Extremely Budget Grad Gift

[mdsoccermom]

Is it donation time already?

She's behind schedule. I expected it to start weeks ago.

 

[cm8]

If he has an upgrade available, wouldn't that make the phone free?

Some carriers charge an additional fee to upgrade

My, my, you and your family are extremely lucky! Having received paid trips to escort the hs band to NYC, the trip for this son to visit WDW. Sometimes your posts read as if you are hoping that someone will feel sorry for you and your family and send something to help. I can't understand how a family that has so many money issues can afford satelite tv, cell phones, etc. These are things that are expensive and not required to function.

Here's hoping that this son who has a full ride scholarship has gotten himself a job so that he can help his family out with the ever posted financial problems.

I'm sure whatever a bleeding heart Diser sends will make him happy. Free is best isn't it?

I think the gig is up.

She's behind schedule. I expected it to start weeks ago.

I have too many emotions for all these comments

 

[JOCAmom]

OP, why did you not save at least a tiny bit for the last couple of months for a graduation gift? It's obviously not a surprise that he's graduating since he is getting a full ride and scholarships to his college of choice. I guess I could see the panic for a gift he were a poor student and just pulled of graduating by the skin of his teeth. Since he such a great kid, why were you not planning ahead for this?

 

[chimilady]

I know you're off the watch thing, but I recently was watching a TED talk and the speaker said to the audience raise your hand if you wear a watch, and very few did and the ones who did were over 35. Young people apparently think watches are lame as they are only single use devices. With everything having a built-in clock right now, there would be no use to give a watch to a young person so sleeps with their phone.

 

[crashbb]

I know you're off the watch thing, but I recently was watching a TED talk and the speaker said to the audience raise your hand if you wear a watch, and very few did and the ones who did were over 35. Young people apparently think watches are lame as they are only single use devices. With everything having a built-in clock right now, there would be no use to give a watch to a young person so sleeps with their phone.

Clearly I'm a freak - I'm under 35 and always wear a watch. Yes, I could check my cell phone, but getting that out and checking it is not nearly as easy as looking at my wrist. But I'm also the type of person who panics at the thought of being 5 minutes late.

I'm not, at all saying, that you don't have a point (based on many comments here and in my real life), everyone but me would agree with you that there is no need to have a watch. I just always feel surprised when people say that there is no need for a watch.

 

[3mickeymom]

All three of my boys have started wearing watches again - BIG faced watches are in style. Just look at any of the websites that are styled toward the younger generation and you will see lots of watches. If the poster decides to go with a watch, I think it would be fine.

 

[stsomewhere]

All three of my boys have started wearing watches again - BIG faced watches are in style. Just look at any of the websites that are styled toward the younger generation and you will see lots of watches. If the poster decides to go with a watch, I think it would be fine.

my son , 14, wears a watch all the time. We bought him a very nice, large faced watch. While it was not budget, it was $300. It was worth the money. He loves it. He gets many compliments about it.

He can wear it to school since cell phones are not allowed. He uses it to show his individuality since he is required to wear a uniform.

 

[girli565]

If you want a cheaper than normal iPod, sellout.woot.com has one today for $144. It's a touch. I don't know what your budget is but it could be an option.

 

[Sabrefan]

I'm so confused right now.

 

[ccgirl]

My oldest is graduating from High School next week. We are soooo proud. He is a really good kid. He earned a few scholarships and has a full ride to a super great school.

I know he is not expecting anything, knowing our limited budget. He is very easy to please. However I do want to get his something to remember the occassion.

Any suggestions?

I was thinking of a watch because he does not have one and that could fit into any pricing.

I don't think we can swing a iPod right now, he is using an handme down nano that does not work with earphones, so he uses a base speaker/clock thing. We could if we gave it to him before going to college, just not this month.

Would you think an iPod or a Nook/Kindle would be preferred?

Thanks in advance.

Apparently our budgets are different. My mom didn't get me any "present" when I graduated. The party was it and I was very grateful. As for something to remember the occasion, I have something with me at all times and it didn't cost a dime. It is called memories.

He is old enough to start saving up and start buying those things for himself now.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[mco65]

CASH is KING.. My dad gave me cash and it was the best.

 

[girli565]

CASH is KING.. My dad gave me cash and it was the best.

I agree, I got cash when I graduated from college. It was very nice because it took me 2 months to find a job so this was a nice cushion.

back when I graduated from high school my aunt and mom decided to give me a 3-day cruise. All my family was going so my parents tagged along and added me. Very fun and great to spend the time with family.

 

[brymolmom]

I've got a great budget grad gift - a SCRAPBOOK. My sil did one for her dd and it was BEAUTIFUL and very special. And apart for some papers/stickers - the only expense was a lot of time.

Take some baby pictures or a pic of him at each grade through all his school years...Maybe write a story or two on special years where big things happened.

Finally ending with him as a responsible adult with another passage about his strengths and how you know he'll move on to do wonderful things. Maybe grab a nice poem off the Internet and print it out. A tear-jerker.

It is something he will keep forever and be a forever reminder of his graduation.

 

[johde]

I know it sounded extravagent but if the kid is going to college, some kind of e-reader could end up being a budget purchase. I teach college and depending on the field of study, e-textbooks can be cheaper than real ones not to mention quite a bit lighter to carry around.

 

[AntePrincess]

My oldest is graduating from High School next week. We are soooo proud. He is a really good kid. He earned a few scholarships and has a full ride to a super great school. .... Any suggestions?

A picture.

 

[momxx5]

All decided.
I found a two volume set of Shakespeare complete work. He loves Shakespeare and his girlfriend brough him back Hamlet from her trip to England from Shakespeare's home(?). So this will be a nice addition. I will write a nice inscription. $4.00 for set at Good Will in excellent conditon especially for being old and fancy hardcover

Then I will start on the memory quilt made of all his fav shirts save over the 18yrs. T-shirts from WDW rides, sports teams he has played, fave bands, etc. Not sure how soon I can get that done.....it may end up for Christmas.

No party. Just a small cookout with just us (7 of us make a party) and his girlfriend.

Things are looking up.

 

[vickalamode]

All decided.
I found a two volume set of Shakespeare complete work. He loves Shakespeare and his girlfriend brough him back Hamlet from her trip to England from Shakespeare's home(?). So this will be a nice addition. I will write a nice inscription. $4.00 for set at Good Will in excellent conditon especially for being old and fancy hardcover

Then I will start on the memory quilt made of all his fav shirts save over the 18yrs. T-shirts from WDW rides, sports teams he has played, fave bands, etc. Not sure how soon I can get that done.....it may end up for Christmas.

No party. Just a small cookout with just us (7 of us make a party) and his girlfriend.

Things are looking up.

I love the quilt idea! That is a perfect budget gift. Even if you only spend an hour each week doing it you should be able to finish it before he leaves for school.

 

[sk!mom]

I'm also saving shirts. One of my DD's grad gifts will be a memory quilt of dance tees.

 

[duffy]

If you were thinking of a Nook/Kindle a few days ago, you should have plenty of money leftover now. I'd just give him the cash you didn't spend on the ereader.

 

[bgirldeb]

If you were thinking of a Nook/Kindle a few days ago, you should have plenty of money leftover now. I'd just give him the cash you didn't spend on the ereader.

good idea. Or put it towards that dorm room.