I am graduating in a week and my parents want to know what to get me only I can't think of a thing. What did you get for your graduation? The time I get anything I want and I've went blank!!!!!

-- lindsey (l_shamhart@hotmail.com), May 08, 2001

Answers

Depends on family finances and your interests.Are you planning on going away to college ? I love getting new animals , carousel horses ,and kitchen stuff.I got a new bike for 8th grade graduation and money in high school.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), May 08, 2001.

I asked for a pressure canner when I graduated from college...still use it. I have a good friend who got a sewing machine & she still uses it. These gifts were given to us OVER 20 yrs. ago!

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), May 08, 2001.

Graduations, birthdays, wedding, everything. A Walmart gift gift certificate is always appreciated. I've never heard a complaint from someone who gets one. They might complain about the amount, but not the gift. Eagle

-- eagle (eagle@alpha1.net), May 09, 2001.

Our oldest grand-daughter is graduating high school May 20. I bought a nice money-holder card and will put cash in it. I can't remember what we gave our 3 kids when they graduated--too long ago, I guess! By the way, CONGRATULATIONS and God's blessings!

-- ruth in s.e.Illinois (bobtravous@email.com), May 09, 2001.

Do you have your own computer? That would be cool. A digital camera, I love mine, you can put pics right in the computer and share them right away. Mine only cost 129.00, a Kodak EZ200. I'm sure you can find it cheaper now even. It holds 138 480 x 640 pics at a time. All you ever have to buy is AAA batteries, I'm still using the same batteries for 4 months now, and I use it a lot. They are so cool and they take beautiful pics.

A good graphics program like Paint Shop Pro will let you be very creative and it's easy to learn. I always want things that will advance my mind and thinking and learning.

How about your own subscription to Countryside? And other homesteading books to start building your own library. Do you like to paint or draw? Art supply gifts are neat too. What do you like to do?

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), May 09, 2001.

My mother got me luggage, I think she was hinting, ha ha. My sister got a cedar chest, she started her hope chest in it. MY luggage is long gone, sisters cedar chest is still used. Sherry

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), May 09, 2001.

Are you graduating from HS or college?

When our oldest graduated high school in the 70's, we gave her a Greyhound bus pass. Had relatives on the east coast, AZ and she had friends in CA. She spent about 2 mos. traveling the US and had a great time. And before anyone asks...no, I did not worry about her. Times were different then. She also checked in daily when she was actually on the road and called me when she arrived at her destination.

Our youngest will graduate next year and we will probably buy her a laptop or if she continues her interested in fashion design, a serger. Or, if she wants to stay with her cello a new cello. Finances will also come into play. I like to get a head start on things so that I can save and pay cash.

-- Cordy (ckaylegian@aol.com), May 09, 2001.

My Folks gave me a nice suitcase. well,,,,I did like it and used it

-- L.A. Romsa (lromsa1@state.wy.us), May 09, 2001.

I guess back when my Mother was a young girl, the tradition was for young girls to start a "hope-chest". In turn, when I graduated, my mother bought me a cedar chest. Today it is filled with hopes, dreams, accomplishments and nostalgia from years gone-by. Where once it held the hopes of my future, now it holds the treasures of the dreams I had that became realities over the years. It holds several toys from my childhood, my highschool diploma, class ring and picture, momentos of my father (whom I lost to a terrible accident when I was only 11 years old), things from my wedding, baby clothes, shoes, toys and keepsakes from all three of my children - locks of hair from their first haircut, baby teeth and so many other precious things. I really treasure that cedar chest. Every time I open it, it's like opening up my life. On my annual trip to South Carolina last Summer, my Mother gave me my grandmother's cedar chest. It was filled with precious things from my grandmother's life and also Mom had tucked away a few things that had belonged to my father like his softball glove that he used when he played softball for our church team, his binnoculars that he used when we would go to the Orange Bowl in Miami to watch the Miami Dolphins play football. His camera that he used just about every weekend at the Miami Marine Stadium where we would go to watch my Uncle (Daddy's best friend, really no relation) race boats. This "Uncle" was so close to my father and although I hadn't seen him in many years, I asked him if he would give me away on my wedding day (over 20 years ago). He was honored and touched that I would choose him and of course he accepted without hesitation.

It was common back when my grandmother was a young girl for folks to give plates as gifts to young girls. My grandmother received quite a few on her 16th birthday and they were well cared for throughout the years and now I am the proud owner of them. These plates are 87 years old right now. Gram has been gone now for many years, but her memory will never be gone. Same with Daddy - gone, but not forgotten. I have the comfort of knowing that we will all be together again someday. I run my hands over Gram's Bible, the one with the large print. The one that she read every day up until the time of her death at the age of 94. I read the passages that she marked in that Bible. The ones that were her favorites - and there were many. In an instant I'm transported back in time. I'm sitting on Gram's lap buttoning her thick black sweater all the way up to her neck. Then unbuttoning it all the way back down again. Over and over.......When Gram passed away, Mom asked if there was anything of hers that I would like to have. I asked for her black Bible and her black sweater. Her sweater hangs in my closet and sometimes I still take it down and hug it close to me. I can feel her arms around me. I can see her smile, hear her laughter and almost feel her touch.

I guess I'm just partial to cedar chests. I don't think you could get the same feeling from any other gift. Congratulations to you on your graduation. It is a great acomplishment and one you should be very proud of! I wish you much happiness and the very best always.

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), May 09, 2001.

Our oldest son will be graduating next year and we will be getting him a laptop. He is going to college right away, so this will be useful for school as well as keeping in touch with family and friends. Good luck!

-- Amber (mikeandambr@aol.com), May 09, 2001.

I graduated in the mid 70's and received a watch from my parents (they asked what I would like and that was what I wanted) and I bought a cedar chest with gift money I was given by other friends and relatives. I still have both the watch and the cedar chest. I think cedar chests are great too!!

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), May 09, 2001.

When I graduated from high school, I had the same question to answer. Even at 17 I loved antiques so I asked my Dad to get me an antique ice box. Even today it is one of my favorite pieces, mostly because it was a gift to me from my parents to mark a special event.

So I suggest picking something that you can keep forever (not money) and that will remind you of your parents and your graduation each time you see it.

Congrats on graduating!

Lyn

-- Lyn (lyn.bennon@alcoa.com), May 10, 2001.

Lindsey, Congratulations! I have a daughter graduating also in a couple of weeks. Her suggestion to me was a laptop computer for college. Although I would love to give that to her, unfortunately it is not in my pocketbook. I was thinking luggage. My parents gave me $100 back in 1979. I don't even recall what I spent it on. Ask for something that you can use your whole life and remember that they gave it to you. Good luck in the future.

-- JoAnn in SD (jonehls@excite.com), May 10, 2001.

I received a sewing machine for my high school graduation and I have used it to death, literally. It finally gave out on me after 25 years and I replaced it last year. I have found that my sewing machine was something that gave me both pleasure and was practical. Obviously, you have to like sewing for this to be a good gift.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), May 11, 2001.

I graduated back in "71, and I got my first horse for graduation. I was thrilled. Of course it was just a grade mare cheapy...but it got me started. It cost $150. You couldn't do that now adays.

-- Lynette (fear_the_bear@webtv.net), May 12, 2001.

Listen to "Old Dad" here, and don't get your shorts in a knot. The fact that you said "I've went blank" leads me to suggest that some lessons in the proper use of the English language might be in order. As your English teacher, assuming he (I abhor the modern politically correct he or she), had English as a first language might advise, the proper phrase would be "I've gone blank". You will never be more critically judged than by your use of the spoken language. To a lesser degree, you will also judged severely by your written communications. In the latter, however, you will have the luxury of reviewing your attempts before they are offered for consumption. Work on it. And if you want a monetarily valuable gift, I would suggest stocks or bonds. Were it my choice, I would be most happy with the love and support of those who have gotten me to where I am today. And by that I mean those who have taught you the mores and values to live a full and fruitful life. There is no greater gift! Have fun with your life, help others but only in a firm manner, and enjoy this wonderful existence as it is meant! And, of course, Good Luck! Yr Obdt Svt, the Old Weird Maineiac --

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), May 15, 2001.