Graduation Gift Ideas
Find a Gift for Your Graduate
Mom and Dad don’t have to worry too much about giving a gift. You are either going to pay tuition or you've just finished paying it. Plus, you’re paying for the graduation party. Enough! (Or at least that’s what I said when mine graduated.) However, if you’re invited to a graduation party or if you are a more generous parent than I was, here are some great graduation gift ideas.
The Big Prize. Some ideas that will make the graduate’s head spin.
- Vacation. Europe? The Caribbean? Hawaii?
- Car. I actually did give my kids a car when they graduated. It was a beater, so it didn’t cost much, and I made sure they had no excuse not to go to work.
- Money. Always the perfect gift.
- Laptop computer. You have to be careful here. Many colleges are requiring specific programs and set up.
- Cell phone. We just continued the family plan. I said they had no excuse not to call their mother once a week.
- Furniture. I don’t really recommend this unless you know the space they are using.
- Small refrigerator. I think this is a perfect present for a college freshman.
Really Useful Graduation Gifts That Won’t Break the Budget
- Briefcase. Perfect for a professional (lawyer, accountant, etc.)
- Gift Cards. I’ve never met a college graduate who wasn’t tight on cash. Buy a card for a clothing store, and you can be pretty sure that they’ll get something they need and appreciate.
- Watch. Be careful here. More people are using their cell phones as watches. Givers tend to attach a lot of sentiment to this gift that sometimes is not understood by the graduate.
- Set of luggage. For a graduate planning to study abroad!
- Television. Remember that dorm rooms aren’t that big, so that 72” plasma won’t work.
- DVD player. Inexpensive and appreciated.
- Sound System. For the audiophiles out there, a pair of high-end speakers or headphones would be a real treat.
- Tool box with basic tools. I bought one of these for my nephew. Hated it when I gave it. Told me later it was one of the most useful presents he ever received. Go figure.
- Engraved jewelry or personalized graduation item. A keepsake for a special day.
- Books. Get a book that made a difference to you or one that addresses their future field of study.
- Photo album with family pictures. Really great when it comes from Mom or Grandma.
- Graduation survival kit. Fill a clothes basket with college essentials! Towels, flip-flops, laundry detergent and a roll of quarters. Chips and snacks, tissues, hand sanitizer, cough drops, bandaids, batteries, aspirin and more! The grad will love a basket of essentials filled with all the things they forgot to get.
These are just a few graduation gift ideas. Remember to pick a gift that the graduate wants, not one that you want. And stick to the budget!
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