Get Schooled

By luvs2teach

May 24, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

We bought my artist daughter a very nice digital camera last year for her graduation - no car, sad to say. We’ve also sent her on a trip to Chicago.

By Rosey

May 24, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

I still think today’s graduates need the basics: hammer, set of screwdrivers, measuring tape,and pliers. They have to learn to fix a few things themselves.

By teach overseas

May 24, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

Far and away the best graduation present I got was a took kit called “Do It Herself” it came in a pink case and the handles of the tools were pink too. It was funny, silly and very VERY handy. I still use it today- and lend it out 15 years later. How many graduation gifts can you say that about?

By E. Lewis

May 24, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

They want $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

By Amanda

May 24, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

I just graduated from GA State. After 6 years of working full time and going to class at night, all I wanted was recognition. I wanted to hear “I’m proud of you”, but never did. I took a year off before college and all I heard was “she won’t go to college, she’ll be nothing”. So, if no one else is, I’m proud of myself.

I think that I wouldn’t be who I am today if I had everything handed to me so I say, indulge the grad but not too much. Let them buy their own car, let them make their own money but small tokens to say “congratulations” are nice.

By Kathleen

May 24, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

Regardless of the gift, it is important for graduates to remember to send the giver a hand-written thank-you note. Graduates, please remember to buy thank-you notes along with your graduation invitations and use them. It only takes a few minutes to write a thank-you note and shows that you appreciate the giver thinking of you. After all, one day you will be sending graduation gifts.

By Kathleen

May 24, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

To Amanda:

Congratulations on your graduation! As a GSU alumni myself, I know what it’s like to work and go to school too. I agree with you that the degree means much more when you’re having to earn the money to pay for it! Way to go girl!

By Beccaann

May 24, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

I had a couple of mothers who told me where I could send my check!

By sunflower

May 24, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

My graduate is going to University of Florida, so I am giving a cell phone with all the bells and whistles on a national plan. $$$ too.

By another teacher

May 24, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

Amanda: I, too, am proud of you. Your dedication and work ethic will serve you well in the “real world.” A little tip: when you get your first “real job,” enroll immediately in the 401(k) program. When you do retire (hard to think about now), you won’t have to struggle like you did to put yourself through college.

As far as graduation gifts, when my daughter graduated two years ago, her gift from us was a laptop to take to college. I guess next year when my son graduates, it’ll be the same for him. Not too creative, but an expensive necessity for most college students these days.

By another teacher

May 24, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Oh, and a resounding “YES” to the toolkit idea. We bought our daughter one to take away to college (a small one with a plastic case), and it has come in very handy.

By Lee

May 24, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this

sunflower - Congrats! I hope I can say the same in about 16 years! Go Gators!

By BK

May 24, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

This sounds weird, but my husband and I got his brother an air purifier to take to the dorm. He has allergies and I remember being sick a lot in the dorm from the damp dirty air.

Hamilton Beach has a small model for around 50 bucks. Replacable filters too. Its also great for white noise. His brother says he runs it all the time.

This might sound like a boring gift so we gave him a markerboard for messages and a collapsable chair to sit in too.

By T

May 24, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

Air purifiers = unsafe levels of ozone and especially bad for people with allergies.

My DD received money from relatives, a laptop , a cell phone, a trip and a 1000 shopping spree

By high school teacher

May 24, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

Any grad who is going to live somewhere besides home will need bath towels, even if they aren’t going to college!

By Nancy

May 24, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

Any ideas for a disabled grad? My nephew is physically disabled with cerebral palsy but that did not affect his mental state. He is brillant and we are so proud of him! His interests are history and politics. I am tired of giving him money and/or gift certificates to Borders. Any ideas?

By Legal Aussie-American

May 24, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

Amanda, congratulations! My husband also just graduated from GSU - JD/MBA program. Working and going to school is tough going. We readers are all very proud of you. Shame on everyone else for not being proud of you :)

By New Teacher!

May 24, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

As a 2006 graduate (Middle Grades Ed.) I would suggest School Box gift certificates for your newly graduated teacher. It’s hard for new teachers to decorate their classroom/trailer with their OWN MONEY.

By Lee

May 24, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

Speaking of graduation, how about a blog discussing graduation ceremony etiquette? The last few graduations I attended resembled something from “Animal House.” It starts out okay, people sitting quietly watching the graduates receive their diplomas, and then, someone yells out something. More and more people begin yelling out to their graduates until you can’t even hear the speaker announce their names.

Graduation ceremonies are supposed to be a dignified, symbolic ritual of passage for the graduate as they enter adulthood. Too bad most of the adults in the stands never learned that lesson…

By mrl

May 24, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

I think the best gift I got upon HS graduation was an umbrella. (seriously) I thought it was stupid at the time… little did I know that the bus was going to be full every single day it rained, and it would be easier to shlep across campus on foot with my trusty umbrella. It came with a “waterproof” bag that wasn’t exactly waterproof, but the umbrella was awesome.

By TinaTeach

May 24, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

I got the basic money when I graduated this last May but by far the best gift was from my students that I student taught. They gave me a basket full of office supplies! I was drooling! What most people don’t realize is that some teachers when they get their new job have to work anywhere from a month to a month and a half (My case) without pay or compensation and some of us will be taking jobs in poorer districts that supply you with little other than text books so my advice for relatives of new teacher grads is to give them lots and lots of supplies and things to decorate their room with! For high school and other grads, don’t fall back on the cliché gifts. Think about their hobbies. My dad gave me an antique book (I collect them) for my HS graduation while my cousin got a trip to DC from her parents (interested in politics). And remember while a car might sound awesome for any graduate remember that many (but not all) 18 years olds are not responsib;e enough to own their own cars, aka make them earn it, they be more careful with it!

By OldSchool

May 24, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

We give “sure enough” tool kits to the kids in our family who graduate high school. Not those cutesy lightweight tools but an honest to goodness tool box. Both our daughters got them as well and still use theirs years later. Other grad gifts we’ve assembled and given include a basket of office supplies, a sewing kit, a first aid kit (with aspirin/tylenol, tums, the kind of things mom would have on hand), a box of student chow (ramen noodles, easy mac, granola bars, tea bags), a laundry kit complete with instructions (how to sort, what to handwash, how to dry). The possiblities are endless. Just think about what you REALLY needed and didn’t have when you went off to school.

Beats the heck out of underwear!

By Tiffany

May 25, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this

I am surprised kids aren’t asking for meth or crack. Just kidding, no matter what you give them, just always be there for them in the future because we all know how life is tough. And defintely be there for graduation!!!!!!! No excuse(besides death) for missing graduation!!!

By SET

May 25, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

I gave a grad a $50 gift check so when his parents cut off his cell phone he might have something to get his own.

And I suggested they cut the cell phone off and tell him to get his own. He’s taking a lot for granted lately and it’s time to gently let him know that his lease is up.

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June 6, 2006 02:42 AM | Link to this

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