I gave both of my kids a grad party when they graduated from HS. Both were essentially the same. Sunday afternoon around 2 pm. Lots (LOTS) of munchies - chips, dips, veggies, cookies, brownies, cheese, that sort of thing. No activities were planned. I invited my close friends, and they invited their friends. I served wine for the adults, cokes for the kids. Everyone sat around munching & schmoozing and a good time was had by all. Simple. For gifts, I recommend things that have to do with the college they will be going to (for those who are going). T-shirt, sweat shirt, rug for dorm room, blanket, etc, with college logo. If they are going away to another city, books with information on that city. Mostly my kids got checks for gifts, but a few people gave them what I just named above and they liked those gifts a lot.

Such nice suggestions! How about some local honey? Something clever using a map of Maine? A small piece of local, framed art? (I try to buy art everywhere we go.) I love the "watery" table runner on the left in this link. I have some of her coasters and use them all the time. Table & Bed Runners - Briana Taylor Quilts (btaylorquilts.com) Have you put "Maine gift" or similar into Etsy? Notecards: Maine Coast Note Cards With Envelopes series 1. Giclée Prints Available. - Etsy Kind of kitschy: Lobster Framed Maps Customize Any Town. Lobster Shaped Gift, Housewarming, Closing Gift, Wedding Gift, Customized to Your Location - Etsy

Thanks for the heads up, @jojoco! Your cleverness is fantastic! I have done labels for Woodford Reserve before. Not nearly as cute as the wine labels, but if you have a bourbon drinker to buy for, they are pretty neat. https://www.woodfordreserve.com/lifestyle/personalized-labels/

We have cut down on gifts and focus on time/experiences together. I guess too it is because our family has gotten smaller. Some of our closest friends are two female cousins of my husbands, their husbands and extended families. We had a fun time this year drawing names for the adults and also did gifts for the little ones (3 year old twins and a 2 year old girlie). So fun. The cousins set an amount for the gift exchange and I noticed it seemed like more thought went into the gifts. We got together Christmas morning for a big breakfast and exchanged gifts. Then dinner with my MIL. The Mr. and I waited until Christmas night to do our gifts and I will just say, I am spoiled. My sister came in and my side of the family (my sis and BIL, our brother and my husband and I) yesterday for good food and time together and exchanged gifts. It was nice. Another get together tomorrow with great friends but no gifts involved! Just food and fun! : ) But to answer the question, I think all our gifts were well received. ***Congrats Outside!! What a great gift!!***