Susie Steckner Special for arizonamoms.com
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 30 2008 9:36 pm
Eight-grade graduations are a big deal. You're babies are now heading off to high school. Celebrate with some style.
For girls:
1. Look for an inspiring piece of jewelry, such as a graduation bracelet with the words "believe," "success" and "achieve," at www.personalcreations.com for $15. Or consider "The time is right" silver necklace from www.uncommongoods.com for $60.
2. You'll find loads of graduation-themed picture frames to help a young girl show off special moments. Try the graduation autograph frame, which allows friends to write messages on the mat, at www.personalcreations.com for $30. Also, check out the $10 personalized "08" graduate frame and the $15 graduate keepsake frame at www.orientaltrading.com.
3. Personalize some colorful stationary or notepads that the grad can use for thank-yous and every day notes. Do it yourself with store bought paper and your computer. Or check out fun notepads at www.sweetiepiecards.com, which offers 4 pads for $35, or the graduate notepad at www.thestationerystudio.com, which costs $20 for 200 sheets. Round out the gift with a nice pen.
4. Memory boxes can hold pictures, tassels, special notes, pressed flowers and more. Three options are: the rotating graduation memory box frame at Valley Target stores for $17; the personalized graduation memories keepsake box at www.personalizationmall.com for $30; or the graduation-cap shaped memory box at www.centurynovelty.com for $17.
5. Give a mall gift card so the grad and a friend can shop, have some fun and stay in touch over the summer. Try Valley Westcor malls for cards, starting at $20.
For boys:
1. For the grad who's been active in sports, band or other activities that were chronicled with photos, put together a keepsake memory book at www.shutterfly.com. You can personalize the cover, pick the layout and add photo captions. An 8 x 8 "story book" with 20 pages starts at $30.
2. Get a movie gift card so the grad can see friends over the summer. Try any Harkins theatre or order through www.harkinstheatres.com for cards starting at $10. Add a Harkins loyalty cup ($4) or T-shirt ($20) and the grad can get cheap drink refills or free popcorn when he goes to the movies.
3. Buy a T-shirt, pennant or any item emblazoned with the grad's new high school name or mascot. Check campus bookstores for merchandise. Add a few school supplies and pack it all up with a gift bag and tissue that match school colors. Costs vary.
4. For the sports lover and computer user, try a leather Rawlings mouse pad with a two-line message (the name of the grad's new school or Class of 2008) at www.personalizationmall.com for $28.
5. Put the grad on the cover of the fictional Dream Big magazine at www.personalizationmall.com for $30. The cover features the grad's picture and name, school name and a personal message from the gift giver.
