Is this a weird present? Be honest please!

[sparklingWine4]

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

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!

Sounds ideal to me. If she's interested in that sort of a thing, why not?

Only you can guess if she’ll like it. You seem to know what sort of things she likes.

I’d be secretly ‘wtf am I supposed to do with this?’ and I’d shove it in a drawer. 😬

I think it's a nice idea. You never know with gifts and can only do your best!

but I know she’s always loved that sort of thing
then you already have your answer?

It's a cute present anyway, and you can make it even more personal with a note explaining that it's special to you and wish it brings her luck or something

I thought it sounded great but, tbh, I don't like the ones in the photos. (But that's just me.)

Other random thoughts I had: Is she likely to be travelling around, in which case, would it be unwanted extra weight? Would a horse shoe charm for a bracelet or anklet suit her?

Its a lovely idea and you said she likes that kind of thing but I'm from the South West so to my mind they're upside down.

I think that's a lovely idea OP.

I'm sure she will love it

I think it’s a lovely thoughtful gift, OP. Although agree with PP, I don’t like the blingy ones in the posted photo.

Lovely present ☺️

Id say lovely.- maybe biased as I have loads of horseshoes in my house
Just got one as a present from Croatia so they are lucky in other parts of the world too

But not with white ribbon- that makes it too weddingy. Actually are horseshoes a wedding thing in GB?

Maybe green for Ireland?

I know she’s always loved that sort of thing and I know she wants some kind of meaningful keepsake from her time here

You've answered your own question - you know she'll appreciate it because you know what she likes.

Sounds like a very nice thoughtful gift OP.

Ribbon in the colours of the Irish flag or just green would be lovely - as others said white is a bit weddingy.

What a lovely thought! She will appreciate it, I’m sure.

I like the idea but I’d go more rustic/natural. The ones in the photos are too clingy and weddingy

I think it’s charming and personal - it reflects something of her, and something of you, and something of your shared context, and a wish for her to be happy and lucky.

I am a sucker for presents like this that are symbolic souvenirs of a friendship and a time of life spent together. I would probably tear up if someone gave this to me as a leaving present.

I think its a lovely present, but as PP have said, not encrusted with jewels - unless that is totally her taste!

Did she know the horse it came from?

Well I fucking love the idea

I thought it sounded great but, tbh, I don't like the ones in the photos.

Same here.

Too sparkly & unauthentic looking for me.

Maybe she would prefer that though?

If she's interested enough in the subject she'll know that a horseshoe is lucky & to keep it upright so that the luck doesn't "run out".

I would love it and extra that its from one of your own horses, that makes it more special

I bought an old worn horseshoe in a fair recently (wanted to support a local guy who looks down on his luck). I would be thrilled for that present! Lovely idea!

Ithink she'll love it, very thoughtful though I agree I don't like the bling. I'd just shine it up, maybe add the ribbon for hanging.

It sounds a great present idea but the horseshoes in the picture were more blingy than I'd expect for someone into rural Irish pursuits! But you know her tastes best.

This is more what your description conjured up to me (without the anniversary inscription, obviously!)

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1739600824/blacksmith-made-iron-horseshoe-6th

Or
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4383498807/personalized-engraved-horseshoe-custom

Perhaps you could add a green velvet ribbon?

Sorry I should have said- I’m not doing the bling lol definitely not her taste! It’ll be shiney and mirrory like in the pictures but just minus the crystals lol

the idea of adding an Irish ribbon to it is brilliant though- thank you!

I love things like that, it’s really personal and lovely thought behind it.

I’m also like you though and would be wondering if the recipient would like it! I say go for it!