[King Rudi]

So my youngest offspring graduates next month and I'm looking for graduation gift ideas. I'm not opposed to cash but at the same time I'd much rather give him a gift that has some meaning to it. The eldest graduated last year and I bought him a pretty expensive watch that he never wears.

What would you all consider a good graduation present?

[jlo0109]

A budget and general preference would help with answering your question...

A decent entry level watch is always something good for a guy who's graduating, something that he can use in many foreseeable future occasions.

[Banana Hammock]

A puppy.

[BSM n54iS]

Taking your right shoe off before booting them out..?

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by jlo0109

A budget and general preference would help with answering your question...

A decent entry level watch is always something good for a guy who's graduating, something that he can use in many foreseeable future occasions.

This is going to make me seem incredibly cheap, but there are factors in this situation that make me refuse to spend big money that I won't get into. I'm thinking $500. I would generally lean toward a watch as I'm a watch collector myself, but really hate to spend money again that will be wasted.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by pasghetti

A puppy.

Adding another dog to the mix at their mothers house is tempting. I think if I were to buy an animal for him to take to his mothers, I'd probably get him a lynx.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Taking your right shoe off before booting them out..?

[EJT86]

Take the unworn watch back from the oldest and regift it to the youngest

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by EJT86

Take the unworn watch back from the oldest and regift it to the youngest

Right??? I'd love to. The younger would actually appreciate it. He's already laid claim to my Tag F1 if "something were to happen to me."

[se15679875]

Originally Posted by Just_Jody

This is going to make me seem incredibly cheap, but there are factors in this situation that make me refuse to spend big money that I won't get into. I'm thinking $500. I would generally lean toward a watch as I'm a watch collector myself, but really hate to spend money again that will be wasted.

$500 is a lot of money. Nothing cheap about that amount.

[F30lolz]

Buy him some shares and see what happens?

[UncleWede]

Suitcase (possibly with airline tickets to Europe)
Business suit (not sure of major)
Computer for college
hookers/blow

[EJT86]

An IOU is as good as cash

[qba335i]

A nice automatic watch. Depending on the budget: Omega, Rolex, Panerai...

I know it's over the $500 budget - but it's a nice gift that will serve him many years.

[VPB74]

When both of my sons graduate from college (about a year apart), all three of us are going to Germany for Ockoberfest. Of course there's nothing in that for me...

[Mingwan]

A job.

[OF Hero]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Buy him some shares and see what happens?

I like this.

[se15679875]

Originally Posted by qba335i

A nice automatic watch. Depending on the budget: Omega, Rolex, Panerai...

I know it's over the $500 budget - but it's a nice gift that will serve him many years.

I'd feel strange wearing a Rolex as a recent high school or college graduate. My children are many years from graduation and if they turned out to be super watch aficionados I wouldn't be opposed to getting them a nice watch. I'm probably biased though because I've never owned a watch more than a couple of hundred bucks.

I don't know if I agree with the part about "serving him [well]" for years. Watches by and large are status symbols and non-essential (but functional) jewelry. I have a Seiko and I wear mine mostly for looks.

I can imagine a potential employer seeing a teenager or 20 something year old kid wearing a Rolex forming negative opinions than positive ones (more often than not) based on assumptions - regardless of whether those assumptions are substantiated or baseless (spoiled/entitled if parents purchased it or irresponsible with own money by choosing to buy a multi-thousand dollar watch on what's probably a meager income at that age).

[Our03z4]

Originally Posted by OF Hero

I like this.

Me too. If he doesn't have a retirement account then start one for him.

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by Just_Jody

So my youngest offspring graduates next month and I'm looking for graduation gift ideas. I'm not opposed to cash but at the same time I'd much rather give him a gift that has some meaning to it. The eldest graduated last year and I bought him a pretty expensive watch that he never wears.

What would you all consider a good graduation present?

High school or College?

Originally Posted by Just_Jody

Right??? I'd love to. The younger would actually appreciate it. He's already laid claim to my Tag F1 if "something were to happen to me."

Problem solved. Gift him the TAG F1.

[EJT86]

Originally Posted by VPB74

When both of my sons graduate from college (about a year apart), all three of us are going to Germany for Ockoberfest. Of course there's nothing in that for me...

You sure that’s a good idea? I figure they might need to detox after leaving college

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by Just_Jody

So my youngest offspring graduates next month and I'm looking for graduation gift ideas. I'm not opposed to cash but at the same time I'd much rather give him a gift that has some meaning to it. The eldest graduated last year and I bought him a pretty expensive watch that he never wears.

What would you all consider a good graduation present?

Told my kids they can go anywhere in the world. Daughter chose Japan 2 years ago.

Son graduates this year...initially said Australia, but think he's changing to Hawaii (friend from his hockey team, lives there). He better decide soon...

My parents got me shit...so I'm compensating,

Edit: Now that I see you put in a limit...any hobbies, like golf clubs or something similar?