Personalizing Graduation Gifts #CapturedCreations

Graduation is a really BIG deal no matter how young or old you are.  This year is my 20 Year High School Reunion and I remember graduation day like it was yesterday.  It was a huge deal for me and I have carried those special memories and mementos from that day with me for all of these years.  6 years ago this month my sweet, round faced little boy graduated from Preschool and that was a really, really big deal too complete with cap & gown and a wonderful graduation ceremony.  When someone we love graduates we want to celebrate that accomplishment regardless of whether it’s Preschool or Graduate School.  How we celebrate with our favorite graduates is up to each of us.  For me, celebrating is finding a way to add a personal touch to their day because those are the memories that stand out the most from my own graduation.

I always, always try to include a handwritten note even in a purchased card.  It’s a momentous occasion, and a milestone, regardless of age, and I feel like handwritten things are few and far between these days.  I know I treasure those notes, and save most of them. Depending upon my relationship with the graduate- I usually include something else. Perhaps some cash, perhaps a trinket gift, even a congrats balloon for my favorite Pre-K or Kindergarten Grads.

When the graduate is extra special a personal gift is important to me.  Personal Gifts don’t have to have a monogram, or a name. When I say personal gifts, I’m talking about gifts from the heart or gifts that show your connection.  A framed photo, or a mounted with a favorite photo memory you share… even party decor featuring the graduate’s photo are sweet ideas. This was our last kindergarten graduation, so it was bittersweet for us as parents. All 3 kids had the same teacher, in the same school, and we wanted to kind of honor the occasion with something fun that was special to not just us but the kids too, and we decided to mark the occasion by making a special photo memory to keep on our mantle, and remember our fun together times now that the littlest one is “bigger” and able to do more “cool” stuff. Now we have a keepsake photo mounted on a 3/4 durable mounting board with black edge that helps us to both celebrate and remember the kids’ graduations from kindergarten.

 

When my niece “marched” for graduation with a dual degree last year, we got her a beautiful frame for her diplomas to fit in from her Alma Mater.  She also happens to be godmother to my youngest and she’s babysat the kids when we both have to be away so we really wanted to do something extra for her, something super personal.

This year I have another special niece graduating high school.  I was there in the delivery room the night she was born.  On this, the 20th anniversary of my high school graduation (which happened to be the 20 years after her mama graduated), I’m feeling extra sentimental.   This niece is quite a local track star.  We had one a really great photo of her wearing one of her running shoes and one of her high heels blown up onto canvas.  We then added an inspirational quote to it.  Her

Walmart Photo has so many products to make celebrating your favorite graduate – from preschool to post-doctorate- easy.  From photo prints and cards, which are great for announcements and invitations, to personalized photo gifts like photo books and wall art (like our inspirational canvas), products can be created online and shipped to your home or picked up in-store.  Many products are even available in 1-hour or Same Day.  You can also order Celebration Kits and more.  I’m helping my sister throw my niece’s graduation party so I think I’m going to order a special photo banner for her.  It will look great at the party but will be a wonderful memento to tuck away.

 

Thanks so much to Walmart Photo for sponsoring today’s personalizing graduation gift ideas post and for making such great ways to celebrate memories through photos!