Around here, when kids graduate from college, they get dinner out with friends/family during graduation weekend and something job-related, like a nice pen, briefcase, etc.

I guess things are done differently where you live, as cruises and TVs would be over the top here!

LOL Luann, it's probably not the area I live in, but my attitude. If I'd paid for my children's college education, I'd probably be happy to give them a nice pen. Well, maybe not a pen. :-)

But the fact is my kids worked their way through school with jobs and scholarships and student loans, and it took a lot of work and a lot of time. My son just turned 30, and I don't remember a time in the last 10+ years when he wasn't taking college courses. Like his sisters, his grades are excellent.

I've been saving up for a gift that will give him pleasure. Trust me, a pen won't do it. I'll hold on to the briefcase idea, though. I bought my DD one of those for her birthday after graduation.

When I graduiated from college, my Godmother gave me the nicest gift. A set of a leather wallet and matching key case. They symbolized money (the wallet) and belongings (apartment and car- the keycase). I remember it as a wonderful gift. I kept and used them for many years.

An LCD TV and a Wii? They could play games and get/stay fit as they enter the working world where leisure time is limited. (Although, it sounds like they've been working all along.)

A few months paid rent? That way they can spend/save their own money in the way they want.

A piece of furniture? Sofa, bed suite, leather recliner/chair....

A season ticket/membership to something they enjoy?

All I can come up with for now.

Leslie/KS

I would look to their careers. Does he need a suit for interviewing? Special job equipment? Set of nice luggage. Dress winter coat? New pair of really nice wing tips? New glasses? etc.

Do they like to travel? Maybe a gift certificate from a travel agency? They could use it for airfare to wherever or maybe a quaint little bed and breakfast in a neighboring town?

The card could say something like "Your journey has just begun". Too sappy? lol

How about a stack of books with gift certificates tucked inside each? A book on finances with a savings bond inside, a travel book with a gift card to a travel-themed store, a cookbook with a gift card to a cooking store (or a Pizza Hut giftcard!). You'd need to choose things that were an interest to him/her. I think it would be fun though - and memorable!

most 30 yo's have about everything they need (even those attending college on the long term plan, lol) and a piece of your property is a wonderful jesture...

if he's really dedicated to living there, why not a hour or 2 with a local architech for prelim drawings?

or start a collection of favorite books...or give a cherished item from your home for his...

instead of a cruise, prehaps a weekend at a local hotel...one of the most fantastic gift we recieved was 2 nights, certs for local eatery and tickets for the movies (it was all located in one spot, so no driving)

Nope, two of my kids went into careers that required formal, conservative wardrobes. They needed to buy lots of the same though both had proper interview basics. But for the call backs for follow up interviews, one needed a few more. The kid who went into the film industry was set. He needed software.

Nevertheless, you have a lot of good ideas here. We were going to do a briefcase for one son graduating from law school, but in his area, they are into the inexpensive, heavy duty ones, so it would not be much of a gift.

I have a son about to get his BS, and he wants to go on to grad school. We did pay for his university education, aside from one student loan, and he has held down a job all 4 years. We will not be paying for grad school.

So his gift will be cash. He's not a materialistic kind of guy, and doesn't expect anything at all for a gift, but some cash will help.

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.

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone! I suggested the weekend trip, since they love to travel but haven't been able to do much of it lately, but my DD said she'd rather give them something that they'll have for some time, and I don't disagree with that. So we've decided on an LCD TV. We'll also give them the complete set of Planet Earth DVDs in HD. I'm sure they'll love this gift.