Gift idea for chemistry teacher?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around potential gift ideas for a chemistry teacher, focusing on personal and thoughtful options that reflect the teacher's interests and profession. Participants explore various suggestions, including humorous and serious gift ideas, while considering the teacher's preferences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests giving a gift related to the teacher's research or volunteering at his lab as a parting gesture.
  • Several humorous gift ideas are proposed, including themed t-shirts and novelty items like periodic socks and a caffeine tie.
  • A participant mentions the idea of a gift certificate, dinner for two, or movie passes as more personal options, despite some feeling that gift certificates can be impersonal.
  • Another participant suggests classical CDs, specifically mentioning the teacher's preference for Mozart over Beethoven, and considers the appropriateness of gifting music.
  • There is a suggestion to consider culinary-related gifts, such as exotic sea salts, to appeal to the teacher's experimental side in cooking.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of humorous and serious suggestions, with no clear consensus on the best gift idea. The discussion remains open-ended with various competing views on what constitutes an appropriate gift.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions may depend on the teacher's personal interests and preferences, which are not fully known to all participants. The appropriateness of certain gifts may vary based on the relationship between the giver and the recipient.

loom91
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Hi,

I used to take private tutions in chemistry from a researcher in inorganic reaction mechanism (55 years old). What do you think will be a suitable inexpensive parting gift to give to him? Last year I gave him Clayden, Greeves, Warren and Warthous's Organic Chemistry. Thanks for your help.

Molu
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Volunteer @ his research lab and show interest in his research? lol
 
Not a bad option really, but I'll be going away to IIT Kharagpur for my graduation (he stays in Kolkata).
 
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/sciencemath/2891/
 
TheStatutoryApe said:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/sciencemath/2891/

The idea of him wearing a tee is extremely funny :smile:
 
http://giftsforengineers.com/137/bmz_cache/3/3c06020dceb3252e90dddb4ab174d65c.image.229x550.jpg
Periodic socks

http://giftsforengineers.com/137/images/coffee.jpg

Caffeine Tie
 
A free copy of grand theft auto 4 including an xbox 360 home entertainment system.
An appointment with Jiffy Lube (the auto company).
A polka-dot bow tie.
A sticker of spongebob squarepants.
An appointment with Jiffy Lube (the auto company).
 
Okay, how about some serious suggestions now?
 
You can't go wrong with a gift certificate, although it's a little impersonal. How about dinner for 2 at his favourite restaurant, or movie passes, or a round of golf? Just because chemistry is the guy's vocation doesn't mean that he has no life.
 
  • #10
Danger said:
You can't go wrong with a gift certificate, although it's a little impersonal. How about dinner for 2 at his favourite restaurant, or movie passes, or a round of golf? Just because chemistry is the guy's vocation doesn't mean that he has no life.

That's right ; give him something that's chemistry related e.g. something from the Discovery website and also something that's pertains to his personal hobbies e.g. a golf club .
 
  • #11
http://www.brew-winemaking.com/productimages/4644.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #12
I'm thinking I'll give him classical CDs. He loves Mozart, but not Beethoven. What would you suggest? I was thinking Chopin.
 
  • #13
loom91 said:
I'm thinking I'll give him classical CDs. He loves Mozart, but not Beethoven. What would you suggest? I was thinking Chopin.

Gifting music is a little dicey unless you know for sure its something someone hasn't had time to get for themselves. A gift card to a music store or video store might be better if music or entertainment is the intent.

If they like to cook, applied chemistry in the kitchen, perhaps a collection of exotic sea salts? It's surprising the range of tastes available in the NaCl in the black and grays and pink salts. It might peak the experimental side of culinary application - that is unless they are a fast food person - then back to plan A.
 

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