<p>I’m going to graduate from college this coming June, and my dad says that he wants me to give me a graduation gift to remember.</p>
<p>He shot down my initial requests of money, a car, or any technological gadget that will eventually die. :(</p>
<p>I think that pretty much narrows down my selection to jewelry, a nice watch (though scratch that, no one wears watches anymore), or a nice purse. (I don’t know if I’m missing anything…)</p>
<p>However, my dad isn’t that financially well off, so what gift can I ask for without breaking the bank? I was thinking about asking for either: a Tiffany’s necklace/pendant, but I don’t know if they’re worth it… or a nice designer bag that won’t go out of style?</p>
<p>Wow – that’s a tough one. I was going to say money (it’s what everyone wants). I would go with something you can return at a store with a generous return policy where you can get something you really want. Like…all down pillows from Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s (not sure where you’re located). You can say (and it’s true) that a good night’s sleep is the secret to success, and you’ve always wanted the really good all down pillows (which can cost around $100 a pop).</p>
<p>Jewelry is good, but there’s such variation and mark up in anything like pearls or diamond studs. </p>
<p>Back in the day, girls would ask for a Coach briefcase or a strand of pearls or a watch – that’s where he’s coming from.</p>
<p>I just had this conversation with another soon to be grad. I still 40 years later use the New York Times cookbook that my godmother gave me for graduation. Not sure what today’s equivalent is but I’d go for How to Cook Everything or the NYT Cookbook, or Julia Child.
You’ll have it forever!</p>
<p>Having your diploma framed would be a nice gift. I know many college bookstores have frames with college logos, etc. (Having the framing done professionally makes a big difference and you’ll enjoy it proudly for years to come.)</p>
<p>Waterford crystal (or some other well-regarded brand like Steuben, Lalique, etc.). Vases, pitchers and bowls are things you can use forever. They also have more “businesslike” gifts, like business card holders and paperweights</p>
<p>Just yesterday, I wore the bracelet that my mother gave me for my college graduation in 1973. I remembered the look on her face when I opened the package, and it made me smile. She’s been gone for 16 years. I vote for a piece of elegant jewelry. It need not be fancy or expensive, but you will cherish it. By the way, both of my girls got jewelry from us for their college graduations!</p>
<p>I just bought my older daughter a pair of south sea pearl earrings. She just wanted a nice pair of pearl earrings, so she could wear them to work everyday. I splurged and got her a good quality pair, but I made sure they didn’t have any diamond (or shining thing on it). This is something she could wear dressed up or down. You could spend few hundred to few thousand $$, depending on your budget. If you don’t have it yet, a nice string of pearl necklace would be nice too. </p>
<p>If you were thinking about a car as a present, your dad’s budget maybe a little bit bigger. In that case, I would opt for a pair of diamond stud earrings. D1 has my mine already. They are timeless.</p>
<p>My sister is getting D1 a designer briefcase/handbag for graduation. It is something she will be able to use for a long time. It’s very understated as most people wouldn’t be able to tell.</p>
<p>I’m not a big jewelry person, but I think that is the way to go in order to honor his request that it be something you will have always. I think you would come to treasure them more and more over the years, as well.</p>
<p>A “classic” purse - yes. But they also go out of style or get worn out.</p>
<p>Both of my parents died young, and thought I do not wear them often, I treasure the jewelry items they had each “given” me. My father gave me a bracelet he bought on a trip; he died before I graduated college or was married. But I wore that bracelet at my wedding to have him “with” me. I wore my mother’s pearl necklace also and kept that when she died.</p>
<p>I treasure them both. They won’t go out of style, but it wouldn’t matter.</p>
<p>So I would suggest a jewelry item that you would wear for special occasions or one that you would wear often, such as oldfort’s earring idea.</p>
<p>I suggest the framing of the diploma. I still get comments to this day on mine. It’s not cheap - my frame cost about $160ish, but it looks amazing on my wall.</p>
<p>I vote for the diamond stud earrings. (I love pearls but my Ds think they’re kind of old fashioned.) Diamonds come in all sizes for all budgets. Tiny ones won’t be too expensive and even later when you may be able to afford bigger ones, there will be occasions when tiny ones are just right. Smaller diamonds are actually much better for a work outfit than big flashy ones. You will have them always and can give them to your own daughter some day.</p>
<p>I agree with the jewelry idea. Actually, you’d be surprised at the range of options available at Tiffany’s. I’ve learned that you can buy something wonderful and meaningful and long-term for $100-$150. If you spend a little more, there are ALOT more options.
I’ve found terrific gifts for various occasions over the years for my D who is 25 now.
She still has all her Tiffany pieces from back to her 16th birthday and still wears most everything. The most I ever spent was a very special necklace (it was gold) when she recently got her Doctorate. But the range of the other gifts was $100-$250 or so.</p>
<p>I have also given lower priced Tiffany jewelry to my nieces for important occasions. They too LOVE getting something from there. It’s “memory” jewelry which I think is why it remains popular.</p>
<p>Check out their website and you’ll see that their lovely sterling silver collection in particular has lots to offer. Of course if your Dad has a big budget, the options get even better:)
Congratulations!</p>
<p>My vote is for the jewelry. On every important occasion, be it a graduation or a doctor’s appointment, I wear my mom’s bracelet. It brings strength, warm memories, and brings her presence to the event.</p>
<p>Clothing goes in and out of style, gets stained or tossed. My vote: jewelry.</p>
<p>Tho I don’t wear it all that much, I also vote jewelry & will be buying something for my D. Costco has a nice selection with a wide range of prices and items, including diamonds, pearls, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches (tho no one wears these much any more). They also have an excellent return policy, if you change your mind.</p>
<p>Jewelry often has great sentimental value and is timeless. I might check out Tiffany’s as well.</p>