Flowers as a thank you for recommendations?

[ChloePoesy]

I've been blessed these past few weeks and I've gotten to meet a lot of amazing alumnae from many sororities. Many of them generously offered to write me recommendations for the chapter of their sororities at the school I will be transferring to in the fall. I was thinking that in addition to a Thank You card, it would be nice to also send flowers. Would this acceptable? I should also mention I'm from and attending college in the south. Also, would it be acceptable to research a sororities flower and have that included in the arrangement?

Thank you for any advice you can provide me!

Originally Posted by ChloePoesy

I've been blessed these past few weeks and I've gotten to meet a lot of amazing alumnae from many sororities. Many of them generously offered to write me recommendations for the chapter of their sororities at the school I will be transferring to in the fall. I was thinking that in addition to a Thank You card, it would be nice to also send flowers. Would this acceptable? I should also mention I'm from and attending college in the south. Also, would it be acceptable to research a sororities flower and have that included in the arrangement?

Thank you for any advice you can provide me!

Flowers are beautiful, but they can also be costly, especially if you're sending them out to a lot of rec writers.

Not only that, but many of the sororities have rare or hard to find flowers you won't be able to find at your local flower shop or FTD.

I'd think that a nice little Thank You note would be sufficient for your rec writers.

[Fleur de Lis]

That is a very sweet idea, but I think flowers are a little over the top. A well-written thank you note and a follow up note in regards to where you end up would be very thoughtful and gracious.

[ChloePoesy]

I encountered that problem with Delta Zeta. Fortunately, the Pink Killarney Rose is grown in South Carolina and is sold in a shop down the street from my grandmother. She will be passing through on her way to Florida the day before I am suppose to meet with a Delta Zeta alumnae at her home. We are meeting so she can answer a few questions I have and get to know me more in depth before writing her recommendation. Since they are so rare, would the flowers perceived in a negative light or as a thoughtful gesture?
I am only meeting with around ten alumni, so the cost would be reasonable. Thank you for your response; and I agree, if I were to be meeting with more alumni it would be incredibly expensive to send flowers to send flowers to each.

[violetpretty]

Sending a rec writer flowers won't impact your chances positively or negatively. The important thing is that you get a rec and write a thank you note. If you want to send flowers to thank your rec writers, by all means, go ahead if you can afford it.

Originally Posted by ChloePoesy

I encountered that problem with Delta Zeta. Fortunately, the Pink Killarney Rose is grown in South Carolina and is sold in a shop down the street from my grandmother. She will be passing through on her way to Florida the day before I am suppose to meet with a Delta Zeta alumnae at her home. We are meeting so she can answer a few questions I have and get to know me more in depth before writing her recommendation. Since they are so rare, would the flowers perceived in a negative light or as a thoughtful gesture?
I am only meeting with around ten alumni, so the cost would be reasonable. Thank you for your response; and I agree, if I were to be meeting with more alumni it would be incredibly expensive to send flowers to send flowers to each.

If you really really want to send them, that's your decision.

Speaking for myself (someone who's written recs before), I'll have to agree with Fleur de Lis and say that sending flowers is a little over the top. If a PNM showed up with red and buff roses on my doorstep, I'd probably think of it as too kiss-assy and desperate.

A nice little thank you card after the meeting is thoughtful and very appreciated.

If you receive a bid this Fall, maybe it'd be more of a good idea to send flowers to the alum who wrote you a rec to that house.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by OTW

If you receive a bid this Fall, maybe it'd be more of a good idea to send flowers to the alum who wrote you a rec to that house.

I like this idea better.

[indygphib]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I like this idea better.

Definitely more appropriate.

[PenguinTrax]

Originally Posted by Fleur de Lis

That is a very sweet idea, but I think flowers are a little over the top. A well-written thank you note and a follow up note in regards to where you end up would be very thoughtful and gracious.

I concur....

[gee_ess]

I definitely think flowers for the rec writer is over the top but do like the idea of sending flowers to the woman who wrote the rec for the group you pledge. That is a wonderful way to bond with a new sister and say thank you at the same time.

[AGDee]

I would probably be impressed if the Thank You card had red and buff roses (or a squirrel) on it though! It would make me realize that the PNM cared enough to research that.

[nittanyalum]

^^^That thought crossed my mind at first too, but then I thought of the rogue few whose first reaction might be "*gasp* How dare she co-opt our flower on her stationery already!" Yes, I know, that's not the most likely scenario, but in the old "what if"-avoidance scenario, I'd suggest just a nice handwritten note on neutral stationery would be the safest, classiest bet.

[ComradesTrue]

Yes. Stick with OTW's idea... save the flowers for the rec writer of the group you pledge. Standard/neutral stationary for everyone else.

I do commend your thoughtfulness, however.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

^^^That thought crossed my mind at first too, but then I thought of the rogue few whose first reaction might be "*gasp* How dare she co-opt our flower on her stationery already!" Yes, I know, that's not the most likely scenario, but in the old "what if"-avoidance scenario, I'd suggest just a nice handwritten note on neutral stationery would be the safest, classiest bet.

What if it's a handmade card and the OP particularly enjoys card making/scrapbooking?

[Zillini]

Originally Posted by OTW

If you really really want to send them, that's your decision.

Speaking for myself (someone who's written recs before), I'll have to agree with Fleur de Lis and say that sending flowers is a little over the top. If a PNM showed up with red and buff roses on my doorstep, I'd probably think of it as too kiss-assy and desperate.

A nice little thank you card after the meeting is thoughtful and very appreciated.

If you receive a bid this Fall, maybe it'd be more of a good idea to send flowers to the alum who wrote you a rec to that house.

Agreed on all points.