TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . ABOUT US . CONTACT . CHAT  
Bomis   Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Graduation Gifts

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Jun. ~ Aug.: Graduation Gifts users admin

Author Message
Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 10:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Help, please! Our neice is graduating from HS the 25th and I have no idea what to get her. My DH suggested I ask you guys. He said we've always gotten good advice from you. He's so smart. She's smart and athletic. She teaches snowboarding in the winter and a lifeguard in the summer. She'll be going to college in Boston in the fall. We want it to be something special but we really have no clue. Please give us some suggestions! Thanks, guys!

Sage
Member

07-20-2000

Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 11:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Twinkie, I'm not sure what your budget is, but I always thought a special and lasting gift for a graduation would be a nice piece of jewelry. Like a ring or a necklace with their birthstone. Nothing too expensive but in the $50.00 to $80.00 range.

Abby7
Member

07-17-2002

Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 11:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Twinkie, I just gave my nephew (graduation from High School) his graduation gift at the end of May.

I honestly think money is the best way to go. If you want something "more special", then I would go with money and some sort of special memory gift (frame w/special photo?).

For now, I do think that any senior would prefer money over any gift an "aunt" might think the nephew/niece might want. I know it's easy to project what the senior might want as a keepsake when he/she is older....but....

I suggest money for any senior graduating from high school.

I know my nephew appreciated it. His graduating glass (small class of 64....maybe 50+ going) are now in Italy. Three- week trip for $2,500. Everything paid for with the $2,500 (airfare, food, hotel, tours, etc.). It was suggested to take $600 extra for spending money.

I gave him money. I know he appreciated the money (even though he has worked for about 2 years, earning his own money).

Money is the way to go IMO. They will need it no matter what (car, insurance, college)....and will appreciate it at their age more than something sentimental IMO.

Thinking back at what I would have wanted....would have been money.

eta: my sis' (nephew's mom) has recently had a change in finances....so money is especially appreciated.

Abby7
Member

07-17-2002

Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 11:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
oops, Twinkie...i just wanted to add above:

my point in giving money...was the money would go towards something my nephew was wanting at the time.

that would be travel, car/car insurance, college fund.

you can always do something, later, as a keepsake for your niece to always remember.




Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 11:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Abby and Sage! I'd love to give her money but they have a whole lot more than we do. LOL We'd like to spend somewhere between $50 and $100 and something she'll always have. Jewelry is a good idea but maybe just as a keepsake. She doesn't really wear jewelry.

Abby7
Member

07-17-2002

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 12:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
twinkie, i understand that.

i would give her something that would contribute in some way to allow her to travel. give her something worth 50-100 dollars to spark her interest in travel.

sorry, i think i'm just projecting something i wish i could have done when i was in my teens...travel.

a trip (you could add a camera) would give her memories forever.

so, plan a weekend-trip for her? 2-day, one-night sort of "travel"?

a travel book?

don't know how to explain this...but it is a bit difficult for a young teen to keep a keepsake for 20 some-odd years or more.....i know when i was young i liked to move around alot. it was hard to bring those keepsakes with me wherever i went.

since i was just a couple of hours away from Yosemite...i always oved that place. used to stay at the lodge there yearly.

wouldn't recommend that place for a teen....but since she is athletic....?

maybe you can get family/friends to contribute to a trip? (you contribute 50-100, then others contribute something towards a one-night,2-day trip?)



Abby7
Member

07-17-2002

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 2:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
twinkie, just so you know....months ago, i googled your question (gifts for high school graduates). i found the answer to be money.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 9:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
How about stock, something they could keep and let grow and would think of you years later when they sell.

I got Disney stock in 3rd grade, I think I started with 8 shares and now have 115.

YOu can buy just one share or more, it is around 25 a share.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 9:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
ps, my step son is grad high school and we are giving him money.

So I agree money is prolly what most kids need but I hear what you are saying if the person all ready has more than they need.


Vacanick
Member

07-12-2004

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 10:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I went to a graduation party last night for the daughter of a dear friend and I gave her a beautiful card and cash.

I agree ... money is perfect gift.

I like the idea of giving stocks Pamy ... what a wonderful gift!

Darrellh
Member

07-21-2004

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 10:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
A gift box. In it put a Red Sox cap, Some Boston baked beans (candy), A print out from a website (they're there) on how to speak with a Boston accent, and a gift certificate to a store found up there. That way, there's a little funny, a little useful, and a lot of love, showing you took the time to care.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 10:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What a clever suggestion, Darrell!

Vacanick
Member

07-12-2004

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 10:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I agree with Vee ... how clever Darrell!

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 10:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I like the idea of stuff that is oriented to her college destination! One thing I did when thinking of what to give to Nikki recently was to go to the website for her university and then for her specific dorm to find out about possible needs. It turned out that I could give her a whole computer, one I had from 2002 that is more than adequate for her needs and includes a 15" flat panel monitor since space is an issue in the dorm room, but had she already had a reliable computer I considered buying her the network card she'll need to access the dorm/university network.

Going into a dorm she'll need lots of small or large items.. her brother also "regifted" and gave her a small microwave and small refrigerator and other items (he and I agreed that we were able to help her out with items we already had and were not using and she benefitted, while we didn't have to spend money). I did get her one of those little pillows filled with microbeads that were so expensive but have now dropped drastically in price.. hers is like the face of a black cat and I told her it will represent her black cat that she's had since she was a little girl, who cannot come to school with her. She loved the idea and slept with the pillow that very night. Other people got her frames for pictures for her dorm room.

I like Darrellh's gift box idea very much!!

Other ideas for dorm dwellers .. a few months ago Lkunkel was telling me about building a first aid kit, and a sewing kit, a small tool kit.. all assembled by Lkunkel and costing far less than just buying a ready made kit.

Reiki
Member

08-12-2000

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 2:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hey Twinkie, My niece is graduating from HS this month too and will also be going to university in Boston (Northeastern). I got her a nice keepsake box - the top has a place for her diploma or a picture. I am also giving her money.

I like the Darrell's idea, but there is no way in heck that I am buying her a Red Sox hat!! I live in Yankee territory. Maybe I can give her something from the Celtics instead.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 5:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm loving all of these ideas!! You guys are great! Reiki, one of our best friends teaches at Northeastern! I'll have to give you a call to get names, etc.

I knew we'd get some great ideas from TVCHers! Ya'll never disappoint! Thanks so much!

Halfunit
Moderator

09-02-2001

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 5:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
The last HS graduation gift I put together was a card that had gift cards inside.

$25 phone card
$25 pizza card
$25 gasoline card
$25 college campus bookstore card

I taped them to the inside of the greeting card. :-)


Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 5:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Believe it or not, the best present I got was from my grandmother--a huge, fat, well-respected dictionary. I still have it! It had all kinds of helpful appendices, too. Now I know in these days of computers, it might seem redundant, but it is not. Abundantly helpful and a wonderful keepsake because it has lasted all these years. I still love it!

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 5:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I got my dictionary from my parents for Jr High graduation and still treasure that memory.

I was extremely touched that Nikki's older brother, besides the 'regifts' (which she loved getting for her dorm) gave her a good dictionary.. she seemed more interested that it also included a cd rom option, but he really stressed to her his love of words and looking through a paper dictionary. He's 26 and I was just thrilled to hear this.. the two of them were getting a ride with me in the non-smoking car going back from dinner one night.

Half, that's a great set of cards and I'm sure it was very well appreciated.

At Nikki's school, they set up accounts for the students, so money may be put in the account.. the priority is tuition, dorm fees and not sure if it is books before food or vice versa.

Rosie
Member

11-12-2003

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 6:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Half, I am going to graduate this June too.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Friday, June 10, 2005 - 10:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL, Rosie. These are such great ideas! I can see us doing several of these. I will let you all know what we finally got her and her reaction after the graduation party. You all ROCK!!!

Sherbabe
Member

07-28-2002

Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 7:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
When you have a minute, check out parenting place discussion. I started a thread there for dorm room ideas. So many responded w/ wonderful hints.
My sister gave my son a compact fridge for graduation. Home Depot...$99....Magic Chef. It is wonderful and something he will use everyday.

Graceunderfyre
Member

01-22-2004

Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 8:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
When my much younger cousin graduated a few years ago, I made her a little gift basket and wrapped each gift indiviudally with a card saying why it was in the basket. A lot of the stuff I bought at the dollar store.

The gift basket itself was a carrier for bathroom stuff since she was going to live in a dorm with a shared bathroom. (Even if they are in a suite situation they will still probably want one).

We put in:

a roll of quarters for laundry/snacks/meters

a gift certificate to Tower Records for music to study by

a book of stamps & stationary for the long letters home

a gift certificate for gas for road trips (had to do a yahoo search to see what was up there)

a grocery store gift card for nourishment (yahoo again)

a phone card to keep in her wallet for emergencies

some cute soaps to remind her to take care of herself

candy to help her stay sweet

an address book with all the relatives addresses, emails, phone numbers, birthdays and anniversaries in it (and I believe her friends at the party all added their names to it as well)

a framed extended family picture from Christmas so she wouldn't forget who loved her.

mini Indian & American flags to help her remember where she came from

sunglasses to remind how bright her future is

and last, but most importantly - a map of the the East coast with the route from college to our house and to her parent's house marked so she wouldn't forget the way home.

She still talks about it when other graduations come up and she kept the map saying it was her favorite part.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 4:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Grace, those are great ideas! Geez, now I'm seeing just how much a new college student needs.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 7:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I have written down all of your ideas and we are going shopping today. I also did my homework and researched what stores and such are in that town. BTW, she changed her mind and is now gonna be going to U of Conn in Fairfield. She got a better deal from them. 40% tuition scholarship. Tomorrow is the grad party at hubby's sister's house. Its her second oldest daughter that's graduating and I think another reason she chose U of C is because she will be closer to her sister who is going into her last year at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. That leaves 2 kids still at home. Their house is getting quieter. LOL I will let everyone know what we got her and how she liked it and thanks again everyone for all of your super ideas!