A Clever Graduation Gift That's Always Appreciated!

We received a graduation announcement in the mail this week. It is that time of year. Final exams will soon be written; caps and gowns are ordered; parties are being planned... and announcements are being addressed and mailed by graduates everywhere.

When I was growing up, high school and college graduations were celebrated. Now, middle school (a.k.a. junior high school) and even kindergarten graduations are recognized, although usually not to the same degree as higher education.

Receiving a graduation announcement does not always require a response, however people frequently give a card and/or gift. When my daughter graduated from high school, we were overwhelmed by the
generosity of our friends and family.

Unless you know the graduate well, it can be hard to pick out an actual present. 

Money is undoubtedly a welcome gift, but I always want to do something more personal than just write a check. A few years ago, a friend of mine gave me a really good idea of how to make a money gift a bit more special. (Thanks Julie!)  She suggested writing the graduation year in “cents” on the check.  For example, when giving a gift in the year 2015, the check would be written for xx amount of dollars and 15 cents!

While, of course, the graduation year is best represented by writing a check for twenty dollars and xx amount of cents, (whatever year the recipient is graduating) this actually is still a cute gift when the check is written with whatever dollar amount you give:

$10.15    ....    $20.15    ....    $30.15    ... $50.15    ...    $100.15    ...    $1,000,000.15   ... !      

The first year I wrote graduation checks this way, I wasn't sure anyone would even notice!  I was amazed, however, by the number of thank you notes we received, commenting on my cleverness. 

What is your favorite graduation gift to give?

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