Class of 2019 Gift Guide

Rachael Severino is a senior at Sachem North High School in Sachem School District. She has penned short stories, poetry and is developing an impressive body of work. 

No matter what you choose, your graduate will be grateful you thought of them and got a present suited to the new life they are beginning. Remember to hug them and wish them well on their journey.

June has arrived and so has that date in your calendar labeled Graduation. This ceremony’s importance represents moving on from thirteen years of required education to a university, job, or even a year of travel and experience. As with all big life events, gifts are typically given. What to get is often the question. You do not need to spend copious amounts of money to show your graduate love and admiration, but do put thought and care into it. 

Present your graduate with a heartfelt gift; like a framed photo for them to keep as they enter a new chapter in their life. Take your favorite picture of yourself and the graduate, blow it up on glossy photo-paper, then have it framed. When things get rocky at a new job or college far from home, this gift will provide a familiar warmth and life-long comfort. 

Books about starting a life on your own, typically for college freshmen, are a helpful and stabilizing gift. There are plenty of guide books offering direction to college freshmen and people living on their own for the first time. Many of these books are even written by authors the same age as the graduate, providing genuine insight. 

Jewelry is an excellent gift for a female graduate. Earrings, necklaces, and rings accented with the main color of their new university, can show how excited you are for her to start college. 

If you know your graduate is moving away for college at the end of the summer, consider purchasing some of the items on their dorm check list. A more expensive backpack for the next couple of years can also be a hit. Fjallraven Kanken Backpacks have an excellent selection as they are water resistant, durable, easy on the back, and come in various colors and sizes. These backpacks can survive any climate and more than just a few textbooks. 

Fun, more kitchy presents to keep in a new apartment or dorm are always appreciated. A small popcorn maker will guarantee yummy snacks for late night projects; while a coffee machine will help keep them energized even on the longest of days.  

A travel mug is incredibly helpful for those who are on the go. If they’re heading to back-to-back classes or shifts, a tumbler to hold their warm drink–or even soup–is a Godsend. 

And, as with everything, cash to help start this new chapter of their life is the easiest go-to and most useful. A new college student can put the money towards textbooks or their first tuition payment.