Whether you have a preschooler graduating to kindergarten or a child graduating from high school (like I do), you may want to consider crafting some gifts or other items that will make this a very special time. My goal would be to make these quick, simple crafts since, if you are like me, you probably won’t have much time to get many crafts done.

One of the cutest ideas I have seen is a jar for the graduate. This is mostly for older children, but you could probably adapt it if you like the idea. The gift was a container, like a jar, that had the words, “Tips for the Graduate” marked on the outside. Around the jar, place slips of paper and some writing implements. The idea is that everyone add some “tip” for the graduate. These “tips” could be serious, humorous, quotes or any other bit of information the giver would like to share. Your “jar” could be a mason jar with a paper sign, a box that has been decorated to match the occasion or something more elaborate. I think I might try to go to our local paint-your-own pottery place and create a container there. My thoughts would be to decorate it in a way my child likes and then hang a nicely made sign over the neck or top of the container. That way, she can use it for other things, maybe even in her dorm room.

Why not make the “old-fashioned” decorative chain? Simply use ’08 as the template and cut out several to decorate. The kids would enjoy cutting these out, just like a paper chain of dolls or other shapes. If you alternate it with dolls, the dolls could be decorated with caps and gowns in your school colors.

Another simple idea would be to have a t-shirt or cap and have classmates sign them. Use fabric or permanent markers in different colors. You could decorate the cap or shirt with the school name and graduation year first. If you use a t-shirt, you could save it and sew it into a quilt later.

Speaking of quilts, I am trying to make one for my daughter. I believe I’ll have the squares done in time for graduation. I might get to ask her to help me lay them out and then choose the fabric to put it all together. It’s a lot of work, but it is so much fun. Each square is something that reminds me about her. It was very interesting searching the Internet for different, but simple, squares. She knew I was making her a quilt and she asked me to add parts of her favorite blue jeans. I hadn’t thought of that, so it really helped out.

Let me know if you have tried this, or any of your other ideas by visiting the forum. I’d love to hear from you!