graduation season

It soon will be that time of year -- graduation season. I only have one to worry about this year, but it's a biggie: My niece is graduating from law school in May.

While I would rather have had a psychiatrist in the family , a lawyer will do -- I'm excited for her and excited about the path she's about to embark on. But I have NO. IDEA. of a reasonable graduation gift!

Claire has always been her own person, from toddlerhood forward (story about that to come in a sec) -- she's sharp as a tack, has very definite, very strong opinions, and will argue anything, anywhere, anytime, passionately (she's going to be a great lawyer, LOL). She's also ridiculously beautiful, which is totally no fair to have gotten both brains AND looks (says her jealous auntie). She has very eclectic taste and I don't think she would appreciate anything "traditional." So what's a spinster aunt to do?

I have to worry about this now because my budget is planned to the last penny and gifts aren't a usual expense, so I need to start setting aside bucks now. Anybody got ideas for me?

Oh, and here's my favorite Claire story: She was born at the end of my junior year in high school. When she was maybe 2, it was the year of jelly shoes and bracelets, etc (my sympathies if you both remember those and owned them, as I did ). I had this plastic bracelet thingy that was essentially a plastic, colored Slinky.

Claire and I were playing in my room, and she put that on the side of her head. Looked just like Princess Leia. Too cute. So I said, "Oh, Claire, that's so cute! Go show Mommy. She'll like that."

This teeny little kid who had been all giggles and smiles just seconds before *immediately* turned extremely serious...and then enunciated, clear as a bell -- "if it's CUTE, it HAS to come OFF."

That's my girl.

It's kind of traditional but I think nice pens are a nice gift. My brother gave me one, for my MBA graduation. He got me a Mont Blank pen, and I totally love it, and use it all the time. But I know they're expensive, but you can get really nice gold and silver pen / pencil sets from Cross that aren't too expensive.

Just a thought.

--splitimage

I was going to say a pen too. When I graduated college my parents gave me a leather briefcase for work and that would be a good thing for a lawyer too so anything that could go in a briefcase I'd get her.

Maybe here has a fun gift? http://www.thebillablehour.com

I found that site too, last night. I was too tired to look at it thoroughly but will check it out later.

I will be graduating from Memorial University with a BA in Social Cultural Studies. My son will be graduating from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School. It is a busy season.

For gifts....I got my son a high priced suit for his grad and job search. My mom wants to get me a gold collar pin with my grad year and college name on it but not those done by the grad institutions.

Hearty congrats to both you and son! It really is a great accomplishment on both your parts!

I am graduating in June also. I am jealous of those of you that your family is doing or did something big for your graduation. My dad said we aren't going to do anything big as I am older now and we don't need to do that. I am hoping to at least send out announcements that I graduated.

Jbug

Jbug, send out announcements! My family didn't do jack for my graduation from grad school, but I did send announcements and my friends stepped up to make it special.

[i]edited to add, I was 34 when I finished grad school! I guess you can call that "older," though it doesn't seem so now. LOL[/]

My family can't do the big things at this stage of their life. They are retired seniors on pension. I know they are proud of me. That is what matters. Our university publishes all grad announcements anyway in newspaper and radio.

I fear that because I moved before completing my degree, I won't be available for grad or photos. My mom so wanted a grad photo at least. I had to move to find work. Our small town doesn't have jobs available. I had to move.