A good camera for those hikes? When my daughter graduated, I bought her a Canon SLR and a decent lens. These days it would be a DSLR. Although maybe your stepdaughter would prefer something light and compact.

You remind me that my same daughter is getting her MBA in May, and it's time to think of another gift.

Well, think about a check to cover first and last month's rent on her first apartment too. The camera sounds like a great idea--if they don't already have one.

They both have several cameras. Her boyfriend is working on his PhD in molecular plant biology and genetics. We have many beautiful pictures of tropical locations, odd flowers, plants, wildlife, etc.
Cash has been flowing her way all along. We've been paying her off campus rent so a rent check for graduation is one of those "been there done that" things.
Great ideas though and I thank you SO much. Keep the suggestions coming.
My husband and I are in a deep discussion and think we may get her a Stickley Blanket Chest. Something that can become an heirloom.

I would definitely do the hope chest, she sounds like a practical girl and someone that would appreciate it. I have my mom's and mine, love them both. Maybe put some household items in it, a quilt, and some money towards furniture.

We gave each of our graduates $100. That may sound cheap but we also bought them a good used car when they got their driver's license.

Gave mine $50.
She used it to go with her pals for a gradauation vacation.

I like the idea of keeping it personal too rather. Who know where they'll be living or what space they'll have for furniture.

I know you said she doesn't wear much jewelry- not even a simple gold or sterling chain, are her ears pierced? When my DD graduated from college I wanted to give her something special and personal so I gave her one of my own necklaces. When each of my children were born my DH gave me a piece of jewelry. DD was born in May and he gave me a thin gold chain with a small emerald set with tiny diamonds that resembled a snowflake.

I love blanket chests too - I still have the Lane cedar chest my parents gave me while I was in high school. I also have my Grandmothers which I'll give to DD when she moves into a larger apartment. And I have an old hand painted one that I use in my family room as a coffee table.

When my son graduated from college we gave him a leather briefcase and when he got his MBA we bought him a Tag Heuer watch.

I just gave my December graduate $, or actually forgave a huge loan we paid when she was sued by the record company industry for illegal file-sharing when she was a freshman. Some of you may remember me posting about that lovely incident.

But...if and when she gets her graduate degree I would consider buying a piece of art for her. Not something terrible expensive, but something that will increase in value. My parents, as newlyweds, were at a photography show of Ansel Adams where his prints were on sale for 50.00. They couldn't afford even 50.00 so they passed. Those prints are worth greater than 50,0000.00 today.

I would go for a kindle - the wifi + 3G so she can download books anywhere. To make it extra special, add a good quality cover.
My Oberon design cover www.oberondesign.com makes mine extra special. She can travel everywhere with it. I have about 600 books on mine. Will be buying several for the special people in my life for Christmas this year.

I like the e-reader idea, too, if she doesn't already have one.

We've given each of our six kids a small piece of Waterford crystal when they graduated. For the biologist, we found a beautiful sea turtle; for the athlete, we gave a crystal football; for the business degree we gave a letter opener and clock; for the musician a grand piano; for the French teacher an apple etched with a French phrase; and for the anthropologist a globe (she studied abroad, and has since lived in England, Korea, and presently Australia.)

Our aim was to give a keepsake. We have not given gifts for their graduate degrees, though I wish we could have.

Have you talked to her about what she may want? Or maybe get an idea from her boyfriend?
I have to say that a piece of furniture like a blanket chest would have been very low on my list when I was fresh out of college, but I don't know her - it may be her heart's desire.
I do think it is wonderful that you are taking the time to carefully consider it. You are very thoughtful.

Give her money for a good laptop computer with a high end processor and lots of RAM. That can be useful for their travels, for class work, and professional use. Let her choose the specifications.

I agree with jemdandy.....give her electronics....no matter what profession she chooses, the latest and best will be important in her studies ......or do as gardenspice said and ask her bf for hints....I wouldn't do furniture or chests etc....

I don't know her, but very few new graduates would get excited about receiving a hope chest. It's just one more thing that needs to be lugged around with you. Young people seem to live with their electronics attached to them, so I would agree with other posters to go in that direction. Another option might be a good HD television if she doesn't have one.

Could you come back and let us how the suggestions are? I personally would not buy much of anything at this time, just some money as it seems many others have given alot. Sometime less is better and they appreciate it more Alot can happen in the next few years.

I give graduates cash, either $50 or $100. Even from high school.

college is so difffernt from hs with all the needs those kids have...

do you know for sure she will continue on to grad school (med)? if yes, why not try and find an old fashion medical dr's bag? if nothing else it would be a conversation piece in any home she and bf make...

my second choice is a gift cert to ikea...ds1 recently bought for his basement a sofa, what they called a futon, but it's more a square sofa with built-in storage that pulls out into a full size bed...(about $700)...perfect piece for kids on the move (altho very heavy!)

my last thought is a mont-blanc or cross pen set and a leather bound journal...those pens are like jewels, and have been a traditional gift for years...very personal...

The thought also occurred to me that if you want to go to a more traditional gift......How about a watch. You could make it special by engraving it.......Usually most geek types would love a really good watch...even if she has one now, it's always good to have a "good watch".........

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

We always give money plus some type of personal gift to our kids.

We always give money plus some type of personal gift to our kids.

Most young people no longer wear watches. They have their cell phones to tell them the time.

While furniture isn't the least bit "tacky" as a gift, it may pose a burden on the young girl.

My DS is in grad school, fairly close to us, but his current apartment with roommates simply won't HOLD all of his furniture. He sold some, and some remains here. He's lucky in that we don't need his former bedroom for any other use, but not all young grads have the option of storing stuff with parents.

So please, unless you're willing to store a hope chest or sofa when she inevitably moves to a new apartment, don't give her furniture.

I think the iPad would be great. You can download the Kindle app for it (and many other readers) - plus so many other useful apps.

Great for surfing the net - and great for travel, as it is so light and small - easy to carry along. Can also put movies, music, etc - so great entertainment as well as useful.

If you order from Apple directly - you can have it engraved on the back!

a couple graduation gifts I have given:
luggage
a high end mixer or coffee maker
a portable safe