Graduating is a big deal, regardless of that from which one is graduating. It is all about seeing something important and challenging through to completion. The later in life you are, the harder it is to finish things. That is because you have so many other responsibilities. But finishing a college degree at any stage of life is worth celebrating.
It is also important to realize that not all degrees are created equally. A Bachelor’s degree takes twice as long as an Associate’s. And a graduate degree often takes twice as long as a Bachelor’s. Some fields require additional certifications and internships beyond the eight years of college. These are big-time accomplishments.
Such accomplishments also come with big-time bills attached to them. It will run you about $30,000 a year public, and $40,000 a year private. So along with a huge accomplishment, you also get a huge debt in the bargain. Anyone achieving that milestone is worthy of a big-time gift (within reason, of course). Here are the type of bigger ticket items that would be appropriate for that level of achievement:
Something That Will Last
There is a good chance that someone working their way through graduate school has been living a rather minimal lifestyle. They are likely very familiar with small apartments and Spartan furnishings.
So if you are going to help out by giving furniture as a gift, you might want to step up to something like Stanley furniture, or some other brand that you associate with quality. The new graduate has proven themselves capable of sticking with something for a long time.
A well-built piece of furniture is something that can last them for a lifetime. A good 4-poster bed can be passed down to future generations. A fine bookcase may be just the thing for all those graduate texts that are never going up for sale.
The idea is that for the graduate, furniture will be much needed. And a decent piece of furniture will be a meaningful gift for years to come.
Something Professional Grade
Now that they have made the grade, it is time they receive a professional grade gift. In high school, maybe you bought them a disposable Chromebook at a disposable price. Perhaps it is time to step them up to a MacBook Pro. If they are oriented more towards Windows, a Surface Laptop would be more appropriate.
If tablets are more their style, Apple just introduced the 2017 iPad Pro models which include the 10.5”and the 12.9” versions. Reviewers are in agreement that these are the best tablets on the market.
It is not just a matter of computer hardware. It is anything that has the option of a professional upgrade. She’s not just a kid anymore. She’s not even just an adult. She’s a professional, and should be gifted that way whenever possible.
Something that Conveys Status
You might want to reserve the gold watch for retirement. But you might want to Replace their Timex with something like a stainless steel Apple Watch. Not only is it the best selling smart watch in the world, it also has the look weight, and feel of status.
If a mechanical watch is more to their liking, there are numerous options in the $1,000 price range that may be appropriate. You can check some models from different brands of this nature and price on https://www.thewatchcompany.
That status can also be conveyed with a custom tailored suit. Given a stack of equally impressive resumes, the one who is best dressed has the advantage. A good briefcase is also a symbol of status that happens to have a great deal of utility.
Gifts for grads is one thing. But big-time grads deserve big-time gifts. So instead of the usual, consider getting something that will last, something professional, and something that conveys their new status in the world.
