My daughter is graduating high school this year and I have no idea what to get her. She has a car, laptop, iPhone, and works at a clothing store, so she doesn't need clothes. She is staying home for college and doesn't really need money for college although I am open to giving her money. What is the going rate when giving money if that's what I decide to do. I know someone will say jewelry...she is more into costume jewelry than real jewelry, so not much of an option there, although open to suggestions. Originally, I was going to take to her to NYC to see Wicked. Wicked ended up coming to our city and we saw that and then NYC turned into Myrtle Beach so the whole family could go, so a trip is now out of the question. What did you give your girls for graduating high school. This is kind of an extra special day for her (and me) because I was 15 when I had her and I feel such a sense of accomplishment getting her to this point safe. She is truly a great kid and a wonderful person and I could not be more proud of her. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Congratulations (to both of you!) Visit oneshare.com. You can buy one share of a company for her (many different companies to choose from)- she will be a stockholder who gets yearly info about her company. You can have the gift personalized and it will be a reminder of how proud you are of her!
I second the Pandora bracelet. I just got one for Mother's Day and it's something special that she can add to for the rest of her life. I also like the cedar chest idea someone else mentioned. Congratulations to you and her!!
A friend of my mine art work told me that his mom gave each of his siblings the Dr. Seuss book, Oh! The Places You'll Go. I know this is a very small item, but if you read the book it is perfect for beginning the rest of you life. I'm on the sentimental side, so I would appreciate a Mom's journal with some of your favorite memories of her and her growing into a young woman. All the big stuff fades, but having something that shows her how you feel about her is a treasure to keep forever.
How about a keepsake Quilt made out of all of her old high school shirts and maybe add one in the center of the college she will be attending?!?!? You can look online for quilters or find someone in your area that you know who may make on for you!
I know you said no trip, but I got a trip to Europe with my Mother for 18 days. It was the best ever. I know Europe for 18 days is out of the question for most people, but the point was time with my Mom seeing new things. Even at 17 that was appreciated.
I got an Add-a-Pearl necklace around the time I graduated. Each year I still get one pearl for my birthday. I get them for special occasions also. My parents have bought them for me, but also special family friends, etc. My husband bought me the matching bracelet and earrings as a wedding gift. Now in my 40's I have a lovely pearl set that keeps growing and a wonderful heirloom to pass to my daughter. It has given me many year of fond memories.
my daughter isn't old enough to be graduating from school yet; she's only 2 lol. but i was thinking that a photo book of lots of pictures of the family and school events and sports throughout her life would be nice. or open an investment account for her that she doesn't have to pay taxes on. there is something like that that i opened for my daughter. it's a college account but doesn't have to be used for college as long as she's enrolled when she takes out the money there is no penelty. or ask someone at the bank what they would suggest. but that way she has some money when she gets out of school to start life on her own. congrats to both of you!!!!!
An idea might be some really good luggage (check out Heys X-spinner luggage) and a trip just for you and her somewhere to celebrate the special occasion. It doesn't have to be an "expensive" trip - more of a "girls weekend."
Has she chosen a major? Maybe something that ties into that. A self defense class may not sound special but it isn't a bad skill set to give her as she begins college. You or a friend could take the class with her to make it more fun.
How about a spa gift certificate? She's worked to get thru graduation, now how about some spa time for R & R and pampering? I'd LOVE that and don't know any gal that age who wouldn't.
Hi,
I know you say jewelry isn't an option, but what about a heart on it, a locket......put a pic of you in it, put her graduation date on it or a nice saying like you love her. That is something she can keep, wear, think of you and hand done to her daughter someday. Which makes it very special........I have a bracelet my Mom bought me years ago, nothing special, and at the time, being a tomboy, I didn't even wear jewelry, but after my Mom died, that became something very near and dear to me.......
Think about it......everything else, will be a picture or a memory, but something engraved and a keepsake is special.
Good luck with the decision and I hope you have a great graduation! And congrats on a great daughter.
I know that you said no jewelry, but I want to suggest looking at Pandora. It is a simple silver bracelet that you can put charms on. The charms aren't the dangling type, so it is practical for everyday use. What I love about them is that you can customize them to your daughter's liking (i.e. they have glass beads, wood beads, silver beads, etc.). You could make it more like costume jewelry if your daughter wanted it, and as she gets older and matures, she could buy classier beads for it. The best part is the bracelet is so beautiful on its own, you could buy one or two beads and it would still look lovely! Here is the link:
Congratulations on her graduating...it is a big accomplishment!
i got a ring for high school graduation. it had my birthstone in it. I did not wear jewelry at the time and didn't really care, but now i love it and am so glad to wear it and always remember where i got it. I plan to give my girls the same when they reach this point. We gave our son a laptop for HS graduation, well $500 towards one anyway. Good Luck
My parents gave us cedar chests. Mine has lots of mementos in it A photo album of her from birth to present might be nice too. Another friend had some quilt squares and had each person at the graduation party sign and/or design a square. These were then quilted and given to her daughter.
How about a cruise where you could go with her.
I say jewelry too. My parents took me out to lunch before graduation and gave me a necklace with matching earings. I wore them on my graduation day, I wore them at my wedding, and I wear them to all other special days. It's my most treasured gift! I'm one of 5 kids so taking the time for lunch and money for expensive jewelry just made it really special. I know you say she's into costume jewelry but getting her "the good stuff" will be something she can wear for a lifetime!
even though my kids are young and have everything they possibly could have and take them on trips to europe as much as we can, i plan on getting them a mom-daughters only european trip when they graduate form high school. i plan on choosing a few main spots, like paris, rome, and then finish with mynokos island, greece.
things may change from now until then, but them entering adulthood in the real sense when they won't want me as much as they want me now i want it to be memorable (for me and them) for the rest of our lives.
if you can afford such a thing, even for a week-long trip you should consider.
good luck
Our daughter wanted stuff for her dorm. Since your daughter is staying home for college, I'd do something personal like spending a whole day together. It would be a fun memory. Since a trip is out of the question, how about a day at a spa? Or a day shopping and lunch, etc.
You've covered all of ours...We got a HUGE party, money for our senior trip, a laptop and went on a big family vacation each time one of us graduated. (We didn't really do family vacations so it was a big deal to us. First time I ever saw the ocean was the year I graduated high school).
Things that I would have loved otherwise a day at the spa--maybe for the both of you since it's a great accomplishment for both of you. I have still never been shopping some place big like Chicago or mall of America, that could be fun and special. Simple weekend trip. I know she works in a clothing store but it could still be enjoyable.
I don't know if she pays her own bills of anything, like gas or a credit card that she keeps in tact, maybe you could surprise her buy saying you will pay for something that she normally takes care of on her own.
Congrats to the both of you!!
You can send her on a trip to Europe or just about anywhere reasonably for about a week on a tour.
I'm glad you asked that question. My daughter is graduating and I've been asking myself that for 3 weeks! She's been so buckled down, for so long, preparing for college. She's so responsible and practical all the time. She's got the rest of her life to be practical!
If money were no object, I would send her on a trip. Airfare and hotel to New York, San Francisco, Paris. But, I'm still broke from prom, so, a trip sn't exactly realistic.
What I've settled on is jewelry. I want her to have something she can keep and maybe put on when she needs a little luck or needs her mother with her. When my mother passed she left me a small gold wedding band . Whenever I'm really going through something or have a big job interview or something I slip it on.
I wanted to get her a simple diamond solitaire necklace. Nothing trendy thats going to be embarasing to wear in a few years. They're timeless and elegant. Appropriate on an 18 yr old up to an 80 yr old. I've done a little research and it seems white lab created Saphires and white topaz make a great affordable alternative. JC Penny and Zales have a few styles for less than $100. But I'm watching the answers you get for more ideas! Congratulations on your daughters graduation. It's as much an accomplishment for mom as it is daughter.
If she has everything she needs for college, I would suggest jewelry, too. My parents gave me a very nice watch - it was engraved on the back with my graduation date. It was both practical and something I could treasure!
