Does she like jewelry? A really special necklace or earrings might be a nice gift.

Is there something she might need to get started in her career? Maybe a special set of books, or a computer program that isn't in her budget? Or how about a nice gift certificate to a good, local teacher's store?

A gift certificate for a massage, manicure and/or pedicure....something she probably hasn't had time or money for while she was getting her degree.

Another thought is a gift card to a teachers supply store.

I didn't read all of azzalea's reply...sorry about repeating her teacher's store suggestion!

My parents gave me cash and paid for my grad photos (which were a couple of hundred dollars for the sitting fee and emlargements/copies). Some of my friends got a class ring.

What are things that teachers sit on top of their desks? Pencil/pen holder cups maybe? I'm trying to think of something you can purchase in silver or crystal and have her name engraved on it. A teacher planner and have her name monogrammed on it. A charm bracelet with all her life's milestones, leaving links for adding more. A new suit for her first day of work or an outfit to wear under gown to graduation ceremonies. A nice graduation party.

I agree with Linda about jewelry. While the other gifts are very nice, graduation is so special that she should receive a gift that will last forever as a reminder of her accomplishment.

Many years ago, my parents gave me a diamond pendant. I never take it off and it even looks nice if I wear other necklaces with it. I absolutely cherish it.

I also agree with the jewelry suggestion. My parents gave me an opal and diamond ring when I graduated from college,I still own it 34 years later.

what about a "you're a grownup now" library?

All the "reference books" for life:

HOME CARE
Martha's "Homekeeping Handbook" or Cheryl's "Home Comforts"

FINANCES
Suze Orman's "The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke"

HEALTH (or, "do I need to go to the doctor?")
"Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" or "American Medical Association Family Medical Guide"

ETIQUETTE
"Emily Post's Etiquette," 17th Edition or "Debrett's New Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners"

RELIGION
any reference book (bible, catechism, concordance, hymnal, for example; I'm a Lutheran, so I'd put in The Augsburg Confession and The Book of Concord) that pertains to your religion; ask a clergy person for suggestions

COOKING
"The New Doubleday Cookbook" by Jean Anderson (my personal favorite "general, how-do-you-do-it" cookbook), or "Le Cordon Bleu's Complete Cooking Techniques" or "The New Basics Cookboo"k by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins

GENERAL
dictionary, encyclopedia (though these aren't as useful anymore what w/the Web, and she's probably got a decent dictionary)

ATLAS

Buy 'em used, and it won't add up *quite* so high.

Add in "every grownup needs 'em" gadgets --a "tape gun" or packing tape dispenser, a mini sewing kit (I know college grads who don't have a seam ripper to help take the tags out of their clothes), a paper trimmer, stuff like that.

All great suggestions!! I now have some direction to go!!

Thanks!!

Jewelry is ideal. When DD graduated, my sister bought her a blue topaz necklace, and I bought the earrings. We went shopping together. Another degree and we bought her pearl earrings and a pearl necklace--a drop on a chain. Those gifts hold long term memories wrapped up in a nice piece of jewelry. Graduations are special and call for a long lasting gift that will bring back the memories every time she uses it.

A cruise!

My son's lady friend, was graduating from college and her parents gave them both a cruise to the Bahamas!

When I graduated from college, I mostly got cash, but my dad got me a camera which I love.

I would also second a spa day!

If she wears a watch, perhaps you could pick one out with her, and have something engraved on the back.

My DD is 35 & graduating in May. I did a scrapbook for her where we can just add the pics we take of the graduation & the party afterwards. Is my gift too insignificant? I thought that it was good until I read these answers & now I'm not so sure.

I vote for practical, not sentimental. Gift cards to teacher supply store and/or office supply and/or bookstore. When she has her own classroom she will have a long list of things she wants to get it set up just the way she wants: bookshelves, supplies, books and instructional aides. It will be so nice that you will have, in this way, been a part of setting up her classroom.

If you want something more sentimental, make the presentation sentimental. A group of classroom parents I know made an ABC book for the teacher. It was like a scrapbook, but for each letter there was a supply or gift card starting with that letter. In their case, each child contributed for a letter so it was from the entire class. But it's an idea for creative presentation.

I crocheted a muffler for my younger son when he started law school. It is an attractive pattern that is meant to use up scraps of yarn, but I used it to make a school colors scarf for every school he has ever attended, starting with preschool. I made stripes the length of the scarf in the order of the schools he attended: red and navy for preschool; light blue and yellow for elementary; royal blue and golden yellow for the first middle school; teal, white and purple for the 2nd middle school; black, white and teal for the high school; golden yellow and medium blue for undergraduate; purple and white for master's degree; khaki for law school. The pattern starts with an 8-9 inch length for the fringe, 200 chains for the first row and 200 single crochets for every row thereafter, and cut the yarn leaving an 8-9 inch tail. I was going to put ecru between each school, but it would have made the scarf too wide. This was not a graduation gift but just a gift to celebrate his accomplishments and recognize all his hard work.