<p>So I’ve known this teacher quite well as a friend for just over three years, and I’m stumped as to what to get her for her birthday this April. I’d get her earrings or something like that, but she doesn’t really wear jewelry (she always dresses very casually – T-shirt and jeans usually). The idea of a gift card to Barnes & Noble would be my next guess, but she always gets books at this small, non-chain bookstore near her house. A friend of mine suggested that I head into Bath & Body Works and get her some sort of fruit-scented lotion, but I think that would kinda be like saying, “You stink!” (FYI – she doesn’t!) I’d prefer to stay away from food (i.e., cookies, chocolate), too, since that’s like it’s for her whole family, not just her.</p>
<p>Soooooo, I’m officially at a dead end when it comes to birthday shopping for her. I’d prefer to spend no more than $20, but closer to $10-12 would be nice for my budget. Any ideas of what I could give/do? (I’d like to take her out for coffee at some point in the semester, but I don’t know if I could easily incorporate that into a birthday gift.) What would YOU, as an adult, like to receive from a student/friend for your birthday?</p>
<p>a book
I gave my daughter Richard Dawkins “the Ancestors Tale” for Xmas
Highly recommended It just came out so it is still in hardback but I also recommend anything by Stephen Jay Gould.
Actually many great scientific writers out there, I don’t know what her field of interest is but A primate’s memoir: A neuroscientists unconventional life among baboons by Robert Sapolsky is great!</p>
<p>Don’t do lotions, or jewelry, too personal with the age difference…does she like music, a cd is good- classical, opera, country, what ever her tastes…</p>
<p>does she have any hobbies, photography, cooking, anything like that?</p>
<p>I have also heard that “A primate’s memoir: A neuroscientists unconventional life among baboons” is a good book. I would suggest getting either a quirky book like that one or an out of print science classic. My father, for example, happens to like old field guides. Soaps are too personal, gift certificates too inconvenient, and tickets too imposing . . . in my opinion. A simple and honest card with a recommended or comforting book would be my choice.</p>
<p>Hmm…so far I really like the idea of the live orchid – at the very least it would add a lovely touch to her office! I’ll also take a look at that book. A musical CD isn’t out of the question, but I’m not certain as to what she likes/doesn’t like or even what she might already own.</p>
<p>Yes, she happens to LOVE photography – during the first week of classes every semester (it’s a CC), you can always see her in the courtyard outside the lab taking pictures (individual) of her cell biology and microbiology students – all 90+ of them this semester! She also plays bassoon, but I’m absolutely clueless about that hobby (although I’m going to her band’s upcoming concert in a couple of weeks).</p>
<p>Thanks for your comments – I’m finally getting some ideas. Keep the suggestions coming!</p>
<p>avalon: my mother has a live orchid and she loves it, for some reason. </p>
<p>Emeraldkity: I read “The Blind Watchmaker” by Dawkins last year and loved it. Am going to buy the Sapolsky book today, if I can find it. Thanks for the book rec!</p>
<p>Nom: “Primate’s memoir” is a wonderful book. And the “old or out-of-print” idea is excellent too. Some of my favorite gifts from students came from used book stores, including a late 1800s guide to shells that a student found for (she said) $1!</p>