Hi fellow skaters

Because of moving long distance, I will not be able to to take lessons from my coach anymore. She's been coaching me for 5 years, from the day I first started figure skating (as opposed to recreational skating), and she is a great coach. I'm sad to have to leave.
I would like to give her a gift to express my gratitude and appreciation, but I'm quite low on ideas as I don't know much about what she likes. She is young (28 or 29, I think) and outgoing. She is always well groomed and nicely dressed, so I'm guessing she might be interested in fashion and beauty products. I wonder... would if getting her a gift certificate to a store or a spa would be a good idea? This way she could get whatever she wanted, as opposed to getting something she might not like. But I'm clueless as to what kind of a certificate to get and for what amount?

Have you ever given such gifts to your coaches? What were they? I'd love to hear stories, perhaps that could give me more ideas. I'd appreciate feedback and any other suggestions!

Thank you!

A gift certificate to a spa for either a manicure/pedicure package or a massage would be great I think.

I've given my female coach gift certificates to Talbots, so she can get whatever article of clothing or accessory she wants.

I think the spa gift certificate is always a good idea.

A cute little purse is fun, too. Every time she carries it, she can think of you.

I totaly second the idea for a manicure/pedicure (either or both depending on your budget), it's one of the best gifts I've recieved. Another idea would be a massage, even 30 minutes is nice and would be reasonable.

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* Marcoux & Buntin * Miller & Moram *

Yes, I think I'll go with a gift certificate. What amount would be good?

I think if you were to go with a gift certificate from a salon, a pedicure or manicure would run about $15-$25 depending on your area. Another idea might be to give a gift card from her favorite restaurant.

Rather than guess what your coach may enjoy, how about asking... her,
what her Favorites are: Fragrances, Relaxation-music, Flowers, Sweets, etc., and
especially somethings lasting... include a really-Thoughtful THANK-you card

I'd want to buy her something lasting ...

A voucher for a spa is a great gift, but in my experience, sometimes the recipient never gets round to using it (I gave my sister one once, to one of the poshest spas around, and she never felt "posh" enough to use it, silly sister, so it went to waste!).

And when I look around my place, I really appreciate the lasting gifts, which remind me of people and places I've known.

I would probably try to buy her something nice for the house or garden, maybe a really beautiful flower vase - people never have enough vases!!. Or maybe a beautiful print with a skating scene, or a scene of the locality. Or perhaps she has a hobby for collecting something or other? Coaches always need music, so if you could find a really good compilation CD with film music on, which she hasn't got already, that might also make a good gift.

But the most important thing is to find a lovely "thankyou" card, in which to write your greetings and good wishes.

An excellent point.
Au contraire. I have so many vases around my house, it looks like a flower shop. Not many people are "into" fresh flowers, so how many can you use at one time?

I like the idea of the locality, but quite frankly, I'd avoid anything skating-related. Coaches get TONS of skating junk for birthdays and Christmas. Most of the coaches I know cringe at the idea of getting one more piece of skating-related junk they have to pretend to like in their home!

Yes! This will mean more to the coach than any thing you could give her.

Starbucks voucher cards are always a good option...

or Gift cards from Borders or Barnes & Noble...

I've done both.

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American Waltz... Once, Twice, ???? ...

Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

what I have gathered from my coaches is they are tired of skating-related gifts.

I do like the idea of something she can keep to remind her of you. A glam gift like a purse or jewelry might be just the thing.

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Champagne in 2005, 2008, 2009 - who's next out of the pre-bronze club...?

Wang chung!

I've given mine symphony ticket gift certificates, a really nice book on music (he was preparing to take his master psa test), a hip flask (for those away competitions), a hand painted silk tie and others I can't remember over the 14 years.

Mine's easy - give him a bottle of red wine and he's happy! His wife (coach2) likes white wine, and she also likes what I call a pot-plant, but I rather think that implies something different the other side of the Atlantic, so let's call it a house-plant instead.

Goodness, Skaternum, my house isn't furnished without fresh flowers! We (almost) always have some, though I notice we haven't at the moment - and always, always for guests.

Going back to the original question, though, why not a gift certificate for your local department store, and a really nice card?

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Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I love having fresh flowers in the house. Unfortunately, so do my cats.

Red wine or Champaign always works for my coach too!

I have also given her a picture of the two of us at a competition in a nice frame.

But her favorite is the air-brushed T-shirt I gave her after I passed my Silver test. They painted on a wicked looking lady on skates with the words "Evil B*tch" printed on it. (Long story, but she is proud of this title ) Of course I had them put "#1 Coach" on the front.

I think sk8ngcat gave her coach (and my former secondary coach) a whip for Christmas. (Thus the title "Mistress Coach...") Of course, my current secondary coach knows of this gift (they know each other!) and proudly comments on her gift of a whistle. (As in "Drill Sargeant?")

I gave Starbucks gift certificates, but this year I might get the coffee in a thermis for both of them!!! I know secondary coach for sure drinks Starbucks... I think she accidently spilled hers once during my lesson!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Goodness, did you horrify her that much????

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Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

[QUOTE=PattyP]I have also given her a picture of the two of us at a competition in a nice frame.
QUOTE]


This is what my coach likes the most. It's skating related, yet personal. They're all over coach's house.

I also give gasoline coupons (prepaid cards) as there's no skating without driving in my rural area.

Heavens no!!! I think she was just about to sit down on the bench when it happened. Luckily, none of it got on her...

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Red wine is also a winner with my coach...............but it's definitely not a lasting gift.

How about a gift certificate for the USFSA or ISI? You could tell her it's for her membership fee.

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I asked my daughters coach last year if she liked wine, thinking along of the lines of a nice bottle for a gift.
Her answer, nope I love Canadian BEER !!!
So, that is what we buy her. Maybe its a bit off for some, but its something we know she loves. Its about 25.00 for a case.