Picture frame? No.
You’re Rad Grad! coffee mug? Uh uh.
Fountain pen? Definitely not.
What’s left?
For Grade-School Grads
Report-card day. When we were growing up, the local amusement park awarded five free tickets for every A, four for every B, and three for every C on your report card. These tickets were good for rides and refreshments on a special day. To reward your grad while encouraging continued good work, devise a similar system for anything he enjoys. As a default, use cash.
Mobile phone. Give her what she wants and give yourself peace of mind. Beyond just connecting the two of you 24/7, if you order tracking or “chaperone” service, you’ll be able to pinpoint her location via GPS. Kid-friendly models with parental controls minimize misuse. And adding a line to a family plan usually costs just a few dollars per month.
For High-School Grads
Event tickets. Whether it’s a concert, ball game, or show, as long as it’s not Wayne Newton or Riverdance, you really can’t go wrong. Buy two. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll invite you. But don’t expect it.
Summer job. With the economy the way it is, summer employment isn’t as plentiful as it once was. But you have connections. If the kid is trustworthy and hardworking, call in a favor. If you can match the job to his interests, you’ll be providing a career gauge along with a wage.
A safety net. This gift is best for someone other than your child—a godson, for instance, or some other kid you’ve mentored. Call him aside at the graduation party and give him your phone number. Explain that if he ever needs advice or gets in a tight spot and, for whatever reason, doesn’t want to call home, you’ll be standing by to help.
For College Grads
Business-card holder. It’s cooler than a wallet, plus it just might give him the urge to fill it. We found leather versions for about $25 or trendy bamboo models around $18.
1-month student-loan payment. Ask the grad’s parents if she has any student loans. If it’s within your budget and you were going to give a check anyway, write it for the exact amount of 1 month’s payment.
Career assistance. The Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (parw.com) helps grads turn diplomas into paychecks. Depending on where help is needed, set yours up with an expert to polish his résumé, hone his interviewing skills, or figure out exactly what he wants to do with himself. Peruse the website for local experts, and remember to ask for a student rate. Résumé critiques start at less than a hundred bucks and some offer free consults. Who knows? Maybe you’ll want to schedule one yourself.
Dress Up a Plain Suit
