Blueprint

Red Letter Day

May 2007

This graduation season, skip the copy of What Color is Your Parachute? and give the gift every new ex-student really needs: cash. To make yourself feel better about the slightly unoriginal move, tuck the bills (experts say $25 to $50 will do for nonrelatives) inside a festive envelope like this one, inspired by the “lucky money” packets traditionally given to children for Chinese New Year. Yes, it’s what’s inside that counts, but a thoughtful presentation always earns you extra credit.