Graduation Gift Ideas - San Mateo, CA

If he has a hobby or an interest that he has neglected because he has been so busy with school it might be nice to give him something that is related to that now that he will have a bit more time. If he has expressed an interest in starting something like becoming more fit you could give him a starter gym membership. Something that I have thought of is a Netflix membership so he can see all the movies he's wanted to see but didn't have the time.

He might appreciate a donation in his name to a cause he cares about, or a membership to non-profit activist group he cares about. This will show him that you understand his interests and concerns and support his focus. That, or if he's an I-Pod user, get him an ITunes gift certificate. It will be immensely appreciated, since he's a music lover.

When I finished graduate school, my dad took me out to buy me a nice briefcase. I still use it, twenty five years later.

Well there are several other questions that need to be answered, like;
A. How much are you willing to spend?
B. What does he like?
C. What does he have?

If you can afford it why not give him a night on the town? A weekend retreat somewhere? I am sure after all this time he deserves to relax. =) If you can't afford something that expensive, how about a gift card to Barnes and Noble, Best Buy or Fry's (my husband would love that)? Or maybe something for his new office? Go to Office Max and put together a "desk" with stapler, blotter, pens, etc. More than anything make him a card that tells him how PROUD you are of him! Men need recognition, appreciation. Does he know how proud you are of him? =) TELL HIM! Congratulations to him...he deserves it!

I would throw him a party and give it a theme of some sort. Order food from somewhere that does finger food appetizers. I usually do Mexican food with taquitos, mini burritos, quesadillas, etc. Then you'll have chips, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, etc. For the theme have a fun sort of tournement whether it be poker, horseshoes, etc. That way everyone is included and no one will get bored. This is a big accomplishment...everyone he loves should be around to share it with him! Good luck!

Sarah,

Does your brother have any hobbies that he put on hold while he was working on his degree? If so, perhaps a gift related to that hobby or a subscription to a magazine related to it might be good.

If he really doesn't need anything, consider a motivational plaque for his office or even consider making a donation to the Crisis Nursery in his name since his Masters is in Social Work.

Give him congratulations from all of us.

J.

Hi Sarah,

How about a candy bouquet that can be customized to his likes, professional field, or simply a congratulations? Check out the website....

www.bouquetsofaloha.com

D. C.

I like the ideas below...Also, something that I'd love but have not done for myself is frame my diploma. You could probably look at his campus store and they might have fancy diploma frames/mats that have the school logo or a rendering related to the campus or something cool like that. Or if you know the colors of his office you could do a custom framing job (which could get expensive, but Michaels has sales on custom framing sometimes). I'm pretty sure diplomas are a standard size, but you could also check with the school or give him an "IOU" and you do the framing once he gets his diploma...

How about a scrapbook? Sometimes, guys aren'tgood at photo album kind of stuff but might like it just the same. Do yo have pics of him with your kids, playing his music etc?

Does he have a job lined up? If you know he's going to be doing a lot of writing, a personalized pen (one of the nice ones, like Cross) would be nice. I would have counted that among the cheesy gifts until my sister graduated in law enforcement and said a pen would be an excellent gift. (She also said nice handcuffs and a gift certificate to a uniform store, but those don't seem appropriate to your brother!) I like the getaway idea!

Hi Sarah,
Congrats to your brother. Have you thought about giving him a briefcase? If he's going to be out interviewing clients he may need a recorder for his meetings. I'm also thinking of a portable filing system on wheels for the car. If he does a lot of driving to see clients, I think gift certificates to Starbucks, etc. would be nice too.
J.

someone already made this suggestion, but i'll back it, something personal and job related would be wonderful, either a really great pen (cross), or something else he'll need, but wouldn't think to splurge on. a nicely framed diploma is also a great idea! i just had threes sisters graduate this year, one needed help with her liscensing fees, one already had her work gear, so we got her something to have fun with on her off days (wii fit), and the last one wanted something pretty to wear after just being a blah student forever, so we got her a necklace she admired. we had a plan to get each of them a nice pen or a job related item, but we just went with the flow when other ideas came up. good luck!

I'm not even reading the other responses, but am sure you have some good ones. This may not work with your brother. It depends on his personality, and his interests. I found a children's book a few years ago that I think can be a great 'gift with a gift' in other words, give him the book with an appropriate gift card enclosed. The book is Dr. Seuss's "Oh, The Places You'll Go". The text is perfect for a graduate of any age as long as they are the type of person who will not feel offended by being given a "childs" book.

For my nephew when he graduated from college, I bought him a star. It came with a framed certificate that can be personalized. You name the star and the company sends you a special configuration so that you can go online and see where the star is located. It is unique lifetime gift. There are several sites , just type in *buy a star* on your search engine. They have several different prices and packages to choose from, so it can fit your budget pretty easily. Hope this helped, good luck! May God bless and keep you always.

As a recently graduated MSW myself (and was also 35 when I graduated!), I definitely second the idea of a work bag. A nice messenger bag that looks professional is preferred by the male social workers I know (as opposed to a briefcase, which is less convenient and a little intimidating to clients). Another idea is a nice business card holder (I got myself a card holder at Target for $3.99, but it looks nice and is super helpful). You could go with a briefcase/bag and stuff it with little things like pens, business card holder, notepads (in a variety of sizes, so he can try out different things while he's figuring out what works best for him), a calendar, post-it notes, and an accordion folder.

Oh, and a nice heartfelt card, as others have said, is ALWAYS appreciated.

Congrats to your brother!

Greetings Sarah: What a special time for your family. I know that the things that my family members treasured for their graduations were:
1. pictures that were gathered up of all the years until the point of graduation so his dead end years, music years, school yers and in the center graduation picture with himself and family.
2. things to help set up a new office space. Frames for degrees that aren't just the cheap black ones, frames for personal pictures, books that might be needed, art work and yes office furniture to set it up and have a personal meaning. We had someone get a frig for the office so that he could have it comfortable.
Hope that this helps some and expands your ideas. Nana G

I am so proud of him and he isn't even my brother-smile! What about tickets to his favorite musical group or a play that he would like or a sporting game if he is into that. You could do a Baseball game etc. Good luck and good luck with your new child!

When I graduated from college my sister bought me a great suit to wear to the ceremony and I wore to every interview I had afterwards. It is still my go to for suits. I know it would not be a surprise but it was such a big help to have a great professional suit to wear. I still thank her for it to this day.

Does he have a computer? If not, maybe a laptop (look at QVC online or go to Fry's).
If he does have a computer, does he have a nice printer?
A nice watch is always a nice gift that most guys love!

Hi Sarah, I am a Creative Memories Consultant and we have a wonderful paper album called Wishes and Dreams. It is a 16-page album that comes with an envelope and you can complete it in about an hour. Fill it with pictures of him growing up and then of graduation. What a treasured gift it would be. You can purchase it through my website and it will be shipped directly to you. My site is www.mycmsite.com/aprildunhamfilson.

I like to give a fancy pen for graduation gifts. They come in prices to fit every budget. The person will be able to use it often and think of you. Nice pens can last a very long time. For your brother I'd suggest a gold Cross pen that you can have engraved with his name.

Regards,
L. Kastrop

It is so kind that you have so much admiration for what your brother has done... I would make sure to include a card explaining just how proud of him you are! The gift may not matter as much you expressing your thoughts to him. Good luck finding the perfect gift!

Social workers usually have a pretty big case load and often times have cases in court. I would get him a nice briefcase to carry his files around in.

How much are you looking to spend?

Sarah, what is it that your brother is passionate about? The gift should play to his desires and hobbies. For example, my mother is a hard worker and LOVES a little pampering. But she would never pay for herself to get a massage or a pedicure. So that was her gift from us girls on Mother's Day. My Dad is an old military man who loves to play golf, go out shooting on the range, and tinker with music equipment. We bought him a record player that transfers old vinyls to mp3's. My husband is a music junkie. If I can find a great pair of strings for his guitar or a great new cd, he is very happy.
FOr your brother, does he like to have that extra something- like a really great men's cologne, "man jewelry", a new leather wallet, music, books, movies, a plaque with something personal or poetic engraved on it, etc- or a guys night out (movies or golfing or game night)- play to the things that he loves but does not indulge in for himself. I know you want to stay away from the generic gift card, but you can do specific ones- like $xx.00 towards a new suit, etc. I am not a great gift giver, but my husband is, and I am learning from him. Down to the wrapping paper, if you are excited about your gift, then he will love it that much more. The fact is, it is something from your heart to his. THe biggest thing is for him to know how proud everyone is of his accomplishments and to not bash the things that did not pan out. Life is about trial and error and spending quality time on the things you love while working to support that. Happiness is of the utmost. Make your joy for him a top priority- it will be contagious!

Hi Sarah!

It sound slike you are talking about my brother! :O) He has always been an excellent gift-giver, too, and recently very successful!

I think we put more pressure on ourselves to get the "best gift" for those we love. But I'm sure your brother will love anything you get him for this special time in his life.

I do like a Frame, or Shadow Box idea. A forever memory :o)

~N. :O)

Good morning, Sarah R--

You can show your caring and your love to your brother by thinking about his health. Virgil, author of Aenead, said that the greatest wealth is health. You might have also heard and read about the toxins and other environmental pollutants that are causing us to become sick. If he is looking forward to a great life and sound health ahead, this is the best gift that he would receive.
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To good health...

E. C

Hi Sarah,
Have you thought of doing a "Memory Book"? We made one for my mother's 50th birthday and it was a hit. We sent stationary to family members and close friends and asked that they write my mother a message about a special memory, funny story, words of wisdom, thoughtful sentiments, or anything they would like to share. The responses were overwhelming! We put the responses into a book added photos, borders and such. It meant so much to my mom and everyone who contributed. It sounds like your brother is a very special person and this will bring him joy on his special day and future days. Hope this idea helps.
T.

Social work, hmmmm, does he have a job in mind? Maybe put together a first day of work "bag". If he's working with children something with some toys and stickers to break the ice with. If he's working with adults, some candy's to put on his desk with a nice decorative bowl. Or maybe have your son help you make a lollipop holder for his desk, EVERY age enjoys a good lollipop.

Hope that helps, I'm sure there are A TON of creative answers coming your way.

K.