<p>Insomniac-
Because he really really really loved this other school. We are paying pretty much what we would have paid out of pocket for the in-state school for room, board, fees, etc., he has money from the university, and he's funding the difference with loans. That was his choice. Because he is very frugal by nature, that was the test to see if he felt strongly about the other choice. When he agreed to loans, we knew it was the real deal. And it has turned out to be a good choice for him.</p>
<p>The gift I wished I had received upon finishing college but didn't: a set of good basic tools. Has anyone else tried to hammer a nail with the heel of a Doctor Scholl sandal? I don't recommend it. This (the tools, not the retro footwear) is the gift I give most often to nieces and nephews upon graduation.</p>
<p>Wow, probably a backyard graduation party for D's HS graduation present. At one point years ago I told her if she would not have a big graduation party we would give her $1000 for graduation. I hate those parties/weddings where every last distant relative and acquaintance you haven't seen in years are invited. I always feel like it is such a money grab. I have told my girls this about their weddings as well, if you want to run away and get married and skip the hulabaloo I will be happy to provide the trip, much cheaper than paying for a wedding anyway.</p>
<p>Mathson got a laptop. He's also the recipient of M&D bank college without loans.</p>
<p>The college required that we buy the laptop from them as part of the fees so that graduation gift idea went out the window. We settled on a piece of jewelry, she got to pick the family vacation spot and take a friend and oh yeah, a loan free college education.</p>
<p>For college graduation, I got furniture for my room in my new apartment - a bed, a desk, a beanbag chair, a rug, and a chest of drawers with a mirror. I thought it was a fantastic gift.</p>
<p>We made and wrapped a beautiful certificate that said "Good for 4 years of tuition, room, board and a lifetime of love."</p>
<p>insomniatic, sweetheart, could you please learn the correct usage of apostrophe s? When it's "parents" or "parent's," "kids" or "kid's," when it's "graduations" or "graduation's"?</p>
<p>I'm not saying this to be rude. Just pointing out that you may have picked up a bad habit -- a habit you wouldn't want to make apparent in your college application essays ;)</p>
<p>For HS graduation, the kids have or will receive a laptop. When D graduated from college, we paid for a trip for her and her BF (which she surprised us by doubling as a wedding/honeymoon) and paid her rent through the summer until she got her first paychecks at her new job. For S, who graduates from college this year, we anticipate getting a (new to him) car. All the kids have/will have no loans when they get out of school.</p>