Some tips for giving the ideal graduation gifts
Graduation is a very important step in a young person's life, and as a person of influence in their life, of course you would want to give them something that not only reflects that importance, but will give them some sort of assistance for the life that they'll be growing into. That's a lot of pressure for one simple gift. It's difficult to decide what to get. Something person that reflects the relationship you have with that person? Something that will make them smile? Something official and business-like? So many choices.
There are two different types of graduation gifts: sentimental or handy. For either category, there's one keyword to remember when doing your shopping: effective. Recent graduates, whether high school or college, or moving onto a new area of their life.
High school grads will probably be moving out of their parents' house for the first time. College grads may be relocating for the new found career. Moving is when you weed out all of those things that you just don't use, so get them something that you know will be used.
Want to go with something sentimental that will help them remember all those years in which they worked so hard to get to where they are today?
Here are a few ideas for gifting the graduates in your life:
There are a variety of stores that sell personalized diploma frames. You can get them emblazoned with their school's personal seal. Or maybe one in which they can have all of their classmates signatures! There's a lot of options, any of which will give them reason to display that diploma with pride.
Get them something that shows their now-past, or upcoming school's mascot! Make it something they can use, of course! Are they relocating to somewhere cold? Get them a hooded sweatshirt with the school's name and logo! Taking a road trip or driving to their next destination? Provide them with bumper stickers or other car accessories so they can proudly display where they're going - or coming from!
Give them a nice digital camera and quality album before their big day so they can capture all those memories!
A necklace, charm bracelet, class ring, money clip or swiss army knives engraved with the graduates name or an inspirational message is a great idea, and always useful!
Here are some ideas for handy graduation gifts:
A laundry basket filled with soap, laundry detergent, towels, rolls of quarters and other themed things. Or maybe a kitchen appliance filled with non-perishable foods. Overall, themed house-warming gifts aren't just effective, but fun to open and reduces the new grads initial moving in costs!
Planners, flash drives, pens and pencils, organizers and etcetera. Always useful, whether they're traveling onto college or the career path of their choice!
Whether your recent grad is traveling far or not, at some point they're going to need luggage. But spice it up a bit! Put in pamphlets and books pertaining to popular student travel places and some accessories needed for when riding on a plane! From expensive items like portable DVD players to the cheaper items like neck pillows and books!
A laptop for taking notes or being able to study on the go is a good fit. An iPod for planning their new agenda or for a little bit of relaxing or entertainment on their trip to their new destination. A phone so they can call home would be appreciated.
Sure it would be nice to get them something they can enjoy all the time, but don't doubt the meaning of appliances. It's less that the former-student has to worry about buying and something that they'll certainly get a lot of use out of! Microwave, coffee pots, Blenders and other basic appliances all make good ideas.
Just can't figure out what your grad would want, or don't want to risk getting them something they won't really enjoy? Money is always a great option for a recent graduate. If you don't want to just stick some money in a card, try putting your money in other forms! A gift certificate to office and business stores like Office Max, or great house-warming stores like Target or Macy's. Even more, put your cash in the form of a gift certificate for a resume writing service, phone cards or minutes for a pay-as-you-go cell phone.
