Gift suggestions?
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The ClubHouse: Archives: Gift suggestions?

Dahli

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 02:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm looking for some experience and suggestions for a couple of gifts I need to get in the next couple of weeks, and can't find any decent ideas on the web searches, so hope you guys can help me.

We have been invited to a graduation party for a friend's daughter graduating grade 12 this year - we are good friends but I don't really know what would be an appropriate gift,
Her second daughter is being confirmed the same week and - yep - we're invited to that 'soiree' as well. She is 14, it's a Lutheran church and I have not a clue what would be appropriate and not too 'cheesy' to get for her either. I welcome any and all advice- Thanks!

Spygirl

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 02:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
For the graduate -- money, definitely. It may sounds "cheesy" (see the "Question" thread..hehe), but trust me, that is exactly what she wants.

Sia

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 02:59 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I think nice earrings (either gold or sterling silver) are always a nice high school graduation gift for girls. I have a harder time figuring out what to get a boy who's graduating! With the younger girl, I would ask if she has pierced ears and either buy earrings or a necklace--but nothing to outshine the gift of the older daughter. High school graduation is meant to be "special," and the gift should be, too. Cash/a check is so appreciated, but so forgettable. I remember all the bridal shower gifts, wedding gifts and baby gifts I've received, and the most memorable ones are the gifts, whether they were for big-ticket or less expensive items. Taking the time to select a gift especially for someone you love shows that you cared to give it consideration and that you expended a little bit of effort.

That said, if a graduation is out of town and I'm not planning to attend, a check is the easiest thing to send (a check instead of cash, since most kids today don't know how to write thank-you notes!)

We were invited to FIVE h.s. graduations this summer. Following are the gifts I gave/am giving:

-husband's niece, Black Hills Gold earrings, $48 (we no longer buy Christmas gifts for her and her older brother/sister)
-husband's cousin's girl, Josh Groban CD, $13 (She is a singer and I predict she'll be a country star one day; Groban is about the same age and a real prodigy!)
-my cousin's son, $25 check (party was 10 miles away, but I forgot to go!! Major faux-pas!)
-my cousin's daughter, $25 check (way out of town, & she sent the invitation the day before graduation; I felt like an afterthought)
-former-coworker's daughter, pair of coffee mugs & canister, cookies, imported tea, under $10 (clearance item; she can take it to college)

Fanny

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 03:26 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I just always give money. My philosophy is that graduation announcements & parties are college fundraisers. I'm not complaining, just practical.

Max

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 03:42 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Giftcertificates.com is an easy alternative to cash and can be done online if you get crunched on a time schedule (I'm assuming that all high school grads have online access these days).

For confirmation.... If she has a charm bracelet, then a charm would work and not be too expensive. If you have a favorite inspirational book you think she'd like, that would be good. We don't have confirmation in my church, so I'm guessing here. :)

Nashbag

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 03:50 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
We usually give US SAVINGS BONDS (yes they still have them)
It is Patriotic :)
they cannot spend it, so it ensures an investment for the future.
They are also relatively inexpensive depending on how much the limit is.

all of the above are also great ideas i may use in the future.

Alaskagal

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 04:31 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Grad gift ideas: things for dorm rooms like Mirrors, Rubbermaid storage totes,towels, My aunt gave me a laundry basket with detergent, dryer sheets and a couple rolls of quarters (I loved it), I can't remember but she either included other cleaning supplies as well like dust rags, pledge, etc. or bath supplies like shampoo and soap, etc. Or gift certificates to places like Nordstroms, JC Penny's, etc to buy things for her room

Nashbag that is a great idea. My grandparents bought us savings bonds for our even year birthdays and at the time we didn't think they were that great, but when I look at them now I am glad I have an emergency fund if I need it.

Dahli

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 07:24 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks guys your help is wonderful - I love this place - since she is staying home for her first year in university I will tuck these going away ideas 'away' for next year too!

Faerygdds

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 09:09 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
College bound grad gifts that get lots of use:
Coffee (instant and ground), coffee mugs, hot chocolate, microwave popcorn, etc... think of things that will keep until they get to the dorm. But the one thing you definitely want to get them is one of those little coffee mug hot plates. Those come in TOO handy!

I usually get a small $1 basket (I buy old bakets at garage sales and then repaint them) Then take everything and make a little basket for them. I can usually get away with a $20 gift that looks more like a $50 basket. :)

Kaili

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 09:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
If she is going away to school, phone cards are a good gift as is nice stationary. I don't know how much you want spend, so specific suggestions can be difficult. I also hardly remember HS graduation gifts- I know I got luggage, money, and gift certificates- Target is good because you can buy everything there. Good luck!

Kaili

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 09:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh, I didn't realize she was staying home- a gift certificate to a nice resturant would be nice, a book that she might like, a sweatshirt from the university she will be attending (if it is local and you can get to the campus bookstore), picture frames, and I'm running out of ideas. Starting to think in terms of birthdays. Hope this helps at least as a start!

Spygirl

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 09:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I would just add to my earlier post to make sure that you know your graduate pretty well because I would have not used any of those wonderful gifts Faery mentioned as I do not drink coffee or eat popcorn :)

As much as I have always appreciated anyone who felt led to give me gifts when I graduated (three times now), I really felt bad knowing that many of the gifts would never be used because they were just not useful to me. I hate returning gifts that were given thoughtfully (although I suspect some of them were not! lol). I just don't like to see people waste their money and would rather not receive anything that see hardworking people spend money on something I just can't use.

Theowl

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 10:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Faery! Missed you!! I like the idea of the baskets with misc. things in it. That is a great idea for so many occasions, as long as you pick things that they like.

Faerygdds

Friday, June 07, 2002 - 10:44 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
But see.. that's why you also put things in there like hot chocolate packets, M&M's, etc. If you want to know if your grad drinks coffee... ask their Mom! lol

Not to mention that many kids that never drink coffee... drink it during college. Not to mention that they might just be the hit of their first study group due to YOUR gift if they don't drink it themselves and opt to give it away or share it with others. :)

Another take on this is the cram basket idea... where instead of food stuffs you put in legal pads, notebooks, pens, plastic organizers, push pins/ tacky stuff, highlighters, etc. The point is this.. you take an empty basket and then you just get creative. I've done them for grads, baby showers, get well, birthday, almost everything! All you have to do is think outside the box. :)

OH! also good for departing graduates... STATIONARY as mentioned above... but if you want them to USE it... put stamps ON the envelopes! Otherwise they'll never write! (I once got a thank you note 6 months after graduation from the grad's MOTHER!) lol

Twiggyish

Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 10:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
We're getting a gift certificate from our local college, for our friend's son. The certificate will be for books and other supplies.

Oregonfire

Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 11:15 am EditMoveDeleteIP
What about the confirmation? That's a tougher one. I think a silver crucifix necklace would be a lovely gift, but then again, what do I know from confirmation gifts? I never got any myself, but having a boy I had a huge crush on in my confirmation group was reward enough.

Missy666

Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 11:18 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Money is always good, but as posted earlier, they generally don't remember it. One suggestion I have is to get them a certificate for an automotive place, such as an oil change place or a regular automotive store. The kid may not appreaciate it now, but 6 months from now when he/she needs their oil changed and don't have the money to pay for it they will have the certificate.

As far as the person who is being confirmed, I would suggest some type of a religious book, I received one of these way way way back when I was confirmed and I still have it. I also received a little statuete that held holy water, that hung in my parents hall way until they sold the house years later. Seeing as how confirmation is a religous occasion I think it very appropeite to get them something along those lines.

Schoolmarm

Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 02:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Confirmation is a big deal in the Lutheran church. I would go for a cross or heart necklace....or a "Contemporary Christian" CD, if she listens to that kind of music. Jewelery is always good. Even though I'm devout, I don't wear "big" Christian jewelery (ok, ok, I don't wear much jewelery). A gift certificate would also be appropriate. Chicken Soup for the Teenager might be a good book. I was a youth director and the girls liked reading the chicken soup books.

I like the Dr. Suess book "The places you'll go" for a graduation gift. Or things that a college-bound kid can take to college. "All I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten" is a good one, too. I think that any kid would like gift certificates for food places...pizza, McDonald's, etc.

Dahli

Monday, June 10, 2002 - 03:48 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Oregon - you're right, the confirmation has me especially stumped and as Schoolmarm says, it IS a big deal with this church... I don't know much about it so the music idea is good. The basket theme with gift certificates and a book included as well, is how I'm going to do the graduation thing! Whew - 1 down 1 to go - you guys ROCK!!

Alaskagal

Monday, June 10, 2002 - 04:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
You know for the confirmation, something personal might be fitting. Depends how well you know the girl. But something with her name, or she collects, something that she can hold on to and then everytime she sees it she'll remember the day and what an event it was in her life. (I had to really think back as it's been awhile, but it was a big deal in my church too) I got alot of books for my confirmation, a couple of framed religious sayings/verses/poem, gift certificates to bookstores, the christian shoppe, I even got a certificate to a spa. Flowers would be another option.

Alaskagal

Monday, June 10, 2002 - 04:48 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Found this site, has some cute ideas.

http://www.mailordershoppe.com/main_oc_relig.htm#top

Wapland

Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 02:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi there and hope this is not too late. My oldest son was confirmed in our church, a protestant Presbyterian, at Christmas. He received a lovely print showing a young adolescent fishing outside his home. Showing sorta like the boy to man thing.........simply inscribed on the bottom Psalm 121: 1,2 "I shall lift my eyes unto the hills, From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." He loved it, couldn't get it up fast enough. I think mostly because it is a really cool print...I was thrilled because it is appropriately a life long gift and symbollic of his confirmation of faith. Maybe you could use this in some way?????....anyway longwinded as usual.

Dahli

Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 03:24 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
That is a very lovely idea ... sounds unique and very appropriate - this has been so helpful, I can't get over it!