Gifts for dissertation committee

[Miss Ann Thrope]

I'm thinking about getting a small "thank you" gift for each of my committee members after my defense in a few months. What have other people gotten their committee members? If you have served as a committee member - what gifts have you appreciated?

[you are nice]

Starbucks giftcards or giftcards to campus coffee shop or bookstore work well. Around $15 is fine. I would give something different/more meaningful to your chair though, depending on your relationship.

[Miss Ann Thrope]

Thanks! I do have a great relationship with my chair and one of my committee members (the other, I have a good relationship, but one I have developed a more meaningful relationship with since I've known and worked with that person since my second year). I have gotten them each gifts for when I returned from the field, which were a bit more tailored to my relationship with each one of them. I had thought about taking them out to dinner but I just can't afford it right now, so a gift card seems like a great alternative!

[runner]

some committee members find this HIGHLY awkward and on occasion inappropriate. suggestions i like (and used) are to get something that's cheap but thoughtful - i made something for my committee that would be useful in the office, which took me a little time but was essentially free. and a nice note.

[Depends]

I suppose it depends on the committee members. If you know them well and know they won't find it awkward, go for it. I think it would have been more awkward NOT to get them something after so much work went into me. I got them each a nice bottle of wine.

[Miss Ann Thrope]

Thanks for the different perspectives - I think I'll go with edibles