Best Places To Buy Graduation Gifts In Minnesota
The average shopper spent over $102 on graduation gifts last year says a National Retail Federation survey recently reported on WCCO. As you know, graduating from high school is a major life-changing event, worthy of a thoughtful gift. The following stores and shops are good places to look for gifts to help each young person take the next step in life.
University of Minnesota
612-625-6000
www.bookstores.umn.edu
College-bound students are going to have a lot of unanticipated needs in books and supplies. Order a gift card online from the bookstore wherever your new grad is heading. Bookstores are the best place for educational discounts for computers and all of the necessary accessories. It may be the most convenient way for your busy student to get general school supplies.
J.W. Hulme Co.
678 7th St. W.
St Paul, MN 55102
651-222-7359
www.jwhulmeco.com
Give your new grad the look and feel of success with a quality briefcase. Before you choose a style, think about how it will be used. Lawyers and accountants will be carrying volumes of documents. Road warriors may need a briefcase with rollers and enough space for some clothing and compartments for plane tickets, keys, a wallet or mobile phone. Darker colors look more professional. Lighter colors are appropriate for casual. The color does not have to match your shoes or belt. Slim line briefcases with shoulder straps are always a stylish addition to a career woman's attire. Find the right briefcase, travel bag, backpack, handbag or accessory at J.W. Hulme. Every item is crafted in America and built to last a lifetime.
Sanborn Canoe Co.
24379 Little Trout Valley Road
Winona, MN 55987
507-313-6967
www.sanborncanoe.com
Support your new grad's urge to test the limits by sourcing quality outfitter gear. This is an excellent way for grads to express their newly found freedom before they settle down in an occupational or educational endeavor. Old-timers may remember Eric Sevareid and his 2,250-mile voyage by canoe from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay after graduating from the University of Minnesota. Recent new grads Ann Raiho and Natalie Warren were the first women to recreate that voyage.
Chavez Custom Clothiers
1227 Hennepin Ave., Suite 3D
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-339-1067
www.chavezclothier.com
Flatter your new grad's silhouette with sartorial artistry practiced by only a few of the best tailors. Carlos Chavéz eschews the pattern and drapes the fabric over the body to bring out the best in each unique shape. Mr. Chavez learned his craft from his mother. After graduation from college, he toured the European continent to observe how to design the finest made-to-measure outfits for men. Since establishing Chavez Custom Clothiers in 1985, he has developed a forte in women's couture and equestrian wear.
Heimie's Haberdashery
400 St. Peter St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-224-2354
www.heimies.com
Your graduate will need more than jeans, shorts and T-shirts to make a favorable impression in a job interview. Heimie's has a wide selection of distinctive men's dress clothes and accessories that can help your grad make the mark. Not only are Heimie's suits definitive, but you can accessorize your grad with a nice shirt, tie, cufflinks or a belt.
Related: Gift Guide For The College Graduate
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.