My daughter’s sorority sister took her to the hospital and stayed with her for 12 hours during a medical emergency this week. I want to send her a Nordstrom gift card as a thank you. She is a college senior so I think this is a good choice as she probably needs to build a work wardrobe. Also I can send the card straight to her phone so it’s very simple. I have a dollar amount in my head but I would love to hear some numbers from the CC community.
Very nice of you. I’m sure she will not expect a “gift” but I do understand that you want to share a token of thanks to her. I’m not wealthy, so to me $50 seems max. MAYBE $100? Do you know her at all?
How about giving her a gift at graduation time instead? Included in a nice card wishing her future success and thanking her for being such an outstanding friend to your daughter and mentioning the medical emergency?
I’m with Abasket. $50 is fine. Anymore and it could be uncomfortable.
I like @doschicos suggestion of doing it at graduation. Amount depends on your budget, but if you can make it a $100 gift card, she’d have a lot more choices. And she was at the hospital 12 hours.
I am a bit reluctant when it comes to store gift cards because people shop at different places. Someone may think Sears is a great place to buy clothes, and others would only shop at Saks. Frankly, $100 gift certificate at Nordstrom is not going to buy much, so this young woman would need to spend extra money to buy an outfit. I think a gift certificate to a restaurant she likes maybe better.
I was going to agree with oldfort: $100 at Nordstrom won’t go far – but it would at, say, a spa near the campus. I personally, also wouldn’t rule out flowers. It’s classic, classy and also kind of sends a message to this young woman that she’s now an adult. Know what I mean?
And by the way, it’s nice that you want to thank her in a special way. If she were my daughter’s friend, I’d do the same.
Thank you all. I was thinking a much larger amount, but $100 does seem appropriate.
Nordstrom gift cards can be used at the Rack… I agree that a card and gift at graduation would be more appropriate, because it is tied to a once in a lifetime occasion, not an Good Samaritan act. It would make some people uncomfortable to receive any gift after helping a friend!
I usually go for the really generic stuff - amazon card - can be used for everything - I personally don’t shop much at Nordstroms. $50-$100 seems fine - I would do it now (not wait) I also like the idea of a card to a local restaurant.
While I don’t think a gift is necessary and I agree with the others that a graduation gift would be better, I do feel strongly that, if the gift is to be given, the gift card should be for no more than $100. You do not want to imply that you are intending to compensate the young woman for “services” provided to your daughter. I believe that giving a “much larger” amount would imply just that.
I’ve learned this the hard way, when I inadvertently insulted a friend who had done me a great favor, after which I tried to give the person a generous gift card. We had a heart-to-heart in which the friend explained that the attempted “payment” cheapened the act and made the friend feel that the favor had not been received in the manner in which it was intended.
While the idea of a gift card/work wardrobe is thoughtful, there are some legitimate concerns expressed here – by @nottelling in particular. What about a nice gift basket from Harry & David or wherever? Some fruit, some candy, some nuts. A not really monetary way of saying “thank you for being such a good friend.” Can’t imagine a college kid who wouldn’t like a treat.
For adults I usually make a donation to one of their favorite charities in their honor.
I think the friend would be delighted to get the $100. Nordstrom certificate, she could certainly find a blouse or top to help with her future work wardrobe. And I agree with the OP it should be sent now, to demonstrate the parents’ gratitude for the recent action.
I definitely think $50-100 and definitely not more would be the way to go. Too much would make it awkward for the friend and name it look like payment. I personally don’t think many young people shop much at Nordstrom’s and couldn’t buy much with that. I’d think Amazon or a restaurant would be more practical. I know both my kids have long been Fans of Amazon gift cards. Better if she can use it and not have to chip in s bunch of her own money.
I think a $100 gift card to Nordstrom would be lovely. I’d send it now. If you wait until graduation, the recipient might feel that her parents need to reciprocate and send a graduation gift to your daughter.
My D regularly shops Nordstrom sales and The Rack and would buy several pieces with a $100 gift card.
$100 Amex Gift card.
How did you arrive at Nordstrums? Was that your DD’s suggestion? If so, and she knows this friend, great. Most important is to pick a store this friend actually uses.
Learninginprog, thinks like me, except I was going with Visa gift card at $100
Expanding on what @bookworm said above, if you’re concerned about Nordstrom not being a good financial fit, then how about pick something else???
The message is what you do not how much you give. Words of thanks will mean more than a giant gift card - but, if it’s important to you a modest gift - not a payment for her services - is ok.