds much more appropriate than a bottle of rum.
Handwritten notes are always great. Gifts are completely optional.
If you want to acknowledge a particularly helpful person or someone who was a helpful mentor, you might consider a small office item or “toy” that would remind them of a project you worked on together, if possible.
One summer, my D sent the head of her internship a personalized grill tool because he had many BBQs for the group, that sort of thing. Another time, she sent an armadillo key chain because she was the only intern from Texas. Both times, it was only because she had a notable experience with these people. Both gifts were under $20.