<p>Headed to NYC next weekend for son’s graduation. This is not a bragging thread, but son has accomplished much during the last two years and I could not be prouder. He has done this on his own, with no financial help from us (parents) outside of a few dollars here and there, not because we did not want to, simply because we did not have the means to do so. So, I need a gift that will convey to him, the signifigance of the occasion, my gratitute for him never making me feel like a deadbeat parent, my sense of wonder that the baby boy that used to make me read him the same 3 books at bedtime every night (for over a year!) has grown into such an amazing young man, and most of all, my deepest wish that his dreams come true. </p>
<p>We did not pay for law school so we sprung for his bar exam course. It is really expensive and not something that he could afford (and he did not pay it over the last 3 years since loans were going to so many other things). But it will improve his odds and give him better prep for the exams. Particularly since he is taking them in a different state from his school. So not a tangible thing, but valuable to him none the less.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion Singersmom… but DS has already taking review course and had already paid for it as well… maybe while not tangible, money is the best gift at this time???</p>
<p>How about a really, really nice inscribed pen that you give him and use to write a check? You could put the check inside the pen box.
Congrats to you and your son!</p>
<p>Sadly, no job yet. On to LLM program in September, with high hopes of being employed next year at ths time…so a little more schooling and a little more debt ahead.</p>
<p>For grad school and professional school I usually give a desk clock, with an engraving or engraved plate. Could put the Degree, date and some kind of brief quote or statement reflecting your pride in him. If a plate, some places can do this relatively quickly.</p>
<p>I don’t like the idea of ‘money’ as a sole gift because it gets spent, it’s gone, and that’s that. </p>
<p>I don’t have any great ideas for you but with a significant accomplishment like his it’d be nice to get him something enduring - something he’ll still have 20 or 30 years from now. Any cash or other transient things, like a trip to Europe or Hawaii or the Caribbean (if he likes that sort of thing and if you want to gift that much) can accompany it if you wish. Personally, I wouldn’t want a pen and the like. I have several fancy ones that were given to me as gifts and they’re buried somewhere in the closet or junk drawer. I just view them as a waste of money since a $10 pen writes as nicely as a $100 pen but that’s just me. </p>
<p>Gifts can be so dependent on an individual’s preferences/needs and the gifter’s budget it’s hard to suggest too much other than…</p>
<p>…accompany one of the gifts with a card or an inscription along the lines of what you stated in your post - it’s very meaningful -
<p>AI, in the same boat as you - can’t decide on a present. Son will be working in the city so he won’t need a car. He doesn’t yet have a smartphone (but doesn’t want one). He is going on a free birthright trip to Israel after the BAR so I can’t pay for a trip. His school gave him a very discounted Bar study course (I think all schools have these - you need to apply).</p>
<p>Money sounds great to me. His creditors don’t care about sentimentality. It is easy to make a special card online, or buy a simple Hallmark and add whatever words are special.</p>
<p>Those are the best gifts I receive - cards with special words.</p>
<p>I may also donate in his name to a charity he supports.</p>