What should I get my oldest granddaughter for her graduation from college?

[CTyankee]

She is graduating from Boston University this spring with a degree in Political Science.

I already gave away all my mother's good jewelry to her and her two sisters. And each of them got a pearl necklace with a gold chain for graduation from high school.

I want it to be special for her.

I thought of a nice framed print of one of my beloved artists but I don't know her taste in art. Or I could give her a copy of my book "Immutable Truth" which her mother is designing for self publishing and should be ready by then. I could inscribe it to her with a special message...

What do you think?

[Turbineguy]

1. What a delightful dilemma you have!

Your book seems like a good idea. I would belabor how pleased and proud you are and thank her for her gift to you.

[hlthe2b]

3. I like that idea too.

[CTyankee]

4. I like that. At first, it seemed a bit self serving...

but it would have the added benefit of pissing off my first husband (her grandfather).

I also thought of a print of "Slave Ship" by Turner because it is in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. And there's a couple of John Singer Sargent's paintings in the Isabella Gardner Museum. Perhaps "El Jaleo" or "The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit."

[janterry]

2. Besides a trip to Europe?

Yes, I think the book would be lovely. Something from you to her - that she can cherish.

[CTyankee]

5. Uh, I don't have that kind of money...

[Botany]

6. Give her two things

a framed picture of you two together and a gift card from a store she likes
Dicks, REI, bed bath and beyond, a book store, a local grocery store, and so on.


And of course your book too!

[CTyankee]

7. I'll ask my daughter which store she likes best.

Nice suggestions! Thank you!

[secondwind]

8. Does she have a nice nice watch?

[CTyankee]

14. Does anybody use a watch any more?

With their smart phones, they don't need them.

Watches used to be the traditional graduation gift, but alas, those days are probably dead and gone...

[Hangingon]

38. Apple watches are popular with this demographic

[CTyankee]

40. Do you know how much they cost?

[Hangingon]

41. Looked on Amazon.

They have series 3 from $240 to $370. Some of the Apple watches are quite expensive.

[tazkcmo]

9. Citizenship

In the European country of her choice. Just joshin. We need her right here in the good old USA. Congratulations to her.

[pamdb]

10. gift

Round trip ticket to Europe, somewhere in Europe, anywhere is great.

Fly into Vienna (great airport) and maybe out of Paris. Or Rome. Or better yet, have her end up in Venice, you have to take a water taxi to get from Venice to the airport. Really cool.

[CTyankee]

15. Oh, those are great places...been to all of them except Vienna...all those art museums...

[captain queeg]

11. Has she spent much time at your house?

Sounds like you have stuff from your mom. Some household thing that’s been in the family she has noticed or commented on?

When my mom died years ago one of my sisters commented how an old book case had been in mom’s house forever and some of us kids’Knick knacks were displayed in it. The piece is nothing great but holds sentimental memories for he. The other sister had it in storage for the last 10 years and in pretty rough shape. So this year I got it and took it to a refinisher. Supposed to be a Christmas present but it was obvious it wouldn’t get done in time, so I emailed her some pictures and told her what I was doing.

She called me at work the next morning and was teary; she started telling me all the memories that went with it. I felt bad because I was at work and had to cut her off after about half an hour, but let’s just say it was greatly appreciated.

[CTyankee]

16. No, I and her grandfather had been divorced some time before my daughter had her...

[GeoWilliam750]

12. Perhaps needlepoint done by yourself

With the date of her birth and of her graduation.

and something like "Just getting started on a fabulous journey"

Suitable for framing.

The few objects I treasure the most in life are those on which somebody spent their precious time, and into which they poured their love. That, and a ticket to somewhere nice in Europe for a week or two would probably be good gifts.

However, it seems that you have already given her the most valuable gift of all - a parent who loved them deeply, and apparently raised them well. Everything else is glitter - but glitter can be fun, too.

[left-of-center2012]

13. A calculator to figure out her college debts?

[CTyankee]

17. heh, heh...

Her mother "married well" and she won't have any college debt at all. Lucky her...

[crazycatlady]

22. there's an app for that

and it's preinstalled even on flip phones.

[left-of-center2012]

23. Yeah, I know

Guess you missed the implied humor in my post.

[mariesa]

18. Well first off, congratulations to you, and your grandaughter.

What a special event for you both.

Second, since you are a writer, I think it would be nice for you to write her a letter that highlights your years together. That, along with your book, would be very special.

Once again, congratulations.

[UTUSN]

19. A picture of you.

[blogslut]

20. The book is a nice gift

If you feel you need more, give her one of those nice pens in a hinged box or business card holder or some grown-up adult working person gift like that.

[CTyankee]

21. Right now I am thinking the print of El Jaleo which pairs up nicely with my book. I did an essay

on John Singer Sargent in the book.

[blogslut]

24. Splendid idea!

[CTyankee]

25. Thanks I just ordered a smallish print of the painting from the Gardner. It should be here

fairly soon. I've got a nice frame shop not far from my house. I asked my neighbor, who is an architecht and has a fine eye to help me pick out a frame. I'll FedEx it to my daughter's house in Boston (I don't dare try to negotiate it up with me on the train...)

[yellowwoodII]

26. Stock

I give my grandchildren a stock. You choose and add to it over time. Or a Vanguard mutual fund. It keeps on giving and will teach the value of adding to a fund.

[CTyankee]

27. Hadn't thought of that. Good idea...

[ret5hd]

28. An all-expenses paid trip for her parents!

[samnsara]

29. your book with a 1000$ bill as a book mark.

[CTyankee]

30. Great idea but her family has plenty of money and I sure don't...

[A HERETIC I AM]

31. Swedish citizenship.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

35. If only that were "giftable". nt

[greymattermom]

32. Something from an Etsy seller

a handmade, unique item. If you see a style you like, contact the seller to make a custom item for you.

[CTyankee]

33. great idea. Hadn't thought of that...

[demmiblue]

34. Your book and a yearly membership to a Boston museum (art or history)...

and/or a gift certificate to the museum shop.

[CTyankee]

36. They have family memberships to them both.

But the gift certificate is a winner!

[blaze]

39. Museum membership was my first thought too

Maybe a gift certificate to a local indie movie theatre? Landmark Theatres?

[IrishEyes]

37. My dad gave me a beautiful leather bound complete works of Shakespeare.

I have had it all these years and will probably never get rid of it.