The gifts every graduate wants this year

My task was to find out what graduates wanted as gifts from their family and friends. The most popular answer was, of course, money.

Those Cal State Long Beach license plate frames were also a favorite, as were cars to put them on. 

But there was a rebel among the group.

"I'm kind of different," said Tim Bui, a human development major and bachelor's degree candidate. "I told [my family and friends] not to get me anything."

Vacations seem to be in order for at least a couple of grads.

A trip to Europe is "my gift to myself," said Betsy Tor, who will receive a bachelor's in accounting. "And I just want for my whole family to be there."

Jack Tarango, who is getting his bachelor's degree in business management, said he may receive more than a little family togetherness.

"It looks like I'll be getting a trip from my parents," Tarango said. "Hopefully to the Caribbean."

Tarango added one more "gift" that we all probably want to get.

"I'm just looking to get a job," he said. "You have to survive." 

If you haven't yet made your requests, the Bookstore has tons of slightly overpriced gifts to browse for ideas. 

They've got some nice leather-bound notebooks with the CSULB seal on them.

There's also a dizzying array of sweaters, stuffed animals, hats, shirts and everything in between.

I think they've got a few books there too. It's not a bad place to take parents before or after your ceremony to have them break in their credit cards.

As for myself, cash works nicely, not that I'm going to get much out of my family.

I think the best gift, from a personal standpoint, will just be to have my family there.

My dad was able to get a couple of days off from work and will drive out from Arizona to be here for my 9 a.m. ceremony. 

I've already gotten a pretty good gift anyway: an education. These things are all I really need.

Well, that and a job.

Tom Harshbarger is a staff writer for the Daily Forty-Niner and a senior graduating with a bachelor's degree in print journalism.