Aibu to not buy my hairdresser a baby gift?

[Menonut]

Context. I’ve been going to the same hairdresser for about 10 years. I followed her when she left the salon and went self employed.
She mentioned when booking my next appointment that I’m literally her last appointment before her maternity leave. Would you buy her a gift?
We are not friends, it is a purely a professional relationship.
yabu - of course you should get a gift (suggestions welcome)
yanbu - it’s a professional relationship, no need for a gift.

Genuinely, I don't understand why you're asking.

What do you think might happen if you don't buy her a gift?

After 10 years it would be nice to acknowledge the pregnancy with a small gift, it doesn't have to be a lot

There’s no need but it’s a nice thing to do! Why not get a cute little baby grow or something?

I wouldn’t, (and haven’t), I’d wish her well, give my usual too and that’s it.

No chance.

I'd probably just double the tip and wish her well.

When I was in a similar position I bought a few bits in Tesco. I spent about a tenner. I only did that because over the years I’d got to know the guy a bit and liked him. He seemed surprised and genuinely pleased even though it wasn’t much.

If you like your hairdresser and want to give something then do but I doubt it would be expected.

I voted YANBU because there's absolutely no obligation/expectation, but if you can comfortably afford it and like her enough (I assume so if you've stuck with her for a decade) something nice but little, like a book or cuddly toy and a card would be lovely.

No, I wouldn't buy her a gift. It's not required, and nor is it your place to. You've invented an obligation here that doesn't exist.
The only work-people who maybe SHOULD club together and get her a little something, are the people in the salon where she works. If she doesn't have a salon, and is a one-man-band, so to speak, you lose the expectation of work acknowledgements of "big events".

All it needs is, as you're settling the bill, is a big smile and a, "Well, best of luck with baby! All the best!" Then walk out.

It would be nice but not nessarcary. Depends on what kind of person you are .

Why can’t you just give an opinion? Why bother posting if you’re just going to nitpick?

No gift but I would give her a good tip

If I genuinely liked her as a fellow human being then I would definitely get her a small gift.

Not everything has to be transactional.

I was recently in the same position, I don’t ever buy baby gifts in advance but I did buy a small present after the baby was born.

There’s no expectation or requirement to get her a gift, but surely it’s a nice thing to do?

I’ve twice given the picture book ‘the fairy tale hairdresser’ to hairdressers when they were having a baby.

I would get her something, it doesn’t have to be very much. When my daughter was born a neighbour, who I barely knew, gave me a white towel with my daughter’s name embroidered on it. A lovely gift that didn’t cost much but was personal and much treasured.

I might get her a box of chocs if I felt I knew her, and we had chatted a lot. Otherwise not.
I would give mine but we have a laugh during the appts and chat about everything.

Double £0 is £0. I'd never tip a hairdresser.

OP if you don't want to buy her a gift, then don't. There's literally 0 obligation here.

Because I'd like to know what the OP thinks might happen if she doesn't?

If that's ok with you, of course.

Id get a card maybe when the baby's born. No gift is needed .

She has been your hairdresser for 10 years - I'd definitely buy a small gift

I've had the same hairdresser for less time than you and I did. Although I waited until after she'd had the baby safely, I gave it to her next time I saw her when she was returning to work. I don't feel you should feel obliged to give her something, it's very much an optional thing based on how you're feeling. So do if you want to, don't bother if you don't actually want to.

I had a virtually identical situation OP - hairdresser was self employed and went on maternity leave. I’d been a client for a decade. So I got her a £50 John Lewis voucher.
seemed like a nice and appropriate thing to do

I should add that although my hairdresser is 30 years my junior we had a nice relationship and chatted a lot with the conversation going both ways in a respectful way. I hope too that she’ll come back to work soon and take me back on.