Should I give her the gift anyway?

I went and bought a parting gift for my once-a-week personal assistant, who has been working for me for three months, helping me with things around the house and helping me run errands.

So, I bought her this gorgeous glass heart, flowers, and butterfly figurine that has a mirror under it. You know the crystal-like creations. Pretty. It cost me , so it's no cheap little trinket.

They wrapped it in tissue, and put it in a gift bag, and I took the bus home. When I got home, I took it out to check it to make sure it made it safely, and lo and behold...the butterfly broke into five pieces!

The heart and flowers are still in tact, and I think it looks fine without the butterfly (though I'm very upset, because the butterfly was my favourite part of the figurine)...should I give her the gift anyway? I won't have another chane to go shopping before she comes for the last time, so it's either this or nothing, but what if she somehow finds out it's broken and feels offended that I gave her something broken?

What should I do? Should I give it to her and not tell her it broke? Should I give it to her and tell her what happened? Should I not give it to her? What would be proper?

Comments

3 Responses to “Should I give her the gift anyway?”
  1. missbeans says:
    March 28, 2010 at 5:08 pm

    Don’t give it to her. If she discovers it is broken, she’ll probably come to the wrong conclusion. Instead, mail a gift to her at her home as soon as you can go shopping again.

  2. Lewis H says:
    March 28, 2010 at 5:08 pm

    Give it to her as it is, unless you can make an unnoticeable repair, she will be thrilled anyway.

  3. geegee says:
    March 28, 2010 at 5:08 pm

    I would, if it’s not obvious that it’s broken. I’m sure you’re frustrated that it’s broken, but it sounds lovely, and I’m sure she’ll be grateful for the appreciation. It’s unlikely she’ll find out it’s broken, as there are many ornaments for sale that are similar but not quite the same.

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