A tattoo! Sorry Violet, couldn't resist. Is she heading off to college? How about an Alex and Ani bracelet as part of her gift. They are inexpensive and you might be able to get her college choice as the charm.

A book? Something motivational? A how to succeed type of book?

Then, you will still have money left over. Get a variety of gift cards for the college bookstore and/or local restaurants around the college.

Well, I did get her the book "Debt Free U" previously. The plan is to work until January so she can save money for a car and then go to community college. Not thrilled with this but not my decision.

Don't know what Alex and Ani is but will look it up.

I don't particularly agree with tattoos for very young people who have no idea what direction their life will take. Visible ones, anyway.

if she likes jewelry, I'd get her jewelry! I wouldn't want my mom making gift decisions like that! at some point, she will learn to take better care of things-- maybe a graduation gift will be special enough to her to try to be extra careful with! (tho i would probably keep loss in mind when selecting the piece and maybe get her a gift card too! or maybe a cool keychain to use for her new car keys when she earns enough??)

I would give her a lovely key ring. You can find sterling in your price range at Tiffany, and stainless a little over at Cartier. I like a graduation gift that is practical and luxurious.

A treasury bond? Do people do that any longer?

I have a lovely beaded dressy handbag from my grandmother that I still use for fancy occasions.

ooh, the key ring a pretty good idea! handbag, too

I know mom said no jewelry, but how about an engraved piece of jewelry such as a locket or something with her name and graduation date. It would be a special keepsake from Grandma and she's old enough now to know to take care and cherish such a gift.

I was going to say the same as ellendi6161, perhaps a token piece of jewelry, and a gift card to the college bookstore. Books are hideously expensive these days. Or, an Amazon.com gift card, they have a college book service. Congrats!

Think back to your high school or college graduation. What gift do you remember? Pick that.

Seriously, I remember one gift that I received from my high school graduation. A pretty Pearl pendant on a gold chain. My older brother gave it to me. I still have it and wear it (at times).

ML (high school class of 1968)

"Think back to your high school or college graduation. What gift do you remember? Pick that"

Lovely advice but I'm laughing. I barely remember my HS graduation (and you are a few years older than I am), and don't remember any gifts at all.

Then I suggest my go to graduation gift,

the book:

"Where's Mom Now That I Need Her?" Include your phone number and some $$$$$.

ML

I got it for my birthday that year, not graduation, but I loved it, my suite mates coveted it, and I still use it 40 years later: a beautiful blue suede manicure set. Some of the elements have been replaced, but the case goes on.

Or, how about something of YOURS, so it can be an heirloom?

I dunno, if the mom/your daughter or, potentially worse, your DIL, said no jewelry, to then buy jewelry could look like you're inciting trouble by going against her specific advice. I have no idea about your relationship with the mom, so maybe it wouldn't be viewed that way but I feel the need to throw that thought out there to anyone, not just the OP, who has a sensitive relationship with their D/DIL. Maybe she was just momentarily annoyed with the graduate for misplacing something, maybe she knows an item definitely will be misplaced and the money spent on it wasted. I'm just bringing it up to play Devil's advocate.

I don't know why but the only gift I remember from my HS graduation was a pair of Dr. Scholl sandals. For some reason I no longer recall, they obviously left a positive impression. I *think* I also received a camera and luggage, but was that HS?

I usually give money or jewelry for graduations, but, I also think luggage is a nice idea for someone starting their adult life.

What about a nice overnight/carry on bag, with a copy of Dr. Seuss's Oh The Places You'll Go :-)

http://www.zappos.com/vera-bradley-luggage-grand-traveler-black

but . . . I don't want her to leave!

no problem with my DD, her mom, but I listen to her suggestions.

If you can't give her jewelry and you want something lasting - give her an experience and the memory will last forever. Maybe a concert she's been wanting to see, a spa day for just you and her, a weekend trip to who-knows-where?

I gave my neighbors daughter a really cute and funky purse from Anthropologie and put some cash in it. She was thrilled.

How about an engraved silver jewelry box to keep jewelry in? ;-)

these are great ideas. I talked to her mom today (my DD) and she said she's not much of a bag person. She also mentioned what my granddaughter wanted for her 18th birthday, very shortly after her graduation . . .

a tattoo!

lol. She would get it on her shoulder or some other easily concealed place, and she wants a flower tattoo -- her name is a flower name, (e.g., her name is Rose so she would get a rose tattoo); so it's pretty hard to say it wouldn't be appropriate and lasting. So many bad tattoos out there though . . . will have to talk to her.

And of course, the thing I have not done is ask her directly what she wants for her graduation, which I plan to do. She'll probably say money, though . .

Bpathome said it best...

"Or, how about something of YOURS, so it can be an heirloom?"

A nice wallet? My DS graduated last year and while most of his gifts were money, he was really thrilled with a nice leather wallet from my BIL. He also really liked the leather iPad case from the same BIL.

A nice leather tote bag is something she can use for years even if she's not a "bag" girl -- for work, travel, etc.

My DM gave me a beautiful crystal decanter from our home. I always loved it so it made the perfect gift for me. I know, I know, I'm weird but I always loved crystal and silver and I cherish that decanter to this day.

I know young people don't wear watches, but what about a watch? I still have my Seiko from when I graduated with my B.S.