Ladies, if you were graduating from college...

[gailrmv]

hi Ellen!! You are so thoughtful. I''m a little late to this thread, but...

I can tell you want to get her something that she will really like and that will be either useful or a keepsake. I personally would love to receive a tiffany silver necklace for such an occasion. I really like the teardrop and the bean. People are right though, you do see these items on a lot of teenage girls these days, making them less unique.

Another idea, maybe a nice leather wallet? I recently treated myself to a nice wallet that cost in the range you are looking at, which makes me smile every time I use it.

How about a framed print of her alma mater? If you type in the school''s name on art.com, they seem to have a great selection for many schools! I just got some framed posters from there and the quality was very good, plus it was fun to choose my mats and frames. They run 20-25% off coupons all the time, if you decide to order from there you can probably just google to get the coupon code if one doesn''t automatically come up at the top of the screen.

One more idea, what about an experience for the two of you, such as a spa day or a special meal at a nice restaurant? Just throwing out some ideas!

Let us know what you choose!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/16/2008 10:32:48 PM
Author: thing2of2
I get what you mean about ''topping'' the Tiff''s gift. Hmm...is it possible to get her a pair of earrings now and a necklace that matches for her next graduation? Another part of a set would be a great gift for the next graduation.

Or you could give her one earring now and the other earring when she''s done with ortho school!

Ha! Now that would be incentive to finish wouldn''t it??

I like the idea of getting her one thing now, and the other to match later on. However, there aren''t a lot of earring choices to match, and the one I really like, the Orchid Drops, are 400.00. I just can''t spend that much. They have the fish too, which is more reasonable, and while I like it and it''s different, I''m just not sure if she would....

I think I may get her a necklace, and then maybe just plain hoops later on, that would work I think.



Thanks to everyone else also, I really liked reading all your suggestions!


havernell, I understand what you''re saying, but she really does have two sides (girly/brand name vs. earthy). So I think she''ll like the Tiff piece, but I do want to get something a bit different.

 

[iheartscience]

Well if you don''t want to give her just one earring, a necklace and simple hoops later sounds perfect!

(Or vice versa.) I''m sure she''ll love whatever you get for her-it seems like you know her well and you are obviously a very fun and generous auntie!

 

[Ellen]

Aw, thanks 2.

 

[justjulia]

A lambs wool car seat cover. (Really, these are cool.)

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/18/2008 8:36:00 AM
Author: justjulia
A lambs wool car seat cover. (Really, these are cool.)

 

[gwendolyn]

Hmm, this may not be at all her type of thing, but for ~$150, you could probably get a room at a pretty B&B. That''d be nice and relaxing and lovely and a good treat after the hard work of college. Plus, it sounds like you''re thinking ahead to her next graduation when you sound like you want to get her a Tiffany piece (which is a great idea). So this way you could give her a lovely experience for one graduation, and a beautiful keepsake for the next! Maybe?

I know I personally would love that, but maybe that isn''t her style. Just trying to help!

Also (imagine this is tiny font, like I''m whispering, since I don''t know how to do it), the next time you''re in a bookstore you should really check out that Sandra Boynton book. She is all at once funny, silly, sweet, endearing and deep. I tried to see if Google Books had it where you could read it online, but they do not. Anyway, it''s awesome! Ok, I''m done pushing my ideas on you.

 

[Ellen]

lol! Yer funny Gwen.

I actually was going to try and find that book this week at the mall.

And that's a nice idea about the B&B, but I'm not sure if that would be her thing....

I've also had another thought. Since I can't get a necklace and earrings to match from Tiff's, and I kinda want the Tiff piece as the last hurrah, I could look at my local jewelers for something. If I got her a Tiff necklace now, and Tiff hoops later, well, hoops aren't that big of a deal. You can get those anywhere. So I may see what he has first. I gotta hurry though, not much shipping time here...

 

[gwendolyn]

Yay about you checking out the book! That totally made my day!

Honestly, you know her so well that I am sure you will find something that is perfect. I am lucky enough to have a couple of aunts like you, and I know they always put a lot of thought and love into the gifts they give me because they are just so ''me,'' you know? Your niece is very fortunate to have you.

And yeah, if you DO find something at your local jeweler''s, post pics ASAP.

 

[Heidi137]

I you can''t find anything locally, Blue Nile has some really pretty pieces. Shipping is next day and I''ve been very pleased with my purchases so far.

 

[Ellen]

Thanks Gwen!

And I''ll definitely post if I find something.


And Heidi, thanks for the BN suggestion, that''s much better shipping time for sure. Especially if something were wrong with the piece, I''d have time to get something else!

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 5/15/2008 11:48:34 AM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Ellen, I probably just have one of their generic necklaces. I love the little bean ones. I got my bride''s maids the little silver tear drops. I think they are really elegant and go with anything. I love the jewelry idea (obviously!) and think it will be perfect since you have her a travel case for x-mas.


Also I thought maybe a really nice leather planner or something that would be helpful in school. Fancy pen maybe?

I agree here. Give her something that will help her organize her time. Maybe give her something like !103 towards to cost of a PDA ot PDA phone?

 

[Eva17]

Ellen, i vote for a nice piece from her auntie.... as a mom of boys, i love buying for my neice.

the T&Co pieces are all great, and you can''t go wrong with them.

perhaps you can find something local that you like too. the rope necklaces are pretty popular, and you may find something in that style that you like in a local b&m...

happy shopping!

 

[Ellen]

I went to my local jeweler's this morning and found a pair of earrings I really liked. They were within budget and WG to boot. They won't go out of style either. Unfortunately I can't show you because she wrapped them up. I'll show you the box though, it's purty.

The earrings look like these sort of, but deeper on all sides and squared off. They are smooth on all sides but the front, which has a criss cut design on it. Not sure if I explained that very well, but I tried.

Anyway, I think she'll like them, and I feel better for buying something from this jeweler. I haven't really used him much, just cleaning/prong checks, and I bought my new WB from him, so I wanted to establish more of a relationship. So it's all good. And I'll get her the Tiff piece next time.


Oh, and I had my Ering and studs cleaned and the gal commented on what gorgeous jewelry I had, and that it was evident I took very good care of my stuff.

The box.

And thank you ALL very much for your help!

 

[Skippy123]

Ahhh, lovely, she will love them!!!

 

[FireGoddess]

Sounds like a great choice Ellen! If they''re half as pretty as that wrapping job, they will be fantastic!! Now be a good PSer and make her put them on immediately, and then do a photo shoot. Y''know, under the guise of excitement for her, not because we''re here circling like vultures or anything.

 

[Ellen]

Thanks you two!

FG, you are hilarious!

Good idea. And good to see you around.

 

[krisvrn]

I think Skippy''s idea is great. A new grad can always use cash but also something tangible is wonderful.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Those sound really pretty, Ellen, and white gold is a bonus over sterling, too! I had an aunt who spoiled me with jewelry when I was growing up, so I think a jewelry gift is perfect!

 

[Ellen]

Thanks ds. I agree, it was much easier to pay that price for WG than sterling!

 

[Ellen]

Just wanted to let you all know I gave her the earrings yesterday. I noticed the necklace she had on right off the bat, it was a bar drop style, with rhinestones in it. I knew right away I had done ok with what I picked, as she obviously liked that style. And she really was thrilled with the earrings.

FG, she did not put them on, as it was mass confusion. It was a double grad party, her cousin graduated also. They were both opening presents, and we were all crammed in a very small space as a HUGE storm had blown up, so everyone was packed inside like sardines. So no pics unfortunately.

 

[Rhea]

No photos? Clearly she wasn''t in her right mind!

Congratulations to her and her cousin!

 

[gwendolyn]

Oh, I just saw that you updated this thread! The earrings sound fab, and the box looks like it was beautifully wrapped! I am sure she loved them.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 5/26/2008 1:07:58 PM
Author: Ellen
FG, she did not put them on, as it was mass confusion. It was a double grad party, her cousin graduated also. They were both opening presents, and we were all crammed in a very small space as a HUGE storm had blown up, so everyone was packed inside like sardines. So no pics unfortunately.

Shucks. Thanks for trying. Sounds like they were a big hit!!