College Graduation Gifts

College Graduation Gifts Why Are College Graduation Gifts So Hard? According to a 2008 survey published by the National Retail Federation, a shocking 89 percent of people faced with giving college graduation gifts resort to either cash or a gift card. Related Articles What Is an Appropriate Monetary Graduation Gift? What Is an Appropriate Monetary Graduation Gift? Graduation Announcement Etiquette and Wording Graduation Announcement Etiquette and Wording High School Graduation Gift Ideas High School Graduation Gift Ideas The False Independence of College Life Why is the graduation gift so difficult? The answer to that question lies in the symbolic nature of the event. College graduation is a moment when the security of the past childhood is finally stripped away once and for all. While at college, students would at least leave the dorm and come back home for the holidays. Summertime was a temporary return to their childhood. Real Life After Graduation Then graduation comes, and the graduate is faced with the cold reality of a lifetime of daily work obligations and the responsibility of self-survival. To the parent, or older family members, graduation is the realization that their "child" has completely grown up. The child is a child no more. What sort of gift could possibly represent the gravity and importance of that kind of life transition? The answer is simple. A nonconventional, unique and meaningful gift is one that the college graduate can turn to during one of those lonely nights alone in their first apartment, and be reminded of the undying, unconditional love of family. Unique and Meaningful Graduation Gifts Yes, college graduates will likely need a financial jump-start as they graduate and begin their new life. And, many parents are so used to helping their kids buy school supplies by sending money that it seems like the easiest thing to do. But that doesn't mean you should write them a check and call it good. A graduation is a perfect time to let this former child understand how much of a joy, and an honor, it was to experience that childhood along with them. It's an opportunity to really show them how much you care about them, and how much they'll be missed. Build a "New Life" Starter Basket When most people think of a gift basket, they think of those typical prepackaged bath soap and shampoo filled baskets that are so prevalent during Christmastime. This gift basket is nothing of the sort. In fact, it doesn't even have to be a basket. It could consist of a medium sized box, completely filled with as many items as you can think of that would make the college graduate's new life in their first apartment much easier.