High School Graduation Gifts?

[daemom]

Any ideas as to graduation gifts these days? My DS is graduating, as are children of friends, and I have no idea where to even begin thinking of a gift--and how much to spend! Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[scoutsmom99]

When I garduated HS in 1999 my parents said they would let me pick out a computer, printer, and scanner for college. I would guess that I ended up spending around $2000-$2500 by the time I added in all of the little extras I got.

 

[tiggerlover]

I usually always give money for graduation gifts. The amount depends on how close we are to the person we are giving to.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I graduated from high school in 2000... I can't really remember what my parents actually gave me ON graduation day, but I know my dad gave me a few hundred dollars and my mom bought me my computer/printer for college(approx $2,000).

Dad paid for all of undergrad so I consider that the biggest gift of all!

My brother and (now) sister-in-law gave me the cutest laundry basket filled with stuff- xtra long twin sheets, a glass for making drinks (hey, she was in her 20s then, she knows how college students are ), slippers, a stationary set, all kinds of little stuff you need for college.

I didn't receive much from friends of my parents (other than cards)- probably some money if anything (about $50). Money goes a long way towards buying all those little things you need for college!!!

 

[gradtchr]

I have given high school grads a laundry basket w/ new towels, laundry detergent, fabric softener, two rolls of quarters, and directions on how to use all items and the directions did not include having the quarters going into the nearest coke machine.

 

[mommaU4]

Didn't people always used to give luggage as a graduation gift? I guess it was for all the world travel the new grad was supposed to be doing now?

As far as how much to spend on your son's friends, for me it would depend on how well I know them. In other words if they were close friends and you know the families I would spend more.

And for your son if he doesn't already have a car.....well, there's your answer.

Good luck and happy shopping!

 

[monarchsfan16]

I graduated last June. My mom and stepdad gave me a tv and dvd player. My dad bought me a laptop and gave me the printer that was at his house. My sister gave me a wireless mouse to go with the laptop. My mom also gave me a memory box for all my graduation stuff (program, tassle, party invitations, etc). Most of my friends got laptops. Some got digital cameras from their parents.
Close friends of my mother's and the woman I babysat for all seemed to give me $50 each. Some other people gave me $20 and $25. My dad's business partner gave me one of the best gifts of all, a Staples gift card. It was very much appreciated. Bed Bath and Beyond gift cards are good, as are Target or Kohls. We got most of my school stuff at the 4 stores I just mentioned
My parents are also each paying a 1/3 of my college education.

 

[daemom]

Didn't people always used to give luggage as a graduation gift? I guess it was for all the world travel the new grad was supposed to be doing now?

That's what great-aunt wanted to get ME when I graduated! I could never understand why that was the standard gift for graduation!!



And for your son if he doesn't already have a car.....well, there's your answer.


I'm sure that's EXACTLY what he's hoping for!

Good luck and happy shopping!

It look like many kind of lean towards the computer/dorm gifts. We knew that he'd probably have to have a laptop--but what he wants and what we would get would be two different things!! His ultimate would be a gaming laptop--but does he need that for school? I think not!

Thanks for so many suggestions! I also love the idea of gift cards for linens and such! Thanks again!

 

[pooh4evr]

I got a small refrigerator from my mom (not the tiny kind - about 3 feet tall) and a cell phone (way back in 93 when cell phones we still bag phones!)

 

[Breezy_Carol]

DD graduated in 2004 and DS graduates this year. I think $$ and gift cards are most appreciated. And while pictures frames are a nice idea, you can only use so many that say 2004 on them.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Didn't people always used to give luggage as a graduation gift? I guess it was for all the world travel the new grad was supposed to be doing now?

That's what i got back in 1995!
omg - almost 11 years ago?!?! YIKES!

My parents gave me 2 LLBean luggage pieces...and i still use them today. and, now that i think of it...besides the fact they have my "maiden name" initials on them..they no way look 11 years old! heheh

my mom also made me a scrapbook of my k-12 years...all my class pictures, friends, ribbons from field days, etc...it was really really sweet and something I still look through every once in a while.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i graduated in 2003---my parents gave me a beautiful necklace on graduation day...

they also pay for my college tuition

 

[bettyann29]

My son (who is 12) wants to go to New York and see the Yankees play on their homeland when he graduates.. He has quite a few years to go, but this is what he wants for his graduation gift.. He is a HUGE NYY fan .. He wants just me and him to go for a mother/son trip.. How can I say no?

 

[abbie13_15]

I got this as a gift for graduation, and gave it to all of my friends. Get $20 in gold one dollar peices from the bank and put them in gold fabric and tie a string around them. It's like a little pot of gold.