Gift Giving Guy

Does he love his college team? Is she passionate about her university? Try shopping online at the university book store, college gift shop or athletics spirit shop. You can start at the university’s web site and follow links for alumni or athletics. Or check UGradShop.com for merchandise from select colleges and fraternity/sorority themed gifts at GreekGear.com and GreekforMe.com.

Besides the classic Oxford grey sweatshirt, you can find caps, polos, tee-shirts, shorts, afghans, golf accessories, glassware, watches, stationery, diploma frames, license plate holders, bobble heads, and even gas grill covers. Consider giving college-themed baby and kids wear to proud alumni parents. And, of course, the college gift shop is great place to find graduation gifts.

The ultimate alma mater gift is a captain’s chair or a Boston rocker with the college seal on the backing. Expect to pay between $350 to $400. For about $30 more, you can have the alum’s name and class year etched right under the university seal. Standard Chair of Gardner manufactures most of these classic college chairs.

For the truly devoted alum who has many college items, make an online donation to the institution in the person’s name.

And don’t forget the tuition-paying parents of current college students. Most schools offer “MIT Mom” or “Dartmouth Dad” themed gifts in mugs, tee shirts and sweatshirts.