Best Gifts for Grads Encourage Dreams and Goals

WASHINGTON, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- From college to kindergarten, millions of graduates will march single file this Spring. Susan Bosak, who runs LifeDreams workshops with the Legacy Project at www.legacyproject.org, suggests skipping the traditional gift of a pen or briefcase. Mark this milestone by giving a gift that speaks to the dream, that recognizes who the graduate is and where they're going. Bosak offers creative twists on standard gift ideas.

Graduation represents the achievement of one goal and the start of a new one. The ability to set and achieve concrete goals plays a big part in life success. The most valuable gift any graduate can receive is the encouragement so essential to moving forward and going after dreams.

"For young children, a graduation is a chance to develop self-esteem and belief in your ability to achieve something," says Bosak. "For the high school and college grad, it's a chance to look back proudly with a sense of accomplishment and forward with excitement toward bigger life dreams."

So, be creative in your gift giving by connecting to the graduate's dreams:

-- Design a personal diploma to go with the institutional one. Use evocative phrases, inspirational quotations, and family photos.

-- If you give money, accompany it with an imitation $1 million bill as a wish for future riches and a financial planning book. Or, designate money for a specific purpose related to the graduate's goals.

-- Put together a dream kit. If the graduate wants to travel, give a set of luggage, a compass to help them always find their way, travel books, and perhaps airline tickets.

-- For children, start an end-of-school-year tradition. Write a letter with your child about what happened during the year, special memories, successes, and failures with lessons learned. Save all the letters and present them at high school graduation.

-- Children's picture books are good milestone gifts because they often concisely capture an inspiring message. Bosak's book "Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes" (TCP Press, $17.95) has won 11 national awards, including the Pinnacle Award as Best Gift Book. It combines artwork from 15 top illustrators, inspirational quotations, and a poetic story about hopes and dreams across a lifetime.

For more creative graduation gift ideas for elementary to high school to college, visit www.legacyproject.org/guides/gradgifts.html.

Media Contact: Brian Puppa, Legacy Project, 905-640-8914, [email protected]

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SOURCE Legacy Project