College graduation gift for your child?

[agnes!]

DD graduates from college in a little over a week. Until she finds a job, she will be living at home where I pay for all her expenses. As soon as she gets a job, she will begin paying for her own cell phone and car insurance. When she finally finds a job that will allow her to move to her own place, I told her I would buy her a couple of pieces of furniture. That will be her graduation present.

Oh MY....she's already through college? I think I remember when she was getting ready....time sure does fly.

agnes!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My boys are 10 and 13, but I still know the answer. If they pay their own way (loans, scholarships, etc), I will give them the money that I have saved for their college. If I pay for their college, they had better buy me something when they graduate.

 

[crz4mm2]

My Mom got me Opal earrings and necklace I paid my own way after I grew up LOL.

 

[MnParrothead]

DS #1 is graduating with his MBA degree in two weeks. DS #2 is graduating from high school in June. We are taking them and three of their friends to Disney's Vero Beach for five nights and staying in a beach house (using ALL of our DVC points and then some).

I also like the idea of paying for the oldest's insurance for six months - since he's kicked off our plan at the end of May. I'll be checking in BC/BS for rates.

We're also going to be getting the kids Minnesota Twins jerseys with Joe Mauer's name on the back, since we have the new outdoor Twins stadium and since Joe Mauer has re-upped with the Twins for a long time.

 

[disykat]

My parents gave me a suit for interviews (well, the money for it.) At the same time they gave me a watch, but that was for my 21st birthday, which was the month before. They also took me out shopping and loaned me the money for my first used car since all through college I was on foot. Basically, it wasn't really about presents, it was about helping me "launch." I felt like I got lots of support and I hope to do the same for my kids. They may need different things, so I don't really plan to do anything that is traditional for both of them.

The biggest gift my parents gave me was paying for most of college. DH's parents didn't have as much money, but they helped him as much as possible. We also plan on doing that for our kids.

 

[VAN]

We paid for both our kid's college ... to me THAT was the big gift. But we took it further and purchased an interview suit for my son. My DD will be going back for further education, but when she is ready for interviewing, we'll spring for a nice suit.

 

[beck0321]

My parents gave me $5000! Never expected that!
My DH (then fiance) and I had to move right after college because of his job. I didn't get a job right away and we were both flat broke and didn't have anything, so that money was a big help for the few months I was looking for a job. I realize that isn't a very realistic thing for most parents to do though, I am just fortunate my parents could because we NEEDED it!
As a side, I also got a proposal/engagement ring from DH the night before our college graduation so that was a great gift too!

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

my parents paid for my education in full then gave me 2,000 cash when I graduated..I used that money to settle into an apartment with friends and also put a down payment on my "dream car" (at the time)...A Jeep Wrangler.

My husband also had his education paid for, but his parents gave him $5,000 and he wasted it on a road trip with his buddies...

 

[DBL101]

Our daughter graduates next month and we already paid for a trip to Japan over the January semester break. The timing fit with a friend who was there for a year. We're also getting her a new laptop for Grad school.

 

[Feralpeg]

Oh MY....she's already through college? I think I remember when she was getting ready....time sure does fly.

agnes!

That it does!

 

[Art 1]

We will buy our Son a rolex watch.

 

[justjudy]

When our daughter got her BA our gift to her was the security deposit on her first apartment. She gets her MBA next month and as of now I have no idea what we're giving her!

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

Since we are from Cape Cod, when I went to college in Indiana my parents bought me a Cape Cod bracelet. So when I graduated they bought me a Cape Cod necklace and a double Cape Cod bracelet.

When I graduated with my Masters my parents gave me this amazing leather bag to use in the fall when I started my Ph.D.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My stepmom had asked me what I wanted...and though I don't care for her...she liked what I had suggested.

After many moves, my mother simply really didn't have much by way of a collection of photos for me.

And I didn't have much from my dad's side of the family. So I requested a "childhood" scrapbook. She did a really good job. She even had pictures of my mom that my dad had kept from very early on, including a picture of her at bootcamp.

My dad also opened an IRA with $500. Sad to say--that all these years later, my choices weren't that good...b/c it is still only worth about $500.

I treasure the scrapbook more than I Do that lousy IRA. (And I have TRIED to change companies and have it moved--but it requires so many lectures that I just gave up. The company he chose to manage it...they just drive me nuts. )