My SIL passed the bar this past summer and has a job now in a small law firm. We never did anything to recognize that or her graduation from law school but I know my inlaws and other SIL's (her sisters) did stuff. She is my husband's sister and he thinks we really don't need to do anything. But I am thinking maybe something small? Here's the thing though...we have been to five of her graduations! Yes, I met my husband when she was still in high school, then she got a bachelors, masters and PhD degrees from different universities. Then she decided to go to law school. She is married and has two children, lives in a nice home, etc. so I'm really not sure what to do if anything as she doesn't really "need" anything. Any thoughts? Is it too late after the fact? TIA for your help!
I would take her and her husband out to a nice dinner and toast her passing the bar. I think that's a nice thing to do for someone who already has "things."
How about a gift card to coffee shop or lunch place near her work?
A gift card for framing? She could frame her degree. We have an Aaron Brothers Framing nearby that also carries art supplies and ready made frames. If she wasn't interested in custom framing then she could at least buy a ready made one. I got my niece a $50. card when she got her PHD. Wouldn't have covered a complete custom frame job but certainly would have made a dent or gotten her a nice pre made frame.
I like the potted plant idea also if she has an office to put it in. Maybe in a special flower pot?
Recognition is nice, it doesn't need to be overboard. Even a home made dinner with a congratulations cake!
Good luck.
An engraved pen would be lovely.
I don't think it's necessary but would be a nice gesture.
It is never too late to send congratulations.
Regarding the gift - a pen or a business card case, perhaps a silver key chain with a legal motif, or a nice leather folio...
I would still do something to acknowledge the achievement. You could do something as simple as a beautiful pen with her initials or a leather portfolio for her to store a legal pad and cards with her monogram on it. I have a ton of degrees too, but it's a lot of work to get them and a simple acknowldegement is really nice. My MIL gave me a beautiful potted plant for my new office for the last one and it was really thoughtful of her to do so and somewhat unexpected b/c I didn't even attend my graduation b/c I was away on business!
You could also have your children draw/paint something and then have it framed to hang on her new office walls!
There are several things you can do. Lawyers always need a nice briefcase, nice pen with name engraved, portfolio for legal pad, dinner for two at a nice restaurant, take them to dinner, etc. I think for sure you should acknowledge the achievement. I bet she would really appreciate it. Each graduation is a big accomplishment especially with the statistics of ppl not able or by choice not attend or finish college.
When I passed the bar, someone gave me a Coach business card holder. I don't think it was all that expensive, I really like it and I still use it all the time.
