HELP! Graduation

@Modestah (11179)
United States
March 28, 2007 1:01pm CST
I can hardly believe my first born, my baby, my precious little 5 and a half pound at birth, boy is graduating high-school this year. I home educated him since 1'st grade, then this past school year have sent him out of state to a boarding school. Now, my question for which I need some helpful incite is this: What to gift him with for the event!? He has made great accomplishments and I am so very pleased with him. I need some ideas that are not only appropriate for the occasion but long lasting in sentiment. thank you, my creative and resourceful mylotters!
4 people like this
10 responses
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Well, congratulations for surviving all those years. :) Congratulation to your baby, also. It's tough to see them grow up, isn't it? My oldest is in 2nd grade now, but I'm already dreading graduation day. Gift ideas... Hmm...Someone suggested a scrapbook. Do you sew? How about a quilt--a signature quilt, with all his family and friends best wishes on it? Even a store bought quilt or blanket would work in this situation, as long as you include a warm sentiment with it-something about being wrapped in your arms with love, everytime he uses the blanket. I'm sure there is better wording for that sentiment somewhere on the 'net. :) Good luck with what you find. I'm so glad I have a few years yet!! :)
2 people like this
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Oh that's a great idea. I would just use the fabric paint type markers. That way you can see what they wrote and their true signature.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Take your squares of fabric, and iron them onto freezer paper. (The shiney side) This will help keep the fabric from moving around under the pen while the people are writing. I would also suggest a permanent ink pen,Sharpies work in a flash, but PIGMA sells pens that are supposed to be really great for this project (sorry, I haven't any luck finding them locally.) Here is a link to a make a really easy one. Obviously, you don't have to make it this big. :) www.mccallsquilting.com/curiss/wb804_sigpattern/ Best wishes toyou, and good luck!! Let me know if you need help with the sewing!! :)
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Oh man! I love the signature quilt idea! I do not know how to quilt at all. I just the other day cut up some 8 inch squares with the idea I might like to try some time soon. I might should have asked this question a few months ago huh? I could take the quilt with me when we go to pick him up for Easter break, then, and have his friends autograph it like they might for a year book. Then what? would you embroider the signatures? or just leave it in fabric paint/marker?
1 person likes this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
28 Mar 07
The first thing you should give him is the warmest and the biggest hug you have ever gave him. Then tell him how proud you are of him and please don't forget to tell him how much you love him. This is probably all he'd really like but as far as a gift goes perhaps because he's a big boy now they usually live money. My daughter (My only child) is 34 so I know how fast they grow up and the one thing we do every year is we do a mother/daughter bonding day/night. My son-in-law stays home with the two children and my girl and I go to the city we shop we go to the casino we eat out of course, we get a nice room have a good sleep and head home the next morning. We do this once a year. The only problem is we just started this after I had my heart attack in 2001. Guess we found out we are here to day but gone tomorrow possibly ??? Don't do what we did don't wait to do the bonding thing Do It Now !!! I sound bossy I just realized but it's not meant to be taken that way. This is only my opinion and to let you know what works for me. Congratulations to both you and your son. Take Care ...
2 people like this
@SachseMom (448)
• United States
28 Mar 07
congrats on your son's graduation!! My daughter is starting Kindergarden this year and I'm so excited and so sad at the same time! I can't believe that my baby is going to be going to school!!! Just some thoughts on your gift, my parents gave me my first car and gave me a checking account with $500 in it. I loved it becasue they told me that they thought I was responsible and wanted to help me get on the right foot. I know some people don't like to give money but It was great for me since I was going to college and going to pay my own expenses. My grandparents gave me a CD which was great because when I got married I used it for stuff we needed when we first got married and saved some for our new house we are trying to get. Just my 2 cents
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
28 Mar 07
thank you for the congrats, and best of luck on your daughter's school career just launching. Bitter Sweet it is! If you are going to give money, I think your parents method is the Best way to do it! how ingenious! I would use that great idea, cept, we started him a bank account just prior to his going to boarding school, so that way he would have access for expenses that crop up. I get the statements sent to our house and I can see he is being very responsible with it. I also like the CD idea, as savings bonds are no longer worth investing in. thank you for your input.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I would give him something made in your area, as when I graduated I received a piece of pottery made in Oregon, which I still display. Every time I look at the bowl, I think of friends that attended school with me and how my life changed from high school.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Mar 07
LOL! A bucket of fresh chicken poop!!! Actually, I'd like some, I'll put it in my garden!
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
28 Mar 07
another very good and sentimental idea... trying to think what is grown or made here besides fish and chicken poop. hmmmm.
@nelltx (277)
• United States
28 Mar 07
My sister didn't have a lot of money when her son graduated, so she put together a book that had a photo of him in each year of his life, by each of the photos she wrote a letter telling him how he, at that time in her life, changed the way she felt, how he inspired her & how much he ment to her. She filled it with loving memories and care. He still has it to this day, some 10 years later. His dad bought him a car, the car is gone, but the book of love & memories remains.
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Oh Nell! what a wonderful idea. A cherished memento - an heirloom even. I love this!
• Canada
28 Mar 07
Thats a fantastic idea, and I think I might pass this onto a friend who is having the same problems finding something for her eldest who graduating this year too. Thanks for sharing!
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I bought my son the cd with the book that is called Live Like You Were Dying. I wrote a note in the front cover. I hope this is something he will cherish for a long time.
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
28 Mar 07
that sounds like a very motivational title. I hope that your boy likes it very much and is able to grow in wisdom from having it.
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
29 Mar 07
well congrats then...if im the mom i will take in considerations the hobbies and likes of my son..what he really wants or like most..like for example teen s now adays like to ahve some brand new cell phone and that must be the latedt model...or whatever you think that could make him happy...or ask him personally to make sure that he really is going toa ppreciate it more...
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Well I can't think of anything good, but I love the signature quilt idea. I think that is excellent. I wish I had thought of that as some gifts I've given in the past. I'm sure whatever you decide to do he will love. Congratulations on raising a fine upstanding young man.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
29 Mar 07
first let me say congratulations !! This is indeed a special occasion. I have a baby box that I have started for my boys since birth. I have kept pictures, momentos, awards, etc. in this box. I plan on making a photo album and giving them this box upon graduation. This way they have an heirloom that they can show to their own children someday of all their milestones & accomplishments. I have their first baby tooth lost, a lock of hair from the oh so precious first haircut, pics of their first steps and other firsts, a book filled out with their first year accomplishments, a pillow case & blanket made by their Grandmother in Cuba, a poem book filled with poems I have written for them, a copy of the book I wrote for them (never published though) and various other things. I am sure you have many momentos saved up from his life up to now. This is something I think would be heartfelt and treasured by him for years to come.
@DogkcuD (15)
• China
29 Mar 07
I think it is better for you to have a dinner with him.After this,sent him a austerity and meaningfull nacklace.I wear a nacklace everyday which i get from my girlfriend.With it,I feel sweety and responsible.In my opinion, he will study hard at colleage wearing yout nacklace.