Gifts for graduates

We’ve rounded up a list of ideas for your favorite student

It’s that time of year. The trees are blooming and so are the teenagers. You probably have some young people in your life who are graduating this year.

To ease the usual conundrum – figuring out what to buy for a present – we have compiled a list for you of the 10 best gifts for graduates. There’s something for all the high school graduates here. Hopefully, you will see that perfect present, but even if you don’t, maybe you’ll be inspired by an idea or a great-sounding store you might want to visit now that you’ve read about it here. Whatever the case, happy graduation and happy shopping!

Gift: Enameled and Jeweled Pewter Candlesticks-Jerusalem (Blue), $119.

These gorgeous candlesticks, adorned with Old Jerusalem scenery, will allow your graduate to celebrate Shabbat in style. The pewter pair, decorated with 24K gold plating, enamel and jewels, comes in a deluxe gift box.

Buy it at: Temple Beth-El Judaica Web Store, temple-beth-el.org. (The online gift shop is under the “Giving” tab. Click it to go to judaicawebstore.com.)

Gift: Chai Bracelets, $48.

These chic bracelets – as their name proclaims – celebrate life. Bring peace, prosperity and happiness to your graduate with these silk and beaded (in multiples of 18) pieces of art, each of which wraps around the wrist three times for “a triple chai.”

Buy it at: uncommongoods.com, an online marketplace that believes in creativity and expression of individuality. UncommonGoods is committed to the environment and philanthropy, printing catalogs on recycled paper and donating a portion of each order to nonprofit organizations.

Made by: The silk cords are micro-batch hand-dyed, and the bracelets are handwoven by traditional family weavers in India.

Gift: “Yiddish Wisdom: Humor and Heart from the Old Country,” Hardcover, $14.95.

Chris Milko, the manager of Frog + Toad, says that the book is one of their best-sellers. With more than 100,000 copies sold worldwide, this compilation of witty, practical and poignant folk sayings is newly illustrated and expanded to be cherished by generations to come.

Buy it at: Frog + Toad, 795 Hope St., Providence, 401-831-3434. This is the best gift store statewide, according to Rhode Island Monthly readers. Offering a wide selection of locally made items and knickknacks from around the world, the store gift wraps your selection for free. Pop in to pick up the book for the graduate in your life.

Gift: Contribute in your graduate’s name to one of his or her favorite charities. Perhaps an act of tzedakah could celebrate an education milestone with a contribution to an education-oriented charity. Or if the graduate has a special interest such as animals, a contribution to a local zoo or wildlife association might be a good option. You can also show your support of local synagogues and organizations with a gift in the graduate’s name. Many organizations welcome donations that would match a world of interests.

Gift: The Live-Edge iPad Stands in cherry or walnut, $50.

These stands gathered quite a few “likes” on Stock’s Facebook page. Now that iPads are the books of the future, present one to your graduate, who will be pleasantly surprised by your sudden cool streak. Who knew?

Buy it at: Stock Culinary Goods, the home of “thoughtfully sourced, well-designed kitchen tools, cooking resources and gifts for food lovers.” Yankee Magazine just gave the store “Best Gifts for the Gourmand” award in its “Best of New England 2014” issue. 756 Hope St., Providence, 401-521-0101, StockPVD.com.

Made by: Matchless Carpentry in Wisconsin. Patrick Kelly, a contractor who studied architecture at the university level and boasts an AAS Historic Preservation degree, has embarked on a new venture, Matchless Made. The stands are his custom woodworking products.

Gift: “Timeless Advice” mugs from Asya Palatova’s Dacha line, $18. (photo on cover)

Featuring clever sayings, such as “early bird gets the worm,” these mugs (also from Stock) will not only inspire your graduate with their messages but also keep him or her caffeinated and ready for those exams.

Made by: Asya Palatova, originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, who founded Gleena (clay) in 2002. The artist spent many childhood summers at her family dacha (country house), which continually inspires her organically shaped designs. Palatova studied graphic design and worked for such impressive companies as Martha Stewart Living before earning an MFA from RISD with a concentration in ceramics. A couple of summers ago, I noticed her outstanding pieces at a RISD sale and marveled at their pure form.

Gift: Hamsa necklace, $28.

This stunning piece of jewelry will defend your graduate from the evil eye and remind him or her to use the five senses to praise God.

Buy it at: Pie in the Sky, 225 Thayer St., Providence, 401-861-3954. This store is fun for everyone. Stopping by with my kids, we couldn’t get enough of the dazzling jewelry, whimsical socks, classy journals and original cards. Strolling on Thayer, drop by to peruse and pick up the necklace for the graduate in your life. The friendly proprietors even provide complimentary gift wrapping.

Made by: Blake Brothers, one of the premier wholesale sterling silver jewelry companies in the world for more than 30 years. Starting out as a small business with two showcases of American Indian Jewelry in 1974, it has become a national company with five showrooms stocked with sterling silver jewelry from all over the world. 

Gift: Throws from in2Green, $149.

Your graduate will curl up with a blanket that’s just as visually appealing as it is cozy. These come in several designs and colors. The warmth and personality of this environmentally friendly throw will help the young one during those nights of cramming.

Buy it at: Kreatelier, 804 Hope St., Providence, 401-432-7995. The unique retail store also serves as an exciting meeting place in the middle of a lively neighborhood. This creative playground is filled with useful and environmentally conscious products designed by Kreatelier, local artists and companies from around the world. Stop by to pick up the throw and check out the colorful wares.

Made by: in2green. Two friends with textile, design and retail background wanted to make something striking and luxurious out of recycled materials. The company is proof that upcycling can succeed. T-shirt fabrics are re-fiberized back into colored threads and spun into beautiful cotton yarns, creating a unique color depth. Their process helps reduce land and landfill use and eliminates additional cotton dyes or chemicals.

Gift:  Star of David Post Earrings, $48.

 These delicate earrings are accented with white pearls. Let your graduate express her pride about her heritage in style.

Buy it at: Green River Silver Co., 735 Hope St., Providence, 401-621-9092. Established in 1990, the company is one of Rhode Island’s largest importers of fine sterling jewelry from around the world. Owner John Goldman and his brother Dan opened their first retail store in Providence in 1999. John travels the U.S. as well as to Mexico, India, Bali, Israel, Poland and Thailand to find one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Made by: Ruth Doron Designs, located in Molodet, a village in northern Israel. Doron, the designer and owner, graduated from the Shenkar School of Design in Israel. She creates necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches and Judaica using silver, gold, semiprecious stones and pearls.

Gift: Contemporary Black Electric Menorah, $34.99.

This item is 8-1/2 inches wide and 9-1/4 inches tall. Your graduate will host his or her first Hanukkah dinner with this energy-saving, low-voltage menorah made from durable steel and boasting a matte finish.

Buy it at: Traditions Judaica Gifts. TraditionsJewishGifts.com claims to “offer one of the largest collections of Judaica gifts in the world.” Give this place a try; after all, “It wasn’t a store built only on sales. It was a store built on traditions.”

IRINA MISSIURO is a writer and editorial consultant for The Jewish Voice.