General question about this. Any rules of thumb for scale/size of a thank you gift and any recommendations on thoughtful but trusty ‘stand-by’ gift choices? I tend to do food gifts or other consumables, and if i don’t know the tastes of the receiver, i try to do a variety or something special from wherever i currently am.
Edit: horse person and non-horse person gifts would both be appreciated
Depends on budget.
I have 4 gift bags made up in my cabinet with gifts ready to go in them. 2 are male appropriate and 2 female appropriate.
Male - beef jerky, root beer soda, and a measuring tape that has a bottle opener
Female - lavender soft socks, chocolate, wine or a soda of some sort.
If really good friend I do a bottle of champagne and a nice handwritten note. If not drinking alcohol, I usually do gift card to a bakery or restaurant I know they would like.
Depends on what you’re thanking them for, I guess.
I think a genuine handwritten card is often enough. Most of us don’t do favors for the little prize we might get in return. I also tend not to do thank you’s for people I pay-- like the BO or my trainer. I might give them a plate of cookies/something at Christmas but not much else. Maybe I’m a cheapo.
Otherwise-- we have a chocolatier relatively close to me that often makes it into thank you’s and small Christmas gifts. Gift cards to coffee shops or even the grocery. A bottle of wine or a pack of local or craft beer-- my friend got a new cat and I gave her a four pack of Laser Cat. I like to give gifts I know will be used or eaten, but I also don’t like “stuff.” There are shops that do personalization for not much extra money. I’ve given coffee mugs, water bottles, and wine glasses with logos or pictures on them and people have really seemed to enjoy them.
For horse people: if it’s between October and April, hand warmers or toe warmers. Otherwise, high quality horse treats, I’ve given people patterned or bright polo wraps, or a gift card to a tack shop with just a little money on it. $25 is still nice when you spend $200 on some horsey item.
my daughter got a complete WiFi camera setup for the breeder she had bought several horses from… then walked her through the set up of the system in their foaling stall
The breeder had been going to the barn every few hours to check on the mares as they prepared to foal… camera setup allowed them to check from anywhere in the world at any time as the cameras switched to low light at night (and the system was inexpensive)
Honestly for thank yous a card is usually good.
If you know someone well enough to know their tastes at least somewhat, then maybe a small gift (or gift card to someplace), IMO.
Fancy dog biscuits!
I like the assortments from Fairytale Brownies if you want to send something in the mail. That was always one of the most coveted Xmas gifts from clients at the barn I worked at last
My stand-bys include Smartwool socks, Spongelles, hand poured soy candles (usually buy locally) and a nice bottle of wine (also local/boutique but real wine not cherry apple). Etsy always has cute, thoughtful and affordable gifts too. They have some cute equestrian stuff too.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
