Happy weekend! I don’t know about you, but I’m pooped. I think April and May have officially replaced November and December as the busiest months of the year.
Today, I want to talk about what’s taking up a lot of space in my head these days…graduations! As I’ve mentioned (probably a lot!), we have three this spring: college, high school, and 8th grade. By some miracle, we have no conflicts. It’s like God said, “AM, you have the graduation trifecta this year, but I’m going to make it easy on you.” And He did!
Last week, I reached out asking you all if you had any gift ideas to mark my daughter Grace’s graduation from college. Typically, we have tried to come up with a gift we can give to either our sons or daughters when they pass through one of these milestones. For example, in 8th grade, we give our kids a phone (however, our youngest got his two years ago during Covid because it was killing me not to know where he was when he was off on his bike all day.) For their 16th birthdays, we take a one-on-one trip to the domestic destination of their choice with just that child. For high school graduation, the kids get a laptop to take to college. For their 21st birthdays, we’ve bought them their class rings (I think Notre Dame is unusual in that most kids get and actually wear their class rings).
You all had so many wonderful ideas graduation gift ideas and many of you asked for me to please share them. So here they all are, in no particular order.
Gift Ideas
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A family heirloom or a piece of heirloom jewelry that is repurposed specifically for your graduate
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Signet ring (A number of you said that Lake Forest Jewelers has a lovely selection. I will check this out and let you know what I find.)
- A custom-made flag or football from your graduate’s school
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Strand of real pearls
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A nice watch
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A quality necklace that can be worn everyday
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Personalized stationery (the notecards from Fiore Press are so special)
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One-on-one vacation with your graduate
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A pendant necklace or earrings with school colors or birthstone
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A designer work tote or sleek backpack
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Charm bracelet
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Any piece of jewelry with engraved message on underside
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A symbolic piece of jewelry with something like a butterfly
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A piece of artwork (I personally love pieces from Joey Hartman, Katie Brickman and Kristi Kohut)
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A piece of artwork showcasing something local by Mark McMahon
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A commemorative item like this custom football (thank you to my friend Karen for letting me know about this artist)
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A kaleidoscope representing a colorful future with endless possibilities
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Open a Charles Schwab account or something similar
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A Tervis cup with the college logo of the one they’re attending (like those sold at Initial Choice in Lake Forest) and an Uber gift card
I hope these ideas are helpful! I’ll let you know what I pick after Grace opens it.
Have a great weekend!
xo,
Photo of me by Jenn Marie Creative & Co.
Outfit details: this very cute tee and my new favorite jeans
A picture that they can carry with them into all their future homes. Could be a mark McMahon Lake forest one. ( town/ sports) a notre dame campus / football. Mark has some very nice LF /town/LFHS sports. ND great ones Kids don’t buy hood art. Will take it everywhere. This is for your two oldest 👍🏻
A nice framed picture from mark McMahon. He has ND campus & footballLF town, sports. This is for oldest 2. Something nice they can take into all of their future homes. Great memories and kids don’t buy nice art Spruce up their apartments & homes. Mark is great.
A quality suitcase from Briggs & Riley. They have a lifetime warranty and will completely rebuild your suitcase if it breaks. I have had mine fixed twice. Tumi is also nice, but only 5 year warranty. I finishing year 5 with mine and stitching is coming out. I love a quality carryon with 360 spinner wheels, as well as a folding wardrobe on wheels for longer trips. Clothes go straight in on the hanger, which makes it easy to unpack!
This is a great suggestion! Suitcases are always a good idea.