Great graduation gifts are plentiful from local businesses
High school graduation time is fast upon us — and gift ideas are abundant from these locally-owned businesses.
A gift certificate from Angel Heart Cakes, located in the Marsh Manor Shopping Center. The graduate going off to college can use the gift certificate to call in orders for delicious and healthy care packages — when they need them most! The bakery, owned by Menlo Park residents Chris Rivera and Debbie Umphreys, will send the package directly to the dorm by Priority Mail. Care package possibilities might include home made granola, quickbreads, muffins, and cupcakes, but Chris and Debbie would be happy to help the graduate make good selections when they call.
A school logo photo frame from Kasumisou Gallery. This online gallery, owned by Menlo residents Mark Rosasco and Clare Warner, carries beautiful lacquered teakwood frames bearing logos from the following area schools: Bellarmine, Crystal Springs Uplands, Menlo-Atherton, Menlo School, Priory, Saint Francis, and Saint Ignatius. One of these frames containing a photo of a memorable high school moment would undoubtedly command a special spot in the graduate’s dorm room. Your purchase can also support the school or another non-profit, through Kasumisou Gallery’s Community Partners Program.
A custom embroidered item from Nine Needles. Menlo Park resident Beth Bischel, with tech support from her husband Bill, has been embroidering clothing, blankets, and more for people and companies in the Bay Area since 1993. Come up with your own item or get help from the suggestions on the Nine Needles website. Embroider it with a name, initials, or something more for a personalized graduation gift.
A hand-painted ceramic piece from Color Me Mine. Suzanne Little, who hales from the Bay Area, opened the Menlo Park franchise at 602 Santa Cruz Ave in 1998. She suggests a graduate gift that expresses your artistic side, because after all, “Everyone’s an artist at Color Me Mine.” Pick your piece — be it a mug for college or a plate signed by family and friends — and Color Me Mine with glaze and fire it.
A photo product from Mike’s Camera, located at 715 Santa Cruz Ave. Grad gift ideas using photo memories abound, from photo posters for the dorm wall, to a fun photo jigsaw puzzle for college downtime, to a photo memory book celebrating the student’s journey to graduation. If you need assistance with scanning photos for use in a photo product or product suggestions, store manager Matt Todd or one of his able staff is eager to help you.
Top photo of 2012 Menlo-Atherton High School graduation by M-A Bear News staff
