College grad gift

[wildflower810]

H's cousin graduates college next weekend and I guess I'm in charge of finding her a gift. She majored in art something. Painting, pottery, that kind of thing. I'm not exactly sure what her next steps after college are... she's been doing an unpaid internship somewhere for the last semester. She won't be flat broke and on her own, though, I can say that much. So I can't really go the route of "here's a Walmart gift card, use it for groceries."

Ideas? H is zero help even though she's like a sibling to him. It might be too late to order something online... but we have a good selection of stores around here.

[thechickencoop]

Nice bottle of liquor/wine and a restaurant GC.

[MapleMomma]

I'd agree with something that could be used for interviews, but I'm not sure what that is for an art major.

[kayladawn91]

I would either do money or, as others have mentioned, something to help her as she goes to pursue a job. Maybe a portfolio where she can keep pictures of her work? A nice briefcase? If you're not sure, I would say money or a gift card would be the best bet.

[Deleted]

Gift card to an art supply store. Art supplies are expensive.

[river]

A gift card to an art supply store would probably be appreciated. What medium? Dick Blick and Utrecht are good places for canvas, paints, brushes, etc. If she's into photography, B&H and Adorama are good.

[wildflower810]

Oh, I like the art supply store idea. I'm not sure where she usually goes... I texted her mom and asked. I guess I can do a mainstream store like Michael's if I have to.

thechickencoop, this is the side of the family that was the reason we had a dry wedding. No liquor here!

[mosdub]

May 14, 2016 19:12:22 GMT -5 W said:

Is there some sort of art subscription box you could do for 6 months?

Here is an idea:
www.smilecreaterepeat.com

^i didn't do extensive research, just an idea

wildflower810

I went into the arts and can say that a gift card for any art supply store would be fantastic.  That being said, I would have LOVED one of these subscription things.  One of those things she wouldn't spend money on her own but would probably genuinely enjoy (I would!)  

I was actually just looking into this because of the ipsy/birch box conversations.  I wanted one with art supplies and stumbled upon getsketchbox.com/ which looks pretty cool. 

[lilsneezy]

I'd go with a gift card to Dick Blick. Any artist would appreciate that.

[Rama]

I've heard from others (and found myself) that as I get older, gift cards to/for food are actually pretty amazing. Even if she isn't going to be destitute, having a grocery or gas gift card would give her the wiggle room to spend her own money on maybe something she wouldn't have thought she could afford otherwise.

Also, with gift cards to restaurants, a some people hesitate to eat out at somewhere that isn't fast food, so a free meal or two at something like Olive Garden or Outback Steakhouse or whatever you have in the area is a nice way to get them to treat themselves.

[wildflower810]

May 14, 2016 19:32:56 GMT -5 mosdub said:

May 14, 2016 19:12:22 GMT -5 W said:

Is there some sort of art subscription box you could do for 6 months?

Here is an idea:
www.smilecreaterepeat.com

^i didn't do extensive research, just an idea

wildflower810

I went into the arts and can say that a gift card for any art supply store would be fantastic.  That being said, I would have LOVED one of these subscription things.  One of those things she wouldn't spend money on her own but would probably genuinely enjoy (I would!)  

I was actually just looking into this because of the ipsy/birch box conversations.  I wanted one with art supplies and stumbled upon getsketchbox.com/ which looks pretty cool. 

Oh, I like this idea a lot. I wasn't planning on spending quite that much money... but it's a fantastic idea. 

[wildflower810]

May 15, 2016 0:27:03 GMT -5 Rama said:

I've heard from others (and found myself) that as I get older, gift cards to/for food are actually pretty amazing. Even if she isn't going to be destitute, having a grocery or gas gift card would give her the wiggle room to spend her own money on maybe something she wouldn't have thought she could afford otherwise.

Also, with gift cards to restaurants, a some people hesitate to eat out at somewhere that isn't fast food, so a free meal or two at something like Olive Garden or Outback Steakhouse or whatever you have in the area is a nice way to get them to treat themselves.

Thanks for reminding me. That was one of our favorite type of gifts when we got married.

[MapleMomma]

May 15, 2016 6:48:28 GMT -5 wildflower810 said:

May 15, 2016 0:27:03 GMT -5 Rama said:

I've heard from others (and found myself) that as I get older, gift cards to/for food are actually pretty amazing. Even if she isn't going to be destitute, having a grocery or gas gift card would give her the wiggle room to spend her own money on maybe something she wouldn't have thought she could afford otherwise.

Also, with gift cards to restaurants, a some people hesitate to eat out at somewhere that isn't fast food, so a free meal or two at something like Olive Garden or Outback Steakhouse or whatever you have in the area is a nice way to get them to treat themselves.

Thanks for reminding me. That was one of our favorite type of gifts when we got married.

Date night gift cards are my favorite too. I request them for Christmas/birthday.

[akraus2015]

Many of my customers are purchasing engraved necklaces or cuff bracelets with the coordinates to their childhood home or home town with a card or something that says "so you can always find your way back home".

Let me know if you want a link!

ETA: They ship really quickly!