Graduation Gift Ideas

[LoriM]

My 20yo DD is graduating from ECU with a BA in mathematics in December, and then marrying on January 16. I know that in the hoopla that is wedding (she has a shower on Nov 22) graduation will be somewhat overshadowed. Last year, I planned ahead and bought all purple and gold Christmas ornaments (grin) so that I could decorate this year with school colors, and we are going to have a graduation reception that weekend (again, the weekend before Christmas, so that's interfering in the proper level of celebration and focus too).

All that set-up, just to say, I'd really like to do a SPECIAL graduation gift. I suggested pearls to her father (so she could wear them in the wedding) but this is not a jewelry-kinda kid. No pierced ears.

I entertain all other ideas. I have made her fiance a graduation quilt (total surprise), so no such option for my own child. (Plus, his quilt...her quilt, you know...)

Thanks for your ideas!

[LoriM]

No ideas at all? Really?

[Twigs]

A frame for her diploma - with an engraved brass plaque with the date and school name. Or have her diploma custom framed and include her tassel (or other momento).

Maybe she would like the sort of things I like (my degree is in physics - with lots of extra math, chemistry, biology). I would love to have something from here (for example a microscope or an armillary sphere):
http://www.stanleylondon.com/sexthome.htm
I have NOT used this company, I just like the things they offer.

Congrations to you and your daughter.

[Bambam]

My parents got me a really nice luggage set. I still appreciate it more years later than I want to count. It has been countless places!

Maybe a Kindle or Nook?

[Kareni]

I read your post initially and was remarkably lacking in ideas though I can truly appreciate your not wanting to let the graduation go unremarked. (I received a degree on Monday and married on Saturday, so I know how easy it is for the graduation to get lost in the shuffle.)

I do like Bambam's idea of the luggage. (And, hey, she could take it on her honeymoon!)

Even if she is not a jewelry person, perhaps a nice pin could still work. Something in gold or silver that she could wear on a winter coat.

Will she be working after her marriage? Perhaps an attache with her initials (... will her monogram change with marriage?) or a suit if her job requires formal wear.

I love your idea of the graduation quilt for her fiance!

Best wishes!
Regards,
Kareni

[happi duck]

Is she a journal type? If so, maybe she'd like a beautiful leather journal (perhaps with an engraved pen). She might appreciate a place to record/reflect on the many changes in her life. Plus it's very personal and not a couple's gift.

My other idea is not as "special"...a digital camera or digital camcorder.

[LoriM]

Originally Posted by Twigs

A frame for her diploma - with an engraved brass plaque with the date and school name. Or have her diploma custom framed and include her tassel (or other momento).

Maybe she would like the sort of things I like (my degree is in physics - with lots of extra math, chemistry, biology). I would love to have something from here (for example a microscope or an armillary sphere):
http://www.stanleylondon.com/sexthome.htm
I have NOT used this company, I just like the things they offer.

Congrations to you and your daughter.

What a lovely collection of gifts! Yes, those are exactly like things she'd love, as well as her fiance' (who is a bio-chemist). Thank you for the great ideas!

[LoriM]

Originally Posted by Bambam

My parents got me a really nice luggage set. I still appreciate it more years later than I want to count. It has been countless places!

Maybe a Kindle or Nook?

Luggage is a great idea. You'd think she'd enjoy a Kindle, but she can't actually work her iPod very well. Sigh. Luckily, her fiance' is more than willing to load her music on her iPod for her...I don't know how she ever thought she'd be able to be a computer animator. She definitely works best with colored pencils! LOL!

[LoriM]

Originally Posted by Kareni

I read your post initially and was remarkably lacking in ideas though I can truly appreciate your not wanting to let the graduation go unremarked. (I received a degree on Monday and married on Saturday, so I know how easy it is for the graduation to get lost in the shuffle.)

I do like Bambam's idea of the luggage. (And, hey, she could take it on her honeymoon!)

Even if she is not a jewelry person, perhaps a nice pin could still work. Something in gold or silver that she could wear on a winter coat.

Will she be working after her marriage? Perhaps an attache with her initials (... will her monogram change with marriage?) or a suit if her job requires formal wear.

I love your idea of the graduation quilt for her fiance!

Best wishes!
Regards,
Kareni

She plans to get her PhD in mathematics, so she will be a starving student for a while. Odd jobs and late nights are in her immediate future.

I was very pleased with the pirate quilt! I found a Hoffman print last summer that is a black background with reds, golds, greys and browns--pirate ships, skull/crossbones, treasure, etc. It's perfect for our Pirate Nation graduates...without being too purple and gold. Who wants to decorate around purple and gold?!? I imagine this will be a couch-quilt, not a bed quilt, but it ended up 72x84, so it's a nice size.

I did consider a "cloak" for my daughter, since she's marrying on January 16, and has completely underestimated how cold it will be. GRIN. I always kinda wish I had an opera-cloak for any formal dress things we attend, so I imagine it could be useful in the future. I was thinking about a pretty coppery-brown or deep green.

Thanks for the well-wishes! She's grown up all too fast.

[LoriM]

Originally Posted by happi duck

Is she a journal type? If so, maybe she'd like a beautiful leather journal (perhaps with an engraved pen). She might appreciate a place to record/reflect on the many changes in her life. Plus it's very personal and not a couple's gift.

My other idea is not as "special"...a digital camera or digital camcorder.

Yes, she'd love a journal. She'd draw it up. GRIN!