25 Mentor Gifts That Say Thank You

If you’re fortunate to have a mentor, you know their impact on your life and career. It might be a professor while you’re in school, someone in a higher position than you at work, or someone in your industry who’s taken you under their wing. You know how much they mean to you, but do they?

Many mentors say that seeing their mentee succeed is the greatest gift. But sometimes, a tangible thank-you gift for a mentor can be appropriate. Let's break down the why, what, and how of mentor gifts.

Why Would You Give a Gift to Your Mentor?

Bringing coffee to your mentor on the way to your meeting is a nice gesture. But there are other specific times you might think about doing a little extra and buying a gift for your mentor. Marking special times with mentor gifts can appropriate and heartwarming and can even remind your mentor of you whenever they see it. Examples of special times to commemorate are:

• The 6-month or 1-year, etc., date of your first meeting.
• When you’ve successfully reached a goal that your mentor helped
• The mentor’s birthday, Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, Diwali, etc.
• When your mentoring time comes to an end.
• National Mentor Month in January, and October 27, which is Mentor Day.

The Rules of Buying Gifts for Mentors

When you give a gift to your mentor, you'll need to consider a few things—despite your excellent intentions, spontaneously receiving a gift puts pressure on the recipient. They may feel pressured to give you something in return. They may not be able to afford a gift right now. And they may not like the gift (really, really not like it.)

Know Your Organization’s Policies

Some schools and businesses have policies that do not allow mentor gifts. The same goes for mentor programs that groups like a chamber of commerce sponsor. Check out your group’s policies before you hit the mall.

Talk to Your Mentor First

During your first meeting with your mentor, the two of you will likely set some engagement rules. You’ll discuss when and how often you’ll meet, what topics or goals you plan to work on, and more. This is a great time to bring up gifting. You could say something like, “Christmas is coming up. How do you feel about exchanging gifts?”

Gifts for Mentors That Will Make Them Cringe

After you have the rules of engagement down, there is the issue of the gift itself. Before we give you some smart ideas for mentor gifts, here are some you should avoid.

1. The Ugly Vase

We’re not necessarily talking about a vase. As a general gift-giving rule, don’t gift someone an item that has to be displayed in a home or office unless it’s “safe” or the recipient has told you they want it. You take a chance and buy something artsy or avant-garde (like an ugly vase), and the next time you visit their office and that ugly vase is not out, you’re going to feel bad, and they’re going to be embarrassed.

2. The Family Feud Gift

Be mindful of your mentor’s family situation. Give your unmarried mentor, who is always cold, a pair of warm fuzzy slippers. But slippers, an item of clothing, or anything personal, like perfume or spa items, might give a spouse pause.

3. The Broken Boundary Gift

Mentor gifts that cross boundaries are much like family feud gifts, except they’re never appropriate. Here are some gifts we’ve seen online that cross boundaries.

• A bathroom scale: This might make your mentor feel like you’re trying to tell them something.
• A ponytail holder/wig: There are so many reasons why this is wrong. You can probably guess why.
• Anything with curse words or inappropriate images: You might think the item is funny. If so, save it for your uncle or a white elephant exchange.
• Religious items: Religious items can be sticky unless you’ve discussed faith and religion and are sure of your mentor's faith. To be safe, it's best to steer clear of anything with a religious theme.

4. Mentor Gifts Pro Quo

Be careful about gifting if you are in a mentor relationship with someone who controls your immediate success. Examples are a professor who will approve your thesis or a boss who is just about to promote someone to a position you’ve applied for. You don’t want your gift to be confused with a bribe. This includes:

• Money
• Anything that looks like money, such as a gift card
• Anything that costs too much money

25 of the Best Mentor Gift Ideas

Here are 25 of the best gifts for mentors from all walks of life. They are neutral, unoffensive, and useful. And all of them are a way to show you appreciate how much your mentor has done for you.

1. A Live Plant

You can pair a live plant with a pot saying, “Thank you for helping me grow.” If you’re concerned about your mentor’s lack of a green thumb, succulent plants are a good choice because they need little attention. If their office has skeletons of neglected plants, you can buy plush succulents in pretty pots.

2. A Footrest

Having a footrest under your desk is a good way to improve your mentor’s office ergonomics.

3. A Desk Fountain

These come as soothing water fountains and incense burners that cascade smoke down a hillside.

4. Quote Print

While art is risky as a gift, a framed quote is a nice gift, especially if you’ve discussed it during mentor meetings.

5. Charging Station/Phone Holder

You can find charging stations in all shapes and sizes. Find one that aligns with your mentor’s hobbies or interests.

6. Sand Timer

A sand timer can be a beautiful desk ornament or a useful device for keeping meetings on schedule.

7. Globe

The classroom globe has gotten a makeover. You can find cork-covered globes for notes and globes that float between magnets.

8. Coasters

Coasters are functional and come in many designs, including monograms.

9. Desk Nameplate

You can find a plain desk nameplate or with built-in phone chargers and pencil holders.

10. Business Card Holder

You can find business card holders for your mentor’s desk or wallet-style for travel.

11. Bookends

You can find everything from functional to fun bookends. A-Z is traditional. Stick figures that appear to be holding up books are whimsical.

12. Paperweight

No list of mentor gifts would be complete without the classic paperweight. Glass, brass, wood, and stone paperweights hold down papers or hold your attention if you find ones made by artisans.

13. Warm Cozy Throw Blanket

A small blanket comes in handy for the office sofa or a lap.

14. Magnetic Whiteboard

You can’t beat the good, old-fashioned, and functional whiteboard.

15. Basket Full of Goodies

Who doesn’t like a sweet, salty, crunchy, and chocolatey treat? If your mentor doesn’t, they can share.

16. Journal or Bound Notebook

Leather, paper, and metal books to write down thoughts or notes are always a great mentor gift idea.

17. Books

A book or biography is a thoughtful gift if your mentor has mentioned a favorite historical figure, author, or inspiration.

18. Candle

Everyone loves candles, but first check to make sure there aren’t policies about not having candles in the mentor’s office.

19. Oil Diffuser

If open flames are not allowed in your mentor’s office, an artsy glass jar with graceful reeds will do the trick.

20. Personalized Leather Portfolio

Help your mentor take notes with style with a leather portfolio. You can get a portfolio monogrammed for an extra touch.

21. Cookie/Candy Jar

Bring your mentor a glass jar full of treats—then it’s their job to keep it filled.

22. Tea-making Kit

Whether they prefer black, green, or herbal tea, you can find a tea-making kit your mentor will love.

23. Flavored Coffee

If your mentor is more of a coffee person, you can pick up flavored coffee—just gather intel about whether they prefer their coffee in pods, beans, or fresh grounds.

24. Masterclass All-Access Pass

Gift certificates let your mentor choose the class they’re most interested in.

25. Worry Stone

Whether they’re worried or bored, your mentor can keep a worry stone on the desk or in their pocket.

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