I don't recall how many rungs are on a 6' aluminum or wooden step ladder but here's an idea. Paint the ladder in several colors..her favorite color on the frame of the ladder, then maybe alternate the steps in her school colors. On the very top-you could put a sign "The Ladder of Life". Starting at the bottom-a pic of her at birth. Next step-her 1st birthday. Other steps could include her first steps, her 1st day of school, her elementary graduation photo, her 1st prom, pic of her driving her 1st car, her 16th birthday, then one in her cap & gown. The 2 steps before the top could be an illustration of a college or a bride in a gown with a question mark in highlighter on top of those unknown future pictures...not sure how you'd secure these photos..maybe if a wooden ladder-put a finishing nail on the front edge of each step to hang it from. If aluminum...drill a hole on the edge & wire it on. Maybe make BIG tassles in her school colors from yarn & place on the corners of the food table, gift table, etc. Set a poster size photo of her on an easel on which guests sign a message. Make simple mortarboards from heavy posterboard in black..leaving the 'lid' off the cap, then fill w/mints & nuts or some kind of treat as a favor.Attach a tassel to the mortarboard made from embroidery thread. Get 2 10' pieces of PVC pipe, paint them & dig a hole or use Xmas tree stands to hold them. Place about 10' apart at the entry of the party for people to walk under. Place a 'Graduation 2007" & Happy Birthday banner across the top and tie helium balloons all along the top too.

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.

We've survived 4 graduations so far with our three children. For college all 3 received a gift and some much needed cash. I gave my daughter a small emerald pendant that had been mine, emerald is her birthstone. We gave the 2 boys Coach briefcases from the Coach outlet store which made the price very reasonable. They used the money to purchase suits for interviews and their new jobs. When my eldest finished his MBA 2 years ago we gave him a very nice Tag Heuer watch (no cash this time) and that's what the Law grad will get next year. It's a shame they don't have jobs lined up because that could really help you with ideas. Did your daughter have any suggestions? Could you ask your son for ideas for his GF and then switch and ask her if she is aware of anything you could give your son? Does she wear jewelry? Oh this is awful - I just realized that you said they're graduating this month. So I guess that means you have to think of graduation and Christmas gifts too. For Christmas we're giving one of our sons a top coat since he has to wear suits to work and the other one is getting a nice garment bag and a carry on bag. Sorry- I don't think I've been very helpful.

these are great ideas. I talked to her mom today (my DD) and she said she's not much of a bag person. She also mentioned what my granddaughter wanted for her 18th birthday, very shortly after her graduation . . . a tattoo! lol. She would get it on her shoulder or some other easily concealed place, and she wants a flower tattoo -- her name is a flower name, (e.g., her name is Rose so she would get a rose tattoo); so it's pretty hard to say it wouldn't be appropriate and lasting. So many bad tattoos out there though . . . will have to talk to her. And of course, the thing I have not done is ask her directly what she wants for her graduation, which I plan to do. She'll probably say money, though . .