College Graduation Gift - what can you give besides money?

14 years ago

I got a college graduation invitation/announcement from someone last week. I won't be attending the ceremony but I would definitely like to give a gift. Is a check about the only thing I can give? I'd rather give somethimg more personal, but I honestly don't know him well enough to know his interests. Also, he's getting married in October and I'll proabably give money for that as well, so I'm looking for some ideas.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

triciae
14 years ago
May I suggest Lee Sand's Eel Skin Bi-Fold Wallet. My DH loves these wallets. The leather is beautiful, shiny, soft, & supple. They wear like iron. DH stuffs his 4" thick & they last years. He has spent upwards of $200 on a wallet & always returns to Lee Sand's. He also gives these out by the dozens as business gifts. A young man graduating from college will need to replace his college-era wallet with something more professional.

/tricia

Here is a link that might be useful: Lee Sand's Bi-Fold Wallet
lindac
14 years ago
A wallet is good....but I know my son got 4.
Depends on what you want to spend, something to do with his profession? brief case? leather card holder, travel alarm clock, dopp kit ( or whatever they call them now) piece of luggage a book, pen...anything from Cross to Mont Blanc..
And remember....money is always good!
Linda C
Related Discussions
High school graduation gift ideas
Q
Comments (15)
My son is graduating too this year. We'll probably give him money. We got our older son a St. Michael medal (his name is Michael) and nice gold chain + some money. Middle son said he didn't want the medal, so will just give him a bit more $$. Personally, I dislike gift cards - unless they're for a specific purpose to a store that they already know they want to shop at. My kids have gotten countless gift cards over the years from relatives to stores they don't really shop at. So, they "save" them thinking they'll find something they need at some point. I'm not talking about handing the kid a small fortune, but at some point they need to learn to control themselves with more than $100 bucks in the bank. My son recently started working steadily and we opened him a bank account with an ATM card. He'll use this account in college, and I'm assuming will deposit all his gift money into it. Maybe we'll talk about creating a savings account too, so he knows he's got the money over there, but isn't tempted every time he goes to the ATM!
...See More
graduation gift ideas
Q
Comments (13)
ooh, I had an idea. a "life reference library." Here are some suggestions, but of course there are alternate books, and maybe other topics. Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House To help them clean, and do laundry, etc. They won't need most of the stuff in there until later, but.... Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition (Paperback) Bcs they're grown-ups now, and in charge of their own social life. Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, Third Edition Because they are now in charge of their own well-being. The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke Because they are now in charge of their own finances. Include a note that says something like, "Now that you're an adult, I can let you in on a little secret. All us grown-ups who look like we know everything? We don't. And whatever we *do* know now? Once upon a time, we didn't. We learned it along the way--sometimes the hard way. Hopefully these books will help you learn it the easy way. So you can be a know-it-all grown-up, just like us!" I like Pecanpie's idea, too--be sure to put a seam ripper in there, for removing scratchy tags from clothes, etc.
...See More
Gift...for DD who will be graduating from college...
Q
Comments (17)
what about a "you're a grownup now" library? All the "reference books" for life: HOME CARE Martha's "Homekeeping Handbook" or Cheryl's "Home Comforts" FINANCES Suze Orman's "The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke" HEALTH (or, "do I need to go to the doctor?") "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" or "American Medical Association Family Medical Guide" ETIQUETTE "Emily Post's Etiquette," 17th Edition or "Debrett's New Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners" RELIGION any reference book (bible, catechism, concordance, hymnal, for example; I'm a Lutheran, so I'd put in The Augsburg Confession and The Book of Concord) that pertains to your religion; ask a clergy person for suggestions COOKING "The New Doubleday Cookbook" by Jean Anderson (my personal favorite "general, how-do-you-do-it" cookbook), or "Le Cordon Bleu's Complete Cooking Techniques" or "The New Basics Cookboo"k by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins GENERAL dictionary, encyclopedia (though these aren't as useful anymore what w/the Web, and she's probably got a decent dictionary) ATLAS Buy 'em used, and it won't add up *quite* so high. Add in "every grownup needs 'em" gadgets --a "tape gun" or packing tape dispenser, a mini sewing kit (I know college grads who don't have a seam ripper to help take the tags out of their clothes), a paper trimmer, stuff like that.
...See More
DD's college graduation
Q
Comments (15)
Congratulations! "now, what would you do? is it understandable for me to be upset or not? is it normal to not even send a card or a small gift? would you say anything?" 1. What I would do is exactly what you are doing. Venting :) 2. Yes, it's understandable, I'd be upset too. 3. "Normal". Hm. Well, from what you've described it is normal for him and his relationship with your DD. It appears it's not normal for how he treats others. Unfortunate. But probably normal. 4. I'd say something if I thought it would do any good. And I'd say something like what was suggested above: DD worked hard, I know you're probably busy and it's easy to forget, but would you give her a call or send a card letting her know how proud you are? It would mean a lot to me. I received no gifts/cards/etc. for my college graduation from family members. My friends, their parents... they gave me gifts and I appreciated their tokens of pride so very much. For me, taking the time to really congratulate someone for accomplishing a goal is very important. Regardless of what it is. Your dd sounds like she's gone above and beyond many graduates, and that is worthy of extreme pride (so please don't take this wrong because it has nothing to do with your DD, just a generalization). My feeling is that if someone graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard or plumbing school it shouldn't matter insofar as they should be shown by their family and friends that their efforts and accomplishment did not go unnoticed. Praising someone for success (even if it's something that may be considered by others to be not that hard or unusual) is important. Acknowledging achievement is important. I have a friend who recently completed a marathon. Ten miles is not very much. I can run 10 miles faster than this person. I have another friend who has won the Ironman and many who have competed in similar elite marathons and triathlons. But I am so proud of her and I'm her biggest cheerleader. She set a goal, she worked toward it and she accomplished it! It's so cool to see her look of pride, and see her self-worth rise and to know that she knows that she is more capable than before. To me, that's cool. And if your brother is too ignorant to see just what a cool niece he has, it's his loss. Heck, I'm proud of her and I don't even know her. (((virtual card congratulating dd)))
...See More
brenda55
14 years ago
How about a gift certificate? They were pretty popular when DD and her friends graduated college. DD got some to Target, Walmart, Bed, Bath & Beyond.
gbsim1
14 years ago
For years I gave hanging garment bags.... a good quality one and if I really liked/knew the kid then I had initials monogrammed. You can do colors and bold fabric ones for the girls and the usual simple dark colors for the guys. They always like them!

I have this thing against giving money and gift certificates.... just me.

Grace
lpinkmountain
14 years ago
I have given coolers filled with goodies as wedding gifts, has been well received. Also maybe a snazzy executive lunchbox or thermos or some kind of snazzy coffee maker. I gave my cousin one of those all purpose tools for graudation--he liked that. Or a snazzy toolbox with a gift certificate inside for tools.
Staples gift certificate for his new job needs.
dedtired
14 years ago
It might be easier to give money for a graduation present and then choose a gifty-gift for the wedding. Most likely they will be registered somewhere and you can choose something from their list, and know that they will like it.

Just a thought.
obxgina
14 years ago
My DH just received his MAster's Degree this past weekend. I bought him a custom made frame for his Degree. The company is great to work with and the frame is gorgeous! Here is their website:
http://www.usadiplomaframes.com/
Or, do you know what he'll be doing? Maybe a framed print for an office wall or something that represents something that he is interested in. When DH received his undergrad he received a beautiful clock from his Dad for his office. Just some thoughts, I hope they help! Gina
annie1992
14 years ago
I'd give the same thing I give every graduate, my heartfelt congratulations and cash, because every kid I know comes out of college with student loans and cash is always appreciated.

No help, I know.

Annie
bri29
14 years ago
I would go with cash or a gift card to somewhere like Target or Bed Bath and Beyond. That way they can get stuff that they need for a new apartment or just necessities. I loved getting presents as much as the next graduate, but sometimes practicality rules! :)

Bri
raw1020_AOL_COM
12 years ago
my mother got my daughter an OSU bangle bracelet from the diamond cellar.she got my cousin one too when she graduated,they run about $295 dollars which is kinda high. (they have other osu stuff that is lower in price) but they both loved it. i thought it was very sentimental. if the link below doesn't work just go to the diamond cellar website.
trixietx
12 years ago
I think the wallet with a check inside is a good idea. When my son graduated from college he got mostly money.

I agree on the wedding, look at their registry and pick something from that.
spacific
12 years ago
Frequent flyer miles?
gellchom
12 years ago
Someone else already suggested it, but I love a toolbox and tools. He can also exchange it if he already has one if you get it at Lowe's or Home Depot.

College Graduation Gift - what can you give besides money?

Comments (13)

triciae

lindac

Related Discussions

brenda55

gbsim1

lpinkmountain

dedtired

obxgina

annie1992

bri29

raw1020_AOL_COM

trixietx

spacific

gellchom

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US