Hello!
Graduation season is upon us and it tends to be an occasion where many of us need to get a gift. I have two teenage boys in high school and graduation talk is all around my world. My son will graduate next year so I still have one more year to plan, thank goodness. I will ball my eyes out, but that is another story. But let's take a step back and think about WHY we are getting them a gift.
Graduation is a momentous occasion that marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and personal growth. As friends, family, and loved ones gather to honor the graduate's achievements, it's important to acknowledge their efforts with a gift that reflects the significance of this milestone. While a gift card or money may seem like a convenient choice, it can often be impersonal and lackluster. Instead, let's explore the reasons why taking the time to give a graduation gift with thought behind it can make all the difference.
Recognizing Hard Work - Graduates pour countless hours into their studies, sacrificing time and energy to pursue their education. By selecting a thoughtful gift, we acknowledge and appreciate their commitment to their goals. It shows that their hard work has not gone unnoticed and that we value their accomplishments.
Celebrating Individuality - Each graduate is unique, with their own set of dreams, aspirations, and personality. A carefully curated gift celebrates the individuality of the graduate, acknowledging their distinct qualities and passions. It shows that you've taken the time to understand who they are and what they love, making the gift all the more meaningful.
Adding A Personal Touch - A well-thought-out gift allows you to infuse a personal touch, demonstrating your deep understanding of the graduate's interests, passions, and aspirations. This attention to detail elevates the gift, making it truly special.
Embracing Excitement - Graduation is a time of celebration and excitement. By putting effort into selecting a thoughtful gift, you can match that level of enthusiasm.
Gift cards and money tend to be the most popular gift for Graduation, but sticking them inside an envelope is not the way to go, especially if you know the Graduate. This is why I created Disguise The Surprise, to give people an easy way to make their gifts more personal and exciting. The "Disguise The Surprise" gift box dividers allow you to create an experience of unwrapping multiple presents, building anticipation and delight. It's a wonderful way to extend the joy of the occasion.
Here are several ideas to make your Graduation Gifts more personal and exciting.
Graduation is a time for excitement and celebration. Add to the festivities by making your gift just as exciting. If you are giving a special gift such as a new cell phone, a nice piece of jewelry or watch, AirPods, or even a car...DISGUISE IT! The Disguise The Surprise dividers create a section around the one item in a shirt box to hold it in place. It literally takes less than one minute and your mission is accomplished. Add some fun tissue paper and any accessories if you wish, close your box and you are good to go. When they lift the lid and see what's really inside, that is where the excitement comes in. It is way more fun to watch someone open a gift when they don't know what it is. It's a simple thing, but the joy is real.
Ok, this would seriously be an AWESOME gift for a High School Grad! They are excited to head off to college and would love some swag items for the school they will attend. Packaging your gift like this creates a WOW factor all laid nicely in one box. This looks much nicer than shoving all of these items in a gift bag.
This box used 6 white dividers (3 length & 3 width). It has a t-shirt, socks, a koozie, a keychain, a lanyard, and pencils. Every graduate wants money! Roll up money and place it in the smaller side sections. It looks great and they will love it! I added some individually wrapped lifesaver mints in the smallest sections. You could leave them blank or add tissue paper, but I like to fill them all.
Click here to watch a video about this College Swag Box.
A convenient gift is to stick a gift card, check, or money in an envelope. But these kids have worked so hard to get to this day. Their gift should reflect their hard work and be just as exciting.
Instead, use the Disguise The Surprise gift box dividers to create sections to hold your gift cards and money. Add some
Graduation tissue paper (this is from Hallmark) and a solid color to make a nice presentation. Add in any other items tailored to the recipient's interests. This looks SOOO much nicer than sticking a card in an envelope. First off, an actual box will stand out from the stack of envelopes they will receive. This shows you care and want to make their day special. It's easy to assemble and looks great! This box used 7 clear dividers (3 length & 4 width).
Watch a video of this box here.Transform an ordinary gift card into an extraordinary gift. Make an impression that lasts.
This box includes a gift card but also has additional Graduation items to add to the party. Giving the grad a motivational book is a great item to include in your box. There are a ton of options out there, like this one from Hallmark for
College Survival Tips. I also like John Cena's book,
"Be A Work In Progress". I found this
stress fidget at Hobby Lobby which I thought was a good idea since they will have new stressors in their lives. Add a gift card and a nice pair of socks they can wear to work/internship, or even these fun
2023 socks from Hallmark that also comes with a tumbler. A found this super cute
diploma plush that makes a sound (several grad cheers in a cute voice) from Hallmark and rolled-up money. I could not find the diploma plush on the main hallmark website, but I found one store that has the link. I would check with your local Hallmark. The
graduation tissue paper was also from Hallmark. You could also place a larger book that is thin, like Dr. Seuss' "
Oh The Places You Will Go", on top of the dividers before closing your box for an extra surprise.
Watch a video about this box here.
The image above is an example of a motivational gift box. It is geared towards a girl, but you can take the idea and replace it with items a boy would love.
This box includes
"Positive Pens" from Target, a motivational bracelet (she will think of you when she wears it) from Nordstrom Rack,
"I Totally Got This" book & a
mini light-up marquee from Barnes & Noble, and a "Choose Happy" wooden block from Hobby Lobby. Don't forget to add some rolled-up money or gift cards. I like to add craft flowers to give it a pop of color. Close up your box and when they lift the lid and see all of these special items, they will be delighted. This box used 3 white dividers (1 length & 2 width).
Watch a video about this box here.
This box would be great for a college grad about to start a new job. Roll up money and put a gift card in one section. Purchase a high-quality writing pen for their new position. Find some special desktop items to inspire them on a daily basis like this wooden plaque. Barnes & Noble, Hobby Lobby, and Home Goods usually have fun grad items during the season. I found this Daily Desk Plaque at Home Goods, but they also sell in many places like Target. Add some festive tissue paper (the grad cap one is from Hallmark) and viola...a beautiful presentation! Their face will light up when they lift the lid. This box used 5 clear dividers (1 length, 3 width & 1 buffer strip).
As you can see there are so many ways to use the Disguise The Surprise dividers to make the Graduate in your life a special gift. I could literally make a thousand boxes that would all have a WOW factor. Each divider set comes with 12 dividers (4 varying lengths) and a storage box. None of the boxes shown here used all of the dividers. It literally depends on what you are putting in your box that determines the number of dividers you will use. Don't forget that the dividers are REUSABLE, making it a gift that keeps on giving.
Let's take the time to celebrate the achievements of our loved ones with thoughtful gifts that truly reflect their journey. A gift card or money may be convenient, but it pales in comparison to the personalized experience of a carefully curated gift box. They absolutely want money and gift cards, just rethink how you package them. Utilize the Disguise the Surprise gift box dividers to tailor each present to the graduate's interests, creating a memorable and meaningful celebration. Let's show our appreciation for their hard work, acknowledge their uniqueness, and inspire them to embrace the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
I am thankful to say that I was on our local KSDK Show Me St. Louis (NBC) to discuss all of these special ways to make special Graduation Gifts.
Click here to watch.
If you do curate a gift box for a Grad in your life, please tag me @disguisethesurprise so I can share and join in on the celebration.
Thank you & have a great day!
Duffy
