<p>I realize this is only peripherally related to “college” discussions, but would love some suggestions on what to get our daughter as a high school graduation gift. Would like to get her something special and lasting, less utilitarian than a laptop (which we were planning on getting her when she starts college in the fall) and nowhere near as extravagant as a car. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>A nice piece of jewelry. Doesn’t have to be too expensive, but classic and tasteful. She’ll have it and her kids will have it, long after the laptops and the cars are in the junk heap. If you can have something specially made by a local jeweler all the better.</p>
<p>I agree with conyat. I was going to suggest Tiffany, but like the idea of a local jeweler much better!</p>
<p>I agree with jewelry. I have always given mine a very nice, elegant ring for these milestones. Different designs and stones over the years - emerald, ruby, once a sapphire, etc. She takes them out and wears them for select events; my hope is that they are passed down to children, grandchildren etc. </p>
<p>Another option is some sort of investment vehicle - I did this for college graduation because it made more sense than a new piece of jewelry, and hopefully she will grow it. </p>
<p>I agree with Conyat - anything else is in the junk heep eventually.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think (hope) she has reached the age when she will take care of something nice. My husband had suggested some kind of stock or CD, but I think jewelry would be more meaningful at this age. I’m heading to our local jewelry store tomorrow.</p>
<p>My son had no interest in jewlery, but I bought him a nice pewter letter opener (with the logo of his favorite E.C.) and had it engraved with his name, school, and date. </p>
<p>This was also a personal “joke” between us because I kidded him about the way he opened all his college mail. He always ripped the envelope to shreds. Hopefully, he will always remember all the events of his HS senior year when he uses the opener.</p>
<p>WashDadJr just asked for a motorcycle. When WashMom gets out of ICU, I’ll let you all know how it came out.</p>
<p>Does she have a lovely, sophisticated jewelry box? Those can even be taken to college. If they fit inside a dresser drawer, they can help her stay organized and not get stolen. Or, if you have valuable jewelry for her, perhaps one box for your home to keep her best jewelry, and a second one for college to handle costume jewelry.</p>
<p>Another idea is a leather photo album, mostly empty. Just start it with her h.s. grad photo, and one group family photo as you now are. Then the rest is for her to fill in during the coming years. Or a scrapbook.</p>
<p>Does she have her own digital still-photo camera? They come in a range of prices, and will be useful if she can upload them onto her computer. I understand there are also videocams now in many price ranges, very portable.
I could be very wrong, but it seems to me that I see more college kids using still photo cameras than the videocams.</p>
<p>Another idea for jewelry is the beginnings of a charm bracelet if she does not already have one- tradition in my family is to give a lovely silver charm bracelet with a charm engraved with the graduation year and initials of the girl. It’s very classy, goes with a lot of things, and chamrs can be given as gifts to add on for different occasions later.</p>
<p>Breast implants.</p>