Riddle me this – What graduation gift costs very little but is beyond priceless; can expand but never get any larger; and the more that is taken from it the more it has to give? The answer: A personalized, handmade “You Are So Special, Graduate!” book”. This book is a one of a kind gift that everyone should have the opportunity to receive once in their lifetime and, hopefully, while they are young enough that they can use the knowledge that the book holds to achieve their dreams.
Imagine this if you will, a book with all the sage advice and messages of love from your Grandparents, Parents, Coaches, favorite Teachers, Aunts, Uncles and other loved ones. How perfectly priceless would a book like this be to you right now? How could the advice, support, and encouragement of those special people in your life have helped you during the difficult times? As time passes, so do our loved ones and then this book becomes a cherished family heirloom and irreplaceable treasure.
My family has used this book for graduation gifts over the years and the responses from the graduates have been fantastic even many years later. The gifts original intention – that as the graduates face the loneliness and isolation of college or life on their own where their values and boundaries are tested that they would have this book to help them remember who they are, what good qualities people see in them and how much they are loved. One young lady that received this book as a gift lost her grandfather, with whom she was very close, during her freshman year of college. She admitted to me later that she had wanted to quit school after his death but it was his message to her in her book that made her hang in there and succeed – for him.
All you need to create this gift is a blank journal and the names/contact info of some inspirational and pivotal people in the life of the graduate. (Yes, this book could be done online in a blog format but a book carries untold weight and seems more special – please -do a book). You can do the book journal style or scrapbook style but please remember a small size such as a bound journal is easier to take with you to a dorm or apartment and keep close to you.
Collect some inspirations and quotes (from the internet, the Bible or a quote book) to sprinkle throughout the book. Perhaps even find some quotes appropriate to the individuals being interviewed such as a quote about “How special Grandmothers Are” before the Grandmothers page, etc. Find a few stickers (hearts, scrolls, pretty designs) or paste a couple pictures here and there to coincide with messages.
Call, email or speak to each of the selected individuals that you wish to include in the book. Explain what you are doing and ask them to NOT tell the grad about being interviewed or the gift. Do not overwhelm yourself by contacting too many people. The parents, siblings, Aunts, Uncles, coaches and fav teachers should be enough. I usually do include about 8 to 12 people. When I make this book as a gift I even include a pet and make up funny answers for them. Sounds weird the graduates absolutely love this!
Here are a few sample questions you can ask those being interviewed but you may come up with some of your own. It is best if you write the answers on scrap paper first as you want to take your time filling in the journal.
Q.#1 – “What quality or qualities do you admire most about (fill in grads name)?
Q.#2 – “What advice can you offer (fill in grads name) about their future?
Q.#3 – “What are some of your special memories of (fill in name of graduate)?
Q.#4 – “Do you have a favorite quote you would like to share with (fill in grads name)?
Q.#5 – Please finish this statement; “I always think of (fill in name of graduate) when I see __________.
Q.#6 – “Do you have a special message for (fill in name of grad)?”
Finally, ask them if they have a favorite picture of themselves with the graduate that they would share to add to the book.
To assemble the journal –
You can title your book anything you would like such as, “You are Loved”, or “We are proud of You!” or, of course, “You are Special”.
You could print the messages off the computer but I preferred handwriting it as it is more personal. You might even wish to try a calligraphy marker available at office supply stores for flair.
When I assembled my books I spaced each set of interview pages and each of the quote pages so that were one or two blank pages in between them and even spaced each question with the coordinating answer approx. 2 or 3 inches apart from the next question so that the recipient could make notes if they wished. The blank pages give the recipient room for their own quotes, pictures, memories, and self-expression. This book will last them a lifetime so leave them some room to grow.
Add your own creativity to the book with stickers, stamping, scrapbooking, painting, markers and pictures. Remember to sign the book so the Graduate remembers who gave this precious collection to them and on what occasion.
If you want to give the gift that your graduate will cherish for a lifetime, one that is very inexpensive and yet beyond priceless – Create a You are Special, Graduate Journal.
