[Kozmo]

So my 25 year old co-worker's birthday is coming up in about a month. She'd mentioned long ago that she'd like something special for her birthday this year. She's actually one of my best friends at work, so I'd like to surprise her with something nice. Any ideas?

I was thinking of a gift certificate at a spa, but I don't know what's considered a "good" or "fancy" spa. What kind of prices would I be looking at?

If you guys have another other gift ideas as well, please share!

[PDLM]

25 year old expat or 25 year old local? There's a huge difference.

[jimbo]

And is there a budget in mind?

[ontheroad]

Anything from Shanghai Tang. or GOD.
Someone recently gave me a gift-certificate to a spa recently but I hate those kinds of things, they're a waste of time and money! It's not for everyone!

[emmie]

Originally Posted by PDLM

25 year old expat or 25 year old local? There's a huge difference.

[Inserted bold] - Please enlighten us?

Ontheroad - Agree with your opinion 'bout (light-weight) spa thingies.

As to ideas - Anything that both of you can "share" on her B/day tops any trinklet or material gift (and I'm NOT alluding to anything "ham sup" / un-toward here). Experience and memories, etc., including her fave circle of friends, taking smiley pics of her special day, for her to put on her desk.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by emmie

[Inserted bold] - Please enlighten us?

For example, we have a number of 20-something local women in our office whose desks contain significant amounts of "Hello Kitty" material, and for whom the most appreciated gift would be the latest hard to get special edition Hello Kitty tea cup, or something like that.

If you tried to give something like that to an expat female over the age of about 10 you would never be spoken to again!

For expat women then yes perhaps Shanghai Tang, but maybe the spa voucher. Or maybe a bottle of Krug. It really all depends on the individual.

[jgl]

Originally Posted by Kozmo

So my 25 year old co-worker's birthday is coming up in about a month. She'd mentioned long ago that she'd like something special for her birthday this year. She's actually one of my best friends at work, so I'd like to surprise her with something nice. Any ideas?

I was thinking of a gift certificate at a spa, but I don't know what's considered a "good" or "fancy" spa. What kind of prices would I be looking at?

If you guys have another other gift ideas as well, please share!

You really need to put up a little more info. So far there is: 25, female and has a job. That's not much to go on!

Where is she from? Does she have hobbies? Does she enjoy good food and pampering? Sports? Shopping? Gadgets?

[kombuchakid]

On a scale of one to ten
how pissed off would you be
if I got you Hello Kitty dodad?
from shanghai tang of course.

[climber07]

Originally Posted by jgl

So far there is: 25, female and has a job. That's not much to go on!

Where is she from? Does she have hobbies? Does she enjoy good food and pampering? Sports? Shopping? Gadgets?

A. I don't think all that information is relevant here for a gift for a colleague.

B. Do you know many females who enjoy Sports and Gadgets? And more importantly would want something related to these things as part of their "special" gift????

OP: If you want to do something nice, get flowers delivered to her desk, perhaps favorite sweets? Organize a nice get together with common work friends, etc. As far as gifts (besides what's already mentioned such as Spa, etc) you can always get something memorable like and engraved photo frame or jewelry box, a rare book (if a person is an avid reader) etc., if you're looking for something for the desk perhaps a Swarovski figurine??

It's much easier shopping for significant other as there are always 3 fail-safe categories: Jewelry, Handbags, Shoes.....none of which would be appropriate in this case. Good Luck.

[Skyhook]

It's a little hard basing a gift idea on such slight info. But here it goe's, having a stab in the dark.

At 25, doe's this co worker live at home, or doe's she have her own pad ?

I know that Shanghai Tang ( Tulip style ) table lamps are very popular among women of all ages and maturity levels, who rent or own their own place.

Anyway, its an idea, one of many during this forum you are likely to encounter .