B-School thank you gifts for recommenders

I got nice (but not outrageous) writing pens that came in appropriately distinguished gift boxes for each of my recommenders. I also got one for my main essay proofreader. Fortunately I didn't have to spend a ton considering none of them work in industries where it'd be common to have exorbitantly priced pens displayed on mahogany desks. Kept it under $70/each and they all seemed to genuinely like the gesture. I of course sent nice thank you cards as well.

You could always go with a nice bottle of their favorite liquor but that's pretty obvious and perhaps less memorable once it's been enjoyed.

I did restaurant gift certificates ($100 I think). Basically, a thank you for spending your free time helping me out, so now go take your wife/husband out for dinner on me. Nothing too special or crazy.

One of my recomenders was an older Irish dude. We spent some time traveling together, and he often got a glass of jameson as a night cap. I got him a slightly nicer bottle of jameson (jameson 12?) than his normal jameson. It seemed to go over well.

So yeah, if your recommend is an Irish dude, get him whiskey?

I did a round of golf for one and 2 bottles of wine for the other. $100-150 each. It's all monopoly money now anyways.

When I was accepted to my current MFE program, I bought all of my recommenders a nice (not ridiculous- $70, AOC) bottle of Champaigne and a box of Frango mints (being from Chicago and all).

Either expensive golf balls, an expensive leather passport holder or an expensive leather wallet. I adjusted per each person's preferences.

I went with a nice bottle of wine plus a small school-related gift for each of my recommenders.

I got them each a bottle of something, depending on their drinking preferences, when I received my admissions letter. Nothing that expensive, but good stuff - Blue Label, etc. around $100/person.

Not b-school recommenders, rather mentors who helped me get my current job, but I got one of them a bottle of Lagavulin 16 y.o, as he liked peated single malts but had never tried Lagavulin before, and I bought two Cohiba Siglo VI cigars for the other, which we smoked together (he was into cigars). Didn't break the bank, and both were very appreciative.

Now I'm pissed. Not one person who I have written a recommendation for has gotten me a gift. I didn't even know that was a thing.

Did you write the letters or did they write them? Or did your admin write them?

I gave my referrers a template and then all of them decided to write their own. That, combined with the fact that I got into a great program may have been a factor in my decision to give gifts.

Coke?

For the more old-fashioned guys maybe some Cubans...just make sure they have decent fake IDs.

Got my female recommender a spa gift card and males an expensive bottle of scotch.

In terms of timing, I gave it to them immediately after they handed in the recs. I think giving them a gift before getting in is more appropriate.