Meaningful yet Budget Graduation gifts

[kristinw3girls]

My DD is graduating next month. My mother wanted to buy her a nice suitcase to take to college. My DD has a large steemer trunk that she's used for years to take to camp. She has purchased stickers from every trip she's taken, and gotten some stickers from family members cool trips, so she didn't really need a suitcase. My mother decided to make a date with my daughter and her recommended packing list from college. They will have a nice lunch and then go shopping. This way my DD can pick the things she likes and she gets that massive list reduced by her Nana. Win-win as far as I'm concerned.

 

[englishteacha]

I got my niece and 2 nephews who graduated last year fleece snuggly blankets. One nephew was always cold in his dorm room and used his blanket a lot! I gave them each a Walmart gift card, too, to get things for school. My niece is actually attending the college near me, and we've picked her up and taken her out for ice cream a few times, a nice break from campus (she doesn't have a car).

When one of my older nephews graduated, I gave him rolls of quarters for the laundry and vending machines at school. Now, many colleges have laundry "cards" that work like a debit card for the laundry machines...you could get your graduates one of those (if you can get them from the college), loaded with money, along with a laundry basket or hamper, detergent and fabric softener. Totally useful, but any teen will tell you, they'd rather not spend their OWN money to do laundry!

One of the most memorable grad gifts I got was an IOU for a care package, which then arrived in October my freshman year. Homemade cookies, pictures of stuff happening at home, the local paper, a phone card (pre cell phone days!), candy, and some quarters for laundry. Huh...quarters were really like gold when I was in college...

 

[Ephany]

The university I attend is completely automated as far as laundry, no quarters. Everything is downloaded onto your ID card, you swipe it to pay at the dining hall, the snack machines, the copy machines etc... Heck, you can even use it at Sonic out in town. In 4 years, I've only stepped foot in the bookstore once, (I buy all my books from ebay, used off of Amazon etc) but you can still get a sweatshirt or some university logo items if you choose to buy books elsewhere.

No one sent me jewelry thankfully, but I did get quite a few checks. The one gift I remember is a set of battery operated Coleman lanterns. At first I was like huh? I don't camp. Over the years, they've moved across the country twice and have been used in every apartment or house I've lived in. Currently they're just inside the garage door, in case of a power outage. We've used them many, many times. I was also given a very nice sleeping bag that I used for about 15 years until it got lost in one of the moves.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Bought four graduation gifts this am. Have at least one more. Was trying to find something other than gift cards that they would love but it just did not happen.

Bought:
close family member- college grad- a life time GPS upgrade card I know he was wanting. 90.00

Church Friend-Nursing School grad- 25.00 gift card to a store where she can buy scrubs for her new nursing job

Fiance of Niece- Military officer school- 25.00 restaurant gift card.

Friend of my sons (girl)-high-school- 25.00 gift card to a local clothing store I know she likes

 

[IDoDis]

For 100.00, I would look at a piece of jewelry. Maybe something a little classic that they can enjoy their entire life or start something like a Pandora Bracelet.

I was also going to suggest a pandora bracelet with a graduation charm or a charm that is meaningful to each girl. They can add charms throughout thiir lives that tell their life stories. The actual bracelet is sterling silver so it will last forever. Pandora is having a special right now for Mother's Day so you might want to check that out.

 

[clh2]

What about a boy? My boss's son is graduating and we are invited to the party. Is it appropriate for the staff to chip and and get him a gift card or should we just do cash? I have only met him a few times.

IMHO - it isn't appropriate for any staff to get the boss's son anything for a grad gift - unless there was a more personal relationship i.e. if he babysat your kids, watched your pets while you were on a vacation etc. That is just a gift grab IMHO. That invite should have been pre-empted with - "Please join us if you can - and REALLY - a gift is not necessary."

For this one - I wouldn't even send a card.

 

[KDIPIAZZ]

If you sew, a memory quilt is a lovely gift and it not expensive (if you're talking $$ and not time!). Lovely for close friends, relatives or your own child. I saved t-shirts for years for this one.

 

[Eeyoreluver]

I love the memory quilt idea. My daughter graduates from college in December and this is what she wants me to make her.

 

[sk!mom]

I'm saving shirts for my DD's memory quilt but I don't sew. I already know of a local person who will make it for $150.