Nifty gifts abound for 2012 graduates
You can never go wrong giving money. Jewelers say parents prefer sentimental and professional gifts.
It’s time once again for the annual migration of graduation caps down long gymnasium aisles, and tassels of all colors will fly. Then come the celebrations of the graduates — a necessary rite sending them off into their next great adventure. But what to bring for the graduate that will help him or her on this unknown path?
Cash. Dough. Bread. Loot. Clams. Greenbacks. Yes, the green stuff, and lots of it, is the preferred gift of many graduates, according to, well, many graduates. The truth is, everyone can use it, so it’s a no-brainer.
A clever and practical gift that incorporates money is the “College Survival Guide” by Hallmark. It’s a nifty little book for $7.95 that includes “tips, tricks and a little financial aid.” The giver of course, provides the financial aid. Most of the pages have spaces to insert coins (like for the laundry machine), dollars or gift cards, and the graduate has to work for the money by reading every page and retrieving the loot therein.
For a more personal gift, go with jewelry, said Mike Holland, a sales associate at Osterman Jewelers at the Fairfield Mall.
“We see a lot of parents mostly, looking for gifts that are sentimental and professional for their grads,” he said. “Like a nice timepiece, or classic styles like diamond solitaire earrings, cuff links, or even a high-end writing instrument. Parents want something that shows their pride and the level of achievement, whether it’s a high school graduate or a master’s degree.”
High-tech gadgets are another way to go for graduation gifts. Leslie Foreman, store manager for Brookstone at the Fairfield Mall said: “Our top five hottest gadgets for grads are the bluetooth keyboards, the Big Blue Wireless Speakers, the iPad scanners, the Pocket Projectors, and the car chargers.”
These gifts come in all price ranges, and Christine Copley, the assistant store manager at Brookstone said, “We offer everyone the assistance they need in picking out gadgets. We ask a lot of questions to help them narrow down the perfect gift for their grad.”
Cars and trips are also popular gifts for grads, although pretty pricey, according to Bill Healey of articledashboard.com.
For the more cash conscious, there are some lovely shadowbox frames available that hold a tassel and diploma, or a tassel and photo of the graduate.
Gifts.com has categories of appropriate gifts for grads if you know what the graduate is going to do next.
For example, if he or she is going to travel the world with the Peace Corps or work in an office setting, items that would be helpful might be luggage, a briefcase, or desk accessories like a clock, leather portfolio or business card holder.
Many of these items can be engraved with a personal message to make the gift more special.
Bottom line, give something for which your grad will remember you. It’s not the gift, but the relationship that really counts.