My half sister is graduating from college with a degree in early childhood education (I know, great timing huh!?). My dad and step-mom are having a graduation dinner at a restaurant, they are paying for people's dinner. I need some ideas on what I can get her for a gift. We have a fairly new baby and are on a VERY tight budget. They know our money is tight so hopefully she doesn't expect a huge gift. So does anybody have any ideas on what I can get her? (She's 27 and been married several years, so not a "newbie" graduate who needs home stuff!) Thanks in advance for any awesome ideas!
These were some great ideas, thanks! I didn't go to actual graduations, so some of the personal ideas were out. I decided to get her a gift card to Mardels. I looked around and tried to get something specific from there, but she doesn't know what age she'll be teaching yet (if she finds a job)! Thanks for the help everyone!
When I graduated years ago I received a Cross pen with my name engraved on it. I used it for ten years until I lost it and always loved it!
If she is going to be a teacher I would get her something for the classroom or a gift certificate to Oriental Trading or a Teachers Supply store. If she's got an office, maybe a name plate for her desk. That would actually work for the classroom too. If she's heading into the job hunt, a nice leather portfolio to carry her resume in. If no one else is getting it a diploma frame.
A $20 gift card to Target or Staples that she can use for resumes, class supplies when she finds a job, etc.
.
A gift card to Adventures in Education or a bookstore will help her get supplies for her upcoming career, or a restaurant gift card for a night out with her hubby :)
My cousin's wife is graduating as well, and she has kids and is 26 so I can understand the dilemma. This may not be for you, but I actually bought her a super cute tote bag from Tuesday Mornings. It cost $7 and it looks like it cost more. That's my gift cause I am on a tight budget as well. I needed a $10 gift that looked like it cost $30.
Also, right now 50% off at target is some really cute stationary stuff that would make a great graduation present too.
A.
How about a gift certificate to a teacher store. They are great fun to stock up on fun teacher gadgets, classroom supplies, etc.
Gift card to a teacher supply store, like Mardels. Those classroom board decorations aren't so expensive as single item purchases, but it adds up very quickly especially if it's a teacher just starting out from scratch. I know from experience - hubby's a teacher.
I would purchase a really nice photo album and designate yourself as the "photographer" for the evening. Take a ton of pictures at the graduation ceremony, in her cap and gown, with the family, at dinner, toasting, eating cake, sound asleep after the long day. Then have them developed and put it together for her as a scrapbook of the day! Make sure to include the graduation program and announcement (if she did one).
Early childhood education majors don't always land in a classroom, they may choose to teach adults who are teachers in ECE:) This is a great need and UNT has an incredible program!
That said, she has probably really been working hard and would appreciate a massage or facial gift card. As someone who probably does a lot for others, it would be nice for her to have a little time to herself.
Have fun celebrating!
Get a tote bag, some craft supplies, some teacher stuff - red pens, bulletin board cut outs, tape, glue, markers, etc - and put it all in the bag.
If you want to get her something that she doesn't know she needs, a cricut is one of those great goodies that cuts letters and shapes in all sizes. She will use it and use it and use it.
I have one that I got for Christmas a few years back and we use that thing all the time. The kids use it for projects. I use it for scrapping, for making posters, for all kinds of stuff.
YMMV
LBC
