Need graduation gift ideas for niece!

[shopnfun2me2]

Our niece is graduating from high school soon and I am clueless about a gift. She is a wonderful niece and she usually goes with us on vacation and she also transports my DD10 to and from school. She does not like girly things too much. She is a jeans, t-shirt, ponytail, softball playing kinda gal. She is going to go to a local community college and wants to be an x-ray tech but will be commuting so doesn't need dorm stuff at this time. Need something around $50 as that is what we spent on her brother 2 years ago. Here are some ideas that I had thought of but not to happy with.

Money-would spend it but not have anything memorable
Jewelry-not crazy about it, only wears earrings
Something electronic-? (couldn't really think of anything good for $50)
Vera Bradley laptop case-Might (Her parents are getting her a new laptop. I didn't know if a college commuter would use this or if a laptop backpack would be better.

Please give me some suggestions!!!! TIA

 

[Deb & Bill]

My guess would be money. If she is going to college, I'd bet she can use it.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I dont have many sentimential ideas, but she sounds a lot like my DD.
How about a wonderful card telling her how much you think of her along with a gift card to the book store at the college or the coffee shop. Even the community colleges near us have coffee shops etc. Maybe a school sweatshirt if she hasnt already gotten one. Maybe small gift cards to the places she would pass on her way to school- Wendys, Tim Hortons, Dunkin Dounts etc. If she doesn't already have one- maybe an emergency kit for her car ( jumper cables, flashlight etc) or a membership to AAA.
Just some thoughts, but I tend to buy practical items.

 

[shopnfun2me2]

I dont have many sentimential ideas, but she sounds a lot like my DD.
How about a wonderful card telling her how much you think of her along with a gift card to the book store at the college or the coffee shop. Even the community colleges near us have coffee shops etc. Maybe a school sweatshirt if she hasnt already gotten one. Maybe small gift cards to the places she would pass on her way to school- Wendys, Tim Hortons, Dunkin Dounts etc. If she doesn't already have one- maybe an emergency kit for her car ( jumper cables, flashlight etc) or a membership to AAA.
Just some thoughts, but I tend to buy practical items.

Good ideas! I really love the car kit. Just last week she had to go to a gas station with a low tire and she didn't know how to work a tire gauge. Thanks!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

Our niece is graduating from high school soon and I am clueless about a gift. She is a wonderful niece and she usually goes with us on vacation and she also transports my DD10 to and from school. She does not like girly things too much. She is a jeans, t-shirt, ponytail, softball playing kinda gal. She is going to go to a local community college and wants to be an x-ray tech but will not be commuting so doesn't need dorm stuff at this time. Need something around $50 and that is what we spent on her brother 2 years ago. Here are some ideas that I had thought of but not to happy with.

Money-would spend it but not have anything memorable
Jewelry-not crazy about it, only wears earrings
Something electronic-? (couldn't really think of anything good for $50)
Vera Bradley laptop case-Might (Her parents are getting her a new laptop. I didn't know if a college commuter would use this or if a laptop backpack would be better.

Please give me some suggestions!!!! TIA

My DD is 24 - went to a local Community College to Be a Physical Therapy Assistant - she loves Vera Bradley stuff - and did not like to put her laptop in a backpack.. So I think that the laptop case might be a good idea.

 

[shopnfun2me2]

My DD is 24 - went to a local Community College to Be a Physical Therapy Assistant - she loves Vera Bradley stuff - and did not like to put her laptop in a backpack.. So I think that the laptop case might be a good idea.

OK-I know I would love one but wasn't sure if it would be useful. Sounds like it just might! Thanks!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

My nephew graduated last year and I got him a nice suitcase. I thought he could use one of his very own to take on church trips, family trips, etc. I got him a really nice one on clearance at Dillard's. It was like a $350 suitcase for around $70. Since your niece goes on vacation with you, maybe that would be a nice gift for her as well.

 

[momofrrr]

Ou DD is graduating from HS this year too. One of the things on her list is a white Fossil watch. I don't know how much they are but when we were shopping for her Prom jewelry she saw "knockoffs" in several of the stores that we went in. I would not do money, she will not remember what you gave her......

 

[coinkc]

Last year I gave my nephew a wallet with 10 $5 gift cards to fast food restaraunts that were near the college he was going to. He loved it!

I plan to do the same for my niece this year only with a small purse.

 

[hffmnheidi]

You could always get her a gift card to the college bookstore for her to use on books since they are completely overly priced. The laptop case is a good idea too. Even a gift card to Walmart to get some "professional" wear, such as a nice shirt or nice pants. I know some colleges require students to wear "business professional" clothes, even for college classes.

 

[IvyandLace]

Another proud Auntie here...I have a tradition of making a video scrapbook from birth-graduation for any of my nephews/nieces who graduate; in fact, I'm working on one now for my nephew who graduates in June 2010. (Although I'm a bit behind!) We always show it at the end of their graduation parties, and I have received raves! I know it's not something that they can *use*, but it's a wonderful sentiment of support and love.

IVY

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I am giving my niece and cousin cash. I remember that I loved getting the cash when I graduated and I combined all the money I received and bought something I really wanted. Do I remember who gave me the cash? No. Do I really remember who gave me anything at that time? No. I truly only remember what my parents gave to me and what my favorite teacher got me. I got a bunch of different gifts from jewelery, jewelery boxes, college apparal, movies, gift certificates, etc.

 

[TxRabbit]

If going to college...

The single most used gift that I got for graduation was from my then boyfriend's parents. They got me a compact, leather bound dictionary and thesaurus set. They were in a "magazine holder" style case. The books themselves were maybe 3" x 5". I rarely used the dictionary, but that thesaurus was great! SO handy.

Along the lines of practical gifts...you could make a "laundry" kit, something that would be a carry-all for detergent, fabric sheets, clothes pins, a portable clothes line, and quarters.

Travel accessories would also be a good idea. Especially if they were personalized. Like the self hanging kind that I think LLBean makes? These could also be used if the college bathroom isn't in a private suite...

Personalized towels or sheets would be a good idea too. These are rather old fashioned in concept, but if going off to college, these can be really great for communal living...

Some sort of refillable gift card is a good idea too... like a Starbucks card... If you let her know that you have the card number, then you can also occasionally refill it for a "care package."

Let us know what you do decide to do!

 

[indimom]

Hubby's niece is graduating this year also. We knew we would give money, since it's just too difficult trying to figure out what she'll need or want, but we wanted to have some fun with it (card and money are so boring) and we don't want her to use it all for school since this is also a celebration of what she's accomplished in high school.
So we are going to put two envelopes in her card. One will read something along the lines of "For the things you need - books and supplies." and the other will read "For the things you really need - hair styling, nails, new jeans."
Hopefully she will get a kick out of it and enjoy her gift.

 

[Arkansan]

I realize you said she's not going away to college just yet, but one of the best gifts I received for HS graduation was a tool set in a case. It had all the basics--hammer, screwdrivers in different sizes, pliars, etc. When I moved into the dorms, I was "the girl with the tools" for a few weeks. It was great for meeting people and because my tools were pink, I always knew where they were and I always got them back. Once DH and I got married and had our first apt. and then home, they were the only tools we had for a while. Obviously, as we needed more we added to them but I still have the original set and use them today. (more than 20 yrs. later)

I've given tools since for graduation gifts and have always gotten a positive response--for girls and boys. It is not something obvious that is needed, but in hindsight is SO crucial for living on your own. She WILL remember who gave her the gift of tools. I think of my great-aunt every time I hang a picture and I have received verbal thank-yous months later when the tools I gave someone saved the day.

In early June there are often sales on tool sets (for Father's Day) so I've picked up some great deals at stores like Target, Lowes, or Home Depot. Sets have gotten better over the years--now they often have a cordless screwdriver or drill for example. Neither of these are in my first set! For around $25 you can get something really nice. You can use the other half of your budget for something like gift cards or cash.

Just a thought...

 

[lumpy08]

How about a AAA membership. At first she may think it is weird.... But, let me tell you the first time she breaks down, runs out of gas, or needs a tow where she is commuting she will remember you forever. I think the indiv. membership is pretty cheap. You could probably add a $10 gas gift card. Or better yet... an iTunes gift card... This way she can get some music for her new commute.

 

[Evi]

For nieces graduation I'm buying her a laptop because she really needs one. If she didn't I would get her bookbag size vera and wallet and fill the wallet with gift cards for places she can use when shes at school. I'd get gift cards for Ikea, local supermarkets and restaurants maybe a gas car if shes driving. One thing I'm looking into for niece is if her school offers digital text books. If they do I may be buying her a reader along with the laptop.