Hi moms, my daughter who is 12 broke her elbow in Gymnastics in mid September. Her Orthopedic Surgeon has gone beyond to be there for her. She has had to have 2 surgeries (the 2nd one was yesterday). I do not have a personal relationship with this doctor, so I do not know his likes etc. However I would really like to give him a nice, not to expensive gift to say "thank you" for Christmas. He is male and I am finding it so hard to come up with ideas. I do not know if he drinks wine, or like fruits for a fruit basket. Lol; I am stuck. Would love some ideas please............. THANKS!!!
Hi moms, thanks so much for the advice so far. I am going to call his office this morning to make an appointment for next week due to the surgery yesterday and will try and get some advice from his staff. Why I say he went beyond is because my daughter has Medicaid and when she broke her arm there was no one in Palm Beach County who would see her. Insurance wanted me to go to Miami Children's Hospital which is great but with a broken limb you have on going care and it would of been really hard for me to go to Miami every week with work and my other 3 children. Her pediatrician's office spent 2 days calling EVERY pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon in Palm Beach County. (I took chocolates, "thank you" balloons and a gift basket as a thank you to them) Finally this doctor said he was willing to see her. He was NOT a Pediatric doctor, but I took a chance and took her in. When I went to his office he had really BIG blown up pictures of his 2 sons who play ice hockey ALL over his waiting room and all of his offices. He also has of his daughter who is 9 who also does gymnastics. At least 15 pictures. This is what sold me. He really is a family man and big into sports. My daughter competes professionally and is hoping for a gymnastic scholarship so her elbow healing correctly is VERY important. He saw my daughter. Took the weekend to do some research, spoke to the 2 top pediatric surgeon and saw us again. Told us he was confident in what he was doing and we have never looked back. He is really great and this is why I think he has gone beyond for us. Yes, he is getting paid, but still. He took our case when he did not have to. I will let all of you know how it goes and what I ended up getting him. Thanks again.
Ok, writting again as I am getting so many great responses. I called his office yesterday and learnt that he does not drink or smoke. So no wine, cigars etc. He does not care for fruit much but loves chocolates; but NO nuts. He actually really likes brownies. So I thought I would make my daughter (the one who broke her elbow) make them herself for him. She thought it was a great idea and this way it would give a little personal touch. What do you moms think????
I work for a glass engraver in Loxahatchee. He does beautiful work & I think it would make the perfect gift for him. Here's a link to his website: www.tomsglassworks.com You can mention my name if you decide to order.
A.
Everyone or jjust about everyone drinks coffee. I have ordered from Coffeeam.com many times and everything has been great.
Lisa,
I've read most, but not all, of the responses to your request and there are some really great suggestions.
It's been said of Recognition that "babies cry for it and grown men die for it". EVERYONE wants to be recognized and validated.
The more personal touches the better, like having your daughter help makes the brownies knowing that he loves chocolate...even better if you can configure it in the shape of an elbow! I use to work for 6 orthopedic surgeons. I would further suggest that you present HIM with the "elbow brownine" or a separate plate and also have a plate of smaller (bite-sized) brownies for the staff that could be put in their lunch area.
Additionally, I would write a well composed letter on beautiful stationary to him personally expressing your appreciation. Many doctors will actually frame them (OR YOU COULD FRAME IT) and hang them in their office or waiting room. THIS is the gift that keeps on giving because it provides 3rd party credibility for years to come as other patients read it. (Just remember NOT to include personal info like address, etc. for obvious reasons. I am a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist and VERY security conscious!)
My Mother was big on giving credit where credit was due and often wrote letters to companies expressing her satisfaction in their product, service or staff. Often she would get coupons or free stuff in return, though she did not do it towards that end. And her example taught me to do the same. KUDOS for teaching your daughter correct principles that will last a life-time and that she will also pass on. You are the kind of person I like to know and be associated with! :-)
All the best - S. B. -
Hi Lisa,
u know what try doing a chocolate cake in the form of an elbow and decorate it or even the brownies in the form of an elbow or any other body part. I saw it on Ace of CAkes, and they did a foot it was awesome. good luck!
A gift basket with different kinds of foods is always a good idea, as is a fruit basket...I'm a doctor (and a doctor's wife) and we always welcomed these types of gifts....something the whole family can enjoy or he can even choose to share with the office staff (if it is a supply of fruit, let's say). My husband came home with such gifts every year. (Not me....I'm an anesthesiologist and so remain anonymous behind my mask!!) You can also call the office and ask the staff what kind of things he likes, for example if he drinks wine....they would know! My husband, for example, loved his wine and would always remember the patients who gave it. If he has a family, homemade cookies or baked goods are always a big hit. Another good idea is a really nice picture frame so he can put a picture of his family in it and have it at home or office. I would suggest to not just give a gift card because he never had time to shop....he would just hand them to me. Also don't feel bad if you don't get a written thank you note, for the same reason....alot of docs just don't have time to do that. If he does then he's doing better than the rest of us!!
This is a great idea you have and is appreciated more than you know....in this age of HMO's and lawsuits, it really means a lot to us when a patient takes the time to thank us. It just brightens our day. God bless you, and have a very Merry Christmas!
K. G.
Brownies are perfect! You can get a pretty plate to put them on. And the entire office can enjoy them. Attach a little card and you're all set. Given his personality, he's probably also very humble. So anything more or overdone may make him feel uncomfortable. Most people like him do these things because that's who they are and they feel like that is their job. Having the patient heal is thanks enough. Having her help make the thank you is an awesome idea. Oh... if you wanted to add a little something just for him on the side, doctors always need pens. Find a nice pen and put it with the card. It'L. be useful.
And you're teaching your children very valuable lessons in doing all this! Way to go!
I know you already posted an update, but I thought I'd chime in my thoughts on this subject. When it come to giving gifts to a person who's job is to help people, I try to look at it from a different point of view. I know food and gift cards are always appreciated, but when I *really* want to convey my gratitude to someone who helped me, I like to personalize the thought even more.
I think the gift that would truly mean the most would be a sincere note written explaining your gratitude and why his actions meant so much to you and your family. I would go to either a fine stationary store, or a local Office Max or Staples type of store and buy a small package of quality paper. Then just let your heart flow. You'd be surprised how much such a simple gesture can mean to someone whose life work and goals have been to help others in whatever form they've chosen. Sometimes in a busy world, notes like that are validation they did the right thing - and I guarantee will be cherished.
How about two tickets to The Premier? Affordable and it's a nice gift he can invite a date to enjoy a movie!
Gift certificate to a restaurant is also nice; but maybe out of your price range...ie a nice restaurant means a $100 gift...
I remember my pediatrician loved a certain gum. I brought him a case of it as a thank you. He beamed!!! He declared "Now, THIS is a present!" Sometimes it's those little things that mean so much. Your thought to say thank you is worth putting your creativity out to play...
And Best Wishes to you and your daughter/family. I had the unpleasant experience with broken bones. It takes a patient mom to take care of the patient!Happy Holidays!
He has to eat, so why not a gift card/certificate for a good restaurant?
I don't know what area you are in, but I am a pampered chef consultant and I made some neat gifts for people to give. It is the small batter bowl filled with a beautiful layered ingredients to make White Chocolate chip, cranberry pecan cookies. It has a hand stamped gift tag/ recipe card on top for a Christmas decoration to the bowl. It is a wonderful bowl and can be used over and over for years but is a the starter for really yummy cookies for the holidays. This is something he could share with his wife and children at home and each time the bowl is used ( I use mine everyday) he will remember that he was appreciated by a patient. They are $25 each. I can email pictures if you'd like. My email address is ____@____.com
It would seem to me that the best gift would be something relevant to why you are giving him a gift in the first place. Perhaps a photo of your daughter doing gymnastics and a letter of heartfelt thanks for helping her be able to get back to something she loves? I know my OB doc had a collage board in his office of all the little babies he delivered over the years... and photos of several of them years later (when they are 4 or 5 or older, sometimes with newer siblings) ... Granted it is a different field of practice, but still... You are thankful for his care and his "going beyond" for your daughter.. let him know that you are aware of it and appreciate it. I have to believe that doctors go into their particular field of practice, not for the $$, but because they genuinely want to help people. Your daughter is probably a shining example of WHY he does what he does. The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words...
I wouldn't worry about it seeming in some way conceited.. like people think of giving a picture of yourself to someone. (I also think that framed family photos are some of the best gifts you can give to aunts uncles and grandparents.) You would be putting a face on what he does every day. Inspiration to keep up the wonderful care, that YES it IS appreciated...
Of course, he might like a bottle of nice wine, too... :))
I worked for a physical Therapy clinic and just so you know, you don't have to get him anything. He's getting paid for his services....ALOT! BUT if you must, we always liked food! Fruit baskets are nice...sweets are great too!
well, you could call his office (or better yet fax a note saying for his personal assistant/administrative assistant/nurse, etc to please call you at ___#) and ask someone there
or...
my husband got gourmet pastas last year and they were great!!
I agree with Victoria, especially since you don't really know any of his personal likes/dislikes. Even trying to do a gift cert to a restaurant might be tough because you don't know his food choices or diet (he could be vegan). And he may not even celebrate Christmas. But I know when I worked long hours in a nursing home it was really nice to know that someone truly appreciated all the hard work we all put in. But if you really do want to get him a gift you could call and speak with his office manager. He/she will probably know his like/dislikes pretty well.
Candles are usually a unviersal gift that just about everyone likes. HTH
S.
How about a Starbucks basket? Everyone likes coffee! Wine and Country gift baskets online has a bunch of good ones. Good luck! :-)
