Graduation
Can you believe we are almost to May again? It’s GRaDuATioN time again! Are you a lucky parent with a student graduating this year? I know..it’s a love/hate relationship. It’s a scary transition as a parent. You are SO excited for them…but you find yourself crying in your closet more than once a week. (oh wait..maybe that’s just me?)
Graduations are tough for me. Along with a child moving out or starting to drive alone, graduation marks a transition time that’s hard to prepare for adequately. Our goal in early years is to help our sweet kids make it this far while dependent on us. And then…they aren’t really very dependent any more if we’ve done our job.
So…we need to gift our sweet babies ready to leave the nest (or our friends’ babies!). What on earth do they need? Here are my favorite things (that they can actually use in life or college):
Cash (not joking.) My kids pooled any checks or cash they received, and they both bought new MacBooks for college. They are SO thankful still! They can also use it for school textbooks, coffee or snacks in college, or coins for parking or laundry.
Bathrobe or shower wrap First-I love things that cover their bodies, haha! Cover it all up. But also, practicality. In dorms, sorority houses, apartments, they usually end up sharing a bathroom. (and my teen loves to change into jammies and a robe the minute he walks in the door after school! So ..comfort?) If you find an inexpensive one, you can always add shower shoes (flip flops!) and a monogrammed shower caddy (or buy the one at Target for $6 and have it monogrammed).
Hydroflask water bottle First, these are expensive (they can’t hardly buy them for themselves, haha!). Second, they are so popular! Third, they are nearly indestructible. They’ll last for all of college, and they’ll love them so much…they won’t lose them!
Tile (Tracker) This is a lovely device. Especially if your recipient is moving far away from home (..and the backup set of keys to their car!) You can also get a credit card size for their wallet (I got one for my husband last Christmas since he rides his bike to work..and he’s lost his wallet along the way more than once!)
School Spirit Gear for their new school! Try a shirt with their new mascot, team, or new city/slogan! Add a team sticker (they put them alll over their hydroflask, computer, cars, etc!), or a keychain (or lanyard) or something fun!
Tool Kit They will need to loft their bed, hang a bulletin board, or maybe just tighten the knob of a drawer. It’s a right of passage to have your own tools, and it empowers them. (and they might stop taking your screwdrivers!)
Air Pods I know this one seems extravagant…but it will mean the world to them to be able to watch Netflix at night and not disturb their roommate (actually it might mean the world to their roommate!). They can use them to listen to an online class, listen to music on the bus across campus, or…to FaceTime with you!
Games Our goal is for them to go off, experience the world, meet new people, and relate to them! A great way for them to meet people is to show up with a football, frisbee, or a great game. A couple the kids love is Game of Phones, What Do You Meme, or Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and JACKBOX (soo fun!).
Wireless charger (or extra charger port) for their phone/airpods/Apple watch/smart phone.
Slippers For one..your student probably won’t sweep, vacuum, or mop their room for the entire year (even though you drop them off with a new vacuum and a swiffer..). No one will come in to clean their room, and all those “snacks” you sent will make little crumbs on the floor. They feel a little creepy to walk on! Slippers are just inside shoes, haha! They need them. That is all. You can buy the bougie ones the girls will wear all over campus, or just some easy fluffy ones. Your choice.
Notes for all the hard (and joyous) times sealed in envelopes wrapped in a little bow. There will be times they’ll need some encouragement, some positive words, some hope that there is a light ahead in the midst of midterms or finals (or a crushing grade). It isn’t the end of the world, but they don’t always know that. Sometimes they try to live up to our expectations, and they fall short. Just let them know that we were all there once, and we survived, and they will too. And, give them a couple great notes for when they pass a tough test or face their fears and go to their first event where they don’t know a soul.
You know your student better than anyone else. What do they truly need? What will remind them of home? Find a way to gift them with that love. And maybe throw in a little something for yourself-this will probably be harder on you than them.
If you need a little Razorback gift, feel free to check out my graduation gift, a few curated items that are fun and University of Arkansas themed (along with a few items that are universal)!
Congratulations to the class of 2022, they’ve overcome a lot of obstacles. Hugs, friends, you can do this!
