June graduation season will be here before you know it, and with that comes the age-old question of what gifts best commemorate that milestone. Let me make this easy for you: Grads want money. Cold, hard cash. And who can blame them? It’s flexible, appreciated, and provides a head start on the next phase of their life. However, I think it is also a good idea to include a small additional item to add a personal touch to the occasion. I have a low-key great idea for that. This is one of those “hear me out” posts.
Today, I am building a case for why a laundry bag is a surprisingly perfect gift. It isn’t glamorous or flashy. However, it is incredibly useful, particularly for grads who are about to move away from home for the first time. A laundry bag will be used, potentially for a very long time.
When we travel for tennis, the hotel closet floor is a recurring scene: Two laundry bags side by side. The Trophy Husband received his when he graduated from high school in 1984. I received mine on the same occasion in 1985. With the exception of the color, our bags are strikingly similar, each embroidered with our first names. Those gifts have now lasted over 40+ years of continuous use. I challenge anyone to come up with a gift that can surpass that test of time.
Additionally, a laundry bag is always a great gift for a tennis player. Sweat-soaked clothes are an unavoidable part of the game. Unlike non-tennis travel, drenched laundry can’t just be thrown in the suitcase or duffel bag, lest everything else in there become a funky mess. Those clothes have to be isolated and separated from everything else.
In addition to making a great gift, laundry bags are a great canvas for personalization. Back in the 80s, embroidered names were the extent of what was available. However, heat transfer vinyl and direct-to-film heat transfers now allow for even greater creative expression. I will certainly be creating FiendAtCourt branded laundry bags to hand out as swag in the near future. I am workshopping potential phrases. So far, the leading candidates are “Game, Set, Sweat” and “Smells like winning.” I am sure one of my readers can come up with something even better.
If you’re on the hunt for a graduation gift that’s both thoughtful and genuinely useful, a laundry bag is a surprisingly thoughtful pick. Sure, grads want cash (and yes, you should still slide that check into the card), but pairing it with something practical that they’ll use for years is what gives your gift staying power. Because while the money will disappear fast, that laundry bag might last forever.
Teresa…interesting article…I have been reading your articles for a number of years. My wife & I own a red clay court club in Beavercreek Ohio and I am just sending out invitations for college students to come (in May) to our club for a free day of play. Not sure if you are still on the tournament trail however I host (and am the TD) a Level-3 National USTA tournament (6-10 Aug) Men’s (55s-85s) and Women’s (55s-70s) which happens at the same time as the Cincinnati Open (L-1000) tourney. Would you be interested in playing and be our guest speaker at our player party. We have been getting over 100 players the past few years. Hope to reach 125 this year. I am trying to get the National AF Museum as the location for our player party this year (If I can get the sponsorship)…which would be a fantastic location. Please call me at your convenience 937-287-6856. Thanks for your consideration.