Graduation Gift and decorating ideas needed

16 years ago

Does anyone have any graduation gift and/or decoration ideas?

My daughter graduates from High School June 9th and turns 18 on June 10th. Our celebration will be geared towards both of her milestones, but I need graduation ideas.

Any and all ideas will be appreciated.

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Comments (6)

craftylady-2006
16 years ago
You could decorate in her school colors and then add in her favorite color for her birthday. Does she have a favorite flower? If so, those flowers could be the used for her birthday decorations. I forget who, but one gal in the forums here made beautiful paper flower topiaries for a wedding. Try doing a search on the first forum page in the search box, type "topiary" and see what comes up.

You might check the marthastewartliving.com website for ideas for a summer party. Michael's Craft Store is now carrying the Martha Stewart line of decorating ideas. You might also check countryliving.com and countryhome.com magazine websites for ideas.
ninos
16 years ago
I went to a party this weekend and my SIL had a table of pictures of her daughter(my neice). She displayed baby, kindergarten, sports, and other milestones. It was a lovely display!
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What about giving them decent sized laundry bags in their colors and personalize them with either their names, mascot or a "Go mascot". You could either make the bags or buy them. Another idea is to make or decorate pillowcases using the same theme.
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Another idea... Since the guests are folks who've know her since babyhood...when you send out the invites-include a page from a smaller sized photo album (one with 2-3 ring holes so it can be inserted by her the day of the celebration. The size of the album should have pages that will hold the photo & memory card on the 1 page. Print a'what to do' directions to include with the invite (send in a manilla envelope to fit the photo page)stating to please place a photo of her they have taken, and also include a recipe sized card for them to write down what the occasion was when the photo was taken and/or what special meaning it has for them. If they don't have any photo (from birth thru the present-perhaps you or another family member would give that person one to use. Then...(you still with me? LOL) place a ladder at the party location-place an 8x10 photo of her (Sr photo?) on the very top of the ladder with a sign under it saying : "___'s (her name) Ladder of Life". You can tie cording to each side of the ladder, with clothespins threaded on it (to hold the photo/memory cards that each guest brings. A little sign dividing the rungs of the ladder into sections (Babyhood, Toddlerhood, Elementary, High School)-guests would pin their page of the album into the section when the photo was taken, along w/their memory card. You can decorate the sides of the ladder with bows, school colors or party colors. You'd give her the empty album when she gets ready to open cards-have her read each & then place it in that section of her Memory Album. I've done this w/all 3 of my children & a couple nieces & nephews-well received by all and a treasured album for the graduate!
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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.
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Hi Kids, Thanks for starting this thread, saramynn. We also have a graduation in May, and have been trying to come up with somthing as a gift. When I think of a graduation gift I like to think of something that will have meaning to the graduate throught the years and remind them of their accomplishments each time they see it. That being said, I'm not crazy about a gift of technology just because of it's short life span. Money is always a safe bet but does not have that personal touch. I think I like sherrmanns idea of the Waterford crystal. Even if it was a smaller piece and then give an additional gift of cash. Thanks Kids, now I have a direction to go in. Good luck to everyone involved in there own quest for the perfect gift! sooey
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sharon_fl
16 years ago
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.
grimmylep
16 years ago
For my friends daughter who graduated this year also, I made her a bracelet. I made the glass beads in her school colors and added a little "2007" charm. She loved it.

Sharon, you have some great ideas. Sounds like you've done this before. ;)
sharon_fl
16 years ago
You could say that. Been planning parties, weddings, testimonials for 30 some years. Love to come up with unusual ideas for events! And I love to decorate!
craftman_2009
14 years ago
Found a page on Squidoo that has quite a few graduation gift ideas as well as handmade suggestions. Click on the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Graduation Gifts

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Graduation Gift and decorating ideas needed

Comments (6)

craftylady-2006

ninos

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sharon_fl

grimmylep

sharon_fl

craftman_2009

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