Graduation Keepsake and Gift Ideas

Graduation keepsakes today may be different from those of yesteryear, but still signify essentially the same thing. They are a gift or souvenir that relates to the accomplishment of graduation form either grammar school, high school or college.

Throughout the years, boys and girls, men and women, have enjoyed the ceremony of graduation. Graduation from grammar or high school in the United States is often marked with a large party. The graduate gets plenty of gifts from friends and relatives. College graduations are always a bit more subdued than those for the younger people are.

During the early part of the last century, young people often did not attend high school. Graduation from grammar school was considered quite an honor. If a family had money, they would send children to high school. In many cases, however, the children went on to work and help support the family.
In 1910, popular graduation keepsakes for those graduating grammar school included the following:

- School Photo
- Fountain Pen
- Diploma in leather cover

Today, when speaking of the most popular graduation keepsakes for boys and girls graduating grammar school, we think less of gifts and more of different things that mark their years in grammar school. These include a school yearbook, a diploma frame with an attached pen and autograph books or autograph animals.

Autograph books and animals have become popular in recent years among graduates from both grammar and high school. This is a way of having fun by getting all of their friends to sign the stuffed animal or autograph book. Friends can write their telephone number in the book or on the animal so that people can keep in touch. These graduation keepsakes are more popular for girls than boys. Boys will have their yearbook signed but will not generally have a stuffed animal signed. Girls, on the other hand, observe this practice even during high school graduation.

Years ago, when a young woman graduated grammar school, at about the age of 12 or 13, she was considered adult enough to go to work or even marry. Graduation was a somber ceremony and if the young lady got presents, they generally signified her adult status. A young woman upon graduating grammar school in 1910 might get a broach, locket or sewing kit as a gift.

Today, girls who are 12 or 13 are still considered children. They are not encouraged to put away childish things or become grown beyond their years. For this reason, young people often enjoy such fun graduation keepsakes such as stuffed dolls or autograph books to share with their friends.

College graduation keepsakes are more grown up items and include pen sets and leather bound covers for their diplomas. In some cases, a college yearbook may serve as a graduation keepsake.

High school graduation keepsakes generally include the diploma, the high school yearbook and the tassel. The tassel is the most beloved of all high school graduation keepsakes and usually cherished by both boys and girls. Most high school graduates in the United States hang their tassels on their rearview mirrors to signify that they graduated from high school and are ready for adulthood.