My niece is graduating college this year. Actually 2 of them are but one I will write a check.
I’d rather buy a gift for my one niece. I’d like to find something more than writing a check. She’s moving to NYC and is starting a job in IB. She has roommates and they will be looking for an apartment to share but I’m not sure what they are going to need. I am a little stumped as to what to buy.
She already has a longchamp bag. I’ve bought her 2 Kendra Scott necklaces as Xmas gifts in years past.
Price range will be around $150-250. I’m already traveling to her graduation so $$$$ for that.
–Honestly having had two kids set up apartments in NYC, I think a check would be most appreciated. Or if you prefer a gift card to Bed Bath & Beyond or something like that. The space in the apartment will likely be tight and there will be lots of practical things (dishes, towels, furniture, TV etc.) to buy.
–Or if you live nearby perhaps you can take her shopping for some work clothes? She will need a wardrobe upgrade going from college to IB?
–Another idea might be a watch. My D never wore a watch at college but likes to have one at work. I might ask if she would wear one first (many people just use their phones these days).
No way to wait until she gets the apt to know what she might need? That’s a nice amount of budget that you could gift her something for the apt that would maybe a luxury to have. A great coffee/espresso maker. A beautiful rug for her room. A gift certificate to a plant store to liven up the apt (my girls are both plant girls!)
If this is meant to be practical but more personal than a check, the GC idea is a good one (in addition to BBB, Williams Sonoma and Crate and Barrel are other alternatives). If the gift is meant to be more sentimental/personal, how about a very nice picture frame (conventional or digital).
Ok, I’ll write a check or get her a gift card. Then she can buy what she wants, I know she has many things to get.
I went with her to pick out new clothes this past weekend, she bought work clothes with her tax return. I wish I had thought about buying some of them as a gift.
Love that tote. It is kind of on the heavier end of what is comfortable for commuting (2.6 lb), but has a lot of useful for a commuter features: internal pockets, metal feet to protect the bottom, and a top zipper (a must IMO).
I would want an option to carry a bag/tote on my shoulder - I don’t know if that strap would allow anything besides a hand hold. It’s very nice looking though!
One more thing. I know people like to give personal items with meaning often instead of gift cards or $$.
My opinion - nothing is more personal and meaningful that putting your hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eye and telling her all the ways you are so proud and excited for her. Or written in a card. Not just congrats - but meaningful words that tell how you feel. Words are truly priceless and a personal memory that can be carried through life for decades. And then give the cash/GC for a purchase she can make later.
I’d stay away from anything for the kitchen that requires counter space…like an espresso maker. Ditto a rug…I mean really…does she even have any idea how big her room will even BE?
I know you want to give a gift, but I think in this instance…cash with perhaps a small gift might work better. Maybe get her a new small wallet, and tuck the money inside that.
It’s a lot more flexible than guessing what she might or might not need or want.
OR talk to her parents…do they have any ideas for gifts?
Love abasket’s point about the note or verbal sharing of love and pride. If you really want to get a gift rather than $$ or a GC, you could write a special note and then include a comment about buying her a gift once she’s knows her living situation (or however you want to phrase it) and then give her a gift a bit after the graduation.
Alternatively, assuming she would feel comfortable exchanging a gift from you, the beautiful tote you linked above is from Nordstrom where it’s an easy return and she would be given cash in the event it’s not exactly right. I would only do that if you know she, and she knows you’d want her to, can return it if that was her choice. My kids and I have that arrangement. We select a gift with love and only with the idea that it’s just what the recipient wants. If that turns out to not be the case, the giver has no hard feelings and the recipient knows it’s okay to return or exchange the gift.
Since she has a Longchamp bag I suggest a matching coin purse or small makeup with cash inside.
I love the idea of a very sincere note. My mother wrote notes to my children before she died and I put them in my safety deposit box to open upon graduation. Very, very touching.
If she is not from NYC and will be experiencing it for the first time, I’d give her experiences. Tickets to a play (or gift card for one), subway passes, pass to museums or a special exhibit, etc. There is a citypass where she can do a lot of things for a 2-3 day period that doesn’t cost that much but would be fun.
