Etiquette regarding letters of recommendation....thank you card?

[Cynthia]

My professor wrote three recommendation letters for me for grad school. He sent two directly to the Universities to which I applied and he left one in his mailbox for me to pick up because I have to send that one with the rest of my grad school application packet. So in total, he has used 3 envelopes and stamped two.

I am picking up the recommendation letter today but he will not be on campus. What is the etiquette here? Should I leave him the 3 envelopes and stamps that he used? Also, is it ok to give him a small thank you card with a short message of thanks inside?

What is the etiquette here?

[fun_fearless]

I don't think you need to leave him 3 envelopes and stamps that he used. But, if it's ok, buy him something nice (affordable to you), like wine or something and write a nice and polite thank-you card to go along with the gift.

[rangergordon]

You should give him a hand-written, short but sincere note in a thank-you card.

Forget the stamps and envelopes. He gets them from the university, and you bought them when you paid your student fees.

A gift is unnecessary.