Please help with gift suggestions (details inside).

What about a really nice leather satchel/bag she can use to take to work? Something she can carry a laptop, netbook or tablet in? That’s something that will last for a long time. You could perhaps take her shopping for it. That would make it even more special.

You want something she can use for years and will mean something to her. How much you spend I think depends on how close you are and what you normally do in your own family.

You could perhaps speak to her mum about styles she might like. Or as I said, take her shopping yourself.

A leather satchel would be a lovely and useful gift, but I think you should let your neice choose the style and size she likes best and that works best for her. A check, therefore, would be good, along with a note suggesting (but not insisting) she use the money to buy the case.

But first give her a teaser gift, a gift-wrapped can of fine leather polish with a little tag that hints it’s part one of her big gift.

^^^^^ is a great idea

How about a weekend stay at a place with a nice spa? I’m guessing she might be a little tired of school and would like a nice break where everything was focused on making things nice for her.

It sounds as if you want to give her a gift to celebrate her accomplishment and one that will be appreciated. If you aren’t connected to her well enough to know what she would like or may need, how about a subscription to a pharmacy or medical magazine?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a gift of a check. Your niece spent money (possibly incurred debt) to go to school, and it’s expensive to embark on a new life; she’s likely short on funds and would appreciate cash more than any luxuries. If you put a check into a nice, carefully-selected graduation card, it isn’t impersonal at all.

I also think you should reconsider just giving her a check—getting on your feet after finishing school can be a rocky road for some people, and if she’s having trouble paying the bills it might be hard for her to enjoy a $500 bag.

A cloisonne pill box would be nice for a Pharmacology major! And you can put a check in with a card to go with it.

Money and jewelry are always welcome, but I kind of like @zenvelo‘s idea, too.

I too like the idea of a real gift; my only question about a leather sachel/bag is the weight. Filled, they can be brutal to carry. Perhaps one that can convert to a knapsack?

Is she setting up house? The perfect gift for a young person in her first apartment is a high-end chef’s knife or a 2 quart heavy-duty sauce pan (Cuisinart or All-Clad). They will last forever and everyone has to cook some time.

My great aunt and her daughters gave me a gold bracelet. A bangle bracelet. I didn’t love it when I first received it, but it was unexpected and a very nice surprise. Years later I started wearing it, I love it now. Anyway, a good piece of jewelry can be a very nice gift.

I also like practical. Something for the kitchen as @gailcalled mentioned. Unless there will be some sort of house warming gifts sent out when she finds her own place in addition to graduation gifts. knives, blender, or maybe a gift card to Bed Bath and Beyond.

Most people gave me a check, I know you said you don’t want to do that. I often give money myself. New graduates usually need money. But, I understand some people don’t feel comfortable, or their families just don’t do it.

When my neighbor graduated nursing school I gave her a Build a Bear dressed as a nurse and in the bear’s hand was a check for $100. You can make it cute and cash if that makes cash less awkward for you.

Take her out for lunch and present your problem to her.
Another idea , since she just finished School is to obtain for her a Trust(Mutual or something) that she can save for her own plans(home,travel etc).

Does she have any investments? I would have loved someone to start a managed trust for me that I could build on over the years. I like @Inspired_2write‘s idea.

@Bellatrix
Thank You.

@Inspired_2write I think that’s the best idea so far. Some have minimums to start, like $500, but she can add to it anytime. She’s starting out, Social Security is going to be iffy, that’s an awesome answer.

Investing in a fund is a nice idea, in theory. Out of curiosity,, I just checked the minimum initial deposits for the various Vanguard Ca. bond funds. Minimum investment is $3000. T. Roe Price wants $2500.

Here

Charles Schwab has a CA. tax-free bond fund with a minimum of $100. Yield is meh; 1.14% now but all bond fund yields are bad.

I don’t know. It’s nice to put money for her future, but she probably needs the money now. If you are going to give her cash give her cash. She isn’t a newborn baby setting aside for her college education.

I don’t understand the aversion to money, but I’m Jewish, we give money.

Maybe ask her mom what she needs and what she likes.

@gailcalled
She could get others together in on the idea and deposit a tidy sum for her future.
(I suppose that her family/parents will give her money for spending now?)

In regards to how much you should spend, I suggest that should be regulated by how much you can afford and how much you want to spend.

Wonderful suggestions, everybody! Right now, I’m leaning towards the leather satchel (or perhaps briefcase) and the trust fund ideas. I really appreciate the thought you all put into this.