Daughter Graduating

Dr. Seuss has a book called Oh The Places You'll Go...adhere a photo to the inside cover with a special note...
The Seuss books are ALWAYS on sale buy 2 get one free at Barnes and Noble.
Congrats!!!!!!!

my aunt gave my sister and I little white hankies (probably because she knew there would be tears), something simple, but still very nice and worth while to us.

Hello, well i dont know if this will help, but my parents took me and my friends and any, boyfriends all up for a camping trip, there was no drinking and no drugs, and boys and girls slept seperatly. yet that was the one thing we all still remember even eighteen years latter. it gave us the chance to spend some special time together before we all went away to school, work or what ever. i still cherish that trip, and am glad we got to have that time together.

How about having an "Academy Awards" celebration? After all they are graduating from an academy of learning. Spray old Barbie dolls with gold paint for the statues. Give them each a black ribbon with gold glitter to tie a bow around their necks for the "black tie event". Let them nominate and vote on the various awards. Appoint an emcee, presenters, etc. Shine a flash light on them as their names are announced. Crank up the radio or MP3 player as they come up on stage (a box to stand on). Have them make an acceptance speech. Choose categories that represent the previous events in their lives - accomplishments, awards, friendships, etc. You could also have a little fun with "best excuse for forgetting your homework", best "I don't feel like going to school" reason, "first boyfriend" experience, "slumber party" stories, "fashions and fads", "mudpies to makeup", all those funny things they did as they were growing up. Make a collage of pictures, "refrigerator artwork", and other items you have saved. Laminate them for placemats or awards certificates. Wrap small tokens or awards in gold foil or spray with glue and add gold glitter. Let your imagination run wild. They will laugh and cry and remember the fun for years to come.

I don't think this is a silly request at all! Congratulations on both your daughter's garduation and already receiving so many fun ideas. I am from Hawai'i, and graduation there is all about beautiful flower leis. Whenever I attend a special event here on the mainland, I try to make and bring a candy lei. I just use cellophane in a cute color (or school colors!) and unroll it to the right length on the living room floor. Then, I tuck in candy or any other small prizes and fold over the edges of the cellophane around the treats. Finally, I tie cute ribbon between each item to keep them in place. It kind of looks like a caterpillar while I'm making it. I finish it with a bigger bow to tie it into a circle to wear. These have been a huge hit, since not many people think of leis, and it's only as expensive as you want it to be, depending on what you put into it. (Could be Tootsie Rolls, could be jewelry, and it's all cute, you know?)Once, for a missionary farewell, I made a lei that included mini toiletry items for traveling. You can also tuck notes about shared memories into the lei. I loved this at my brother-in-law's college graudtaion because we could always pick him out during the procession. Whatever you do will be memorable and great! Good luck!

When my daughter graduated from high school last year. she made a photo gallery that her friends could hang up in their dorm room that was a big hit. You will need a circle cork board big enough to place a large mirrored tile in the center and surround the tile with photos of your child and their various friends doing things together. Every time the girls look in the mirror they will be reminded of there friends and the fun stuff they did while they were in school. It was a big hit.

I remember when I graduated and I gave my mom a list of about a dozen friends I wanted to give gifts to. My mom had a great idea that worked for everyone whether going to college or just starting out in the real world. She went to a big box store (i.e. Walmart, Target, JC Penney) and bought large bath towels on a good sale (4 for $10). She used her sewing machine to "monogram" the towels for each person. It was a personalized gift that had their name on it, sure came in handy for several of us who went to college and had to share bathrooms!!!
If you don't have a sewing machine that does lettering, call around to embroidery shops or t-shirt screen printers. They may offer a discount if you bring in your own materials.
Hope this helps!!!!

E.,

How about a simply get together? There are a lot of books out there to assist with creating a theme for the party.
Go look at them and together with your daughter choose a theme.

Don't believe that you get to provide all the food yourself.
Choose something that is relaxing and fun for all, including yourself.

Congratulations, enjoy this new phase of your daughter's life.
With Joy, C.

party at your place. order pizza. get other parents to help out with food. let daughter plan and do the rest.

Hi E.,

My daughter has another year of school left, then I'll be faced with the same dilemma! One thing ALL grads like is money, money and more money!! Instead of encouraging them to spend all that money, encourage them to SAVE. Hobby Lobby or Michaels have inexpensive ceramic piggy banks you can then decorate yourself with paints or permanent markers, drop in some loose change (or stop at the bank for a roll of quarters, nickles and dimes, then distribute them between however many banks you are in need of), tie a bow around the neck, and you have an instant gift. If they are college bound, quarters would probably be the best so they can do laundry, or raid the vending machines!
If you sew, then your options are virtually endless, from tote bags to make up bags, pillow cases to t~shirts, and anything in between!
How about an emergency kit for their car or dorm? Make or purchase inexpensive totes, go to Target or WalMart or wherever, and get those small travel/sample size items, bandaids, nail files, toothbrush/paste, shampoos, hand sanitizer, tylenol etc... if its for a guy, how about mini tools, like screwdriver set, small hammer, tire guage keychain, and the like.
Really strapped for cash? How about monthly coupons (you make yourself ) redeemable for cookies (greatly appreciated for those off to college), or cupcakes?
Thank you notes and a book of stamps is another idea. (or blank note cards)
If you have any special pictures of the graduate, you can easily make it into an iron~on transfer and put it on a T~shirt, or tote.
Have alot of pics? Make a memory photo album for them.
Hope this helps you some! Good luck, and congrats to your daughter!

When I graduated, my aunt gave me a Dormroom dish kit. She filled it with plastic dishes, measuring spoons and cups and various other things that kids will need. She used the pinic kind of dishes that are like a $1 a piece a Walmart, but you could get all of it from the dollar store too.

Good Luck

When I Graduated a friends mom gave every one of her friends a candy lei. they were easy to make ( I assume, they were just colored plastic wrap around candy and tied with ribbon ) and it was fun to take all of pictures with them on. It was a little way for her to say she cared about all of us, with out going over the top

Just throw a party for them. Clean your house and make it a pot-luck. Invite their parents and whoever else they want. The memory is the important thing.

Stationery with their name and university colors.

This is a great gift for graduates or for weddings: The Wealthy Barber, Updated 3rd Edition: Everyone's Commonsense Guide to Becoming Financially Independent (Paperback)
by David Chilton

Last year I took giant laundry bags, filled them with a bunch of airfilled water balloons, and then in one giant balloon stuffed a bunch of items and wrote on the balloon in sharpi what each meant.
tylenol-to get rid of the hangover
granola bar-late night study snack
popcorn-because college kids can't cook
individual packet of detergent-first load of laundry on me
bubbles- to stay grounded and remain a kid at heart
self addressed stamped evelope-when you get lonely write me

i also found books or movies at the thrift store that had to do with growing up or moving and edited them a little. For instance, one book was called "rooster goes to school" and I crossed out rooster on every page and wrote a friends name and crossed off school on every page and put the name of the college my friend was going to, and then on every picture pasted his head on the rooster's. It was kind of corny, but cute, and a little something extra to put in the bottom of the laundry basket. I think the sight of me carrying around ten of these things in my car (we all know everyone schedules their parties in the same damn weekend) was the funniest thing though. Anyway, hope I can outdo myself this year when the rest of my friends graduate.

Some ideas for thrifty graduation gifts? If the student is going away to college and will be dorming or living in an apartment, these would be appropriate: bathroom and dish towels, a place setting or two, a sheet set, a comforter,and pre-paid phone cards. The linens and sheets can be found at discount stores or even dollar stores. The pre-paid phone cards can be bought online (shop around) and are much cheaper than the ones you buy at some stores.

How about a nice stationery set, with a colorful gel pen or two (they cost about $1 each) and some colorful stationery? Don't forget postage stamps, too. The post office has lots of pretty ones.

If the graduate has a car, how about making up an emergency first aid kit for the car? It could fit in the glove box, and could have a few band-aids, a small tube of antibiotic cream, a package of aspirin, a few cotton balls, a small gauze roll, some cough drops, etc. Pack it all in a heavy-duty ziploc bag, then make a pretty page insert using your computer to slip inside the bag. The page insert could have something like "First Aid Kit" printed on it, and have some colorful graphics, or list the contents of the bag, or list some useful first aid instructions (which you could probably find on the net, and then copy).

You might also make a car emergency kit -- road flares, emergency "send assistance" sign, a can of fix-a-flat, windshield washer fluid, lock de-icer, a quart of oil, etc. Put it all in a plastic storage box with a lid.

Movie passes to the local cinema might be a good idea, too. In our area, if you buy $25 of movie "bucks" at General Cinema (redeemable as cash to buy tickets or concessions), you also get a free movie pass.

Or how about an Entertainment booklet? There are lots of coupons the new graduate could use.

If you are very close to the graduate, how about a "coupon" for an outing with you? You can do this frugally -- see a matinee movie together, then go for an ice cream sundae or coffee and dessert afterwards. Arrange to pick up the graduate at his or her convenience. Or plan to do an activity together that the graduate likes, like hiking, biking, miniature golf, etc.

There's lots more ideas, but I don't think the gift has to be expensive or something fancy -- perhaps the gift of YOUR time spent with him or her would be most appreciated by the graduate.

For an inexpensive graduation present, I like to buy a paper thesaurus or something that the grad likes and wrap it in $1 bills. If they are taking a class trip to someplace like Hawaii, it is fun to wrap a bottle of sun blocker with them, too!

Fill a gift basket with tons of free pens, pencils, magnets, mouse pads, key rings and other promotional goodies from the graduate's school of choice. The college or university's public relations and recruitment offices are full of such stuff, as is the athletic office; the schools give away these items as advertisement. Don't forget to scour the admissions office; include a student handbook and other appropriate items to round out an overflowing gift basket that costs virtually nothing but your time. The graduate will be thrilled to showcase her new school pride.
A journal you've filled with some college-life advice.

a good dictionary and thesaurus are great ideas, many of which are reasonably priced at retail book stores, or heavily discounted at used book stores

Go to E-bay and type in "Graduation Gift" or "Graduation Keepsake". They have little things in large lots for fairly cheap (i.e. car antenna smile balls with graduation hat, 2008 keychains, 2008 temporary tattoos, personalized pens with school name, and the cutest thing of all is: 2008 candy wrappers -- you buy the gold nuggets or hershey minis and wrap them with these cool personalized wrappers). Have fun. You can even make frames out of foam paper and put magnets on the back for their dorm fridge. Get canvas potholders to personalize from OrientalTrading.com.

Make them t-shirts with a picture or a saying on it that relates to their group of friends...like an inside joke or something. You can get a pack of cheap t-shirts and buy iron-on printer paper for your computer for fairly cheap.

You could get jars and layer the ingredence of cookies in the jar. Place a fancy piece of material over the top with the recipe tied with ribbon or string and you have a gift. Most of the stuff you have on hand and all they will need to add is the wet stuff like the mixes from the store only your way.

do you have any photos of all of the friends together? you could do something cute with some of the photos....nice frame, small memory book, something like that

It would be really cute if you have photos of them throughout the years....growing up together.

Hello E.,
Congrats on your daughter graduating. How about doing a brunch or breakfast get-to-together that you can do in the backyard? You can serve pancakes, sausages, fruits, water, and juice. Decorate the tables up with easy supplies. It can be cloth table or plastic ones at the dollar tree. Plus, you can add some flowers for each table. It's not that expensive but you allow them time to get together to hang out and it's also a good way to say congrats to everyone.
N.

This is pretty simple, but when I graduated HS (a long time ago :)one of my friend's parents gave us a towel ~ trust me EVERYone will realize that they don't have enough towels and appreciate it. You could get cute colors for pretty cheap at WalMart, just wash them first with fab softener and they'll feel nicer.

finger foods like rolls, lunch meat with tomoates and lettuce is pretty easy and cheap -- but if really tight, you could just tell all her friends you're going to have an open house for all of them and ask each of them to bring a couple dozen cookies or other treats and just supply the milk and punch

and the dollar store has little award ribbons that you could get for each of them -- or even make your own -- the dollar store also has certificates taht you could make each of them a little recognition, like best friend, best student, best helper, happiest, etc

you can also invite family like bros and sis and ask them to each bring some cookies or whatever

One idea is a check for $20.08 (class of 2008). Another idea is a atlas so they can go see the world. An address book with friends and family's information already filled out so they can keep in touch. I always like to give books. Special photos put in a photo book. A slide show with photos of the kids. A party with mocktails. It might be too late for this --- but I have started hope chests for my boys to open when they are 18. Have fun!

I would have a potluck type party. Play games, watch movies, or just socialize. And if you wanted to give them all a gift, then just make one. Take a picture of all them together. You could buysom cute frames from a dollar store, and maybe even decorate the frames if they aren't that cute. If you have Windows Movie Maker on your computer, you could also make a slide show of them w/music and put it on discs. Get picts. of things they did together and throw it together. Or make them cookies or something, most teens love to eat.

Do you have a picture of all of these friends together? I am sure they would love a group photo framed, especially if they are all going to different colleges!
I like the party Idea someone suggested. You can even do it graduation night to encourage the kids are same and aren't drinking on that fun night.

I actually don't have ideas to answer this question but am very impressed with the ideas others have given. I have saved this to "my files" for future reference. Thank you for your ideas!

I'm not sure if you have the time or the resources, but a slideshow would be really fun. I have made one on the computer using digital photos and mp3's (music) using Windows Movie Maker. It took a few weeks because I had to fiqure it all out, but it turned out really cute. If you have pictures of the other kids or could get them from their families and then if your daugheter has an ipod or mp3 player borrow her music she likes and make a slideshow. Then either show it at home during a party or get-together or contact the school and they might be willing to show it during graduation. I know my high school loved slideshows, they are a lot of fun to watch and see all the pictures.

Or you could make your daughter a scrapbook, I bought a kit at Walmart yesterday for $15 and it was really easy to put together and now I just need to add photos. Then she could take it to college or just keep it. Homemade gifts can be really fun and cute and they don't have to be cheesy.

Another idea, (sorry I just keep thinking of things!)is to make fleece blankets. If you can find fleece on sale it is usually a good price, like $5 a yard, then get 1 & 1/2 yard piece and fringe the ends. Or look on the internet for fleece blanket ideas. Kids of all ages like to have a nice, soft, cuddle blanket.

Have fun!

potluck and photo collection and present photos to collaborate into those little brag books you can create on kodakgallery.com
maybe you could ask the friends to bring some favorite photos and someone could scan them into their computer and do this little brag books....
congrats!!

My friend gave me a copy of Dr. Suess' "Oh the Places You'll Go" when I graduated and it's really the only gift I remember. It's a great read for kids but amazingly applies so much to that stage of life as well.
I think my mom got some inexpensive little shower caddies and stuffed them with matching flip flops and odds and ends for my college bound girlfriends and we all used our little sets in the dorm. It's a cheap and useable gift!

You could get each child a journal and write some favorite quotes in the front. A quote book is always a nice way to give someone something to remember, and you can add pictures and stuff too. (like a yearbook, but without all those pictures of people you weren't friends with!) Good luck!

Our culture focuses too much on gifts. Give them something money can't buy. You hopefully have already given them something money can't buy, your true love and concern for them!

I have 3 ideas:
1) Write each a note about how much you care, how proud you are, and something/s personal you have noticed that you are grateful for, and express confidence in each and what an impact she will have on others going into the future. You could even say you wish you were in a better financial position to give a different kind of gift, but that since you are not you really wanted each one to know how much you love her.

2) Have a dinner party (sit down style) and serve them a special meal. Give a little speech about how much you love them all and are grateful to have them in your life and how proud you are of them.

3) Gather your daughter's photos and get some from the other girls' families. Do a digital slideshow with music as a tribute to the girls and their friendship. Make a DVD copy for each girl.

Good luck! Years from now the gifts the girls receive will be forgotten, but the real friendship and love from others will never be forgotten.

do you have some family favorite recipes? these kids are getting ready to head out on thier own, having recipes is a great help!! I plan on giving a copy of our family cookbook to my graduate.

Hi E.,

First of all Congrats on your daughter's graduation, as of mother of 3 I know how much of an a accoplishment that can be. I have a great idea for you. How about a day at the spa for the grads. You could do gift cards for them then the could figure out the best day to come either together or on their own. You could do gift cards for whatever amt you want per person. We have 1/2 hr. services for nails $20.- $25.00
facials $40. 1/2 hr. massages $30. Hr. massages for students are only $45.00 we also have a hot tub & dry suana that are $10. each. Check out our web-site Congrats again, M. www.lamuragliasdayspa.com