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Is this a weird present? Be honest please!

183 replies

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

OP posts:
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8
Snufkin88 · 09/07/2026 18:28

Not weird at all

BeChirpyOrca · 09/07/2026 18:27

I think it’s a perfect gift based on what you’ve said. Perhaps personalise it with a ribbon in Irish colours, or in a similar other way that highlights a core memory for her go for it and don’t over think of it. Whilst I’m not into horses, I’d be thrilled with a gift that was obviously personalised in that kind of way as a momento of my time.

RumPidgeon · 09/07/2026 18:23

It’s a fab idea!! Could you add a little collage (think The range photo frames and put together photos of your time together and her time in Ireland)?

BySharpPanda · 09/07/2026 18:21

I think it's a very thoughtful gift but I'm irish too, I would love it and I'm not into horses, so yes it's lovely

Sarkykitty · 09/07/2026 18:20

I love this idea, if I received this I would think it was a lovely thoughtful gift and would treasure it forever :)

GreenCandleWax · 09/07/2026 18:19

When you say she is really liking the Irish horse thing, how big an interest or passion is it? If just a mild interest, she might as you thought, think it was more about your interests, though likely a lovely souvenir of you and your friendship. But if she is particularly passionate about horsey things, yes it would be personal to her. So it depends on how keen she is on the cultural horsey vibe.

PrettyPickle · 09/07/2026 18:18

@sparklingWine4 If its an additional gift, and it was given to me, I would see this as the gift with emotions attached and on that basis, providing there is no bling, which would made it too bridal, I think its a lovely idea. Maybe add a gift card saying something along the following lines:

“May this horseshoe hold luck the way the Irish say it does — and may it bring you the strength and spirit of the horse who wore it.”

“In Ireland, iron keeps away mischief and the U-shape keeps the luck in. This one carried my horse safely - may it carry you too. “A little piece of my horse, and a little piece of Irish luck.”

TicklishReader · 09/07/2026 18:16

I think it's a lovely idea.

Jaxhog · 09/07/2026 18:12

If I was your friend, I'd love it! Especially as its currently one of YOUR lucky horseshoes.

BibbityBobbityBuggerit · 09/07/2026 18:12

If she loves the Irish traditional stuff, I've seen some lovely painted horseshoes. You could Hammerite it and paint it either with a Celtic knot theme or with traditional/Romany type floral garlands. With some Irish ribbon to hang it with?

noodlebugz · 09/07/2026 18:10

I think it’s a lovely idea. Just to go belt and braces - could you print a nice little card explaining it? That it’s lucky / where it came from the history etc. To remind her of her time in Ireland etc.

Runnermumof2 · 09/07/2026 18:00

I'm Scottish and love gifting horseshoes , specifically at weddings. I get them painted too. It's a lovely gift !

Allonthesametrain · 09/07/2026 17:59

What a lovely idea, I'm sure she will love and cherish it,I would. Xx

Goinganonforthis · 09/07/2026 17:51

I'm Irish and I think this is really lovely, unique, and personal. I might have to use this idea myself! I think she will be really touched with the effort and the sentiment.

OldScribbler · 09/07/2026 17:49

Both thoughtful and appropriate, if she knows horse shoes are seen as lucky here. If not tell her.

Surgz · 09/07/2026 17:48

No its fab.. who doesnt want a friend who wishes you good luck and fortune..just attach a note or a quote explaining what it symbolizes!

Alittlefrustrated · 09/07/2026 11:32

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 09/07/2026 09:23

The friend is from 'across the world', if that's Australia (and probably same in New Zealand) it likely won't get past biosecurity screening on the way home if it's got hay in it.

Well she can ditch the hay, before travelling, if its just there for presentation/effect in the gift box.

ToffeePennie · 09/07/2026 11:12

I love superstitions around this stuff too - you’re supposed to hang them so the luck doesn’t fall out. Sounds like a lovely gift, just not a white ribbon!

WhyCantThingsJustBeEasy · 09/07/2026 11:09

@sparklingWine4 I think its a lovely idea. Although, I think it would be better in a frame or even some kind of stand? You know like a plate stand or something? Either way, its a lovely gift, just goes to show, you know her really well.

chirrupybird · 09/07/2026 10:44

It sounds thoughtful, perhaps enclose a note explaining why it's special. It will certainly remind her of you and Ireland, and the good luck part is also nice.

maowmaow · 09/07/2026 10:39

It’s a great idea. The Irish ribbon is a great suggestion, as is the one on the frame

rainbowstardrops · 09/07/2026 10:34

I think it’s a lovely idea!

Sahara123 · 09/07/2026 10:27

Chesspitofbacteria · 08/07/2026 15:05

I always thought that they are displayed that way up because otherwise your "luck runs out".

Does the SW have a special way of displaying them?

Not being snarky (I live in the SW but didn't grow up here). Just curious

I was born and raised in the south west and I’ve never heard that before! Umpteen pubs with horse shoes there.
I agree, you hang them that way up or the luck will fall out !

ToadRage · 09/07/2026 10:11

myothercarisarustbucket · 09/07/2026 03:55

Noooo !

Horseshoes should be kept with the ends up, otherwise the luck runs out !

I'm from the NW if that's relevant ?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/what-hanging-a-horseshoe-on-your-front-door-is-really-saying/ar-AA1INXiZ

Luck is not subject to gravity, if you have the ends up the devil can hang on.

Shinyhappyapple · 09/07/2026 09:45

They used to give lucky horseshoes at weddings so with that in mind, I would probably be a bit confused on receiving it. That aside, it’s not weird in itself. I quite like lucky charms.

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