If you’re like us, the month of May is filled to the brim with graduation celebrations. As the list gets longer, the gift ideas seem to dwindle- especially for your most special graduates. Money and gift cards are a great starting point, but the thoughtfulness that these unique gifts bring to the table will be remembered long after the grad goes off to school.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go…
Indeed, one of the most memorable gifts to give a graduate are words of wisdom from none other than Dr. Seuss himself! A hardback copy of the classic book Oh, the Places You’ll Go makes a unique keepsake for your grad. The ideas are endless on ways you can personalize this gift.
My sister-in-law bought this book when my niece was in kindergarten. Each year, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, she asked her teachers to write a note in the book. When my niece graduated high school, her mother gave her the book filled with sweet messages through the years.
You can also add a special touch by handwriting Bible verses or inspirational quotes that correspond with the story on each page
If you’re throwing a graduation party, this can serve as a memorable guest book. Collect guests’ personal messages, favorite memories of your graduate, or well wishes for future endeavors.
Off to See the World
Perfect for the globetrotter, this Cork Globe from CB2 comes with push pins so the graduate can track their travels, past and future! It’s a unique change from the average world map pin boards; this sophisticated globe can take prime place on any desk or shelf.
Take it to the next level by pairing with a Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera and several rolls of film. The world-traveling grad can take instant polaroids of themselves on their travels and pin it in the space on the globe!
Frame Their Memories
This PhotoGuard Graduation Shadow Box Frame creates a unique keepsake of the grad’s big achievement by displaying a photo and graduation tassel. Inside the frame, there is room on the double-beveled mats to write a personal message. Shutterfly also offers an amazing collection of frames that can be customized to fit the personality of the graduate and act as another memorable guest book for a graduation party.
Help Them Survive
Putting together a survival kit of necessities can be as much fun for the person giving the gift as it is for the one receiving it! Pick a theme such as “First Aid” or “Laundry” and gather all the essentials: band-aids and Tylenol or quarters and Tide Pods. Then wrap it up in a monogrammed tote or striped laundry bag.
Funding Their Future
If you’re going to give money or a gift card, we recommend that you spruce it up by putting it in something that can be used again. When I was in college, we used these Vera Bradley zip ID cases to carry all our essentials. They’re the perfect practical gift: tuck away cash or a Target gift card the graduate can use later!
Graduation/Dorm Registries
Have you checked their graduation registry? Keep in mind it’s a growing trend for graduates to set up a college or dorm gift registry for graduation. What better way to get them what they really want! To find out if your graduate has set up a gift registry, visit RegistryFinder.com and simply enter the graduate’s name.
Graduating can be one of the most exciting moments in a young person’s life. You want your gift to show the graduate how much they mean to you, but remember, it’s not the gift but the thought that counts.
