Good high school graduation gifts?

[dauser]

Hi - my niece is graduating high school in 2 weeks and is starting college in the fall. I will be giving her some cash as a gift, but would also like to give her an actual present. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[babylisa4]

but one thing my son got that was cool was a really nice BIG laundry bag with his name monogramed on it

 

[mamacatnv]

My DS loves the laundry hamper with wheels he got (it was stuffed full of dorm goodies)
His poker set was another hit

When my cousin graduated HS and was heading to college we got her gift cards for several of the local vendors near her Univ. Hair, nails, tanning, movies, restaurants, ice cream, coffee and cafe's.

 

[golfgal]

Depending on how much you want to spend, a nice piece of jewelry might be welcomed. Honestly though, cash or gift cards are what they want and need the most.

 

[Tink888]

Luggage.

The book "Oh The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Suess makes a nice, sentimental and inexpensive gift to go with cash.

Or, if she is going on to college, what about a hoodie with the school's insigna on it along with the cash?

 

[stevenpensacola]

I seem to recall (barely) that back "in the day", the default graduation present everyone got was the "Cross Pen and Pencil Set"...which usually stayed in the box...since we didn't quite know what to do with them...and we did not want to use up all the fancy ink...

 

[LuvOrlando]

I always give cash because it's the one thing every High School graduate needs, whether its for gas, something for the dorm room, whatever, I know it won't be unwanted.

 

[Jeanne B]

I have a few ideas but I'm still trying to figure out what to get my daughter for graduation so I'm looking forward to seeing the replies on here.

I seem to recall (barely) that back "in the day", the default graduation present everyone got was the "Cross Pen and Pencil Set"...which usually stayed in the box...since we didn't quite know what to do with them...and we did not want to use up all the fancy ink...

I got a set of those "back in the day"!!!

 

[4nana]

We have 3 graduates to buy gifts for this year. We like to give sweatshirts/ clothing of their prospective college, along with #1 choice of money.


Congrats to your niece!

 

[VAN]

I don't think a gift in addition to cash is necessary, but like the ideas presented so far (book, jewelry, college shirt).

Re the person looking for a gift for their own child's graduation ... we got each of our kids a laptop computer as their official graduation gift. Of course, I think the bigger "gift" was that of paying for their college! LOL.

College graduation gift was a new suit for interviews!!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

How about a gift basket with dorm essentials?
You can start with a shower caddy as the basket, fill it with cheap flip-flops, and other shower essentials -soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, washcloths.... and depending on how much you want to spend, you can branch out to include tylenol, nyquil, cough drops, first aid cream, bandaids, itch cream, etc.
All the things your niece is so used to finding in the medecine cabinet at home, but would not think to buy for herself when going away.

Another idea a friend of mine did for her niece was a handyman kit, with basic tools - hammer, screwdriver, and pliers also removable hooks, double sided tape, masking tape, hangers, over the door shoe holder, push pins, cork board, lysol, windex, sponges, clorox wipes, etc. All things that did not make the "recommended packing list" but all things the girl got tons of use out of.

 

[PollyannaMom]

....Another idea a friend of mine did for her niece was a handyman kit, with basic tools - hammer, screwdriver, and pliers also removable hooks, double sided tape, masking tape, hangers, over the door shoe holder, push pins, cork board, lysol, windex, sponges, clorox wipes, etc. All things that did not make the "recommended packing list" but all things the girl got tons of use out of.

A tool kit is my suggestion, too. My Dad and brother made me one back when I was going off to college, and I met every girl on my floor the first weekend, because I was the only one who had a hammer and screwdriver to loan out!

By the time my oldest niece graduated, I even found a girly set all made up in a pink case. She loved it!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Luggage.

The book "Oh The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Suess makes a nice, sentimental and inexpensive gift to go with cash.

Or, if she is going on to college, what about a hoodie with the school's insigna on it along with the cash?

My grandparents gave me luggage 22 years ago and I STILL have it. So when it came time for my DD to graduate, my parents gave her luggage. We are heading off to Disney Friday & I am getting a picture of us and our graduation luggage!! Seriously, it really is a good gift idea to get a graduate a nice set of luggage.

I also like the college hoodie idea. I may do that one myself.

So far my DD has received cash, luggage & she is getting a netbook from my inlaws.

 

[Jeanne B]

Re the person looking for a gift for their own child's graduation ... we got each of our kids a laptop computer as their official graduation gift. Of course, I think the bigger "gift" was that of paying for their college! LOL.

A laptop is actually one of the things I'm considering...and then there's the bigger "gift", as you mentioned!!

 

[golfgal]

A laptop is actually one of the things I'm considering...and then there's the bigger "gift", as you mentioned!!

We got our DS18 a laptop for college and will do the same for the twins when they go off to college. We also got him a printer, etc. It is one think you KNOW they will use in college.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Things I remember getting and using... Granted this was in 98

Notebooks
Pens
Pencils
book bag
highlighters
money
laundry soap
printer paper
shampoo
conditioner
towels
soap
non perishable foods
dorm fridge
plates
bowels
napkins
knives
things to microwave food in
ummm protection
toilet paper
hangers
rug
telephone cord