Graduation gift: ideas for the topping-out party and the newly qualified tradesperson

If you're off to a topping-out party, or you're short of a gift for a newly qualified tradesperson, it's easy to be unsure what suits the occasion. Here's a quick explanation of what a trade test, journeyman's piece and journeyman's certificate actually mean, followed by a range of concrete gift ideas that hit the mark for the party, the home and the new everyday life as a qualified tradesperson.

How to choose the right graduation gift

A graduation gift should celebrate that the recipient has now qualified and carries the title of journeyman within their trade, whether it's a carpenter, an electrician or an entirely different trade. Think about what the journeyman needs right now: a money box for the first real pay cheque, something to celebrate the day with at the topping-out party itself, or something for the home if the training has also meant moving into their own place. Whatever you choose, a card with a personal greeting means just as much as the gift itself, as this is where you put into words what you wish for the new journeyman.

Trade test and journeyman's certificate: what does the title journeyman mean

A trade test is the final exam in a craft apprenticeship, where the apprentice shows what he or she has learned by producing a journeyman's piece that's characteristic of the trade. A carpenter, for example, makes part of a roof structure, a joiner makes a piece of furniture, a blacksmith makes a horseshoe, and a plumber makes part of a downpipe in zinc or copper. The journeyman's piece is assessed by examiners, and a grade of pass, well executed or exceptionally well executed results in a journeyman's certificate. For exceptionally well executed work, a bronze or silver medal may also be awarded.

With the journeyman's certificate in hand, you get the title of journeyman within the trade you've trained in, with the title typically placed after the name of the trade, such as baker's journeyman, bricklayer's journeyman or miller's journeyman. The training has taken place under the alternating training system, switching between school and practical placement, where as an apprentice you've worked alongside a qualified journeyman. The journeyman's certificate is thus proof that this period is over, and that you can now handle the tasks yourself.

The journeyman's piece varies from trade to trade, but some examples come up again and again.

The topping-out party: the celebration for the newly qualified

A journeyman party is the celebration you hold to mark that someone has qualified as a skilled tradesperson's journeyman. The Danish Dictionary quotes Jyllands-Posten from 1998 to describe the mood precisely: 'It has always been customary to round off a trade apprenticeship with a right cracker of a journeyman party.'

If you're going to a journeyman party, there are a few things to remember: a gift that marks the day, and a card congratulating them on their journeyman's certificate. The rest, food, speeches and celebrating, is usually taken care of by the hosts themselves.

Gift ideas for the graduation gift

There's no single right journeyman gift, but a few categories tend to recur, because they suit the occasion:

• Something for the first pay packet: a gift from piggy banks is a cosy hint that the saving can begin in earnest, now that the apprentice's wage has been swapped for a journeyman's wage. Guinea pig piggy bank in stoneware from Quail or Dachshund piggy bank in ceramic from Quail are both examples that can sit out on display without looking like a gift for a child.
• Something for the party and future celebrations: the journeyman party is far from the last time there's cause to raise a glass. Cocktail shaker in glass from Bloomingville from cocktail equipment or Yuichi ice bucket in gold from Bloomingville makes it easy to put out a good drink or a cold bottle, and a wine cooler or good wine stoppers work well if the journeyman likes gathering friends round the table.
• Something for the home: if the journeyman's certificate has also meant moving into their own place, inspiration from gift ideas is a sure way to find something that actually gets used.
• Something fun with a glint in the eye: if humour suits the occasion better than practicality, there's inspiration among the fun gifts.

Gift for a carpenter's apprentice and other trades

If you want to give the gift a little nod to the trade, it's not the journeyman's showpiece itself you should try to match, since that's already what the new journeyman is proudest of. Instead, a small detail can hint at the craft, without the gift becoming yet another work tool. A wooden coat hookis a good example that suits a carpenter's journeyman nicely, because it speaks the same language as the trade, but is still a gift for the home rather than for the toolbox. If it's a completely different trade, like an electrician, bricklayer or IT support, you can instead let the gift be about the person rather than the trade.

How much do you give as a graduation gift

There's no official rule for what a journeyman's gift should cost, and it naturally depends on how close you are to the new journeyman. If several of you are giving together, you can pool your money and give a bigger gift or a gift card, so the amount doesn't have to come from just one person. The shop's gifts are divided into price ranges from 1-200 DKK to 200-400 DKK and upwards, so you can search directly in the range that suits your relationship and budget. If you're in doubt, a gift card is always an option, letting the new journeyman choose for themselves. If you want a better idea of what's reasonable in exactly your case, you can read more in the article about how much you should give as a gift.

The card: what do you write to a new journeyman

A card is part of the journeyman's gift, and it doesn't need to be long to hit the mark. Congratulate them on their journeyman's certificate, feel free to mention the journeyman's piece or trade specifically, and round off with a wish for the future. A few suggestions for wording:

• Congratulations on your journeyman's certificate. It's official now: you're a journeyman.
• Many congratulations on passing your journeyman's exam, good luck going forward as a journeyman.
• Congratulations on the day. It's been a long road, and now you can call yourself a journeyman.

Write the name of the trade in, if you know it, for example carpenter's journeyman or electrician's journeyman, so the card feels written specifically for that person.

Frequently asked questions

What do you give as a journeyman's gift?

A journeyman's gift can be something for the first pay cheque like a piggy bank, something for the party like cocktail equipment or a wine cooler, something for the home, or something fun. A card with a personal greeting is always part of it.

What is a svendegilde (journeyman's party)?

A svendegilde is a party held to celebrate that someone has qualified as a skilled tradesperson. The tradition goes back so far that the Danish Dictionary already described it in 1998 as a cracking party.

How much do you give as a journeyman's gift?

There's no official rule for the amount, it depends on the relationship. If you want to give together, you can go in on a gift or a gift card for an amount that suits you.

What do you give a carpenter's journeyman as a gift?

A gift with a little nod to the trade, for example a wooden coat hook, suits a carpenter's journeyman nicely. You shouldn't try to copy the journeyman's piece itself, because that's already what the new journeyman is proud of.

What's the difference between the journeyman's exam and the journeyman's certificate?

The journeyman's exam is the final exam, where the apprentice makes a journeyman's piece that is assessed by examiners. The journeyman's certificate is the actual proof you receive once you've passed the exam, and it gives you the title of journeyman.

What do you write in a card for a new journeyman?

Congratulate them on their journeyman's certificate, feel free to mention the journeyman's piece or trade, and write a wish for the future. A short and personal greeting means more than long phrases.

Summary

A journeyman's gift is about celebrating that the journeyman's exam has been passed, and that a new journeyman is ready for working life. Choose something that suits the occasion, feel free to let the trade shine through a little, and always remember a card with a personal greeting.

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