View Full Version : Graduation Gift Ideas?
Hello gents,
My little brother is graduating from college this summer and I need to get him a gift of some sort. I would like to give him something to mark the special occasion that he can admire for a long time. The obvious gift of nice shaving supplies is out. He and his SWMBO both like his fuzzy bearded face.
I am open to suggestions... what great gifts have you received or given that would be great for a young man that is bound to join the working world.
Here's some helpful hints:
Econ major, 3.9 gpa off to grad school.
Foodie
Wine Nut
Southern gentleman
Surfer
Thanks guys...
How about a case of good young wine and the offer to store it while he is still in school? help him get his celler started/ or a great chefs knife or two.
At the risk of prying. What are you looking to spend?
MJB
rossination
07-25-2006, 02:59 PM
What about a really nice bag for grad school? In the >$100 range, the Timbuk2 bags are fantastic (they come in all shapes and sizes), and he'd be sure to use it in school or just to carry things around (I have two, plus a laptop carrier). If you're looking to spend more than $100, you could always get him a nice leather satchel.
I'm a bit of a bag nut, to be honest.
moses
07-25-2006, 03:28 PM
Is serious about cooking, or just eating?
If cooking, there is no beating good cooking knives, especially if he is not already well supplied in the area.
Maybe even, depending on your price range, combine some good knives with a really nice maple or bamboo cutting board.....
If he's a keen surfer then get him one of these (http://www.rusty.com/index.cfm?page=2&board_id=7)
On the subject of good cooking knives you can't beat Maestro Levi (who also makes breathtakingly beautiful straights) more info can be found at www.straightrazordesigns.com
Depending on budget issues. . .
a good chef's knife as mentioned above
a subscription to Gourmet or Food & Wine
a gift certificate to Penzey's Spices
a care package with all of the above
Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm thinking the $250-$300 range.
inkling
07-25-2006, 08:31 PM
I'm a weekend foodie as well and my first thought was an excellent Chef's Knife. The problem is, if he knows his way around the kitchen he either already has a knife or has his mind set on one particular knife (it's a very personal thing). I would check with his SWMBO on that one.
Also, you could get him a nice Le Creuset glazed/iron casserole pot or a great piece/set of All-Clad cookware.
guenron
07-26-2006, 05:43 AM
Hello gents,
My little brother is graduating from college this summer and I need to get him a gift of some sort. I would like to give him something to mark the special occasion that he can admire for a long time. The obvious gift of nice shaving supplies is out. He and his SWMBO both like his fuzzy bearded face.
I am open to suggestions... what great gifts have you received or given that would be great for a young man that is bound to join the working world.
Here's some helpful hints:
Econ major, 3.9 gpa off to grad school.
Foodie
Wine Nut
Southern gentleman
Surfer
Thanks guys...
Ah! An ECON major.. Get him a bound volume of NM(ichael)MB's posts.
There's a vast difference (vas deferens?) between what one wants and one needs. A young foodie would certainly want a great dinner, or a case of good wine. I think he would be better served by receiving items of lasting value. That case of wine would soon become a fading memory, but a set of good knives or pots would provide decades of service.
You can impress people without spending a lot of money if you appear to have put a lot of thought into the gift. A few black steel pans cost hardly anything and would be appreciated by a true connoisseur. A much safer (and better looking) bet would be some Le Creuset pots, as mentioned earlier.
Still, if you were to canvass professional chefs, they would likely tell you that their most important tool is a knife. Don't buy him a set of Henckel's junk from Macy's. Get him a great chef's knife (preferably a gyuto) or small number of good, useful knives (chef, paring/utility, boning, slicing), and you'll be remembered for many years to come, each of the thousands of time he will use them.
Thanks for all the great suggestions. He's pretty much set in all those areas. Maybe describing him as a foodie was not correct. He worked in kitchens for 4-5 years before he went to college (Relais & Chateaux (http://www.relaischateaux.com/page.php3?lang=en)). He has explained to me that it is bad luck to give knives as gifts. Something about tradition... He has the All-Clad. And he subcribes to Art Culinaire... He got the Timbuk2 bag to go to school. So as you can see my options are not spectacular.
I was thinking more along the lines of work ready items. Books, pens, watches, shirts, ties.... Gentlemen stuff.
guenron
07-26-2006, 07:19 AM
Thanks for all the great suggestions. He's pretty much set in all those areas. Maybe describing him as a foodie was not correct. He worked in kitchens for 4-5 years before he went to college (Relais & Chateaux (http://www.relaischateaux.com/page.php3?lang=en)). He has explained to me that it is bad luck to give knives as gifts. Something about tradition... He has the All-Clad. And he subcribes to Art Culinaire... He got the Timbuk2 bag to go to school. So as you can see my options are not spectacular.
I was thinking more along the lines of work ready items. Books, pens, watches, shirts, ties.... Gentlemen stuff.
Charles Tyrwhitt has a (n up to) 70% off sale going on. Splendid shirts, etc.
moses
07-26-2006, 07:36 AM
Hmmm.... A nice watch might be very well appreciated, actually. That is a very personal thing, though, so only do it if you have a pretty good handle on his tastes. The real advantage of this though, is that it will last a lifetime (unless he loses it). Those other things like wine don't, as ouch pointed out. Even shirts and ties don't really, and they just get soaked into the wardrobe anyway, so....
Btw, I have heard that about knives, too, but whatever.... An old chinese woman told me it is ok if you wrap the blade in money.
Also, sounds like he is well set on knives and pans. But if you went that way, I certainly wouldn't go all-clad. I just don't feel it is worth the absolutely insane prices. Le Crueset is great, but also very overpriced. The difference, though, is that there aren't a million other options about as good for half the price.
The Irish and Italians both have issues with giving knives as gifts.
I have been told that if you gift a knife to Italians the recipient must give back a coin or the friendship will be cut.
My Irish grandmother told me that knives symbolized hunger in folklore so you would give bread also with the gift of a knife.
She also told me never move an old broom to a new house.
The Irish and Italians both have issues with giving knives as gifts.
I have been told that if you gift a knife to Italians the recipient must give back a coin or the friendship will be cut.
My Irish grandmother told me that knives symbolized hunger in folklore so you would give bread also with the gift of a knife.
She also told me never move an old broom to a new house.
Jim,
Irish & Italian is our mutt mix here and I have heard all that. Chef's feel that the gift of a knife if bad luck in all of those reasons and more apparently.
moses
07-26-2006, 08:15 AM
Bad luck or not.... If someone gave me a fantastic chef's knife, I would manage to get over my concerns about the luck somehow.... :rolleyes:
Give him a 3 to 6 month subscription for a gym if he doesn't have it yet. It's never too late to work on your condition and certainly when you're still young.
Dennis
07-26-2006, 01:08 PM
A nice fountain pen perhaps?
A good watch?
I would like to receive a nice chef's knife (currently use a Shun)...
Ouch has got me hooked on nice flashlights (damn you...) :biggrin:
Might need more information for further suggestions...
Dennis
moses
07-26-2006, 01:09 PM
Nice FLASHLIGHTS? interesting....
What ever happened to the trusty Maglight?
No offense to the Timbuk2 suggestions, but how about a really nice leather satchel or briefcase--very profesisonal and lasts forever.
I have one like this and its lasted for over 10 years with few problems--I even carry my MacBook Pro and iPod in it--it works great and looks beautiful.
Dennis
07-26-2006, 01:16 PM
Nice FLASHLIGHTS? interesting....
What ever happened to the trusty Maglight?
You have no idea... I had no idea either until I started looking around. Here would be some suggestions:
http://www.hdssystems.com/EdcUltimate.html
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/max_segment_listing/disp/strfnbr/6/sesent/00
That should get you started toward a FAD (Flashlight Acquisition....) :w00t:
Dennis
moses
07-26-2006, 01:25 PM
That's just scary.....
boboakalfb
07-26-2006, 01:25 PM
Or you can check out Candlepower Forums (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/index.php?)...more info then you would ever hope to know about a light. Remember, people aren't just fanatical about shaving...
I would have to agree with the leather breifcase/messenger bag or a nice pen or cufflinks. Something that will last that he can remember...
This is pretty much the only site you'll need for flashlights-
http://www.lighthound.com/
The Fenix models are a particularly hot item these days, and for good reason.
misterjoshua
07-26-2006, 01:31 PM
Dang, reading this site has gotten me interested in Atwood tools, interesting wallets, and now flashlights?!
Josh
What about an Oceanus watch. They look good. Are relatively unique. Set themselves by atomic clock. Are pretty rugged and just in if not a touch above the price range that you mentioned.
MJB
fuerein
07-27-2006, 03:31 PM
If you're looking for some more professional items, Levenger.com has some very nice professional folios, fountain pens, brief bags, etc. Just alot of nice looking professional items. I just recieved one of their zippered Circa folios today and it seems very nice, can even monogram w/ three initials for a more person touch and minimal extra cost. Just a suggestion.
This is pretty much the only site you'll need for flashlights-
http://www.lighthound.com/
The Fenix models are a particularly hot item these days, and for good reason.
We really need a post about this! help a brother out!
We really need a post about this! help a brother out!
Yeah! I did not understand this AD at all. Although whenever I need a flashlight there never seems to be one. Or, I have to do the shakey thing to get that warm amber glow.... :lol:
I think I've maybe settled on a decent watch... and I'm open for suggestions and places to look.
I would avoid automatic/winding at this price range. Good quartz watches in the price range you are looking.
Victorinox--Swiss Army watches are very nice and have a good selection in the price range. Avoid other Swiss Army brands which are by comparison lesser products.
Oceanus watches are nifty; they are actually made by Casio but marketed as their own brand. I would purchase through watchgear. They are 100 m water resistant, solar powered, have a sapphire crystal and set themselves to the atomic clock. They may be a bit more pricey than you set out. I would be cautious with some of the discount watches houses here as the grey market is going to be a lesser watch.
Luminox makes a nifty watch with great glow in the dark features.
http://www.watchgear.com/WatchGear/ is a very reliable seller.
MJB
For what it’s worth, I read an article that said watch sales are going down. People are replacing them with their cell phones
Ron
For what it’s worth, I read an article that said watch sales are going down. People are replacing them with their cell phones
Ron
Well--ugh. May as well just grab some Foamy and a Good News disposable.
MJB
moses
07-28-2006, 12:33 PM
Just a thought, but overstock.com has a pretty huge selection of fairly high end (up to very high end) watches at considerable discount. Might be an option, allowing for a little nicer watch for the price range.
That said, I have a Swiss Army that I am quite pleased with. Although it is one of the "inferior" ones made by Wenger....
salsadj
07-28-2006, 12:53 PM
If you don't have your heart set on a watch yet, if he is at all into electronics or gadgets of the cell phone, PSP or MP3 type, you could get him a case from Vaja Cases (http://www.vajacases.com) they are gorgeously hand crafted in Argentina. I've bought two MP3 and two cell phone cases and I have my eye on the PSP case, but SWMBO keeps a close tab on my wants vs my needs. So since I NEED a PSP case and a Shavemac...:biggrin: One thing though, they custom make everything so it takes about 20 days average from cow to you.
Hope this helps
Rod
Just a thought, but overstock.com has a pretty huge selection of fairly high end (up to very high end) watches at considerable discount. Might be an option, allowing for a little nicer watch for the price range.
That said, I have a Swiss Army that I am quite pleased with. Although it is one of the "inferior" ones made by Wenger....
Sorry if I upset you but at the risk of doing it again, I'd avoid overstock. Wristwatches are not a good place to go grey market.
MJB
moses
07-28-2006, 05:03 PM
No worries - was just teasing. But, just out of curiousity, what exactly do you mean by gray market, and how does overstock fit into that?
fuerein
07-28-2006, 07:50 PM
Grey market (at least if used in the same context as in photography grey market) refers to items that are produced with the intent to be sold in one market, say Europe, but are imported and sold in another market, say N. America, in order to reduce prices since sometimes manufacturers will set lower prices in some markets than in other markets.
The issue with grey market items is that the quality is not always the same, especially true for items originally designated for sale in Africa/SE Asia. Often these items look and feel identical to their N. American/European counterparts, but are made with lower quality components.
I don't know much about overstock.com, but I would assume they get the low prices they have from one or more of three methods.
1. Grey market as described above.
2. Minimally defective stock that manufacturers sell to retailers for reduced amount since major retailers won't accept pre-damaged goods.
3. Purchasing the items that are left over from manufacturers when they complete a run of an item. Often manufacturers will produce say 150 more items than necessary on say a 10,000 item run in order to ensure they have enough to cover any defects in the manufactured items, particularly since products created at the start/end of a run are more likely to be defective due to start-up errors. These components are often sold off at a reduced price as well.
As I said I know little of overstock.com, but I hope that explains.
Grey market (at least if used in the same context as in photography grey market) refers to items that are produced with the intent to be sold in one market, say Europe, but are imported and sold in another market, say N. America, in order to reduce prices since sometimes manufacturers will set lower prices in some markets than in other markets.
The issue with grey market items is that the quality is not always the same, especially true for items originally designated for sale in Africa/SE Asia. Often these items look and feel identical to their N. American/European counterparts, but are made with lower quality components.
I don't know much about overstock.com, but I would assume they get the low prices they have from one or more of three methods.
1. Grey market as described above.
2. Minimally defective stock that manufacturers sell to retailers for reduced amount since major retailers won't accept pre-damaged goods.
3. Purchasing the items that are left over from manufacturers when they complete a run of an item. Often manufacturers will produce say 150 more items than necessary on say a 10,000 item run in order to ensure they have enough to cover any defects in the manufactured items, particularly since products created at the start/end of a run are more likely to be defective due to start-up errors. These components are often sold off at a reduced price as well.
As I said I know little of overstock.com, but I hope that explains.
What he said. Also, a grey market item may not be eligible for warranty or repair services from the mother company.
So for instance Casio or America may decline to repair a watch that was produced for sale in Japan.
MJB
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