grad gift ideas

ihmmy

Soooo I'm graduating university shortly, my grad ceremony is at the end of the month. My dad wants to know what I want for grad (my family has a tradition of supplying lists of things we want for xmas and bdays and the like, so that you actually get stuff you want). And I... don't know.


Fallback idea is gift card for a clothing store intown that has nice businessy clothes. But otherwise.. I don't know. I love kitchen stuff, but I have all the kitchen stuff I need (really nice knives, stand up kitchen aid mixer, etc). My mom is getting me a digital camera. I really don't need new video games since I'm still playing FF12 (which my dad got me for xmas 07). I like shoes but, yeah, my dad's not buying me shoes.

He's not a rich man either, so under $50. Any good suggestions for what I should tell him I want for grad?

amateurhour

Do you already have a new job lined up? If not, a couple good sharp ties wouldn't hurt during the interview.

Edit: If you're a woman, and you don't wear ties, maybe a gift card to a day spa or something so you can look nice for the interviews.

Just something simple, but practical to make a good first impression.

ihmmy

no job yet, but I should be getting a call for an interview this week. I am a chick so no ties, I already have a suit I like, though a second one certainly wouldn't hurt (or at least a few pairs of work pants) hence the gift card as fall back. Spas are, well, ok, but not something I'm terribly into. Considering how broke I am atm too, it'd feel like a really guilty indulgence instead of something that at least lasts (services don't last really, items do)

I dunno, I just wanted to give him some options with thought behind them, y'know? And video games would be great (must get Okami eventually, anyone know if it's better on PS2 or Wii?) but FF12 is owning my soul at the moment and I still ahve a bunch of wii games I've started but not finished/played much yet

Kate of Lokys

Have you considered something like a nice frame for your diploma? $50 would buy you a nice, tasteful wood-and-glass job from Michael's or the like. It's appropriate to the occasion, it's in the right price range, and while it may not be as fun as an hour-long massage or as useful as a new pair of shoes, it would be a thoughtful thing for him to give.

witch_ie

You could also ask for a nice portfolio for your resumes as you interview for jobs. A really nice one will serve you for years to come.

Blake T

How about saying no thanks dad, I appreciate the gesture but I don't want anything.

My sister got a thousand dollar pair of earings, I got jack shit because I asked for it.

VThornheart

Depending on what kind of job you're going into, a nifty new briefcase or laptop bag can be a not-too-expensive-yet-awesome present.

CooterTKE

yep if you cannot really think of anything just say you dont want anything. All i asked for was a family BBQ to hangout and relax.

ihmmy

hah, my dad wont' take 'no gift' as an answer. Even if it's something small and cheapish, he's gonna give me one, or else

Blake T

Then say what the other dude said, ask him to spend the money on a family barbecue.

Dark Moon

A leather portfolio is really nice to have if you might be getting an office job or will ever have to take notes. I'd also think about a pen of some sort - fountain pens are so pleasant to write with, and a pen set is a nice personal gift that doesn't have to cost a bundle.

Regina Fong

ihmmy wrote: »

hah, my dad wont' take 'no gift' as an answer. Even if it's something small and cheapish, he's gonna give me one, or else

This is how my mother is. My birthday is coming up and I insisted that I do not need a gift. I live in a barracks and have no room for additional stuff as it is. Her response was that if I don't come up with something she will deposit money into my bank account, she has deposit slips, and is not afraid to use them (because I write checks so rarely that I left all but one book of cheques at my parents). So there's no escaping the gift thing. :P

ihmmy

jeepguy wrote: »

ihmmy wrote: »

hah, my dad wont' take 'no gift' as an answer. Even if it's something small and cheapish, he's gonna give me one, or else

This is how my mother is. My birthday is coming up and I insisted that I do not need a gift. I live in a barracks and have no room for additional stuff as it is. Her response was that if I don't come up with something she will deposit money into my bank account, she has deposit slips, and is not afraid to use them (because I write checks so rarely that I left all but one book of cheques at my parents). So there's no escaping the gift thing. :P

heh, my family's like that too, though it's my grandma who has my bank account # and deposits money frequently. Yay family. I just... I have almost everything I need/want save for money, food, a car (HAH not getting that for grad) and maybe some business clothes. I don't need a laptop bag, things like fancy portfolio's are very personal-tastey and so I'd want to pick that out myself ...

thanks for the suggestions so far though! I'm calling him tomorrow night to chat, so feel free to suggest more stuffs

witch_ie

For the portfolio, you could go shopping together for it. That way you get to spend time together, get his input on whatever you end up buying, and he can still wrap it up if he wants. (This is assuming he's not going for the surprise factor since he's asking you specifically what you want.)

ihmmy

We don't really have time to shop together though He lives 2 hours north, is driving down for the day for the grad ceremony (and hopefully hanging out for the supper afterward) and driving back that same day due to work

witch_ie

Hmm, virtual shopping? Not quite the same, but could be fun.