Graduation gift ideas, please

[Anonymous]

My adult son has been with his partner since their freshman year of college, and she is finishing her PhD this year. I am stumped as to what to get her for a graduation gift.

It is highly likely that they will get married at some point, and we love her very much. She's 28 years old.

Although she's not a jewelry person, she does have a couple of simple pieces that we have given her over the years and she does wear them.

I think our budget is about $200, but I am open to increasing that for the right thing.

I would be very grateful for any ideas.

[Anonymous]

What’s the PhD in, and what was the dissertation subject? Maybe there’s some perfect themed first edition book or limited edition print within your budget.

It does sound like the pieces you’ve given her were well-appreciated. Might want to keep it simple.

[Anonymous]

Desk nameplate that says "Dr Larla"

[Anonymous]

What’s her next move! Corporate America of faculty job? Cant go wrong with a gift certificate for a very nice celebratory dinner out for her and partner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Desk nameplate that says "Dr Larla"

This!

[Anonymous]

Ask her for a list. No nameplate, or other nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s her next move! Corporate America of faculty job? Cant go wrong with a gift certificate for a very nice celebratory dinner out for her and partner.

OP here and this might be the best suggestion.

She will have a PhD in a STEM field and I couldn't begin to guess what an appropriate book would be. I don't think she would use a nameplate on her desk. (She has a job in industry.)

Great ideas here, thank you!

[Anonymous]

is she moving for work - in that case, a gift card for somewhere she could get things to set up her home

or she may need to increase her wardrobe since she is working -if you know a store she likes, you could get that.

but I think jewelry is a classic/appropriate choice.

[Anonymous]

A nice bag, cashmere sweater, grad glamor photo session, Mejuri or Sephora spa gift certificate etc.

[Anonymous]

A Nordstrom gift card would be nice, also useable at Rack to stretch the dollars.

[Anonymous]

Can you ask your son for ideas? She might appreciate a nice dinner out to celebrate!

[Anonymous]

I like the gift certificate for dinner idea. Other thoughts are a tote bag (leatherology) or backpack (dagne dover) for her new job, a nice toiletry bag for travel (away, etc.), or a gift card to a store where she can purchase work clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Desk nameplate that says "Dr Larla"

Noooooo! Only Education PhDs insist on being called Dr, much to the ridicule of all other PhDs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:is she moving for work - in that case, a gift card for somewhere she could get things to set up her home

or she may need to increase her wardrobe since she is working -if you know a store she likes, you could get that.

but I think jewelry is a classic/appropriate choice.

No. Don't do jewelry. People like to chose their own.

[Anonymous]

A $200 gift card to her favorite restaurant, spa, store etc.