Most of the gifts for my trainer were bought as a group, sometimes by just a few of us and other times a larger group, depending on the cost of the item. It works out to about the same amount we would have each spent on an individual item (usually $100 each or thereabouts).
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I agree, I’m sure a lot of gifts go to waste if you don’t know the trainer’s taste well. Wine, home décor, and other such items really should be chosen by the trainer. I’m sure they get a million picture frames and other stuff they just can’t use. When I was a kid I think our instructor got multiple sets of perfume/talcum power from each of us.
In my trainer’s case, we knew she loved Hermes, scarves especially, and for the figure 8 for her new jumper we allowed her to pick out any high end bridle she wanted. After several attempts and returns she finally settled on the Antares. We did the same thing for her new helmet, told her to find what she wanted at the local tack shop and let us know. One of her friends worked at the tack shop so was able to give great advice and recommendations and order anything they didn’t have in stock. Same with nice breeches
The outerwear was easy but she always had the choice to return it. One jacket she kept repairing for years because she loved it so much even though we bought her new ones. 
In my case we would not have considered cash. Trainer had a thriving business, low overhead at the facility she worked out of and a husband with a “real job” and benefits. She wasn’t rich but she was comfortable and money just did not seem appropriate.
This, this, this!!! As a BO, even a $5 Starbucks card is awesome! It shows you thought of me and you appreciate me! Smartpak gift cards are awesome, I have a loooong wish list! Maybe try looking up that person on smartpak and see if they have a wish list saved?
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Dude, money is ALWAYS appropriate in the hose business. 😂😂😂😂
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the horse business, too:D:lol:
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Our trainer/ barn owner is very hands on and does a lot of the maintenance and upkeep on the barn. So the last thing she wants to do is mowing and weeding at her own house. But she really likes a well kept yard. So we all got together and bought her a lawn service for the year. For our barn manager, we got her a gift certificate to a hotel that is also a family friendly water park so she and her husband and son can have a fun weekend away. I think the key for both of these gifts is that they are things they wanted and they are things that neither would have gotten for themselves.
The horse stuff can get overwhelming - so unless I know of something they want specifically want, I try to steer away from that and get something outside the barn. Last few years I’ve gotten wine or some comestible (current trainer is a fan of nuts) and a restaurant gift card so she can enjoy a date night with her husband.
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For winter riding, Horseware makes some great fuzzy socks! I believe they were really cheap at my local tack shop as well. I stocked up on them last winter and they’re some of my favorites!
Barn manager / staff - socks, gift cards, money are all good bets. If you notice your barn manager always has a coffee a Dunkin / Starbucks card is appropriate.
Trainer - socks, money, stuff you know they need & promote their business are great (one particularly handy client made us a gorgeous jump with the program name on it, looked great on our website and social media).
But yeah, money is always most appreciated. I’ve gotten spa gift certificates in the past, which… meh - I still have one from five years ago that I’ve never used.
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THAT is fantastic!
Several years ago I was laid off - On December 4th I think. With no money and totally stressed I took to knitting so made all my barnmates scarvies. Let’s just say the stress factor of being unemployed at what is typically Not a good time to look for jobs, I could get one done a night LOL
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I’m so sorry that happened to you. But, a hand knitted scarf would be one of the best gifts to receive. How kind of you to do that!
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Thanks - stress reliever and no shopping all in one LOL.
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My BO and I are VERY close, so I gift her as one of my close friends. That being said, she is well off so I have to get VERY crafty on her gifts, as I am also NOT “well off” lol. In the past I have given her:
A belt with name plates of each of her top horses
Painted brushes (that I painted)
Stall signs with halter hooks for horse shows
A cooler rack/photo set up to hang off our tack stall at horse shows
A bracelet of tail hair from one of her past horses
Mugs from with show photos on them
A wooden mounting block that I had someone build and then I painted
Blanket bags with the farm logo to hang at horse shows
Plus some other things I can’t currently think of. This year I am getting her a custom belt from C4 with the farm logo on it. Plus another horse hair bracelet.
