As Graduation invitations are trickling in, I find myself trying to think of meaningful gifts (along with the requisite check donation) for the graduates closest to our family. Gifts from the heart often means homemade, time-consuming and in some cases, expensive offerings, and with my own child’s graduation looming, I don’t have too much of either. But thinking creatively (and shamelessly stealing other mom’s ideas), I have a few graduation gift ideas for some special graduates:

• Personalized stationery and personalized note cards
• School supplies (binders, lined paper, pens/pencils)
• Personalized leather portfolio/binder
• Monogrammed anything (Class of 2010 paperweights, photo frames, pencil and pen gift set, etc) Lounge wear (you know they’ll use it)
• Gift cards to national chain restaurants or clothing stores
• College Survival Guides for Freshman (at your local bookstore) or other books that provide life lessons
• Laptop bag
• Care package (array of candy, comfy blanket, lounge wear)
• Poetry or words of inspiration
• Gift certificate to dinner and a movie
• Laundry bag
• Alarm clock
• Charging station for ipod and phone
• USB port
• Duffel bag or weekend get-away bag
• Personalized mouse pad
• Spa and shower set

-Laura, longtime fan of Pear Tree Greetings, shares her experiences with us as she
prepares for her oldest child to graduate from high school.

As I look out my kitchen window at the pile of stones, dirt, wheel barrels and workers in my backyard I can’t help but think that high school graduations prompt more than the “pomp and circumstance” found in the graduation ceremony! Looking around my neighborhood where there are a fair share of upcoming graduation parties, I see that the occasion also brings about home remodeling projects ranging from additions to furniture purchases to backyard updates.

“High school graduation parties were invented by women who finally have a reasonable excuse to implement home projects,” is my husband’s favorite joke these days. Could there possibly be a grain of truth to my husband’s callousness? I know that my daughter’s impending graduation gave me the opportunity to rip out our old and outdated deck and replace it with a stone patio (and since we’re already doing the work I reasoned, we might as well put in a fire pit, hot tub and basketball court…).

What is it about high school graduations that prompt this type of response in otherwise responsible and practical people? And this at a time when impending college bills come due? All I know is that I want to give my daughter a memorable bon voyage party that reminds her that home is where the heart is and that she has a large group of loved ones in her life who wish her the best in
her new adventures.

And there is all the more reason to celebrate her graduation under a backdrop of new furniture, fresh-laid sod, and a stone patio: after all, I’m practical - and killing two birds with one stone is merely what an efficient mother does!

-Laura,
longtime fan of Pear Tree Greetings, shares her experiences with us as she
prepares for her oldest child to graduate from high school.

This year, the anticipation of spring brings more than green grass and vibrant flowers. It also means that my first-born is leaving the house for the next big adventure: college. Have I taught her life essentials? Does she know not to mix colors and whites in her laundry? Will she remember to set her alarm? Eat her vegetables?

And those questions only cover the tip of the iceberg. With only a few more months at home, I try to impart a lesson here and there as we’re in the car or making dinner together. But I see how her eyes glaze over as I fork over a piece of advice along with a pork chop. But I can’t help myself. Honestly, I’m scared! I’m scared to send my only daughter out into this big world; my oldest child; my sweet innocent baby; my little love-muffin!

What advice am I passing along that she hasn’t heard before? During this emotional year, I’ve moved past the trite (but important) lessons: don’t get into a car with someone who has been drinking, take school seriously, be responsible, don’t go home with strangers, don’t do drugs, etc.

But I have evolved, and rather than giving nagging advice, I’ve now changed my tune to focus on her accomplishments and strengths. I want her to remember the following:

• We’re so proud of the person she is
• Family matters more than anything else
• Her kindness and compassion are important strengths that will guide her through many difficult situations
• She has been, and will continue to be, a source of incredible joy to her parents
• She is loved, loved, loved and oh, so cherished
• We will always support her, love her, be there, cheer her along, adore her, etc.
• I’m already stocking up on Kleenex in anticipation of her leaving for college, but I’m also happy for her and incredibly grateful that I had the good fortune to have her in my care for almost 19 years.

-Laura, longtime fan of Pear Tree Greetings, shares her experiences with us as she
prepares for her oldest child to graduate from high school.

I have my list and I’m checking it twice, even three and four times per day. It is the graduation party checklist… The list has become the personification of my mothering and caretaking of my oldest child – I want to give the proper sendoff as she marches into adulthood.

Over these last few months, the college countdown has started for both mother and daughter.  Kelsey’s countdown differs from mine: prom, graduation, senior party, graduation party, meet college roommate, pack up, drive to college, move in to dorm. She is giddy with excitement.

My checklist looks like this: pin down a date for graduation party, order graduation invitations, tables and tent, food and decorations. The list goes on and on while I’m keeping a case of Kleenex nearby at all times!

It is as if these last few events of high school have come to symbolize our kids’ final steps of childhood and the first shaky paces into adulthood. And to me, this symbolic journey explains why I have a long checklist in my purse and a box of tissues by my side. I can’t make time stop (and have my little girl back), but I can help her make memories in these last few weeks of high school
as she is preparing to pass the threshold into adulthood.

-Laura, longtime fan of Pear Tree Greetings, shares her experiences with us as she
prepares for her oldest child to graduate from high school.