Gift Guide: The Graduate

As if the holidays aren't stressful enough on their own, colleges and universities have to go and throw in final exams on top.  I suppose there are some good points to this situation.  Afterall, you do get all the worrying and studying over with by present-opening time.  There's also the possibility of Fall Commencement, and getting a diploma for Christmas. 

I know that most people think of Spring and Summer as the time to welcome graduates into "the real world", but there are loads of them finishing up practically as I type.  Here's are some holiday/commencement gifts that you might want to think about for the grad in your life.  I'd also like to congratulate a dear friend of mine, and fellow blogger, on passing the bar and becoming a lawyer.  May her hours be billable, her cases victorious, and her services never required by me.

First off, you can't go wrong with a nice diploma holder.  Personally, my diploma is in a frame from Wal-Mart...somewhere...I think in a suitcase in the closet, but I'm really not sure.  Maybe if I'd ponied up the dough for something fancier, I'd know where the blasted thing was.  Sears has two diploma frames that would look beautiful hanging in an office...or cubicle...or over the t.v. 

Photo Credit:  Sears.com

This first one is $149.99, and features a Mahogany frame with double matting.  The medallion is embossed with the University's logo, and the University's name is engraved on the frame.  Available in a variety of College and University designs. 

Photo Credit:  Sears.com

This frame is, again, Mahogany, but with a lithograph of the University (again, many are available to choose from), and the diploma opening is customizable to the size of the document.  $164.99.

If your grad is planning to pursue a higher degree, something along these lines might come in handy.

Photo Credit:  Dick's Sporting Goods

According to the Dick's Sporting Goods website:

The Graduate II 2010 backpack from Quiksilver® features a spacious main compartment with a laptop sleeve to protect important files and an organizer pocket to keep your necessities available for easy access. The padded shoulder straps and back add comfort and stability while the zip-up side pockets add extra storage space.

I believe there's even a compartment for sunglasses.  Beats the heck out of my old napsack.  $59.99, Dickssportinggoods.com.

One thing to bear in mind:  recent grads, with very few exceptions, are dirt poor.  Recent grads looking for work in a big city are in even worse shape.  It might be a nice gesture to gift something along these lines:

Photo Credit:  MTA

Obviously, you'd want to find out what kind of public transportation system your grad's city has (my city has nothing, so it wouldn't do much good here).  The MetroCard works on the New York City Transit System, and a 30-day unlimited ride card runs about $89 and has to be purchased at a MetroCard vending machine or official retail outlet (read: in NYC and not online.  I'm sorry about that).  Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metro fares can be purchased online, with varying rechargeable cards and rates.   

Of course, if you're a smartaleck like me, there's always this:

Photo Credit:  Amazon.com

 One word:  Plastics.  $20.99, Amazon.com