My husband's buddy from work is moving to TX in a few weeks. He and some of his other co-workers would like to do a "goodbye" lunch or going away gift of some kind. I can't seem to come up with a good idea. Can you creative moms help out?
My sons teacher just moved to Texas in June and the kids made her a gift basket (with the help of her co-teacher) out of a cowboy hat tipped upside down. Inside the hat they put BBQ sauce, a bandana, sunscreen, sunglasses, and some random "Texas" stuff they found (I think they found a cute magnet). It was very cute and everyone had fun with her wearing the hat around.
Good luck
If he's a family man a gift cert. for a Home Depot, Target, Bed Bath Beyond sort of thing would be great! Everyone needs to redecorate when they move to a new home. Or if they are driving, perhaps a gas card. Or as jsut before me, Julie W., pointed out, things from Michigan. There are a couple locations of Made in Michigan (can only be sure of downtown Plymouth location) which sells only products made in Michigan. A nice gift of products from there would be unique.
Prepaid phone cards & stationary & stamps are things I've done in the past for people leaving the area.
How about a gas card?
Since you love photography, take candid shots of all the co-workers. Put them in an album where folks can write a personal message to the one that's leaving next to their photo. Be sure to include room for home addresses and/or email addresses so the one that's leaving can stay in touch. Also, google the new hometown in Texas and see what restaurants are there. See about purchasing a gift card in advance to one of the "new" local places. Good Luck!
J.,
I had the same "wonder what to get" for a friend of mine who just turned 50. Someone gave me the greatest idea and everyone there loved it. So did I because it's thoughtful, personal, and inexpensive.
Michaels sells a frame that comes with a wide white matting, the glass, and a pen. The mat has an opening for an 8x10 picture to be added later. It was only about $20.00 or so. I bought a package of the thin tip sharpies also.
I left the glass under my bed to make sure nothing happened to it. I set the frame up on an easel with the pens and signed my message. I walked around making sure to tell others to sign. I had a waiter take a few pictures of the whole group. The next day I had the chosen photo blown up to 8x10 at Meijers, put the picture and glass back in and took it to my girlfriend.
It was soo nice, even I was impressed. Now sshhhh, don't tell my secret, lol. I plan on giving this gift often. What a great memory.
Good Luck,
L.
J. -
Because I'm in the gift biz, I always try and reply when someone is looking for a present. I have tons of things to offer for girls and women, but very little for men, so this is a tough one.
I do have this very quirky, kind of artsy cowboy hot sauce holder. He's handcrafted and 9" tall and he could probably actually hold something other than hot sauce if they want to send him off with something with a little more "kick." You can check him out at www.barefootparties.com/laurarenton. Click on shop, then catalog. He's on page 14. While you're browsing, click over to page 24 and check out the recycled metal "Just another day in Paradise . . ." sign. It's pretty big, really rustic and is great to hang outdoors on a deck or patio or behind a bar. There would be plenty of room for the guys to all write notes and sign it in permanent marker on the back so he'd have a little keepsake to look at and be reminded of his friends back here.
If anything hits you, please feel free to reply. I can get something for you pretty quick and save you the shipping. Thanks - L.
Since he is leaving Michigan, what about some things to remember Michigan by. If he is into baseball, maybe some Tigers stuff, Redwings if he likes hockey, or U of M if he is into college sports? Maybe even a coffee table book with Michigan photos in it.
We are very familiar with goodbye gifts since we are military. What we have been doing of late is a prepaid Visa/Mastercard. No matter where they go - this is something that they will be able to use. The only bad thing with gas cards - they may be limited on where they can use them (speedway only goes as far south as Ohio).
For one of the guys that just left - they gave him an award with a Neopolian Dynomite character on it (long story but it was appropriate for the person receiving it). I've also seen group pictures of the "gang" - framed. One went so far as to take a picture of the place they worked at and put it in a huge frame and had everybody sign it. Another time - they had a banner made ($15 on celebrateexpress.com) saying goodbye to the person and then they took a picture of everybody standing underneath it - gave him the picture (framed) and the banner. Plus, they all have food days on the last day or they all go to lunch as a group and give him/her with their gift.
Hope this helps!
Does he have any hobbys or soemthing that he is really into. For example my friend is into grilling, big time, so for him I would say an engraved set of grilling tools and a cool apron (not that he would wear it... manly man you know). If he's into music, a book of music and have everybody sign the inside cover, or an embroidered (with his name) guitar neck strap. Find out what he is into and them do something personalized. If he is into wine, get him a very expensive bottle, that he can age. Or a brookstone set of openers and stoppers.
sun screen, a cow boy hat... lol
J.,
How about an outdoor BBQ or a picnic somewhere at someones home or maybe a local park? You could do potluck, and everyone could contribute a dish. Then when everyone is together you could take lots of pictures and make some sort of a scrapbook to remember the day. If you do go with the scrapbook idea you could also incorporate any other photo's you've taken over the years too. Just a thought.
How about getting online and looking for a restaurant/store in his new town? Often, you can send a gift certificate via email and then print out a copy that you can put in a card.
~L.
