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Cheap Graduation Gift Idea
You guys – this is the best cheap graduation gift idea EVER! As I write this I’m getting all teary eyed about the day I’ll give this surprise gift to my son on the day of his high school graduation. He’s four. However, I’m already planning ahead. No matter how old your child is, I think this is an inexpensive and truly meaningful gift you can gift to capture their educational journey. You could do this just for high school or just for elementary. It’s very versatile. My goal is to do this for both of my kids every year through 12th grade. Of course, it’s going to get trickier to keep it a secret as they get older – but I’m motivated.
Purchase Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
I first spotted this idea last year on facebook from my friend Melissa. Her children are in elementary school and she was sharing what she was doing at the end of the year. Genius! I love sentimental gifts. I also know that my teachers were instrumental in my life and having something like this would have been a treasure. I want to give that to my own kids.
To start your child’s gift all you’ll need is the book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! You really could use any book you want, but this one is perfect for the graduate.
Each year, at the end of the year, I’ll give the book to my son’s teachers to write a little note anywhere in the book. Last year was the first year my son was in preschool and so I decided to purchase the book and have his teachers sign it. Today I’m dropping the book off again and he’ll have his preschool teachers from this year sign it.
I made sure to note the year below their little messages so that in the future it will be easy to see what grade they taught.
Isn’t this the most special gift? For less than $20, I’ll be able to give my son something that he can treasure forever. And with inflation, I’m really saving money by buying my four year old his high school graduation gift now!
Am I right? 🙂
What cheap graduation gift ideas do you have that are meaningful?
This may be a wonderful “CHEAP” idea for a mom, but this is a headache for teachers! Teachers have a very full plate, especially at the end of the year. Just stop and think how crazy your May schedule can get. Now multiply that by 10. That is how much a teacher needs to accomplish the last month of school.
Of course most teachers have children of their own. They need to be there for them.
Think of another “cheap” present you could give to your own child.
Thanks for your feedback, but I respectfully disagree. As one who has asked teachers to do this for the last 6 years, I have never had a teacher complain about it. In fact, most have mentioned what a special thing it is to do. As a past teacher myself, getting the opportunity to leave a note that they will have in the future as encouragement is at the heart of what teachers do. You spend an entire year with a child and then they move on. With this book my kids will have a note that will remind them of the teachers that have shaped their lives long into the future.
I am a teacher and I agree. I wouldn’t mind taking a second to write a note to a student!!
What is the best pen to use for this project? I’ve already purchased the book, and I’d like to start this project for my son. Any helpful hints are appreciated!
You can use any pen. I like the fine tip sharpie, but honestly I just let the teachers use whatever they have on hand.
I appreciate your reply. Thank you for the wonderful idea!
I did this for my oldest daughter and now for my twins who are graduating High School in 2 days. Since they had so many teachers in HS, I asked only their favorite teachers. I dropped off the books to the main office and the teachers went there to sign them. My kids never knew. I suspect the younger two may have figured out that they’re getting one since their older sister did, but they don’t know for sure. So many teachers thanked me for asking them to sign it and were more than willing to help with this surprise. They received their books the day they graduated High School. I thought about trying it for my older daughter when in college, but didn’t know how to do so without her knowing. This is such a wonderful, sentimental gift for any graduate.
I am excited to share it with them someday. As for now, I’m having to be more sneaky as they get older.
Saw this idea on The Today Show this morning. I think it’s a great idea.
Oh, how I wish I had thought of this! What a great idea. My kids have graduated, but would have TREASURED this, had I done it. Blessings!
My son is in fourth grade. We have been doing this since Kindergarten. His principal is retiring this year so we are going to include her too. She writes a personal message on each report card. I love this idea.
I’ve been doing the same thing. I started when he was in Kindergarten. He’s in fourth grade now.
Absolutely love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Tracy!
I have a question.
I would like to do this for my son but was wondering if you ask the same teachers every year to sign it again. For example, he will have a different “HOME ROOM” teacher each year but may have the same P.E., Music and/or Art teacher. If the other teachers sign the book one year, would you ask them every year to sign the book again? Thank you.
I was able to pick this book up at Target last year for $5 during March, and had my daughter’s teachers sign last year, and will continue to do so. I should have picked up another one for my 1 year old since I have not seen them so cheap again…Hopefully I will by the time she starts Preschool in a year!