Grads worry about worst gifts

You may be wishing for the traditional gold watch. Maybe some new clothes for the job-hunting process.

Or the old stand-by of cash might be your cup of tea.

But what if Aunt Rose gives you a hand-knitted sweater? What would you do with it? How much worse could it get?

"A pen would be the worst gift," said graduating senior Lisa Okada, a health science major. "I've had enough writing throughout my college career."

"A gift certificate to the University Bookstore would be a bad gift," said senior English major Ruben Gonzalez.

A book seems to be a common graduation gift that strikes fear in the hearts of many seniors.

"A dictionary would be a bad gift," said Vanya Razack, a senior criminal justice major. "I already have one and I don't need it anymore."

Illustration major Carrie A. Erickson had her own idea of an ironically bad gift.

"I think a basic ëHow to Draw' book would be a really bad gift for me," she said. "Do people think I don't know how to draw after five years of art school?"

"A book on How to Get a Job would be a bad gift," said Donald Eastepp. "An application to graduate school, that would be even worse. I have been in school long enough," said Eastepp, who added that he is finishing his seven-year stint as a chemical engineering major.

However, some students said that even if they received a bad gift, they would appreciate the thought.

"Money would be a bad gift," said Brian Axt, criminal justice major. "I'd rather have something to show to people.

I'd want something to keep and use. Something that shows they are more proud of me than money. It's like they are paying me off to get out."

"As long as someone got me something I really wouldn't care," said English major Whitney Oeser. "As long as they thought of me, I wouldn't care."