Graduation season is in full swing, and this is also the time of year when many weddings are held. Another special occasion, Father's Day, is just around the corner.
Every person has different likes and dislikes, hobbies, wants and needs, so just about everybody has a different wish list for these occasions.
Some local folks weighed in on what they'd like to have, and some local retailers shared what they have found to be the most popular items in their stores for these occasions.
Graduation
Many high school graduates have a common gift request: money.
"Probably money for books and money (is what I want) to get my dorm decorated so it's not some jail cell at first," said Bailey Poage, 18, a senior at Warren High School. "And I'm hoping for maybe a laptop."
Poage noted that she'll start at Ohio University in the fall, where she'll major in psychology.
Waterford High School senior Katelyn Amrine, 17, will attend Washington State Community College.
"I won't be asking for anything like someone who would be going away, so (I mostly want) gas cards and money I could use towards books and anything I would need for college," she said.
Amrine said gas cards would come in especially handy because she lives in Churchtown but has a job in Beverly, and will also be traveling to Marietta for her college classes.
Christopher Crum is also hoping for money. Like Poage, he, too, will attend Ohio University.
"Any money I get, it'll help pay off loans I might have to get or pay for food or any stuff I need," said Crum, 18.
He said he'd also like "a couple thick books" so he can read in his free time.
Cooking supplies make good gifts for graduates, especially those who will be leaving home, according to Ken Kupsche, an owner of The Cook's Shop on Front Street in Marietta.
"If they're starting out on their own out of the house, we have a good selection of lower cost kitchen knives and if they're really into cooking, we have a 10-piece set of good quality pots and pans," said Kupsche.
The Marietta Kmart store also has items that make good graduation gifts.
"For the girls graduating, jewelry, watches and gift cards (are popular)," said Mona Chesnutt, a manager there.
Graduation gift ideas:
A cookbook that contains recipes that are cheap and easy to make but are still nutritional.
A cheap camera, so if it's lost, you aren't out a lot of money.
A magnetic bulletin board where things like concert tickets and notes from friends can be hung.
A college survival kit that contains things like earplugs to block out noisy roommates, a book light, air freshener and poster adhesive.
Source: www.nwsource.com.
Wedding
Some couples who are getting married register for gifts at various stores, making it easy for their friends and family to know what they need.
Jovonnah Black and her fiance Benjamin Burns, chose not to register for gifts. They are getting married June 4.
"I had lived with someone before and he has his own house so we had the basic stuff we needed," said Black, 22, of Belpre. "We're remodeling the house now and so we told people they can get us a Lowe's gift card or Home Depot gift card."
Kristen Lowe and Zach Warden, of Fleming, aren't getting married until next year, but they have already been thinking about what gifts they want and where they might want to register.
"We have considered Walmart because there aren't too many other stores that are around here that we truly would like to have," said Lowe, 21. "I wanted to register at Bed, Bath and Beyond but that isn't convenient for our guests."
Lowe said she and her fiance have browsed through Walmart trying to determine what they will need, such as decorations for their home, cookware and gift cards.
"We already have tons of things that our parents have given us and it would be a chance to add to it and make it modern and ours," she said. "The reason I said gift cards is because a lot of the time, its hard to exactly decide on what I would like to have."
One place people can establish a wedding registry locally is The Cook's Shop. Store owner Ken Kupsche said people have been able to register for wedding gifts there since last summer, and "quite a few people" have taken advantage of it.
"We've got some real nice salt and pepper grinders made by Vic Firth in Maine and those tend to be popular as wedding gifts - you can get them monogrammed with the initials of the couple," Kupsche said.
Mona Chesnutt said gift cards are the most popular wedding gift item in the Marietta Kmart store.
Wedding registry tips:
Register as soon after becoming engaged as possible because many people want to shop shortly after hearing the news. Update the registries often to avoid getting duplicate gifts.
Visit several stores with your future spouse before deciding where to register and what to register for. The stores you select should have a wide variety of things you both want.
Visit stores that have bridal registry consultants, because they can be very helpful when it comes to choosing items and coordinating patterns and color schemes.
Ask plenty of questions at the stores, including questions about the gift return policy, gift wrapping services and shipping costs.
Register for gifts that cost between $25 and $100, so there are choices for every budget. Add a few higher priced items in case people want to go in together to buy a gift.
Source: www.ebridalshowers.com
Father's Day
The day to celebrate dads falls on June 19 this year. While many local stores have lots of options for Father's Day gifts, what Watertown resident Mike Stocky wants most can't be found in a store.
"I want time in a recording studio with my daughter," he said. "She performs with me at church and she's done a talent contest or two. She got on stage with me the first time when she was four years old at a bluegrass festival."
Stocky, 54, added that his daughter, Sienna, 12, is quite the singer.
Barlow resident Joe Walker, 44, is a dad to six kids, ranging in age from four to 16. He said spending time with them and receiving handmade gifts is what he looks forward to most.
"The kids usually just make me stuff - that means more than anything else," Walker said. "They draw pictures or they might go to the dollar store and they might pick me out a knick knack."
For those searching for a store-bought Father's Day gift, the Workingman's Store in Marietta has lots of options, according to Dave Schramm, an owner there.
"It ranges from little things from belts to bandannas to hats to flashlights (and) really we do a lot of shorts - Carhartt type shorts or jeans - which are always on sale for Father's Day," he said.
"There's a big increase in gift certificates," Schramm added. "It's hard to get a guy or girl clothing, so you get them a gift certificate and they can get what they want."
There are also items at My Favorite Things in Marietta that are popular for Father's Day, according to owner Asunta Damron.
"Probably one of the biggest things is fudge," she said. "People say it's a sure pleaser, so that's very frequently used."
The store also has several figurines that depict a father and child that make good Father's Day gifts.
At the Marietta Kmart store, golfing, fishing and camping items, as well as tools, are popular for Father's Day, according to Mona Chesnutt.
At the Cook's Shop, grilling supplies, such as flavored wood chips and popcorn makers for the grill, are popular for father's day, as well as waffle makers.
"One of things dads tend to do a lot is cook for kids on the weekends," said Ken Kupsche.
Father's Day gift ideas:
Grilling tools
Fishing gear
Golf clubs
Leather wallet
Tickets for sporting events
Source: www.askmen.com
