Need going away present ideas.

[SalvadorMontenegro]

For the past two months, I have been seeing a woman from Spain who's been doing a seven month internship in New York City. On Saturday, she is moving back to Spain.

I wouldn't characterize our relationship as a serious one, since we've both known it would end on Saturday, and I'm not in love with her, but I do like her a lot and I am going to miss her. I would like to buy her something as a going away present that will be memorable, as well as somewhat useful. I want it to be something that she will keep around to remember me, or remember our time together.

Some things to consider:

- She's 24-years-old
- She's from Spain
- She will be unemployed when she goes back; and apparently the job market isn't so hot there.
- Not a real high maintenance woman.
- I don't have very much money. I'm trying to spend as little as possible, because as little as possible is what I can afford to spend. I would prefer to spend under $50. That said, I don't want it to be something trashy.
- She likes to travel.
- She considers herself a "lost" girl, because she doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. (Not saying she's a pessimist, but that she's still "finding herself.")

(Will add more of these if I can think of any.)

The best thing I thought of was getting a key chain or bookmark engraved, but the company I found charges $1 a character and I have no idea what to say that would be meaningful, but not lengthy. Also, the company said that it usually takes about a week, so that may not be an option at all.

Obviously, I know her best, but I'm not great at this sort of thing and could use suggestions. Any ideas?

 

[jasonb8736]

I suggest buying her a nice book that you think she would find interesting (perhaps something about the book reflects something you have in common) and write a nice note to her on the inside cover.

Just an idea. It's thoughtful of you to consider a gift.

 

[Doc4]

I would stay away from things that too obviously make reference to you and your time with her (like something engraved). One day, presumably, she'll settle down with some bloke, and he won't really want an obvious reminder of past boyfriends/flings/whatever displayed around the house.

Something that she can say "oh, I got that in New York to remember all my fun times there" that doesn't scream to the world "I'm still thinking of Salvador even though now I'm with Louis ..."

You say she considers herself a "lost" girl ... maybe a classy compass, or something with a compass in it. You can get working compass cufflinks, but that'd be if you were dating a dude. But you get the idea.

 

[Mike H]

Here is an idea, some may find it cheesy however....

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446208199

 

[noahpictures]

Jewelry. Not ear rings (women lose them easily) and don't buy in a jewelry store if you want to stay under budget. Necklace or a bracelet. Think classic design and pick a color that is versatile. If you go with wild colors one day it might become an eye sore. The material doesn't matter. If you have a date with her before Saturday it might be a good idea to buy it for her if you're on a promenade...etc.

This has worked well for me in the past and it should be easy to stay under $50.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I would say fountain pen but I may be biased. It could help her with a job interview too

 

[Andy]

You mention that she likes to travel, perhaps a coffee table book showing all the sights of NY?

 

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Hey, guys, I wanted to say thank you for all of the recommendations. I apologize for not having replied sooner.

I ended up engraving a bookmark for $30; and I got her a card, as well. The engraving was only, "To (her name) from (my name [not Salvador Montenegro])," so it wasn't too syrupy and she can keep it around when she moves on. The guy who did the engraving did a really nice job and it only took him an hour. I think she liked it.

Really sad, rough day today.

Thanks again.

 

[August West]

Give her a freshly cut duplicate of your house key(possibly a decorative style) in a nice box. If she never uses the key again she has a memento box to store things in.

Symbolism.

 

[Shaving_CHENG]

Really sad, rough day today.

It doesn't have to be an "adios," just an "hasta luego."

If I could suggest one more thing, though she is already gone, send her a compass and a letter.

 

[SalvadorMontenegro]

It doesn't have to be an "adios," just an "hasta luego."

If I could suggest one more thing, though she is already gone, send her a compass and a letter.

I actually did send her a letter earlier. I do really like the compass idea, but because of my financial situation it's not something I can do right now. Maybe for her birthday if we're still talking then.

I'm not sure where we go from here. The terms of her visa are that she has to return to her home country (in her case Spain) for at least two years before she can come back for any prolonged period of time. That is a heck of a long time. Especially since we were only seeing one another for two months.

We've agreed to remain in touch, but not sit around waiting for one another, because I don't think that's realistic and she doesn't either (or that's what she says, at least). I don't know how reasonable it is to keep in touch, or whether it will work, but it's worth a shot and I want to try.

It was a wonderful time and the most meaningful relationship that I've had in many years. If this is the end, then at least I know that while I feel lousy right now, some day I will look back on this and have only happy memories.

 

[Shaving_CHENG]

I actually did send her a letter earlier. I do really like the compass idea, but because of my financial situation it's not something I can do right now. Maybe for her birthday if we're still talking then.

I'm not sure where we go from here. The terms of her visa are that she has to return to her home country (in her case Spain) for at least two years before she can come back for any prolonged period of time. That is a heck of a long time. Especially since we were only seeing one another for two months.

We've agreed to remain in touch, but not sit around waiting for one another, because I don't think that's realistic and she doesn't either (or that's what she says, at least). I don't know how reasonable it is to keep in touch, or whether it will work, but it's worth a shot and I want to try.

It was a wonderful time and the most meaningful relationship that I've had in many years. If this is the end, then at least I know that while I feel lousy right now, some day I will look back on this and have only happy memories.

http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/category/4500598
We're not talking crazy expensive, here. Keep these in mind for the future, and write something like "una brujula para mi perdida. Expero que nos encontremos en el futuro."
Man I'm a sap!

 

[August West]

http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/category/4500598
We're not talking crazy expensive, here. Keep these in mind for the future, and write something like "una brujula para mi perdida. Expero que nos encontremos en el futuro."
Man I'm a sap!

Maybe we should start a romantic saps club. I probably could be President.

 

[SalvadorMontenegro]

http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/category/4500598
We're not talking crazy expensive, here. Keep these in mind for the future, and write something like "una brujula para mi perdida. Expero que nos encontremos en el futuro."
Man I'm a sap!

Those are not bad prices. I will keep them in mind for the future. Thanks!

I liked the engraved bookmark, because I put in the card, amongst other words, "This won't help you find the right path in life, but it will help you find your place in a book." So, I thought that was nice. And the card was an illustration (not by me, thank God) of a place we visited together.

I had thought I was over being a sap, but apparently not. I was a mess in the airport.

 

[Shaving_CHENG]

Those are not bad prices. I will keep them in mind for the future. Thanks!

I liked the engraved bookmark, because I put in the card, amongst other words, "This won't help you find the right path in life, but it will help you find your place in a book." So, I thought that was nice. And the card was an illustration (not by me, thank God) of a place we visited together.

I had thought I was over being a sap, but apparently not. I was a mess in the airport.

Brother, the only guy you're fooling with the "it's just a temporary relationship"-talk is you! You're smitten, and that's the best feeling in the world. I'm happy for you.

Don't chalk your future with her as an impossibility. Go for it!

 

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Brother, the only guy you're fooling with the "it's just a temporary relationship"-talk is you! You're smitten, and that's the best feeling in the world. I'm happy for you.

Don't chalk your future with her as an impossibility. Go for it!

It isn't that I'm opposed to a relationship; and I agree that I'm smitten. The issue is that a long distance relationship is just really unrealistic, particular given our situations.. We are both very poor, we are both at a place in our lives where we need to focus on addressing that, and she is not allowed to come back for another two years, even if she did find a job here. If she lived in Boston or Washington, D.C., I think it would still be difficult, but worth trying. She's a seven to eight hour flight away. I really don't think either of us want the difficulty of trying to do that.