Graduation Gifts Galore

It's that time of year when we celebrate Commencement, marking the end of one chapter and the beinning of a new one. Whether you are directly involved with a graduation this year or not, you likely have a gift to give. Working at an all-girls high school, I've witnessed the excitement over particular gifts for the past few weeks. Anything monogrammed is a hit - ball caps, umbrellas, iphone cases, to name a few.  Bright colors are popular, and Lilly Pulitzer (coolers, key chains) wins the prize. Monogrammed stationery (personalized in college colors) is another favorite.
As far as boys go, I have no ideas...

What are you giving for high school graduation gifts this year?

While I'm clear about not having "favorites", there was a gang of girls who spent much of their senior year in my office, so I wanted to do something special for them. Because I love to craft, I decided to make something that would serve as a "congratulations!" as well as a memory of our time together. I have decorated picture frames in the past, using ribbon and jute. But I decided to take a different approach, using wood stain, bright colors, and ribbon accents on basic wooden frames. I started with 4x6 frames from Michael's. I then stained them with MinWax Wood Stain in mahogany brown.  After letting the stain dry overnight, I painted each frame with a bright, dorm-room friendly color: 

Next was the sanding phase. 

Here are a few up close pictures of the distressed look I had hoped to achieve:

After sanding, I sprayed the frames with a matte finish to ensure that the paint wouldn't chip or rub.  I tied different pieces of ribbon in knots and hot glued them to the top of each frame.  (Make sure you glue it to the correct end -- I made the mistake of gluing one upside down and had to refinish the paint job...) 

I filled each frame with a piece of glass (found in the section of casual frames at Michael's) and a 4x6 copy of a poster, "Keep Calm and Carry On", which was a slogan used by the British government during WWII. A larger version of this poster hangs on the wall in my office, serving as a reminder to remain calm when facing trials, however trivial or monumental. (A dear family friend, and great man of faith, in Memphis, who passed away last week, carried a coffee cup with these words...)

I wrote a note to each girl, and stuck it in the back of the frame where I had placed a 4x6 foam square. The note also included a follow up Bible verse to the "Keep Calm and Carry On" slogan.

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

I then wrapped each frame in tissue, stuck them in white bags, and tied a corresponding piece of ribbon on each. Voila! 

A relatively easy, personal, and budget-friendly gift for those special teenage girls in your life!
Happy Graduation!