I was talking to my neighbor this morning and he mentioned how he was getting ready for all the parties he expected to have in May. Why the parties? Because his daughter was graduating college and his son was graduating high school. Each has their own friends and then there is all the family and friends of their father and late mother.
This got me thinking about the graduation gifts I need to buy. Oh, and Mother’s Day is May 9th so I also have to think about what to buy my mother and mother-in-law. Usually I get them flowers (cut flower bouquet – no vase) plus take them out to brunch or dinner. Both are non-clutter gifts.
But what do I get a high school boy and a college graduating young lady? Since the boy will be staying at home while going to a local college he won’t need anything for a dorm room. His sister may be moving out of state for a job so I don’t want to give her anything she would have to worry about moving to her new home. So the best solution will be to either give them money or a gift card. This way they can use it for things they need without me adding any clutter to their young lives.
Before you buy any gift for your mother or a new graduate think about how it will affect their life in the long term.
- Will it be nice in the short run but clutter in the long run? (a cute decorative wall hanging, silly/joke items, plants or flowers in a decorative vase – how many vases does one person need?)
- Is it something that is practical and they need or will improve their life?
- Is it something that is fun but won’t add clutter? (Tickets/gift card for a concert, amusement park, theater, or restaurant)
On the Flylady site there are some good ideas for the college bound teenager. The list is about halfway down the page. Check it out.
http://www.flylady.net/pages/ClutterFreeGiftsC.asp
While we are on the subject of school it’s time to honor all the teachers that help our children reach that great day of graduation. Next Tuesday, May 4 is National Teachers Day.
“The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.”
~Khalil Gibran
“Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.”
~John F. Kennedy
http://www.nea.org/teacherday/index.html
http://www.teacher-appreciation.info/
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Cinco de Mayo is Wednesday, May 5
http://holidays.kaboose.com/cinco-de-mayo/
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/cinco-de-mayo/
http://www.theholidayzone.com/cinco/
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Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9
http://www.holidays.net/mother/
http://holidays.kaboose.com/mothers-day/
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Janice