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

What a lovely, thoughtful present. Minus any bling or ribbon. I'd simply shine it up and then she can hang it / prop it, wherever she wants. Or, if she is packing up a house to move, so wouldn't have to carry it with her, you could frame it for her, that would also be lovely. I have one that I actually found that has special meaning to me and lives just propped up against the wall by the front door.

I think it's a really thoughtful and personal keepsake. She will be really touched by the thought that went behind it, and the addition of the ribbon in Irish colours just tops it off beautifully. Go for it!

It's a fantastic idea - but not shiney and blingy. I'd want it to look "real". They look like fake horseshoes to me.
Can you not have one just box framed, with hay and a liitle message?
Edited to say, I'd love it just in a nice gift box, with hay, then I could do what I liked with it.

It’s a beautiful idea, really thoughtful and personal. I would treasure a gift like that. You might have to explain it to her like you have to us.

I think it's a lovely gift and really special. It's definitely the sort of thing I'd cherish for years in the circumstances you've explained.

I love the idea of giving it alongside a picture of the horse, or ideally you and the horse.

Just frame it and don’t mirror it or hang it on a ribbon. If you frame it, you could put a handwritten note explaining its significance in the frame. The shiny, beribboned ones look like tacky wedding favours and look like they should come in a pack with a blue garter.

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.

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.

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

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 !

I think it’s a lovely idea!

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

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.

@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.

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!

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

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!

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

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.

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

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

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.

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?

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