Every time graduation season comes around, our pockets seem like they have a very large hole in them. With having to give anywhere from $50.00-$200.00 in cash or a check away, why not give that special graduate a different kind of gift? Any of these gifts mentioned below can be given alone, or if you feel you are being too cheap, you can always add cash or a check in a card as a quick gift also.
Picture Frame/Photo Album
There are so many places to buy a great frame for a graduation gift. Hallmark, Kohl’s, and Macy’s carry some great, sturdy frames that look quite expensive for a decent price. Graduates have lots of pictures, and of course will use your frame to display them, this will not be a gift likely to be returned. As for a photo album, one that says their class year, or you can even make a homemade one which would be great gift for your grad if you are crafty. For an extra topping, give a disposable camera along with one of these gifts, or if they have their own camera or a digital, a roll of film or a gift card for free prints at your local photo center would also be great!
Gift Cards For Preparation For College
What do most high school graduates need after they graduate? Dorm supplies. There are so many gifts to buy in this area. I always bought gift cards to Walmart or Target, they sell a lot of the necessities for graduates that will be dorming. For graduates that will be commuting, a gas card is a great idea these days. It may look funny putting a gas card in a graduation card, but if you get creative, you can make a card with this little poem:
Moving forward and on the run,
College is going to be so much fun!
Writing papers, getting to class on time,
don’t forget you are leaving your parents behind.
So when it’s time to come back home, and cash is going fast,
use this gift card, to get some free gas!
Dorm Basket
If your graduate you are buying for is going to be dorming at college, a dorm basket is a great idea. Buy either a wicker basket (or even a hamper or laundry basket!) and fill it with a bunch of goodies: toothpaste, toothbrushes, candy/snacks, bed sheets, shower caddy, phone cards, etc., the possibilities are endless for this one!
Graduation Memory DVD
If you are the parent of your graduate, or maybe even brother or sister, you need to visit onetruemedia.com. This website is awesome – you can put your pictures and music together and create a wonderful graduation gift for that special graduate gift. Start with pictures from when they were a baby, and put old school related pictures and such on it with songs such as, “Forever Young,” “Daddy’s Little Girl,” you get the idea. These presents are not returnable, and you know you’re in for a treat when they get to actually watch the DVD and you get to see their expressions on their face while they’re watching it — priceless. If you’re an expert on the computer, you can even make one of these from your own PC!
Whatever the present you will be giving for the graduate will be, make sure it is special, after all — school was 13 years of their life, this should be a time of celebrating and rejoicing over their accomplishment, make it a memorable one for them!
