Graduation present for brother

[midjd]

My brother is graduating college in December () and I want to get him something nice. It is a big accomplishment for him, and I know my mom can't afford to do much.

But I have no idea what to get! He has a fairly new computer, and a job lined up across the country (so nothing too big - right now all his possessions fit in the back of his car). I was thinking maybe having his diploma professionally framed, but it would be nice to have something to give him on the day itself. I'm thinking price range $300-$500 (keeping in mind my sister graduates six months later and I'll have to get her something too.)

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Also, he's moving to CO and I kind of wanted to get my mom an open-ended plane ticket so she can go out and visit him - can you still do that? Any restrictions of which I should be aware?

Thanks in advance! ;D

[cronewitch]

I would consider his clothing. If the new job requires a suit and tie and he lives in jeans he will need, suits, shoes, shirts, ties as well as everything to set up housekeeping. A gift card or returnable gift would be nice. A Costco gift card or even Walmart will help him set up housekeeping. Amazon has gift cards I think or other online retailers so he can have his gift he picks shipped to him. You could buy him a tie and wrap it to have a package with the gift card inside.

[taz157]

Congrats to Mid's brother!

I think crone gave some great suggestions!

[midjd]

That is a good idea, thank you Crone (and Taz for the bananas)!

He had to buy a few business outfits for interviews and such, but I know he can always use new ties, and probably a pair of nice shoes. Not sure what dress his job will require... he's managing the pro shop at a country club, so I would think polo shirt and slacks.

[taz157]

I don't know the location of where you live in regards to your brother, but he enjoy if you made a day of it. Going out to lunch, shopping as he may like a female's opinion, and potentially dinner depending on how long it lasts.

[Tennesseer]

If he's moving right away to Colorado, and has no furniture or furmishings of his own, why not buy him something that is waiting for him when he gets to Colorado that he can use in his new place.

[Deleted]

When my DS1 and DS2 finished college I gave them:
- a good flashlight to light the way ahead
- a small globe because "the world is your oyster"
- a nice but modest set of luggage (one carry-on and one big "duffel" type bag on wheels, that match lol).

DH gave DS1 a beautiful suit too. DS2 had several suits already so DH got DS2 a nice pair of shoes instead. And went shopping with them, and took them out to lunch, as Taz suggested.

Congrats to your brother Mid!!! And K to you for being such a great big sister!

ETA: I'm guessing he will probably have to wear the country club's polo shirt.

[happyscooter]

I like the luggage idea. Yes, at least one piece of it has to roll. Maybe a garment bag to match.
A nice digital camera.

[Deleted]

mid,

Congrats to your Brother for job, well done. ;D

If he is driving to where his job is at. How about AAA card. And rest of the money for the clothes.

[Deleted]

I like the idea of a keepsake he would have forever, but the things that actually fall into that category... money clip, watch, briefcase, pen... all seem obsolete. I still like cuff links, but that takes a certain kind of guy to pull off anymore.


I think a nice flask that was engraved with "@#$! Sallie Mae" and a check for his first student loan payment would be funny. But I have sort of a warped sense of humor.

[Phoenix84]

Well, I'd focus on things he'll need to start in the "real world." He'll need things like dishes and towels and furniture and tools. The best gift I got before leaving home was a GPS. What about a work wardrobe? Or a nice suit or two?

Two nice suits would fall within your 300 to 500 range, or two suits and a GPS.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

My oldest step son is also graduating from collge in December. We are going the professional clothing route. We were going to get him cheap plane tickets and lodging to Vegas, but when we mentioned that to him, he asked for the clothing instead.

[lurkyloo]

Nice watch--or is that too old-fashioned? A good-quality leather briefcase would also be both practical and something that would last.

[thyme4change]

I like the idea of a watch, because that is a little more permanent. You could also do an iPad or something (depending on how much you want to spend.)

I also like the idea of clothes and shoes. That will help him get set-up.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Mid, is he an outdoorsy type? If you want to be impractical, lift tickets or something for winter sports would be nice in CO! It's getting to be that season...

[kgb18]

I vote gift card because then he can get what he needs whether it's work clothing, home goods, etc.

[Phoenix84]

I don't know, these days it's hard to predict what clothing will be acceptable at his work place, unless he already knows. I bought a whole bunch of dress shirts and dress pants for work, but my professional job lets me wear jeans every day. Work place wardrobes are a lot more relaxed this day and age. I'd look pretty out of place with a suit, cufflinks, and carrying a leather briefcase.

If you know what types of clothes he needs for his job (you mentioned something about a country club) then go ahead and buy them. A nice watch is a good idea, though I've never been a watch person. Maybe he could use a set of dishes and towels and stuff like that. Also, everybody needs a box of basic tools, hammer, screwdriver, stud finder, pliers, crap like that. Even if you rent.

[midjd]

Thanks for all the suggestions! ;D

Rocky, he is definitely the outdoors type... not sure about skiing, though. He had knee surgery last year and might be a little leery of messing it up again. But he is a Broncos fan now that they have our old QB... hmm.

[thyme4change]

Does he have really good bedding? A down comforter with a high quality duvet - very nice, very easy, and something men might not think of.

[tskeeter]

Mid, he sounds like an active guy. Everybody in CO needs a mountain bike. Several entry level models in your price range at bike shops near you.

[CarolinaKat]

Oct 31, 2012 15:21:43 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Does he have really good bedding? A down comforter with a high quality duvet - very nice, very easy, and something men might not think of.

I was going to say bedding!!! Or luggage. Luggage is the traditional college graduation gift in my family.