Graduation Gift Ideas

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

• A family heirloom or a piece of heirloom jewelry that is repurposed specifically for your graduate

• 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.)

• Monogram ring from Therese Crowe Design

• Strand of real pearls

• A nice watch

• A quality necklace that can be worn everyday

• Bangle bracelet from Yearly Company

• Personalized stationery (the notecards from Fiore Press are so special)

• One-on-one vacation with your graduate

• College or sorority-themed jewelry

• A pendant necklace or earrings with school colors or birthstone

• A designer work tote or sleek backpack

• Charm bracelet

• Any piece of jewelry with engraved message on underside

• A symbolic piece of jewelry with something like a butterfly

• A piece of artwork (I personally love pieces from Joey Hartman, Katie Brickman and Kristi Kohut)

• A piece of artwork showcasing something local by Mark McMahon

• A commemorative item like this custom football (thank you to my friend Karen for letting me know about this artist)

• A kaleidoscope representing a colorful future with endless possibilities

• Open a Charles Schwab account or something similar

• 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