Graduation Gift Too, or Is the Cake Enough?

If she is going away to college, we do "laundry baskets". Depending on how much you would like to spend you can keep adding to it and it is always practical!
First off, you can never have too many towels. Get wash cloth, hand towel, large bath sheets in her school colors. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can get them monogrammed.
You can put them in a small laundry basket with some detergent, fabric softener, static sheets, or so on. Top it off with a home made laundry money jar. Clean out an old glass jar and glue on pics from magazines of detergents and such, write laundry money on it and throw in a few quarters to get her started.

Another thing we do is bathroom baskets. Fill a shower caddy with shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, bath sponge, razors, toothpaste, toothbrush and anything else she may need. We tend to make a couple of these for those impromptu invites to grad parties where you never want to show up empty handed. Watch for sales, collect coupons, and if you are going to make a couple, just buy in bulk and separate. We have thrown in the college colored towels with this too.

Good luck, this is always an exciting yet emotional time of year!

sorry to say, that while yes the cake is a nice thing to do, it is more of a favor to mom, has nothing to do with the grad cause she'll say how pretty and nice then cut it and never think of it again, if you are going to be at the party you need to bring a gift graduating is a big deal and should be treated as such, it's like going to a wedding and not bringing a gift/card- you just don't do it, it's in no way proper

It depends on whether she's savvy enough to appreciate the time, effort and skill that goes into creating a cake. Unfortunately, most people don't equate the storebought value to your homemade treasure. Since the cake will be eaten and if you have been very close to her- you might want to find another small keepsake to give her as a lasting gift.

I would get her a gift, something that would last longer then the cake, something she can keep with her as she goes off to college. It doesn't have to be expensive, but definetly something meaningful.

I would also give money or gift. Especially if your pretty close to her.. Maybe like something from Things Remembered that is engraved...

I myself as the mother would SO appreciate the cake! But your niece should get some type of gift. And if you are close to her maybe it could be personal, like a cross necklace. If she has a car, I'm sure that a gas card in a greeting card would be valued.

Good Luck!

R.

i like the engraving idea someone else had - something special anyway since you are pretty close to her. if not, i think a special card and even $20 would be great. i would guess she will appreciate the cake, but it sounds to me like she's extra special to you, so if i were you, i'd think about something special as a gift, something she can have or remember forever.
also, i don't know your location, but i know someone who makes amazing cakes and charges very little. i had her make a guitar-shaped cake for my three-year-old's birthday and it was beautiful. it was big - at least 2' long, the decorating was beautiful and perfect and she only charged $25. i gave her $30, though. let me know if you're interested in that and i will get her info for you.

I agree that the cake is more for the mom and guests than for the grad. Even so, I would be sure to say "Hope you liked the cake I made especially for you" in her greeting card. A photo album or scrap book is a great way to go - do you have school photos of her growing up that you could part with for the gift? My company makes mini slip in style albums that hold 12 wallet sized phtos along with a variety of quick kits to get an album completed. Just check out my mom-owned business info. to find out more. P.S. You must be a wonderful Aunt, to do this for her when you have so much going on at home! Flowers for You!

If you were graduating high school, would YOU think it was enough that your Aunt made your CAKE for your open house? Remember, you are helping her MOM out, not her. It's not enough. Kids want cash! It's a good gesture though, and very nice of you to do for them.

A cake is probably enough, but she might not think of it that way. :) I think gift cards to places like Target or Walmart are good for grads, and it wouldn't have to be much. Maybe a ten dollar gift card inside a greeting card with a note saying "hope you like the cake!"