The New Yorker recently ran a hilarious article, Graduation Graft: Gifts for the cap-and-gown crowd, with some wonderful gift ideas for “a meaningful keepsake that can, in the days ahead, be tragically lost or else auctioned on eBay.” (NYer, p34, 5.31.10)

Amongst the many fun (and sometimes zany) suggestions, the essay recommends various books for the newly independent adult. One in particular caught my eye: “PS. A Few Small Things We May Have Neglected to Tell You: Life Advice from the Grown-Ups” by Ann Banks.  Some examples reprinted from the guide…..

“Own more underwear and socks than you ever think you will use.”

“Don’t put bumper stickers on your car, because you never know what a cop is thinking.”

“When a friend has had bad news, and you’re wondering whether or not you should call, always call.”

“You have a lifetime supply of approximately 452 exclamation points. Use them sparingly.” (I’m sure I used up my quota by the 8^th grade!)

I plan to buy the book (or at least skim it at the bookstore), but it got me thinking about what I would recommend to recent grads with 30 post-high school years under my belt:

-Turn off all electronics and dim the lights an hour before you sleep at night.

-Always eat chocolate at room temperature.

-Open and sort your mail daily.

-For gosh sake, hold open doors and offer your seat to the elderly, disabled, pregnant, and children under 10.

-Don’t try too hard to name your kids something unique and/or creative – save it for your pets.

-Learn to say I love you and say it often.

-Plant at least one harvestable vegetable or herb every summer so you remember your place in the world.

-Charge on a credit card only that which you can pay off at the end of the month.

-There’s more than one way to slice a sandwich (hst).

-If you’re blue or depressed, don’t be ashamed, tell someone.

-One-on-one is always better than online.

-Take a quiet walk (if for just a few minutes) every day or night.

-Call your mother once a week.

Anyone want to add to the list?!?!