A gift for my violin/cello teacher who is moving away?

Question

What can i give her? She's moving far away, and she's very special to me. She's taught me since I started. I can't think of a gift to give but I really want to give one. I can't give her a gift card or anything; I don't know where she buys things, and I don't know what stores her new town has! Please help. Any suggestion is a helpful.

Answer 1

Does she like wearing jewelery? If so, you can find a necklace that might feel her style. Plenty of places make music note and treble clef necklaces. You can also probably find a violin or cello necklace, too, if you look hard enough. Good luck finding something for her.

Answer 2

The jewellery store usually has little crystal violin and/or cello figurines that are beautiful.  I would avoid the trinkets that you can get in the music store, since as a teacher she probably gets tons of mugs, pens, cheap treble clef earrings, etc. and they most likely end up in a drawer collecting dust somewhere.

Does she already have a really nice tuner/metronome?  That could be a nice gift, and something she would use all the time.  I once had a special conductor, and we bought him a baton that we had plated in gold and engraved his name on it.  Practical gifts are always appreciated, and sometimes more comfortable if you aren't a "gushy" person.

When is she leaving?  You could consider getting her tickets to a special symphony concert, either in your city or wherever she is moving to.  If you know anyone in your local symphony (especially the conductor), you may be able to get a piece dedicated to her...Speaking of which, if you live in Canada (or get Canadian radio stations), CBC has a program called "Here's to You" where you send in a request along with a little blurb on why the request is meaningful, and dedicate the request to someone special.  That would be a great idea if you can swing it!

You could make her a CD of a special message said to a background of your playing.  That would be very personal and meaningful and a good reminder of how she inspired you.

Hope something here helps!

Answer 3

There are now Visa gift cards available that are good anywhere Visa is accepted.  If it is a week or so until she moves, flowers would be nice.  Or a small piece of jewelry you think she might like - even a pin or something - maybe of a violin or cello, musical note?  If all else fails, a nice Thank you card telling her how much she means to you - include it with a gift if you do get her something.  

How fortunate you have been to have her in your life!