I completed my PhD a few weeks ago and I am about to sort out thank-you gift for my supervisor. Can anyone suggest what I should get. Thanks!

I've just gone for the very modest approach of a card, with a very personal handwritten message, and a copy of my hard bound thesis.

I'd be interested to hear what others thing might be appropriate at a bigger scale.

A big Hug and a Kiss on the cheeks :p

I got my supervisors a nice bottle of red wine each. They were most pleased :-)

And Dispatcher, that made me laugh very very hard! I'm not always a grumpy git 8-)

So are you going to Join Armed Forces? 1234.. U Still Can and U Will Live Happy Ever after or may be a Coppa

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I've not finished yet, but I agree with Bilbo... a very personal message (not TOO personal, though!!) goes a long way. I've just had something published in a pretty big journal (smug!) and I gave my supervisor a copy with a handwritten note on it that said something like 'I wouldn't have got this far without your patience and encouragement. I really do appreciate all the help that you have given me.' He nearly choked up when he read it, bless him. So I think a bound copy of the thesis with a message and a nice bottle of wine or something is fine. It doesn't have to be a big expensive gesture, and I actually think the smaller and more heartfelt the better.

Is it usual to bring a present for my supervisor? Such as when I travel to my country and come bake

I don't think it's that unusual, Emaa, if you get on well. I've have turned up for supervisions bearing cake before now. And cheese! (one of my supes is French!) It would be weird if you were making heart-shaped cookies and leaving them by the door every day, but if it's just a random thing I'm sure it's fine. If you don't have a friendly/chatty type of relationship, then I wouldn't do it - but I've been to their houses for dinner, they have often given me books with handwritten messages, etc. As long as you're not showering them with gifts or obviously making them feel uncomfortable, I wouldn't worry.

Just re-read your post Emaa as I think I misunderstood you and just wanted to stress that neither should it ever be expected that you would give them a gift, other than perhaps something token at the end. You should never feel that you should HAVE to get them anything and they certainly won't think any less of you for not giving them things, of course!

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone! Has everyone given a hard-bound thesis copy to their supervisor? I am not sure if I am going to be doing this. Will it look strange if I don't?

Just ask someone who has worked with your supervisor for a long time what their favourite tipple is.

Well, since supervisors must have been students once upon a time (possibly in a galaxy far far away.) How about a bong and an ounce of hash?

Also What about a Sun-Visor to enhance the Super-Vision role. Probably some carrots and olives as well for a perfect vision.
Comeon ilsa they did not do it for charity but for money as they drain nearly 3500 out of every poor student and get paid
on top of it for every PhD they super-vise.

How about a thank-you gift basket complete with gourmet food and chocolates and other treats ? According to me, its an ideal present to show your gratitude. You can find these and many other gift baskets at bluechopsticks.com, they seem to have a really good collection. Hope this was helpful :)