Going Away Gift Ideas

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FenceMan

Guest
#1
Hello! Perhaps some of you can give me some suggestions...

I have a good friend who used to be a co-worker. At some point I lost my job, but he remained at the company and we have kept our friendship going despite not working together anymore. Actually, we're closer friends now than we were.

My friend is a Mexican migrant worker who is here with a work visa. He lives with his dad who is in the same position.

I have met and interacted with his dad at their home and at my friend's workplace (my old workplace). Once, we all went out to eat together and another time I took home-made ice cream to them.

Anyway, my friend's dad has decided to move back to Mexico after being here probably seven years or more. I'm not super close to him, yet we've interacted enough that I feel like I should do something special to say goodbye or give a gift of some kind. But I have no experience in this area and not a ton of time before he leaves for good...

I don't know if there is some kind of a special Mexican tradition regarding going-away gifts? But even aside from that, what is a good generic going away gift that people appreciate? I will most likely never see him again in person unless I happen to be in Mexico (which won't be happening anytime soon most likely...)

Ideas?
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
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#2
Perhaps a going away dinner at Taco Bell.
 
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FenceMan

Guest
#3
Perhaps a going away dinner at Taco Bell.
A going away dinner is a good idea, though I suspect others have already offered... But Taco Bell? :confused: Really? I hope you're joking, or else you're living up to your name pretty well...
 
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FenceMan

Guest
#4
I don't mean that in a mean way, just inviting them to Taco Bell would be like inviting an American ex-patriot to McDonalds. I can do better than that, I think.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#5
A going away dinner is a good idea, though I suspect others have already offered... But Taco Bell? :confused: Really? I hope you're joking, or else you're living up to your name pretty well...
Just being my usual amusing and witty self. :)
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#6
Since you will most likely not see him again in this lifetime I suggest that your gift should be memorable and uplifting as well. Perhaps a Spanish version of the bible? Personally, I would find that to be a special sort of gift.
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
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#7
a nice hand-written card with your sentiments about him and
your special friend-ship with his son?
and perhaps a picture with the (3) of you together inside...
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#8
Hello! Perhaps some of you can give me some suggestions...

I have a good friend who used to be a co-worker. At some point I lost my job, but he remained at the company and we have kept our friendship going despite not working together anymore. Actually, we're closer friends now than we were.

My friend is a Mexican migrant worker who is here with a work visa. He lives with his dad who is in the same position.

I have met and interacted with his dad at their home and at my friend's workplace (my old workplace). Once, we all went out to eat together and another time I took home-made ice cream to them.

Anyway, my friend's dad has decided to move back to Mexico after being here probably seven years or more. I'm not super close to him, yet we've interacted enough that I feel like I should do something special to say goodbye or give a gift of some kind. But I have no experience in this area and not a ton of time before he leaves for good...

I don't know if there is some kind of a special Mexican tradition regarding going-away gifts? But even aside from that, what is a good generic going away gift that people appreciate? I will most likely never see him again in person unless I happen to be in Mexico (which won't be happening anytime soon most likely...)

Ideas?
Assuming they liked the homemade ice cream, how about an ice cream maker? I'm thinking Mexico is hot, plus you have that one shared memory, so not only practical, but they'll remember you for years to come... every time they make ice cream.
 

Prov910

Senior Member
Jan 10, 2017
880
47
0
#10
If he's a sports fan, and about your same age, how about a nice hoodie with the logo the NFL team he follows? (Or NBA, NHL, MLB, etc.) I doubt if they have a wide selection of, say, Chicago Bears hoodies in Mexico. (I could be wrong about this though. :shrug: ) A sweatshirt would be fairly easy to pack and transport back to Mexico. :)
 
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FenceMan

Guest
#11
Thanks! These ideas have me thinking... Keep them coming!

I should mention it has to be something easily taken on a plane.
 
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FenceMan

Guest
#12
Since you will most likely not see him again in this lifetime I suggest that your gift should be memorable and uplifting as well. Perhaps a Spanish version of the bible? Personally, I would find that to be a special sort of gift.
This is a good idea, though their background is already Catholic so I suspect he has at least a Catholic version of the Bible in Spanish. Not that I agree with having the apocrypha included. Hmmm...
 
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FenceMan

Guest
#13
If he's a sports fan, and about your same age, how about a nice hoodie with the logo the NFL team he follows? (Or NBA, NHL, MLB, etc.) I doubt if they have a wide selection of, say, Chicago Bears hoodies in Mexico. (I could be wrong about this though. :shrug: ) A sweatshirt would be fairly easy to pack and transport back to Mexico. :)
I'm not sure how much of a sports fan he is, but you have me thinking.... Something that is unique to this area of the US that he wouldn't be able to get in Mexico would make a good gift.
 
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FenceMan

Guest
#14
Assuming they liked the homemade ice cream, how about an ice cream maker? I'm thinking Mexico is hot, plus you have that one shared memory, so not only practical, but they'll remember you for years to come... every time they make ice cream.
Or a lifetime supply of ice cream made by me. I'd better get working... :)
 
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FenceMan

Guest
#15
a nice hand-written card with your sentiments about him and
your special friend-ship with his son?
and perhaps a picture with the (3) of you together inside...
I'll have to have his son help me write it in Spanish! :) But I like this idea, as it's simple but meaningful. Still, since he is leaving the US for good, it seems like it should have some lasting value beyond just a card. I don't have a photo of us all together... :\
 

Huckleberry

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
1,698
96
48
#16
A go-to gift I give to people is a Swiss Army knife.
They'll use it all the time and have a
reminder of the one who gave it to them.
Could be taken on a domestic flight in checked
baggage, however not sure about international.
 
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FenceMan

Guest
#17
A go-to gift I give to people is a Swiss Army knife.
They'll use it all the time and have a
reminder of the one who gave it to them.
Could be taken on a domestic flight in checked
baggage, however not sure about international.
Not a bad idea, if he doesn't have one yet.