Page 3 | Is this a weird present? Be honest please!

IcyShark · 09/07/2026 19:50

If it were me I would be grateful. It's personal and thoughtful and means you have thought of her in a deeply meaningful way. Gifts like that that have meaning are true treasures. She's lucky to have such a good friend who thought of her in that way.

oggie679 · 09/07/2026 19:48

sparklingWine4 · 08/07/2026 13:47

Just asking for opinions as I’m totally overthinking this!

I’ve got a really close friend who isn’t European. She moved here from across the world, we met at uni, and have been best friends ever since. She’s moving away for a new job and I’ve been trying to think of a nice personal present for her. She got me a cracking gift for a big event in my life and it was really personal and meaningful so I wanted to do something similar for her. I’ve got her some jewellery and other things as the main present, but I’ve had an idea and I’m just not sure now if she’ll like it and I’m over thinking it!

shes always been fascinated by the Irish rural equestrian sort of culture, and while she doesn’t ride herself, she really likes horses and that sort of vibe. I do eventing and have a set of 4 lucky horseshoes (taken off my horse) which I’ve got one in a frame and 3 basically in my outhouse.

I decided to get one of them redesigned into an ornament for her, as a keepsake from her time in rural Ireland. I know it’s not lucky for her in the same personal way it is for me, but it’s sort of a running superstition that if you keep it upright it’ll bring you good luck and she loves that sort of good luck / fortune kind of thing. And it’s just an ornament/ keepsake. But now I’m totally overthinking it and I’m thinking what if she thinks wtf why has she given me a horse shoe, what am I supposed to do with this etc, or that it looks like I’m forcing my interest on her

ill attach a pic of what it’ll look like to give an idea

is this a nice present given the context above? I don’t want it to look like a weird present that I’m forcing on her because I’m horsey, but I know she’s always loved that sort of thing and I know she wants some kind of meaningful keepsake from her time here

if someone could give me an honest opinion I’d be really grateful haha. Thanks so much! X

I think it sounds good!

lostfather666 · 09/07/2026 19:46

Yes with luck of the Irish with it im half irish

Littlemisssunshine1982 · 09/07/2026 19:37

its a lovely gift, I like horses but not into them and I have a horse shoe screwed up on my wall for good luck, I’ve had it since I was 12 (44 now)

Ineedanewsofa · 09/07/2026 19:33

It’s a lovely gift 😊 one of my favourite gifts I’ve ever received was from former colleagues in Ireland, a necklace depicting an Irish folk legend. Makes me smile and brings back fond memories of my time there whenever I wear it

BeKhakiReader · 09/07/2026 19:30

Sounds like a really thoughtful gift.

Mandaxx25 · 09/07/2026 19:30

As someone else from rural Ireland, who has owned horses, i wouldn't see any issue with it if it's what she associates with us. I'm fairly sure you could probably find a horse shoe in every gift shop in Ireland. If not a novelty one then definitely you'd get a Belleek, Donegal China or something like that. So yeah, fire on with it. Id say she'd love it.

Shudacudawuda · 09/07/2026 19:24

Ah OP, I think you sound like a lovely thoughtful friend and it sounds like a lovely idea for a present xx

Livelifeandloveit · 09/07/2026 19:22

I would print out the legend of how the horseshoe became a symbol of luck and place it with the gift. https://luckables.com/blogs/lucky-legends/the-legends-behind-the-horseshoe. I'm sure she'll love it.

HideousKinky · 09/07/2026 19:21

As long as she's not a minimalist (who dislikes anything merely ornamental that has no practical purpose) it seems a really thoughtful and unique gift

Ileithyia · 09/07/2026 19:13

If the horse shoe is from one of your horses, it’s a great personal and niche present. If you want to make sure she understands it include a card that explains the tradition regarding luck etc

Jack80 · 09/07/2026 19:09

Looks lovely

SparklyLeader · 09/07/2026 19:05

It thoughtful. Definitely a yes from me. If you're nervous, add a bouquet with it.

Cafog · 09/07/2026 18:57

Like this x

Is this a weird present? Be honest please!

Cafog · 09/07/2026 18:54

I think its a lovely idea, in this part of Ireland we paint them black and nail them over the door for good luck....so no ribbon and very rustic, and a nice moving present so she could hang it above her door in her new place x

Steeleydan · 09/07/2026 18:52

sparklingWine4 · 08/07/2026 13:48

Right these are just random pics I found online haha but this sort of thing

im definitely overthinking it but ive just been trying so hard to think of something personal/ meaningful related to her time living here and im just worried this is a bit too niche and specific if that makes sense!

Lovely thoughtful gift, it's perfect

Exasperated1971 · 09/07/2026 18:52

sparklingWine4 · 08/07/2026 13:47

Just asking for opinions as I’m totally overthinking this!

I’ve got a really close friend who isn’t European. She moved here from across the world, we met at uni, and have been best friends ever since. She’s moving away for a new job and I’ve been trying to think of a nice personal present for her. She got me a cracking gift for a big event in my life and it was really personal and meaningful so I wanted to do something similar for her. I’ve got her some jewellery and other things as the main present, but I’ve had an idea and I’m just not sure now if she’ll like it and I’m over thinking it!

shes always been fascinated by the Irish rural equestrian sort of culture, and while she doesn’t ride herself, she really likes horses and that sort of vibe. I do eventing and have a set of 4 lucky horseshoes (taken off my horse) which I’ve got one in a frame and 3 basically in my outhouse.

I decided to get one of them redesigned into an ornament for her, as a keepsake from her time in rural Ireland. I know it’s not lucky for her in the same personal way it is for me, but it’s sort of a running superstition that if you keep it upright it’ll bring you good luck and she loves that sort of good luck / fortune kind of thing. And it’s just an ornament/ keepsake. But now I’m totally overthinking it and I’m thinking what if she thinks wtf why has she given me a horse shoe, what am I supposed to do with this etc, or that it looks like I’m forcing my interest on her

ill attach a pic of what it’ll look like to give an idea

is this a nice present given the context above? I don’t want it to look like a weird present that I’m forcing on her because I’m horsey, but I know she’s always loved that sort of thing and I know she wants some kind of meaningful keepsake from her time here

if someone could give me an honest opinion I’d be really grateful haha. Thanks so much! X

I think it’s a lovely gift. If she doesn’t understand the significance it’s just a chance to explain it to her. I think it’s very thoughtful.

user1492809438 · 09/07/2026 18:52

Sorry, but in my day horseshoes were given at weddings for good luck. Your picture with the ribbons looks exactly like one on my cake.

Original poster

sparklingWine4 · 09/07/2026 18:49

Thank you so much for all the feedback!

I totally understand preferring the more rustic/natural appearance. The only issue is it’s got bits of hay and all sorts in all the small crevices, and it needs to be smooth of any of that (so she can take it back home, but also so it doesn’t smell haha)

I’ve found a few places that can do the chrome finish which involves getting it completely clean, and while there probably is somewhere I can get it cleaned with a more rustic finish I haven’t found anywhere and I wouldn’t want to give her something that has bits of hay and horse shit in it haha x

OP posts:

Milsie892 · 09/07/2026 18:46

sparklingWine4 · 08/07/2026 13:48

Right these are just random pics I found online haha but this sort of thing

im definitely overthinking it but ive just been trying so hard to think of something personal/ meaningful related to her time living here and im just worried this is a bit too niche and specific if that makes sense!

I think it’s really lovely. I know horseshoes that way up are lucky and I’d happily have that in my home. It’s a lovely idea.

Deedles610 · 09/07/2026 18:43

sparklingWine4 · 08/07/2026 13:47

Just asking for opinions as I’m totally overthinking this!

I’ve got a really close friend who isn’t European. She moved here from across the world, we met at uni, and have been best friends ever since. She’s moving away for a new job and I’ve been trying to think of a nice personal present for her. She got me a cracking gift for a big event in my life and it was really personal and meaningful so I wanted to do something similar for her. I’ve got her some jewellery and other things as the main present, but I’ve had an idea and I’m just not sure now if she’ll like it and I’m over thinking it!

shes always been fascinated by the Irish rural equestrian sort of culture, and while she doesn’t ride herself, she really likes horses and that sort of vibe. I do eventing and have a set of 4 lucky horseshoes (taken off my horse) which I’ve got one in a frame and 3 basically in my outhouse.

I decided to get one of them redesigned into an ornament for her, as a keepsake from her time in rural Ireland. I know it’s not lucky for her in the same personal way it is for me, but it’s sort of a running superstition that if you keep it upright it’ll bring you good luck and she loves that sort of good luck / fortune kind of thing. And it’s just an ornament/ keepsake. But now I’m totally overthinking it and I’m thinking what if she thinks wtf why has she given me a horse shoe, what am I supposed to do with this etc, or that it looks like I’m forcing my interest on her

ill attach a pic of what it’ll look like to give an idea

is this a nice present given the context above? I don’t want it to look like a weird present that I’m forcing on her because I’m horsey, but I know she’s always loved that sort of thing and I know she wants some kind of meaningful keepsake from her time here

if someone could give me an honest opinion I’d be really grateful haha. Thanks so much! X

I think this is the most wonderful, thoughtful, personal gift. I think anyone would appreciate that. Most people know about lucky horse shoes. And if she has an interest in horses, even if she doesn't ride, I think she'll adore a gift like that. What a thoughtful friend you are. Definitely go for it! It's both personal (from one of your horses) but also incredibly beautiful - you're not giving her a rusty shoe, but having it transformed into an ornament.

FriendlyNPC · 09/07/2026 18:38

I think it's a lovely idea and thought.

If it doesn't suit her home style, so have it out so to speak, then she will no doubt just treasure it in the same way you treasure items she has given you but you don't use/admire/wear on a daily basis.

mondaytosunday · 09/07/2026 18:35

Well the bling would put me off it, not the idea of it. I’d rather the shoe as it was in its natural (albeit clean) state rather than bedazzled.

RogueFemale · 09/07/2026 18:33

@sparklingWine4 You asked for honest opinions. I would hate a gift like this, because the shiny mirror chrome finish would ruin the meaning and authenticity of the object for me.

Having said that, I think it'd be fine to have it bronzed (dull brown bronze like sculptures).

You've already got her main present - jewelry - so I'm sure she'd appreciate the extra very personal gift of the horseshoe, from your horses, in its natural state.

Gymnopedie · 09/07/2026 18:31

It sounds lovely and so very personal to her and to you. But personally (if I was receiving it) I would prefer it if the shoe looked like it had just come off the horse who wore it, not even gussied up to the point of being all shiny.