HS Graduation Gifts for those Academy Bound?

Tommygun

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Jun 2, 2008
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Knowing that their needs are different, what would be some good ideas? Current mids and others chime in......Thanks
 
there is an entire thread about this on the AFA side, one cadet has it filled with money, money and more money:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:
 
First, in case it matters, I'm female.

I got quite a few Cross pen & pencil sets, some of them engraved. Can't say I ever used them but a nice pen that's comfortable to use (the Cross ones I received were not) would be a good choice. A nice watch is handy.

I got a few "nautical" items -- pictures, ship's clock, bookends, etc. Couldn't use them at USNA but could in my home four years later. Still have a few of them.

Received a few books of various sorts. Flowers. Picture frames were popular. A few items of jewelry, such as silver and gold bracelets (gold was cheaper then!). And, yes, cash and savings bonds (the latter was good idea at the time, not so much so today).

While money is great and very useful:shake:, some people like to give "things" that will last a long time. In all honesty, there's not a lot you need while at USNA that the military won't give you. So, think about things that come in handy on vacation, such as IPods, video games, movie tickets, sports tickets, etc. or think long term -- mids will eventually graduate and have an apartment/house and need stuff. Women are probably a bit easier, b/c jewelry (real or costume) is always an option.
 
For graduation, my mom asked me what I wanted and I was thinking about money towards a new pair of nice running shoes ( I'll be needing them!), a USNA sweatshirt/t shirt, and this book I found called the midshipman guide or something. It comes up if you search USNA on amazon. Since next year I can't take a lot with me to the academy, I just asked for those few items and of course an awesome going away party!
 
Gift Idea

I told my son's aunt's and uncle's to hold off until after his USMA basic training and then send him boodle. The Washington State parents club put out a boodle book for West Point. I am sure there is something similar for the other academies.
 
For graduation, my mom asked me what I wanted and I was thinking about money towards a new pair of nice running shoes ( I'll be needing them!), a USNA sweatshirt/t shirt, and this book I found called the midshipman guide or something. It comes up if you search USNA on amazon. Since next year I can't take a lot with me to the academy, I just asked for those few items and of course an awesome going away party!

You're not allowed to have the sweatshirt/t-shirt while you're at school (they give you everything you're allowed to have) and you get Reef Points (which is what I think the "midshipman guide" you're talking about it) when you arrive at school also, but shoes would be useful although once the AC year starts my mid for my CVW said you can get a voucher from your Company Commander for free Nike or New Balance running shoes from the mid store.
 
Some of the gifts my mids received for graduation were a really nice sportswatch (taking away on I-Day but given back on PPW), a digital camera (sent towards the end of plebe summer in time for the baseball game), laptop computer (brought up on PPW), alarm clock with no music and projected the time on the ceiling (no music permitted plebe year), ipod (given to when they were traveling with their sports teams), a new cell phone with email capability, visa gift cards, money, etc. Hope this helps.
 
Ask for or Give gifts that you want/Plebe to Be wants, not based on what you can have at USNA. You all seem to be over thinking this and tying it too much about the place rather than about the person.

USNA1985 and MidMomof2 have some great suggestions.

Typical gift card that lots of grads get are actually useful - Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Container Store, Barnes and Nobel, Borders etc.
 
gifts

My daughter is plebe and although everything is issued some of the things we have purchased this year are Victoria Secrets items (a gift card is a good idea), iron, phone (every room must have one beginning of school year). Hot water kettle. It may not be allowed but she is using it. Under armor socks. She did not like the issued ones. Iron and ironing board. Room mates just need one and share. A solid white purse and black purse. Very simple. Buy now and have parents send letter. Simple black and white pumps for the skirts if they plan to buy them. My daughter does not like the issued ones. Simple gold post earrings. My daughter also wears a simple silver ring. Everyhting must be understated. All these things were purchased after plebe summer. Some items can be purchased at the mid store.
 
Whoa on the shoes, purse earrings to be worn in uniform

For the white and black purses, for the black and white pumps, for the gold earrings, all must be in accordance with USNA/USN uniform and grooming regulations. Suggest you wait on that until she knows how to research that and provide specific guidance. I have to gently advise a lot of the midshipmen women on non-reg stuff they think they can buy, having been led astray by word of mouth. This being the military, there are regulations on heel height, mm size of the earrings, and "plain" bag means absolutely plain - no Coach thingies dangling off it, no Kate Spade plaque on the latch. Plain shoes do not mean pointy toes out the wazoo or Manolo stiletto pumps...

I didn't care for issue shoes either, and did plenty of shopping on my own for plain black or white pumps that met all regulations.
 
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