That time of year

Did I ever mention that I'm a rubber stamper?  Was, actually.  I haven't done much in the last few years but for a long time it was a big part of my creative life.  I taught workshops and classes at rubber stamp stores...stamping on fabric, using window templates, designing pop-up cards.  But that's fodder for another post.  I mention it because yesterday it struck me that we're nearing that time of year again...graduation month.  And I have a great idea to share, especially for those who are facing the 'multiple graduates' gift dilemma.

When Molly & K were 'around the age' and late spring signaled the yearly barrage of high school graduation/party invitations from friends, cousins and children of friends, I designed this gift certificate, somewhat out of exasperation.

8 1/2" x 11" cardstock, with return card/SASE insert

Don't let me hear, 'But I don't haaave rubber stamps...'  The main idea could be translated in many ways.  Stick with me!  This particular card was stamped (and colored in with Prismacolor pencils...I love an excuse to color) on a piece of cardstock in which I cut 4 slits to insert the return card/envelope.  The inside of the card requests the recipient's college address and asks to allow for a 2-3 week delivery time.  I write my address on the return envelope.  When we give one, I sign our names in the lower right hand area of the cardstock (below the inserted return card/envelope) with a small notation that it's redeemable anytime during freshman year.  I then purchase white or colored (8 1/2" x 11") envelopes to use (and sometimes decorate) so that the certificate can be delivered flat.

Click for closer view

This may just have been my best idea ever.  Aside from not having to come up with individual gift ideas or that magic, appropriate monetary amount which is *enough* but not *so much* (especially when gifting a group of friends), everyone gets one of these and when they're redeemed, recipients are off at their own colleges...no comparing!  It also relieves the expense of a gift-heavy month. 

Remember that however many you give will eventually be redeemed.  It goes without saying that it's usually the day before you leave on your African safari trip or you've just returned from having a root canal that one of these will arrive in your mailbox.  (Hence, the 2-3 week delivery advisory note on the return card, also a subtle hint not to redeem it a week before the end of a semester.)  In anticipation, I always tried to have a few mailing boxes and plenty of brightly colored tissue paper on hand.  My care packages varied in size and content, depending on the recipient, but always included at least one type of homebaked cookie.  Additional insert ideas I've used at one time or another include:

• snack foods (nuts, fruit leather, chocolate)
• phonecards
• dorm toys (frisbee, foam boomerang, etc.)
• mug, hot chocolate, teas
• notecards/stamps
• seasonal holiday items/decorations (depending on redemption time)
• cold hard cash (always popular)
• funny items appropriate to the individual (I was always *on the hunt* ahead of time.)

Often a return card would arrive with a excited note that it had been forgotten and just found in a desk drawer...like getting a gift twice!  If you're stumped for gift ideas this graduation season and you don't mind sending packages, think about your own version of this.  What student doesn't love a care package?    

Comments

[Kelli]

SUCH a good idea Jan! I love it. Who doesn't want great mail? Especially when you are off to college.
I am facing the graduation fiasco this season with my adult friends getting out of grad school. I'm thinking a card, some homemade stationery and a mixed CD. Still personal and within my budget.

[Rebekah]

That is really a great idea, and it would be fun to put together the care package when it was time.

[Anita]

What an awesome idea!

[myra]

What an incredible idea! And your cards look amazing.

[Cordelia]

Care Packages! I used to love care packages!! You get a slip in your little school mail box, and you go to the window, and then you have a Package to bring back to your room, and *everyone* knows somebody loves you....

(Hm. Maybe that's why mail-ordering yarn (fabric, roving, patterns, whatever) is so much fun.)

That's a brilliant idea! I hope I remember it when my time comes.

By the way? I love any excuse to color too. :-)

[Judy]

Great idea! I wish I would have known about this about 8 years ago. My last neice is graduating next month, but I'm sure others will come up and I will definatly think of this to use for some of them.

I love to color too and even without the stamps it can be fun just to line draw and then color in the drawings!

[Julie]

Such a great idea! We have a nephew about to go off to college and I think this will be the perfect graduation gift!

[jess]

that's a fantastic idea! I'm filing this one away. :) thanks for sharing -- I love the colors!

[Emily]

You are so creative! I love this idea.

[Chris]

That's brilliant.

[Peeve]

Woah. I am seriously impressed with your stamp collection!

[Adrienne]

wow... that is GREAT!! I would have loved to receive one when I was away at school (who wouldnt like one now?! hehe) Very nice! Thanks for sharing!!

[Oiyi]

You are a genius. I love the idea.

Uh, your stamp collection is scary, but impressive.

[brenda]

cute idea!

[susan]

jan this is adorable. i will tuck the idea away for one year and keep it when i have lost one in the nest .... hey! i have that same fishy stamp in that box! your collection is amazing...

[Scribbles & Bits]

This idea is 100% gold!!!! Thank you for sharing it!!!!

[Scribbles & Bits]

Whoops! Hit post before I remembered that I wanted to comment on just how impressive your rubber stamp collection is! I love rubber stamps and coloring them in! With a collection like that, I thinkI'd be absolutely giddy!

[jme]

as a student, i declare this the best idea in the world!!! i think i've been deprived of the care package portion of my post-secondary schooling since i live in the same city as i grew up in :(

[wool winder]

Finally I know what to give all the graduates at church. It's so hard to think of what to give each year. I think this is the best idea ever!

[Kelli]

Yes, two comments to the same post -- I'm a bit of a weirdo. I can't help but look at those stamps and not drool. They are amazing. Did it take you forever to collect that many?

[Janet]

You are a GENIOUS! I am bookmarking this!

[Sonia]

What an awesome idea, Jan!
Really you are a very creative person and you have fairy hands, too.

Thanks for your visiting and nice comment about my landscape. I take this road to go to the city near us, to shopping, mall, library, bank, restaurant, doctor, etc. This road also goes to the house of my daughter Sofia and my son Fernando. They both live in a little city near us. I don't drive back and forth to work because my work is just at my home.I work with my husband on our enterprise, a real estate commercial, exposing houses and lots for sale, at Enseada Azul, where I live in.
Take a look on our site if you like to:
http://www.enseadaazulsp.com.br
Although all the text are written in Portuguese, you can see a lot of beautiful photos.
So long and have a nice day!

[Jennifer]

What a great idea! My little brother graduates next month and I think this would be perfect for him. I've had the hardest time thinking of a gift for him - I know he'd like cash or gift cards, very practical, and yet no fun for me. I think he'd like to get packages from me when he's off at school - Georgia Southern - and maybe this would work for my two cousins graduating this year, too!

[Lauren]

So clever! When I was in college (and still now) my mom sent great packages - my favorite was the annual box of Pennsylvania fall leaves! (maybe that sounds a little weird to some, but it was a great reminder of home)

[molly!]

Where did you have all those stashed? Didn't you get rid of a lot of stamps a few years ago? I guess you had me fooled.

[kristin La Flamme]

Super idea! It would work as well for your favorite soldier since sooner, or later, they're pretty much all going to end up deployed. Soldiers seem to love care packages, especially ones with cookies and soft toilet paper!

[Vicki]

This is one of the best ideas EVER!!! Thank you.

[Jo Hoddinott]

I adored getting packages from home as a student - another idea that I have given is to give a box of "reminders of home" to the future freshman. This often included photos of friends & family, postcards (I live in a touristy area so lots of postcards of local views etc. available), favourite biscuits/cookies, LARGE chocolate bar, phonecard, train/bus timetable, stamps and something to represent a hug for when homesick.

[Cordelia]

Great idea! As a recent college grad and now a graduate student, I can vouch for the wonderful gift a care package can be. Here's a few more ideas for what to include: Pens (nice juicy ones) and post-it page markers are my favorites. You can never have too many post-it page markers when you're working on a research paper!

[Norma]

Well, hot damn .... because I've been so busy, Jan, I missed this post, so I'm glad you re-mentioned it today in your thank you to Kay. I am a care package sender extraordinaire (seven years of experience, with a daughter who went to boarding high school and now college) and always like to try to encourage others to send them, but this takes the idea even one step further, and I LOVE IT!

[Sarah]

Whoa! This is such a fantabulous idea. I've been trying to think of a special idea for a neat person getting ready to graduate from high school. I love your rubberstamping. I used to do a ton of it, and would like to do some more again one day. Unfortunately, we lack the space to get them out and work with them.

[erika]

Such a great idea! I wish I had all of your stamps. ;)

[Strikkelise]

Fantastic idea. Really, really fantastic. I also learned a new word today; dorm toy. Pretty self explanatory, but still rather exotic to me :)

[snowbear]

okay, I saw all those rubber stamps and I actually said aloud (i'm sitting in a coffee shop rightnow) OH MY GAWD!
Who knew you were such a freak? ha ha
I can't wait to see the paper side of you that you've mentioned.
ha ha

[ML]

I'm going to send scarf yarn to my favorite freshman knitter!

[Robin]

I LOVE THIS IDEA! I hate sending cash only, so this was WONDERFUL!!! Another blogger gave me your link, and for that I am most grateful.

If I get this done for our friend, I'll be sure to hattip both of you!!!

:)