Welcome to the second column of “Dear Gift Gals,” (like Dear Abby or Ask Ann Landers), focused on thoughtful gifting and celebrating life’s important moments. After serving the Mt. Lebanon community on Beverly Road for four years, we’ve heard many of the same gifting dilemmas repeatedly. We’ve helped customers choose the perfect gifts for hostesses, new babies, grieving friends and other special occasions. In this column, we’ll tackle those kinds of questions and many more.

With spring flowers blooming, it is not too soon to think about agraduation gifts to celebrate one of life’s most memorable moments — high school graduation. In Mt. Lebanon, we love to celebrate our students and their accomplishments. Although every student loves to receive cash as a graduation gift, it is thoughtful to consider other presents, like pouches to hold money or gift cards.

Some items that are meaningful as graduation gifts include:

•Personalized laundry bags in the colors of the college they are headed to (even include some laundry pods for a sweet touch)

• Monogrammed shower wraps for dorm living

• Rugged leather backpacks

• Personalized luggage tags for the adventurer (easy to slip cash into)

• ID holders for just the necessities
(and cash)

• Pouches to store cords and essentials

• Luggage

• Wallets or passport covers

• Pittsburgh merchandise to remember home

We’d love for readers to be part of the conversation, so send your gifting questions or topic ideas to info@lebobeat.com. Your Lebo Gift Gals are Karin Smith and Jen Brandenstein, owners of Barefoot & Stitches on Beverly Road.