<p>This summer, my parents will be celebrating their 25th anniversary, which also coincides with my graduation from college. I really want to do something nice for them, not only for their anniversary, but also to thank them for paying for my education, supporting me throughout school, etc etc. The only problem is money…I don’t really have a lot of it, and especially with no job yet for after graduation, I don’t want to be spending alot, and i’m sure my parents wouldn’t want me spending alot on them either. So what is something I can do for them that wont break the bank for me?</p>
<p>Do something that doesn’t cost much, involves a lot of your personal labor, and something that stays around for a long time. Depends on your skills. Are you an artist? Are you a green thumb? Do something creative in the yard – maybe make a fish pond (a couple I know made their own fish pond), or plant a lot of your parents’ favorite trees etc.</p>
<p>Something that lasts a long time and doesn’t cost you much.</p>
<p>Some kids I know have bought their folks digital photo frames & loaded it with special photos – your parents would likely greatly treasure something personal like that. My D made hubby a CD of music she specially selected for him that he LOVES & it was very inexpensive.
Your graduation is a very special anniversary gift in & of it self! I agree with making something that means something to you & them–crafty or otherwise.</p>
<p>When my daughter went off to college she created a printed photo book for us. I think she did it through Kodak. She include pictures we took on a lot of trips we went on. It was a very thoughtful gift. I always look through it when I miss her. You may want to create a book from when they first started dating, wedding, your family… It would mean a lot to them, and I don’t think it would cost a lot of money. You could also create a montage out of those pictures too.</p>
<p>You and any siblings could put together a scrapbook with photos, mementos and some nice testimonials from family and friends.</p>
<p>Having celebrated our 25th anniversary this year, I echo the suggestion of pictures or a scrapbook of sorts. Even just one favorite picture that might include all family immediate family members is special. It really is more about the thought rather than the specifics of what you do.</p>
<p>One other suggestion would be a special family gathering or dinner or lunch which could be as simple and inexpensive as a homemade cake and punch to something more elaborate if you enjoy cooking. If you have siblings who could all manage to be there (perhaps associated with graduation activities), all the more special.</p>
<p>Congrats to your parents and also to you for graduation!</p>
<p>A sincere handwritten letter of thanks–for being your parents, for paying for your education, for their encouragement and support, for being good role models in their marriage, etc.–would be priceless.</p>
<p>(I know I’d love to receive such a letter from MY kids–and I would certainly save it in a special place and pull it out and read it again from time to time. . .)</p>
<p>For my parents’ 25th, we threw a surprise party–and we put together a memory book with old photos and favorite family stories.</p>