[LWJ]

Ok. Lots of places have no gift policies. But here is something that is always welcome. Ask them directly who their supervisor is and, perhaps most importantly, someone who can make a difference in their career if they hear positive input about said person.

And then write a very specific and heartfelt email.

I do this often.

Best response: LWJ, my wife and I want to thank you for the email. Yours was the only email my file. But it mattered. I got a big promotion and it was in a large part due to your email.

A gift is great. But recognition and formal acknowledgment is perhaps even better.

On a selfish/manipulative note? The guy referenced above is now way up in Corporate. We are still buddies. And he owes me, should I ever need to call in a favor.