What did you give your son/daughter for college graduation?

[prncess674]

Give a gift that you can afford. When I graduated my parents threw a large catered party for friends and family. I didn't even want to walk at graduation, but they were insistent that a big affair was what *they* wanted, apparently the fact that I just wanted to collect my degree via mail was irrelavent. The party was lovely and I honestly don't remember the actual gift. I got a great job with a large consultancy so it wasn't like I was going to be poor after graduation. They helped me find great deals on furniture for my new apartment 6 hours away and after graduation they made an "act of donation" giving me full ownership of my car. It was a great car with many years of life left and by transfering it to me it became my property and fully my responsibility for paying the insurance, gas, etc.

 

[mistysue]

I believe DH's car was his graduation gift. It was a great idea because he needed one and was going on to grad school and another 7 years of being totally broke. It's been almost 8 years and it's done a great service to him.

Seeing how much of an effect it had on his life (we couldn't have dated without it, we lived 4 hours apart until we married) I would consider something like this if your child has something big like that which they need and you can do it. A trip would have been fun, but nowhere near as great long-term. (besides, he would have taken his ex and I don't want to think about that!)

 

[hinodis]

We just took him (and the whole Family) on a vacation, where he proposed to his GF So, no trip for him. His wedding is next summer so I am saving money for that. His birthday is in 3 weeks and I will be spending money on that. I am thinking that I will pay for his MSAT test for grad school and then give him some cash. He is not currently employed, as he has just moved home from school. He did ask if we would take him out to dinner to celebrate and I said of course! I just don't want to over extend myself, but I do want him to know how very proud we are and that we do recognize his hard work.

 

[Bearvet]

DS21 will graduate from college next year. I'm seriously thinking about giving him lasik surgery for his gift. He would be thrilled! Looks like around $4000 - so probably about what a trip/cruise might cost for the family.

 

[gem21]

Wow.... I wish I could have gotten some of those things when I graduated!

My parents got me a photo album, a stuffie w/ cap and gown, two Wii Games, and then took me out to supper that night (and the night before with all my friends and co-workers). Maybe some flowers too. But honestly those were pretty awesome. Just having them at my grad ceremony was pretty awesome in itself!

 

[windycitymom]

Our DS graduated a semester early Our finances didn't allow for a gift. At the time, DH was unemployed, so we took DS out to dinner the night before the actual graduation and that was it. Considering we paid for 90% of his college education, I thought that was "gift" enough. DS immediately started a great job with benefits so he was better off than us

 

[Tistal]

I wish I had gotten some of those things when I finished my BA or MA.

When I finished my BA, my parents helped me move across town into my apartment. When I finished my MA, Mom got me a bouquet of sunflowers and took me out to dinner.

I guess it depends on your financial situation on what you can do. That's what my parents could afford. I knew that, and I was just happy that they could celebrate my achievement with me.

Ask your DS what he wants. Odds are he has a better understanding of what is do-able for your situation than those of us posting here.

I'll finish my Ph.D in a few years, and I'll be happy if they can just be there with me at graduation.

 

[tolemommy]

My DS graduates in June of 2011. Thanks for all of the great graduation gift ideas. My plan was to purchase my son a round trip airline ticket to ? or a reliable used car.

 

[disfan07]

My brother just graduated in May. Originally, they were going to pay for his health insurance but he couldnt find a job so he went back to get a second bachelors so he is still on my parents insurance. Instead, they gave him money to help pay for and furnish his apartment.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

I graduated with a BA this year and am going on to do my MA. My mom gave me $100.00 and $100.00 in clothes as I lost 100 lbs and needed work clothing. I have no student loans however thanks to my family and scholarships lol

 

[MrsPete]

Since we plan to pay for college, THAT will be the biggest gift of all. Walking across the stage to get a degree, knowing that student loans won't haunt them for years to come is a pretty good gift.

For a college graduation gift, I plan to give each of my girls a book on saving for retirement. I'm so glad that my husband and I began putting aside a small amount from our very first professional paycheck -- if you start early, the power of compound interest is on your side, and if you do it from the very beginning you'll never "miss it" from your paycheck.

On the more sentimental side, I will probably also give them a nice piece of jewelry -- something that will always help them remember the day.

 

[Hannathy]

Wow I'm floored at some of these gifts! All we ever got was great how is the job hunt going.

 

[the Fidge]

Amen! I did not go to college until I was a new Mom, new wifey and a home to keep up on! My folks did not give me the things discussed here. They did do things with the older ones but I was given the most valuable lesson ...that anything I pay for ...I will value and care for. So those on here reading down in the mouth for what you "didn't" get.....you have something priceless. I would not change places for a second with my siblings that "got" what I didn't....because in the long run I got MORE!

So back to the topic at hand.....I think helping to set up house is priceless and some time together as a family before your child is officially in full "life" mode! My DS is no where near that time but I am hoping to be there and go somewhere he has always hoped to go......( I would love to celebrate that in Disney but not sure if he be interested still in the "magic").

Whatever acknowledgement for job well done, will last longer then the paper on the wall! Heartfelt praise is what we all treasure!

 

[beansmom]

Wow I'm floored at some of these gifts! All we ever got was great how is the job hunt going.

I was thinking 'an eviction notice?'...

Seriously, I think helping them GET that college education was a pretty big gift. The gift that keeps on giving....

 

[kandeebunny]

My mom gave me the same option her parents gave her, car or wedding. Well I chose the car. I was moving from NH to FL for grad school, the car was needed!

Not sure what she is planning for my MA, as she didn't get hers until her 50's.

 

[goofyisinphilly]

My parents gave me a string of pearls and a really neat piece of art. I got married later that year and they paid for that as well but that had nothing to do with graduation.

My dad promised me when I was around 4 years old that when I graduated college or got married he would buy me a string of pearls. I reminded him of that at the beginning of my senior year. He was thrilled that I remembered and still wanted them.

 

[okie from muskogee]

One of the best "gifts" I heard of was taking your child now adult to a remote site for a walk and having special people in their life in turn each walk with them and talk and pass on life wishes/advice/ love to them. Then another would take the next leg of the walk and so forth. What a memory!

 

[yooperfamily]

One of the best "gifts" I heard of was taking your child now adult to a remote site for a walk and having special people in their life in turn each walk with them and talk and pass on life wishes/advice/ love to them. Then another would take the next leg of the walk and so forth. What a memory!

awesome!

 

[mfd25wife]

I took DD on a ladies only trip to Cancun. Some of us started it last year, and she got to go this past year. DSS is getting a WDW trip, since he hasn't gotten to go in a while.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

For our son's graduation we bought him a suit and a tuxedo. He's will be a high school band director so he will get a ton of use out of the tuxedo, and he needed a new suit. (His high school suit had a hole in the pants.) We are then taking him out for a nice dinner. We have also paid for the majority of his college fees. Right now we can't do both the dinner and a party for him, so he chose the dinner out.

I paid for my own college tuition. My parents gave me a party. They then paid the down payment for a very old used car, and financed it for me. (I made monthly payments to them.)