<p>I truly want to get my daughter something unforgettable for a graduation gift. I don't have much money, but I do have time (On temp disability). She has diligently paid her own way through college w/ only the help from grants, and loans, and a few scholarships of small amounts. She has worked full time the whole time in college. She even worked doing janitorial work at her private high school, where the money was taken right off her tuition. She has soooooo many friends that are near and dear to her heart, so I was kind of thinking how I could include them in some kind of surprise, she also takes her faith in God very seriously, and is very involved in church. Since she had to work 2 full time jobs for a period of time, she had to drop out for a year while going to college. So it took her 5 years to get her bacceleurete degree. Most of her friends have graduated in 09. Like many of these young determined kids these days, She has had no choice but to put all her blood sweat and tears into getting her degree on her own and worked more than hard for it. She is adored and respected by so many for her caring yet firm leadership roles at both her jobs. Plus she really walks the Christian walk. She's a true blessing to all her friends, coworkers and family, always putting herself second. Do any of good folks out there have any ideas?? Possibly some that may include her friends and a surprise. Sorry about going into a condenced version of her life, just thought it may help w/ ideas. I thought about something like a scrapbook, but I don't know. I don't know why this is so difficult for me. Thanks in advance for any input!!, God Bless, Amy</p>
<p>This is going to sound hokie, but I mean it in all sincerity… as you have something many do not, time… </p>
<p>Write her your memories of her. Use the computer to help you organize in order. Any memories that are important to you. When she was born, first days of school, recitals, camps (how you felt leaving her), jobs she had, holidays, boyfriends, college applications and her decision… everything you just told us above. You can format to print into the size page of photo album from target or michaels, cut and mount with a glue stick. Use colored paper if you want and add a few pictures if you have doubles sitting around. Ask friends and family who have been close to her to contribute their own ‘page’ to the book. You don’t have to spend much money. The time, thought, and love you put into it will be something your daughter will cherish for the rest of her life.</p>
<p>One of the most precious gifts my mother ever gave me was a hand written book she kept of all the cute things my boys said as they were growing up. I had three boys in four years so it was hard for me the keep up with ‘recording’. It was my job to call mom to let her know what funny things they had done or said, it was her’s to put them in the book. It kept her in the perpetual loop of little boys being silly when we lived away from one another. I forgot about it for several years. She eventually gave me the book. My boys, now teenagers, sat with me one rainy afternoon while I read them the book. We laughed until we cried. They adored hearing the stories. I had forgotten so many. Some memories would have been lost forever had she not recorded them for me.</p>
<p>Give her something from your heart. Time is the greatest gift we can give our children. You have both to give, that’s all she wants or needs.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your daughter on her hard work and a job well done. Honors well deserved! Enjoy her accomplishments with her :).</p>
<p>You can also collect messages from people who have been in her life and who have strong feelings for or about her and all she has done. If you have or can get photos of them, that would strengthen the book even more! Congrats on your D–she sounds like an amazing young woman!</p>
<p>Alternatively, a memory quilt might be nice, with patches sewn together that are decorated or written on by people important in her life, especially YOU (depending on if you are comfortable sewing). It’s really not as hard as it may look and fabric is pretty inexpensive.</p>
<p>Wow, what a wonderful daughter you have. Some friends of ours sent out requests for memories, photos, thoughts of their son. They compiled all this into a book. Then, they had a B-day party for him and put out scrap booking materials for people to add to the book. I always thought it would be great for graduation. Maybe the party could be at the church.</p>
<p>If I had time, I’d get select pictures of grandparents, child scanned, and make into digital scrapbook. Friends could do the same, adding captions.</p>
<p>great to have such a fine dtr</p>