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| Myself and two friends celebrating after the last day of classes our Senior year. |
Jake and I have been having the most difficult time deciding on a graduation gift. My cousin graduates from college this weekend and Jake's little sister graduates from high school later this month. I usually really enjoy gift giving but graduation gifts are more difficult than birthdays or Christmas, especially when it comes to high schoolers. It seems like traditionally people give graduates cash but we want to actually help set her up for her future, not give her some money to buy beer and candy bars with. I also don't want to get her junk. I mean, who needs a beanie baby with a grad cap on or another picture frame that says something about graduation or high school being the best years of your life? Most of us don't even know where our high school diploma is, let alone have it framed and hanging prominently in our house. Flowers are pretty but not useful.
After talking to one of Jake's other sisters, I've decided that the best thing to give a grad (other than cash) are items for a house or dorm. At 18 most kids are either moving out on their own for the first time or going to college. At least, that was true before the economy tanked and everyone moved back in with their parents. So perhaps some kitchen utensils, grocery gift card, or extra blankets might be in order. Not the most glamorous of gifts and perhaps not the most appreciated but they are practical and helpful.
What do you guys give as graduation presents?
I haven't given any grad gifts as an adult, but your ideas sound perfect.
ReplyDeletehugs! i'm cheap :) actually i've never had to give a graduation gift... but i think you're right on with yours!
ReplyDeleteI would say a gift card for a certain place - like Ikea or Target. Sure, that COULD be used for beer/candy - but still. I, personally, would put together a gift basket.
ReplyDeleteSomething for their future (Ikea gift card, cash, etc... My family always gives cash and it's amazing.)
Something sentimental (a sweet letter, a poem, a picture in a frame, something they can take with them. What about some home-made jam?)
Something purely fun: a popcorn tub, popcorn and a few good movies. A gift card for a fun restaurant (I love Joe's Crab Shack), movie tickets, etc. We all need to relax once and a while!
Something to wear! Plain and simple there!
And, because of me/my family, I'd include a bottle of booze for those old enough or for those younger, specialty sodas, some candy and/or snack foods and a few little dollar store finds. Like nail polish for girls, a mini (seriously - MINI) pool table for boys or girls, etc., etc.
Hope I helped! :P I love designing gift baskets for loved ones!
first off, your hair in that picture is AMAZING! i want it on top of my head right now!
ReplyDeletei think you are right, getting things that she will need is a good thing. maybe a blender. that would be nice plus in the card you can tell it is good for making yummy smoothies and margaritas and pina coladas. i would have loved one, would have saved me so much money, plus we use it alot to make pesto and other yummy dinners! it might be short notice but one of your blankets would be an super nice gift!
xo,
cb
You have no idea how much I miss that hair, it was definitely the best hairstyle I've ever had!
DeleteTea towels.
ReplyDelete