Posts Tagged: "graduate"

Jumbo College Mug | Graduation Gift

Princess Diana - May 25, 2019 - Birthday, Christmas, Graduation

We’ve had several graduations in our family this year, and it reminded me of one of my favorite graduation gifts.

The funny thing is… I gave the gift to myself in celebration of earning my Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

I wanted a gift with my alma mater’s logo that I would use for years and years to remind me of my college experience.

I bought myself a jumbo college mug with the OU logo and name. The size was perfect for soup, cereal and coffee!

It was thick, heavy and durable, and I knew it would last forever.

As I grew older, my OU shot glasses stopped getting used as much, and my OU shirts competed for wear time with my Oklahoma City Thunder basketball shirts.

I continued to use my beautiful crimson jumbo mug. When I brought it to work people would comment on it. Who would have thought it would make a great conversation starter?!

If you are looking for a graduation gift with a lot of staying power, give a jumbo college mug to a graduate from the school they will be attending or the school where they graduated.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
– Dr. Seuss

Big Face Cutout for Graduations & Parties

Princess Diana - March 28, 2018 - Birthday, Graduation, Kids, Party Favors, Retirement, Wedding

Looking for an attention-grabbing gift? I say, go big or go home!

Create a Big Face Cutout of the gift recipient you can use for funny photos or to show support for graduates. It’s just the right size for all ages and the perfect accessory for any party or event!

What is a Big Face Cutout?

Big Face Cutouts are photos printed on an oversized face cutout made of heavy-duty weatherproof paper. They can be attached to a stick so they’re easy to hold.

They’re really popular at sports games, graduations (first make sure they’re allowed by the school), and birthday parties.

College Graduation Gifts for Networking in Style

Princess Diana - May 16, 2017 - Business, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Graduation

A college graduate needs to be prepared for networking events.

Networking is often a critical component of career success. Say it with me, “It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know.”

When my husband graduated with his Master’s degree, I gave him two gifts that would allow him to network in style.

Thoughtful College Graduation Gifts for Him

His first gift was a watch made of natural wood. Wooden watches look amazing, professional and serve as a conversation piece.

They come in different colors depending on the type of wood you choose, and they’re very lightweight.

No one can show up at a networking event without business cards. So for my husband’s second graduation gift I gave him a wooden business card holder engraved with his initials.

Business Etiquette Book for Graduates

Princess Diana - April 25, 2017 - $20 or Less, Graduation

Helping someone to feel confident and knowledgeable so they can succeed. That is a priceless gift.

Many young adults graduate high school and college clueless about how to conduct themselves in the workplace or how to present themselves in business situations.

Not knowing business etiquette and the proper ways to behave can have real negative effects. It could result in offending someone or missing out on an internship or job opportunity.

Since knowledge is power, the right book can provide graduates with the information they need to succeed in the adult world and the professional world.

Setting a Graduate Up for Success

For these reasons, books on business etiquette or business manners make thoughtful graduation gifts.

Graduation Gift for Your Parents

Queen Darlene - May 5, 2016 - $20 or Less, Graduation, Teacher Gifts, Thank You

Graduation is all about the graduate. The celebrations, gifts and parties. Yet, we all know the graduate didn’t arrive at graduation without lots of support.

graduate-appreciation-letter-for-parents-thoughtful-gifit-idea

Click to enlarge

Graduates, this post is for you.

You will receive accolades, compliments, praise, and many gifts. But have you thought about gifts for the people who helped you along the way?

This is the time to “pay back” those who have seen you through to your graduation such as your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and teachers.

Want to know what is the best graduation gift that is so simple and will forever be a keepsake? A heartfelt letter of appreciation.

To present your handwritten letter of appreciation as a gift, place it in a picture frame where it can easily be seen. Continue Reading

How to Make a Money Crown

Princess Diana - October 12, 2015 - Birthday, Graduation, Money

Wearable money gifts. It’s a thing!

There are Money Leis, Money Chains, and now Money Crowns for the prince, princess, king or queen in your life.

Folding cash into the shape of a crown makes it the coolest way to give money as a gift! Okay, I’m a Princess so maybe I’m biased…

Money Crowns look striking, and it’s something the birthday girl, birthday boy or graduate can wear on their head during their party!

HOW TO MAKE A MONEY CROWN

Unique Checkbook Money Gift | Graduation

Queen Darlene - May 4, 2015 - Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Family, Gifts for Him, Graduation, Kids, Money

I’ve mentioned before that the number one gift request for graduation is money. I’ve also talked about how impersonal it feels to write a check or place money in a greeting card.

The Checkbook Money Gift is so easy peasy you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it!

You’ll need new one dollar bills from your bank. The amount is up to you.

You’ll also need a checkbook cover. You can use the free checkbook covers from your bank, or purchase one with a style, color or design that fits the graduate’s interest or personality. Instead of a checkbook cover, you can use a wallet with an insert for a checkbook. Continue Reading

Unique Money Gift for Graduates

Queen Darlene - May 15, 2014 - Graduation, Money

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Face it. Kids want money. Even though most people want to give a memorable gift, many times they end up giving money in a blah graduation card. I’ve come up with a fail proof “you will remember this money gift above all else” high school or college graduation gift.

Purchase the latest issue of Money Magazine which gives advice on how to save, invest and make money. Hide multiple crisp dollar bills (or higher!) within the pages. Now roll it up with tissue paper and tie it up with a ribbon like a diploma.

It never fails. When they open it, they say…”oh, thanks”… and this is where your part comes in.

You say something like, “There is a wealth of information in that magazine about how to manage money wisely. Now that you have graduated and you’re an adult, it’s important that you learn this skill.”

They usually say thank you and place the magazine to the side – without even opening it.

This is when you enthusiastically encourage them to open it and find an article to read. They will oblige but unwillingly. (I have yet to have one person open a page with a dollar bill showing. I have no idea how that happens!)

They usually have to thumb through and when they discover some of the cash money, they’ll quickly flip through page after page to look for more and when they do that’s when you’ve done it! You’ve made them smile really big. (And that’s hard to get teenagers to do you know.)

Then they’ll get smart and go back to the very first page and methodically turn each page looking for more dollar bills until they’ve found them all. This gift is as much fun to give as it is to receive! The only way this gift gets a backseat to any other graduation gift is if the graduate gets keys to a car!

The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket. – Frank Hubbard

Graduation Gift Idea – 18 Things I Wish I Had Known at 18

Princess Diana - April 3, 2014 - Graduation, Kids

Goodbye childhood. Hello adulthood. This is what my oldest niece Shakira is experiencing as she gets ready to graduate from high school. She’s excited about adulthood because to her it means freedom to do whatever she wants. But like most 18-year olds, she hasn’t really thought about the responsibilities that come with that freedom.

As her aunt, I thought I would take the opportunity to impart some life lessons that I’ve personally found to be helpful in living a full and happy life. But Shakira doesn’t want to listen to a lecture from me. Blah. Blah. Blah. Even if she did listen, she could easily forget everything I told her the next day.

I needed to deliver my nuggets of wisdom in a fun and memorable way and something that would make a cool graduation gift.

I created a custom photo book called “18 Things I Wish I Had Known at 18.” I picked out a black and white template from Shutterfly.com that matched my niece’s sense of taste and style.

In the book I listed my top 18 life lessons and paired them with photos of Shakira, Shakira and me together, and group family photos. I arranged the photos in chronological older starting with her baby photos.

Here are the 18 life lessons or words of wisdom I put together: