When I graduated from high school, I remember getting a “Do-It-Herself” tool set as a graduation gift. While of course I was appreciative (my mom always taught me the importance of being grateful – and writing thank you notes!), I’ll admit that at first I thought the gift was somewhat different. Nevertheless, I took my new tool set to college that next fall, and boy oh boy, was it handy!!!

Everyone in my entire dorm was borrowing it those first few days. Students were hanging pictures, measuring to see if furniture would fit, and assembling things left and right as they moved in… Throughout my college years, that tool set became the “go-to” set for all my friends – guys and girls alike! I can’t even begin to tell you how much use it got!

Fast forward 20 years (has it really been that long?), and I still have that gift! I remember exactly who gave it to me, too. (Thank you, Jess family!) Some of the tools are smaller (for a woman’s hand), and I find them easier to use – the hammer, for example, isn’t so bulky/heavy like a lot of hammers can be.

Our neighbor and babysitter graduated from high school last spring, and what do you think we got her? Yep! (She’s like family to us… I also hung on to notes she wrote me from the time she was 5 years old. I wrapped those up for her, too! So fun!) Before I wrapped her tool set, I pulled it out of the packaging, and I wrote a quick note to her with a Sharpie. I’m hopeful that she’ll have her set for years as well, and she’ll remember how much we love her each time she reads that note!

Last fall I bumped into her dad outside, and he was telling me how handy her tool set had been within her dorm. Just like with my own tool set back in the day, my neighbor’s had become the “go-to” set among her friends as well! And the tradition continues. :)

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate/referral links. Please click here for further explanation.

THIS IS THE SET WE GAVE HER

Click here to find this 135-piece set – or click on the image below.

UPDATE: When I tested this link in June of 2015, the item seemed to be no longer available at that time. If the above link doesn’t bring you to the tool set below, try the smaller set (shown down below) available here.

I also wrote her a quick note from us on the outside of the case with a Sharpie to help her remember the family who loves and misses her dearly!

THIS SMALLER SET IS ANOTHER OPTION

Click here to find this 39-piece set – or click on the image below.

HERE IS THE SAME SET IN GRAY AND BLACK

Click here to find this 39-piece set – or click on the image below.

A tool set would make a perfect gift for any girl or guy who’s graduating! You could also tuck a little money inside if you’d like to be even more generous. :)

LOOKING FOR UNIQUE GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS?

If it’s your own child who’s graduating and you’re in need of graduation announcements, find some really unique styles here. Use the code GRAD2014 to get 15% off through 5/19/14.

Best wishes to all the graduates out there! Time for the next adventure to begin! :)

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