Gift ideas for son's girlfriend's college graduation

[Anonymous]

OP here -- She ultimately would like to get into non-profit fundraising/event planning. She probably will start in college admin/admissions because there aren't a lot of jobs in the non-profit area right now.

My son thinks she would like the necklace with longitude/latitude of their college that someone suggested earlier. But I don't know if I can get it made in time for graduation. I also like the Maxwell totes that were suggested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- She ultimately would like to get into non-profit fundraising/event planning. She probably will start in college admin/admissions because there aren't a lot of jobs in the non-profit area right now.

My son thinks she would like the necklace with longitude/latitude of their college that someone suggested earlier. But I don't know if I can get it made in time for graduation. I also like the Maxwell totes that were suggested.

You may get one shipped quickly from Etsy. Or what about a compass charm with a nice note about how's she's poised to find her path in life, be successful, etc. They're easier to find.

[Anonymous]

I think the carryon luggage idea is wonderful especially if she's working in admissions and will be traveling a lot. You could always tuck a giftcard or two into the pockets for Amazon or Target or whatever.

[Anonymous]

I often give Mark & Graham monogrammed gifts to the hs and college grads in my family. There are lots of options from travel bags (weekenders but also small bags to hold toiletries, electronics, etc), keychains, wallets, etc. They come nicely wrapped, too

[Anonymous]

Lmao love isn’t real

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These suggestions are all pretty terrible. Tumi? Tiffany? a WATCH? Have you seen anyone under 30 in a watch in the last decade? Our watches are in our pockets and they're called phones

Hmmm funny. My dd loves the Cartier tank watch we just gifted to her. Wears it everyday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- It's a bit tricky because we a lot wealthier than her family (she's the first one to go to college, on a full scholarship) and I don't want to get her something over-the-top that would be nicer than what her parents get her. So the Tumi may have to wait.

Do 20 year olds still wear pearl earrings to work? I could do that -- but I wouldn't get them at Tiffany's.

I wouldn’t worry about giving her something too $$ because that is a perk of having a well-off boyfriend with well-off friends. And if everyone was afraid of one upping a “poor” persons parents, then that person would not get any good gifts.

I personally don’t like jewelry idea because it’s personal and you say you don’t know her well ; her parents (or boyfriend) may give her something more sentimental (even if it doesn’t cost as much); or she may just like wearing specific items, or may not wear jewelry.

I would go practical, especially since it seems like she may not have a lot of disposable income. Gift card to clothing store or mall - so she can buy clothes for interviews or her first job. The dilemma new grads have is they’ve been wearing torn jeans and sweats and now need a couple of weeks’ worth of business casual clothes before they get their first few checks. You could also give cash, but in my experience they use that to pay rent or Netflix bill — which is fine, but I like gift cards over cash when I want it to seem like a more thoughtful gift.

[Anonymous]

Tumi Just in Case Tote: https://www.tumi.com/p/just-in-case-tote-01100422156/. it's nylon so it's good for less fancy traveling (bus, train, places where it might get rained on) but still classic enough that you can bring it on a work trip where you want to look professional. And it folds up small so you can stash it as your extra bag in roller luggage. Could also do Longchamp but those have a DC older feel in my book and are less flexible to pack up or carry, plus they're sort of pricey for what you get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- It's a bit tricky because we a lot wealthier than her family (she's the first one to go to college, on a full scholarship) and I don't want to get her something over-the-top that would be nicer than what her parents get her. So the Tumi may have to wait.

Do 20 year olds still wear pearl earrings to work? I could do that -- but I wouldn't get them at Tiffany's.

No, people in their 20's haven't worn pearl earrings to work in decades. The poster with the coordinates of her college engraved on a necklace - that was a good idea. Or, you could get her a Madewell tote - those are super popular with all the 20's women in my law firm.

I'm the PP with the pearl earrings. No to Madewell - my 1st job was in IB and I had a Chanel for going out and Bodega Veneta for work. If she's not going into a conservative business and you have the budget, Van Cleef & Arpels' Alhambra is another good choice. BTW, pearls are super popular with the young fashionable crowd, including men. I married into major $$$ and my ILs always got us nice presents, including a house, and your worries about the gift value are unfounded. It's not a competition between families. And yes, we wear watches as jewelry.

[Anonymous]

Op here -- Thanks for all the ideas! I think I'm getting the Tumi just in case tote for myself even if I don't end up getting it for the girlfriend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- I don't have a budget and I'd happily spend $$ for a Tumi suitcase, but I think it would be too much (since anyone could google it and find out how much it cost). She loves to read. What do people think about a Kindle paper white and an unlimited year long kindle subscription?

I think that is a wonderful idea.

My 23 year old son and his girlfriend both love their Kindles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These suggestions are all pretty terrible. Tumi? Tiffany? a WATCH? Have you seen anyone under 30 in a watch in the last decade? Our watches are in our pockets and they're called phones

Hmmm funny. My dd loves the Cartier tank watch we just gifted to her. Wears it everyday.

Of course she dues because it’s showy and screams “I’m rich!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- I don't have a budget and I'd happily spend $$ for a Tumi suitcase, but I think it would be too much (since anyone could google it and find out how much it cost). She loves to read. What do people think about a Kindle paper white and an unlimited year long kindle subscription?

I think that is a wonderful idea.

My 23 year old son and his girlfriend both love their Kindles.

Durant everyone have an iPad now? It has a kindle AP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- I can't do dinner out/hotel/ event because right after the post-graduation trip they will be living in different cities -- and really far apart. She doesn't have a job yet so she will be heading back to her small town. I'm sure they will see each other this summer but I'm not sure where they will meet up.

I'm leaning toward jewelry from somewhere like Nordstrom that she could exchange if she hated it.

You could give a gift certificate to a restaurant in the city where the college is for your son and his girlfriend. I'm sure she isn't jumping on the plane immediately after the ceremony and that your son is attending the ceremony. I would appreciate that more than stuff that she has to move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- She ultimately would like to get into non-profit fundraising/event planning. She probably will start in college admin/admissions because there aren't a lot of jobs in the non-profit area right now.

My son thinks she would like the necklace with longitude/latitude of their college that someone suggested earlier. But I don't know if I can get it made in time for graduation. I also like the Maxwell totes that were suggested.

Was she on the event committees of organizations at school? She involved in any fundraising activities? Pay for some career coaching to choose a different field.