Appropriate gift giving etiquette?
I like to collect Pokémon merchandise in my spare time. This includes plushies and I am slowly working towards having a plush collection of all 721. While enrolled on my university course, I met a girl with whom I have some shared interests- Pokémon included. This person is the first genuine friend I have made in a long time and is the only one I have right now. I do not want to alienate her or make her feel uncomfortable. Last week I asked her what her favourite Pokémon was, she told me it was Luxray. As it happens, I found a Luxray plush and bought it with her in mind. She has been having a rough time lately and struggles with severe depression. I thought it might be nice to give her something. She has been very kind to me. I have known her for 4 months. Is this a bad idea?
Apologies, I understand that this may be a fairly trivial question but I am particularly nervous about the situation and am worried that it will not be received well or that I will be breaking some unspoken rule. The ability to accurately read situations like this is not a strength of mine and I am worried that it will be received in a way I do not intend. I do not want to appear overbearing. I am concerned that I am misinterpreting our relationship and that she does not consider me a friend as has happened before previously. I'm wary of making her feel obliged to reciprocate. Is it considered inappropriate to give someone a gift after knowing them for only 4 months? Do you have any advice regarding gift-giving protocol?
I don't think it would be too much to give such a gift, as long as you don't act too seriously.
Approaching it in a lighthearted manner will make it less likely that she'll feel that she must reciprocate, or that it is more serious of a friendship than she may desire at this point. You could say for instance, "Oh, I remembered that you mentioned that you like this Pokemon, I happened to see this in store (or wherever you got it) and thought I'd pick it up for you." Or whatever. You get the idea.