[granite1]

so did anyone end out giving there T a gift for Christmas .if so what and how was it recieved

[ECHOES]

I have given my T gifts several times. Once a year is okay with her. I gave her some dried veggie chips from a farmer's market vendor this year. Last year it was cookies from a nice bakery. I give them to her at the beginning of the session and they have been received graciously and with interest and thanks, and then we move on to the session.

[granite1]

I will usually give a tray of Italian cookies for the whole office .I figure then she cant refuse it. this year I didn't do anything like that .I was ignoring christmas

[Raging Quiet]

I did. She said I was naughty (in a jokey way!) it was wrapped so I won't know what she thought of it until 2 weeks time..

[Willowleaf]

Oh yes! Put separate post about it, never again. Made brownies. She liked them but they were the most analysed cakes ever!

[unaluna]

Not this year. Not in the holiday spirit at all. More in a "gathering my forces and getting ready to strike" spirit.

[stopdog]

No. I have never had the urge to do so and the first one I see does not observe christmas.

[haier]

I did. It was very difficult for me but I really wanted to give her something. She helped me a lot this year and it was a meaningful gift. I felt embarrased though. I waited till the end of session and I asked her first if I could give her it. She laughed and said I was funny and accepted it shyly. I won't know what she thought of it till my next session on Jan. 7th.

No the last time I saw my T I had no idea it would my last session before Christmas, It was the 10th December so I didn't get the chance.

[archipelago]

I gave him lots of lemons from our Meyer lemon tree plus a book since he is in several reading groups and we talk about "theory" at times. I don't celebrate Christmas but he does so it was really just to appreciate him at a time of the year that is about giving from his perspective. He invited me to drive by his house to see all the lights he put up. It's on a short cut from my bank stop to all the main stores so it's not out of the way. I'm not really into that sort of thing, but I'll probably pass by there because of getting food so I'll take a look.

[Grey Matter]

my T likes knickknacks, as do I, and she made it clear that she doesn't like anyone spending money on her but giving her a thrift item or one of my own is fine. As I have too many I gave her the most ridiculous thing I had, which is a glass egg that says "good" on it. She laughed for a good 10 minutes, and it's still on her desk.

I didnt even think to say Merry Christmas... We had a very intense session...I think I remember telling him to have fun on his vacation....

[Leah123]

I did give my therapist four gifts. First, a DVD of seasons one and two of Portlandia. I mentioned the show to her once, she said it sounded like the quirky British comedies she liked, and I know she likes SNL, so I thought she might like this show too. Second, I gave her peppermint bark, something I make for all my friends and family. Third, dog treats for her dog. Finally, a gift card that lets her make a loan to her choice of charity projects- building schools, clinics, farms, etc. She and I both like that type of gift.

I sent the gifts online as we do therapy long distance, when she received them she emailed me to say thank you for the wonderful gifts and wish me a Merry Christmas. When we had our next phone session, she thanked me again.

[HealingTimes]

Yes i did. I always do, Christmas and Birthdays. She opened it on Christmas Eve and texted me a wonderful 'Thank You' text. I was over the moon that she liked it

[Ambra]

My T appears to have firm boundaries and i've known her for 3 months so I just made for her the best illustration I could about a book she had recommended me - and basically about our work together. I didn't have the guts to say it was for her so I just took it out to see T's reaction. She liked it beyond all expectations and after talking about it - as it was about the story - she asked if she could keep it as she really loved it. I said, of course, it's for you. I'm glad she spoke for me, lol.

[Jdog123]

I didn't give her a gift, though she gave me one and a very special card. It was the only gift I had to open on Christmas Day, which made it more special. I'm really struggling financially and I've gotten her cards a couple of times this year, so it didn't feel unbalanced or strange for me not to get her a gift. I'm heading out of the country in a few weeks and if I see something that's meaningful to our relationship, I'll get her that. Otherwise, her birthday is coming up in February and I'll get her a card for sure.

[always_wondering]

No gift. I read so much information about gift giving for T's and was under the impression it was not a good idea. After all, we are not suppose to know too much about our T? So I sent him my annual holiday card, which he seems to like. We never talked about gifts and I do not need/want the extra burden of thinking about what to get him. I think it works quite nicely.

[RTerroni]

Originally Posted by always_wondering

No gift. I read so much information about gift giving for T's and was under the impression it was not a good idea. After all, we are not suppose to know too much about our T? So I sent him my annual holiday card, which he seems to like. We never talked about gifts and I do not need/want the extra burden of thinking about what to get him. I think it works quite nicely.

I have never gotten a Therapist a gift before but if I end up staying with my next Therapist (who I should start seeing sometime next month) all of next year then I might consider getting her a gift next holiday season (hopefully at least a card).

[WikidPissah]

I have never been inclined to give a therapist a gift or even a card, but I just heard that XXT's wife passed away, and I thought about sending him a sympathy card. I haven't seen him in about 4 years, but I saw him for 3 yrs prior. He wanted me to get an exorcism. I am not sure he'd remember me even, so I probably won't.

It's really a weird concept to me though...giving a t a card or gift. I don't know why, just weird. I do like the idea of bringing a tray of cookies in for the office though, that wouldn't be horrid.

[ShrinkPatient]

The painting wasn't the first gift I've given my T. Last year I refused to celebrate Christmas (because I was being rebellious), but I gave her a Winter Comfort Basket with movies, chocolate covered pretzels, Carmel/chocolate popcorn, coffee mug, fuzzy socks and a crystal hummingbird.( I can't remember the rest. Also, my T lost her Dad last year and just before Father's Day, I gave her a little elephant that fits in the palm of her hand. I used something similar when my adoptive mom died. It helped to make me feel closer to her to hold it and remember her so I thought it might help her.
I also used to bring her Starbucks lattes a lot when we had early morning appointment. I'm relieved she accepts gifts. She gives me so much and what I've given her in return is just a drop in the bucket. She's priceless!

I bought her a Christmas gift when I was on vacation in August. I gave it to her in October when we terminated. She sent me an email yesterday, "My ornament looks lovely on my tree. Thank you again."

Love,
FM

I was happy she remembered it.

[omofca]

I didn't even think of doing that. Hopefully next year though.

[Steph44]

Yes, this year I made an audio tape for my T, telling her what I have learned from her and telling her why working with her means so much to me.

[ShrinkPatient]

Originally Posted by Steph44

Yes, this year I made an audio tape for my T, telling her what I have learned from her and telling her why working with her means so much to me.

I might have to steal this idea for next year! Great idea!!!!

[MiniButterfly]

I usually would just give T a card. This year I made her a quilted bookmark and stuck it in the card. I told her I made her one since it was a project I was doing and she was genuinely excited for it. I am glad that I did that for her.