Parent to Male Senior: Graduation Gift Ideas?

Parent Cafe
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<p>I’m at a total loss of what to give my son as a senior graduation gift. A daughter would be easy (jewelry) but a son? High school graduation is a momentous occasion and I want to give him something memorable and long lasting (but less than $1K). </p>

<p>I wanted to give him a classy, signet ring like his Dad received but he said he’d never wear it. Car? Nope, did that for Christmas when he was a junior (due to need, not desire).</p>

<p>He’s a geek with a tricked out laptop and is building his own liquid cooled PC for his Senior Project. (He paid for both with his own savings.) So, no more technology is needed.</p>

<p>He’s not into sports but is showing interest and starting to play golf. He seems to enjoy it but also realizes that career-wise, it’s a game he should know. Should I consider a set of golf clubs?</p>

<p>Any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!</p>

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<p>We got my older son a Dalvey of Scotland compass for high school graduation and had it engraved. He really loved it. If your son is into watches,perhaps an engraved watch.Mulholland Brothers leather passport case. If he’s getting into golf, the set of golf clubs sounds like that might work. Congratulations on your son’s graduation!</p>

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<p>iPAD II. :)</p>

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<p>How about the gift of a college education? </p>

<p>It would be nice if you could think of something special, but if not don’t fret too much if you don’t. There’s lot of graduation party hoopla etc to keep the grads excited. In our case we arranged earlier in the year to purchase son’s yearbook and graduation tankard (with names of all classmates).</p>

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<p>Mine’s getting a laptop. But since your S doesn’t need that, would he like an ipad or ipod touch or smartphone or something like that?</p>

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<p>I love the idea of a set of golf clubs! Is there a public course near where he’ll go to college? If so perhaps hold back on the amount you spend on clubs and give him a gift certificate for some rounds. There might even be a club team. Club sports anyone can join for the most part. My kids have a few outdoor sports they enjoy and when they are stressed out from school nothing will change their attitude faster than a few hours outside…and then they can hit the library again. I’m all about promoting exercise and fresh air for kids in college…and all about the lifetime sports.</p>

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<p>This is not very sexy but for our DS’s 18th b’day, we gave him a $1000 Roth IRA as he had some earnings last year. Good chance to talk about future finances etc with a kid whose last thought is on retirement :). </p>

<p>We plan to add to it on an annual basis until he is done with school and has his first job.</p>

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<p>76- Did the same thing. Roth IRA, great way to introduce savings and the power of compounding and time on $$$. They learn to watch the stock market too. We add to it every year- Interesting to run the calculators, small amount put in during early 20’s, stop adding in late 20’s (worse case scenario) = Big $$ at 62. Plus, he can take it out for down payment on a house.</p>

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<p>Question:if my son’s last year income is $4,000, he can contribute up to $4,000 in Roth IRA? I know the limit is $5,000, but one can contribute to the maximum amount but not more than “earned income” for that year?</p>

<p>I made him open a Roth IRA in 2008 when he was 19, with a mutual fund company that let you do automatic monthly contribution of $50/month, he does not even miss that money since it was deducted from his savings/checking account. Once he gets a real full time job after grad school, I hope he will contribute the maximum amount. I never thought of giving it as a gift to him. Thanks for the great idea.</p>

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<p>Cuff links with the new college logo.</p>

<p>A shutterfly book that has the highlights from his high school years.</p>

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<p>If you want a lasting gift, golf clubs probably won’t meet that criteria. For those who stick with golf, the first set of clubs is quickly discarded for fitted, or stiffer or newer or better. But, it is a great gift. For those who take to the game, it’s usually a life long pleasure. He can always keep one of his first clubs as a memento.</p>

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<p>This is not long-lasting, but we got my S a bunch of uber-geeky tee shirts (he lives in tee shirts). One, for example, had Gimli the Dwarf saying “And my axe!”, but instead of an axe, he is jamming on his electric guitar.</p>

<p>Another condensed all of the scientific discoveries of the last 300 years on the tee shirt - just in case you get caught in a time vortex and get sent back in time.</p>

<p>You get the idea.</p>

<p>S loved them.</p>

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<p>My parents gave me a captain’s chair with my college logo on it. I’m sitting on it right now - 30+ years later. [College</a> Chairs, Captain’s Chair, Commemorative Chairs , Alumni Chairs, Award Chair, Standard Chair of Gardner](<a href=“http://www.collegechair.com/]College”>http://www.collegechair.com/)</p>

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<p>I love the idea of a ROTH or some kind of stock. My S is going to major in finance so it is perfect.</p>

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<p>^^^Mathmom:</p>

<p>Those are gorgeous chairs! What a useful and unique gift!</p>

<p>We actually brought our S1 shopping for a new suit today. We did not find exactly what we were looking for (Men’s Wearhouse) but they had these really nice, casual suedish type fabric sport coats that were very stylish…buy 1 get 1 free…so instead of getting a new suit today, S1 got 2 of these sportcoats. He never owned a sportcoat before, but these you can comfortably wear with jeans, kacki’s, black jeans, etc. They are perfect for wearing with tee-shirts, polo’s, button down shirts, very versatile. Got him one in dark grey and one in tan. Going to college in the Fall, I think they will come in handy more than he thinks! He can wear to shows, plays, dinner, dates, meetings at a prof’s home, parties, etc.,etc.</p>

<p>So for his graduation, he’s getting clothing…2 of these cool looking sportcoats, a new suit and also a big graduation party from his parents. He’s getting a new laptop from his uncle.</p>

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<p>My gift would be a Roth IRA. Kids need to begin thinking about their own future and it is never too early to start. A great way to get him to begin planning for tomorrow and it is something he can do now.</p>

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<p>I like the cufflinks or the college chair. In fact, if my grad ever gets his own place, I can see gifting him a college chair! He’s got a job – a good one in NYC – but is living one step up from couch surfing at the moment!</p>

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<p>My only child, DS is going to UNC-Chapel Hill and oh-what-a-surprise, majoring in Computer Science. </p>

<p>Those rockers are beautiful but considering the IT gear he’s taking (laptop, full size PC, 2 monitors, MF printer), I doubt he’ll have the dorm space. However, that rocker is definitely a contender for college graduation! I can see him now rocking my future grandchild to sleep!!</p>

<p>DS inherited his Dad’s/my late husband’s share of my late father-in-law’s estate and I have tightly guarded those funds for college tuition. (The single benefit of so much tragedy in his young life.) Those proceeds, along with my college fund savings, will thankfully cover at least his BS and hopefully most of his MS if he stays in-state. </p>

<p>I also love the idea of a Roth (had not even considered that possibility). As an accountant, I have educated him rigorously in financial management and conservative spending. Since middle school, he usually asks, “What did the markets do today?” He’s tight as a tick with his money but not mine. :)</p>

<p>FYI for parents: I setup a MMA under his social years ago for his gift and work money savings. As soon as he turned 18, I began establishing and teaching him how to grow and protect his credit score. He has a checking account, a credit card (unsecured debt), and a $1K, 8 month loan (secured debt; for no reason other than to start his credit history ~ costing all of $17.50 in interest). The loan (which was deposited back into his account; not spent) and credit card are auto-drafted every month along with over-draft protection so he never misses a payment. Plus since he’s 18, he gave our credit union written permission for me to view/debit/credit all of his accounts. Next urgent step is the legal stuff (will, health care POA, etc.). Hmmm… should I have started a new thread on fiscal/legal startup?</p>

<p>Back to the OP: I’m still considering the golf clubs too as he does stay indoors far too much for my liking. If he eventually goes the custom route, he’ll still remember his first set, and if not, he’ll still have a set to use as needed. I’m sure there are UNC clubs. Plus, his future roommate/current classmate is an avid golfer and has said there are several local courses in Chapel Hill.</p>

<p>He got a Droid X for his 18th birthday (though he pays the monthly bill) but has no desire for an iPad or other tablet (though I’ll take one!). He automatically gets a school yearbook. As for t-shirts and hoodies, great idea but I already have about 10-15 ‘next size ahead’ stored away for future holidays (thanks to the great deals on eBay). I’ve also considered a bicycle which he needs on-campus but I want something more personal.</p>

<p>Keep the great ideas coming as I’m sure there are many parents with the same question!</p>

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<p>You can buy NC Tar Heel golf bags, club covers, tees and towels.</p>

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<p>Golf Clubs would be a fantastic idea. You can easily get him a set of GREAT clubs for under 1k. I would suggest buying some used clubs. BUT, before you buy him clubs, I would bring him to your local country club or golf shop and have him test out some clubs. You don’t want to buy a set without him trying them out before hand.</p>