I think she will very much appreciate getting a thank you letter from your son.

As a present, I'd give her some consumables, preferably around a theme. Tea, scones, cookies, a candle in a basket. Or something around winter time if you're in a colder climate. An amaryllis to force, a book, sherry, savories.

Yes to a handwritten note from your son. And, a thank you car from you as well would be a nice touch.

For a gift how about a spa day in a very "zen" type place.

Eld, I hadn't thought about a spa treatment! Also, perhaps a basket full of goodies from our local bakery, along with an assortment of teas. I know she drinks tea as I'd occasionally bring her one from the coffee shop where I would wait during my son's appointment. Thank you for the ideas!

I firmly believe everyone loves the personal gift- i.e. home baked cookies, handmade soaps, that handwritten note ....and cash.

I'd skip the cash. As a professional, I'd feel insulted.

The heartfelt note is the best. But if you feel you want to do more, I would. It's not like the school teacher with 20 kids giving her holiday ornaments, this is far more intimate and you do know her. I would get her some tea assortment (I agree consumable are good but this has the added advantage of being consumable, personal and not perishable). I would also get an Amex card; i like the one with a person's name on it. I understand some people are offended, but it is not something I have had happen to me.

Beware of AMEX card user fees-I received one and by the time I got around to spending it, there was a zero balance:(

::: furrowing brow :::

Not true.

I am not sure if that could have been accurate in the past, but it isn't now. It also may have been that you misunderstood the "valid thru" date, which applies to the physical card, not the balance you have.

From Amex:

Are there any fees for the use of the Card after purchase?

The Card has NO FEES AFTER PURCHASE (including dormancy, service or other fees).

Do the funds on the Card expire?

No, the funds on the Card do not expire.

If the funds do not expire, what is the "valid thru" date associated with the Card?

The "valid thru" date on the front of the Gift Card or associated with the eGift Card is the date through which your physical plastic Gift Card or eGift Card card number may be used. This date is required to process transactions at merchants that request an expiration date. Even if the "valid thru" date associated with a Card has passed, its Available Balance remains unchanged and intact. In order to keep making purchases with your Available Balance after a Card's "valid thru" date has passed, please call 1-877-297-4438 for a free replacement Card.

Some of the more onerous gift card business practices have been regulated. If you still have the info, or if it ever happens again, complain. Maybe you can sue them. Or, uhh not... thank you VP Pence.

Ha!

I contacted them and was told that "service fees" were imposed after twelve months of non use. No refund possible.

Good to know that these unsavory practices have been eliminated.

Yeah, wow, they charge you a service fee for the "burden" of having your cash interest -free! "Shmux" ; )

She likes to garden...how about a gift certificate to the best nursery in your area? She can buy plants or treat herself to new garden supplies. You could include a gardening book or a floral arrangement.

Heartfelt notes from both of you, flowers or a plant for her office, and strong recommendations that may send clients her way. Share the love!

My son's tutor gave him a rubber duck after they finished. He had to explain to me that it is an "apostrophe", comes from programmers talking through lines of code to someone, or in the absence of a person something (like a rubber ducky) to work out why the code didn't work. Son would talk to the tutor to focus his writing. The duck was for when she isn't there. Just a little rubber ducky, but it means the world to him. Is there something your son and the tutor did together (a shared joke, interest, etc?) that could be represented in a gift?

mtnrdredux, I was shocked to find they could legally steal from the purchaser. Even though you state they've changed, I would never deal with AMEX.

Back on topic! In lieu of a written card, a straight-from-the-heart audio message from your son would make a memorable gift. It's a nice tribute to her chosen profession and reflects the progress that he's made since she began working with him.

What really annoys me with gift cash cards is that once you have a small amount left, you cannot go over it and pay the difference. So, for example, you have 5.00 left on the card but want to buy something for 12.00, you cannot pay the 7.00 difference.

I have all these cards with a few bucks left on them.

Check out your state laws. In California, you are able to do exactly that AND

If the balance is $10 or more, a business doesn't have to redeem a gift card or the balance left after a purchase for cash. The store may redeem it for another card with the remaining value. However, cards with a balance of less than $10 may be redeemed for the remaining value if the consumer asks.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think we will get her a gift certificate to a local garden center near her house as she can use it for the holidays, maybe to buy some Christmas decor. I'll also get her a basket of goodies from our bakery. We will include notes from both of us. I don't feel comfortable giving cash in a situation like this.

Really, the note or cards are most meaningful. Starbucks also works! But really, I don't want gift cards from anyone, especially students.