Graduate Giffts Recommendations
Graduation Gifts
The spring brings the challenge of the graduation gifts. Difference exists between what the graduate wants and what they need. Gift giving to the graduate provides an opportunity to give according to the relationship.
The Past
In the past young women received cedar chests for graduation as a starting point for hope chests. The woman would begin collecting items for their married life and placing them in the chest. In more cases than note, these need for items sooner than when the woman married and did young men also need the same items.
At a graduation party, a young man came to house of a fellow graduate and complained about the practical nature of the items given for his graduation. He has received luggage and drinking classes. He stated that it was obvious that the family wants him to leave. The next step in the life of the graduate makes a difference in the needs. How can needs and wants are reflected for the graduate?
Stores have gift registry for weddings and this option for graduates might give graduates an opportunity to offer preferences for the future. A young woman let known to family members what items she needed for college including the towel colors. A gift registry would give the opportunity to give items that will reflect the image a young adult wants to make in the world. If the next step remains for the young adult, a cash donation might ease the step into the next step.
Personalizing Gifts
Many times family members may want to give a graduate something to reflect the accomplishment and signify the achievement. Some might give a book that inspired the life for the young adult. With a simple inscription inside that demonstrates the importance of the book. This might not be a gift desired, but important for the next stage.
Woman enjoys jewelry and might even desire the piece it meets their taste. A young woman enjoyed a custom-made ring with her birthstone as a center large stone with accent birthstones of her parents. Parent could create a journey necklace in a similar manner with the parents' birthstones being the first stones followed by the graduate's birthstone being the third and a clear stone to signify the future. A jeweler might have other ideas.
Men use sports to relieve stress. A man sharing a sport that helped him can offer the graduate a lifetime of stress management. Many golfers call golf their lifetime sport. This might be the time to offer the family members their first golf clubs if they have not been in the past or a specialty club. Another idea might be a gift certificate for a game shared with the graduate to open the opportunity to share life wisdom.
Graduation comes as a point to reflect on the transition. Graduates may not be ready to embrace the transition, but might later appreciate the gifts as wanted.
