Help requested again - law school grad. gift for son's girlfriend

16 years ago

My son is graduating is graduating from law school this month and while I don't have a 'special' gift yet for him to mark the occasion I'm not too worried because I have a couple of ideas that will work. My problem is that his girlfriend is also graduating and he just informed me that her parents will probably give him a gift. Now I'm in a quandary - I haven't a clue what to give her. My daughter and other son are giving them a couples massage gift certificate.

I don't want the typical graduation gifts like a briefcase, pen & pencil set, luggage etc. I'm hoping to think of something more personal. Her family is well off and even my son can't think of anything she needs. While my son hasn't said anything they have dated for over a year and someday she may become part of our family.

The only thing I can think of is jewelry - something simple and classic is probably the safest. I was even thinking of buying something vintage. This morning I'm going to look online at Etsy.

Does anyone have any other bright ideas? I'm hoping to find something special.

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Comments (22)

alisande
16 years ago
Jewelry is always appropriate for an occasion like that--and always welcome if you know her taste. Etsy is a good idea.....handmade and unique.

Without knowing her and her interests, it's hard to come up with other ideas. Do you think she'd be interested in a rare book, perhaps? (Not too rare, but rare enough for your price range. Maybe autographed.)

Does she collect anything? Probably not, just a thought.
alisande
16 years ago
Another thought........

Again, if you know her taste, how about art? Maybe a nice framed photograph of one of her favorite places? Or of something else? Etsy has lots of photographers selling their stuff.
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mcmann
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you Susan - I wish I knew her taste. That's what makes this harder. I can honestly say we've spent less than 30 hours with her. When they visit they're either studying or going somewhere. I'm trying to decipher her taste based on her appearance - she is very pretty with long straight hair and when they go out she uses the hot iron and adds some soft waves. She wears minimum makeup and jewelery and dresses in a non-flamboyant manner - I'd hate to say conservative because that sounds old fashioned but she does shop at high end stores. She's in a small apartment which I've never seen so I can't use her decorating ideas as a measure. She skies and has gone fishing with my son and likes sterling and white gold jewelry.
cindyb_va
16 years ago
You could give her a beautiful frame for her hard earned diploma. The attached site has frames for various colleges and universities.

The attached site is one I have used in the past for college grads.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link
wildchild
16 years ago
Why don't you ask your son what she might like?
lydia1959
16 years ago
Here is a lovely pair of antique earrings at ebay. They look like they might be large, but are only 1 1/8" long. The swallow jewelry is really popular again today.

Here is a link that might be useful: Antique earrings
mcmann
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh my - I meant to type 'she skis' - not skies!

Those are pretty earrings Lydia. I started off on Etsy and then got sidetracked on Ebay. I found quite a few things that might work.

I did ask my son but he's so wrapped up in work and finals these next two weeks that he really couldn't give it too much thought until they're over. I think tomorrow I'll go into town and look at some of the shops along Antique Row in Philly.

Thanks for the suggestions - I sent my son the link to the diploma frames and asked him to select a style that he likes as part of his gift.
susanjf_gw
16 years ago
what about classic pearls? does she have pierced ears? what's her birth stone?
yayagal
16 years ago
Where did she go to law school? Go to the school's site and see if they have a gift shop. I have bought an eglomise mirror with the school picture on it. They all love them.
nicole__
16 years ago
I agree with something from the law schools gift shop idea....
hgl_gaylemarie
16 years ago
We by gifts here for all the Lawyers. They have a varied price range.

Here is a link that might be useful: Photo Frames Plus
User
16 years ago
How about a nice pen set with her name engraved in it?
gardenspice
16 years ago
I think the vintage jewelry idea is great. How about a circle pin?
Georgysmom
16 years ago
Jewelry is always nice. My son brought a girl home for Christmas one year and I thought this was going to be it. I bought the usual scarf, hat and leather gloves but wanted something a little special just in case but not too special just in case. I bought a beautiful heart-shaped Wedgewood trinket box to put jewelry in......I had met her before and really liked her but it was not to be.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
16 years ago
If she is sort of conservative, she may not care for earrings that 'hang or dangle'. I know I don't care for them, but then I'm ultra conservative.

A circle pin of some sort sounds nice.

Sue
hounds_x_two
16 years ago
I would stay away from jewelry...preferences are so subjective, and it doesn't sound like you know that she will be part of the family.

What about a Waterford vase or a sterling silver picture frame?
susanjf_gw
16 years ago
hounds that rememnded me of a cute waterford piece i have and is still available...this picture isn't the best...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/Treasure_Trove/items/HUGE__WATERFORD_CRYSTAL_TEDDY_BEAR_CLOCK_WATERFORD
sheilajoyce_gw
16 years ago
She will be one busy young lawyer in her years on the job. How about a meals in minutes cookbook? Or how about a lovely teapot and matching mugs and some wonderful teas?

Our son wanted a briefcase, but he wanted to pick it out himself. It has been over a year and he still hasn't found the briefcase he wants. I need to remind him.
mcmann
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you again everyone - this gives me even more to work on.

As for the jewelry - I think it's so interesting that a circle pin was mentioned twice - I was given one when I graduated and I still have it. She'll be wearing lots of suits and a simple, classic pin just might work well. Maybe a circle pin with tiny pearls or even a stick pin.

I had thought of a Waterford paperweight - they have a star one and I could have it engraved and include a note saying something about 'a rising young star in the legal profession' - and since she's graduating at the top of her class I wouldn't be exaggerating.

If I give her a silver frame I could even print one of the photos they've sent me of the two of them and place that inside.

I hadn't thought of the school's gift shop - I can check out their web site or phone them. And that's a good idea too about the cookbook and the tea set. I'll have to ask my son if she drinks tea - but what makes this idea interesting is that a year ago she couldn't cook. Her idea of a meal was scrambled eggs and grilled cheese. My son has worked in restaurants and he's always making meals for his friends and now she's learning her way around the kitchen too.

Thanks again everyone - I feel much better about a gift now. I'm going to write down these ideas and put them in the box with all of my greeting cards. That way I can refer to it the next time I find myself worrying about a gift.
drewsmaga
16 years ago
When my (former) DIL graduated from Med. School, I bought her a keychain with a Caduseus on one side and her grad. date engraved on the other. From Tiffany's! I'm sure Tiffany's has something appropriate for a Law School Grad. in the $100-150 range that can be personalized.
lesterd
16 years ago
All my friends who have graduated from any type of grad school have felt a much stronger affinity to their undergrad school than the grad school. I wouldn't get any item with the law school name/insignia on it. I have a graduate degree as well.

I would, however, give this young woman a very fun watch. Yes, she'll be wearing suits but I think every woman needs a fun watch...whether she's at work or not. I'd go with a very bright colored band in her favorite color.
mcmann
Original Author
16 years ago
Tiffany has a fairly large collection of sterling jewelery and I'm sure I could find something 'safe' there. And a fun watch is another great idea. And I noticed that she does wear one. I had hoped to give my son a really good watch for graduation but unfortunately he never wears one.

Help requested again - law school grad. gift for son's girlfriend

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alisande

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Help requested again - law school grad. gift for son's girlfriend

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