High school graduation is an exciting, yet often bittersweet time in every teen’s life. There’s the excitement of finally being through with high school and getting ready to head off to college or move out of mom and dad’s house to find a job.
On the other hand, there’s the challenge of saying goodbye to friends whom they may have spent nearly every day with since kindergarten. Transitioning from high school to college is an emotional experience, something a lot of graduates find more difficult than they ever imagined.
One thing you can do to make the process a bit easier, though, is giving little going away gifts to your friends at graduation. These gifts don’t have to be anything expensive or elaborate.
In fact, they should be small trinkets your friends can easily take with them as they embark on the next journeys of their lives. Here are a few ideas for going away gifts to give your friends at graduation.
Handmade Friendship Bracelets
You are never too old to make bracelets as tokens of your friendship. Instead of making the bracelets you made in elementary school using embroidery floss, you can now step up your game and make beautiful gemstone friendship bracelets our friends will love wearing and showing off.
Use gemstone beads to make bracelets that match your school colors, your friends’ favorite colors or their birthstone. There are lots of ways to make simple gemstone friendship bracelets.
With a little creativity, you can create your pals’ new favorite jewelry pieces.
Custom Wall Art
You can also make custom artwork to present to your friends. One popular option is a sign featuring images of the states you and your friend will be living with wording like “Friendship knows no distance” or “Distance means so little when you mean so much.”
There are countless ways to make these sentimental signs, and they are sure to be well-received as gifts.
“Open When” Letters
If you have ever spent any time on Pinterest, you have probably seen “Open When” letters. These letters are written in advance and given as a gift with instructions to open each one at certain times.
They are often shared between couples who are in long-distance relationships, sent to military spouses who are deployed, etc. They would also be a great gift for a close friend, too.
To start, all you’ll need is paper and envelopes. You can use anything you have lying around but, of course, cute paper and colorful envelopes create a more visually appealing gift.
Think about times when your pal may need a little pick-me-up. Once you’ve come up with some ideas, start writing your letters.
You could do one envelope that says, “Open when… You need a hug” and enclose a picture of you and your friend hugging. Also, one that says, “Open when… You are sick” and enclose a get well card with a small gift card for a pharmacy in your friend’s area will be a great gift.
Another thoughtful one is, “Open when… You are worried about the future” with a letter detailing the amazing things your friend has already accomplished along with some inspiring words.
The options for this project are absolutely limitless and creating this gift can cost as much or as little as you would like. With them, you can be “with” your friend and provide support when needed, even if you are thousands of miles apart.
Handmade Beaded Dreamcatcher
Ensure your best friend has sweet dreams as she enters the next phase of her life by giving her a handmade beaded dreamcatcher. Dreamcatchers hold a great deal of importance in Native American cultures.
They have become extremely popular among members of other cultures as well. They are beautiful and their meaning makes them appealing to anyone who has ever had a bad dream.
There are countless ways in which dreamcatchers can be made. Find a tutorial you like and choose colors and beads that suit your friend’s preferences.
This non-traditional dreamcatcher would make an excellent gift for anyone who is heading off to college or starting their first job.
As an added special touch, try using colors that signify something important between you and your friend. This can be something as simple as your school colors or colors from their childhood bedroom or dorm.
Pre-Filled Photo Album
If you and your friend have known each other for a long time, you probably have several pictures of the two of you together. Chances are, though, a lot of those pictures are on old computer hard drives, cell phones and social media.
Give your friend something to cherish by printing them out and putting them in a photo album in chronological order.
Traditional photo album not quite your style? You can also have photo books printed through services like Shutterfly. You can create a book that chronicles your entire friendship or have one made for something special you did together.
On the other hand, you could also skip the “book” idea altogether and have some of your favorite photos with your friend printed on a blanket she can curl up in when she’s feeling lonely. Even a coffee cup with a picture of you and your friend will be loved.
Photo gifts of all types make awesome gifts. Saying goodbye to friends at graduation is hard, but remember no matter how far they go, they will always be just a text message or a phone call away.
With the gift ideas listed above, you can give your friends something meaningful that will help you feel more connected regardless of how much physical distance there is between you.
The perfect going away gift doesn’t have to be expensive. When given from the heart, even the simplest gifts can have incredible meanings and become treasured items.
Asides from thoughtful gifts from friends, here are some ways parents can also help prepare your grad for their college experience.
