What to give DD for HS graduation?

[barkley]

hmmm-my friend's college kids use a rental service for their dorm bedding-it comes in a kit sized to the dorm beds (there are multiple colors and patterns to choose from) and the rental fee works out to be cheaper than mailing or schleping home the stuff during summer break.

i'm the sentimental type so i like something they will hang onto. a nice watch, ring or necklace is great-but i would'nt go with anything costly such that if she took it to school with her it would be tragic if it got lost or "walked away".

when i graduated from college my mom bought me a peice of art from an artist i realy loved (cost a couple hundred framed in the 80's)-i still have it hanging in my home (i still love it as does dh) and would never get rid of it, but it's also one of the few gifts i've received that has gone up in value.

 

[aprilgail2]

A navigational thing for her car would be good! They didn't have them when I graduated but I did get a new car for graduation, before that I was dirving a hand me down car that my father gave to my brother when he was 16, then my brother got a new one for graduation so I got the hand me down one when I was 16 until I graduated and got a new one.
I have never heard of coordinating bedding for a dorm though...I wouldn't expect my roommate to like the same color/style etc that I liked...

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My parents gave me a nice watch.

Lori

 

[Hedy]

I got a Tiffany's necklace and a trip to WDW.
If fridges are allowed, maybe a fridge? I've also heard suggestion of offering to pay the phone bill for the firs few months.

 

[Cthia]

My parents bought me a very nice watch for graduation. I still have it.

I commuted to college so they gave me a car also. They also paid for my college education so that was one expense I did not have to worry about.

 

[INDISMOM]

One thing I got that I remember is a laundry basket FILLED with goodies:

Laundry detergent
Fabric softener
Dish soap
Dish rags
Dish towels
Microwaveable food
A hot pot
Cup of noodles
snacks
silverware
set of 4 place settings
mixing bowl (seems odd, but this came in very handy)
cups
drink mix (Crystal Light, lemonade, koolade)
plastic pitcher
sugar
Gift certificate to Target or Walmart

Depending on the size of her room and what is already in there, a bean bag or comfortable chair of some kind.

 

[Snowysmom]

We gave older DS a nice watch and a digital camera. He gets alot of use out of both.

 

[Minnesota!]

I got a nice watch and a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring.

I think there are a ton of good suggestions on here. I never would have even thought about coordinating bedding! We certainly didn't. I had pink, my roomie had dark green. Could have cared less!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

DD just got a brochure from Campus Linens, where you can order bedding/bath items for college.

http://www.campuslinens.com/default.aspx

The website includes a list (it's linked in their FAQs) of colleges which have extra-long beds and this note:

We have compiled a list of many schools that do have extra-long beds in their residence halls. You can view this list by clicking here. Please be aware that this list may not include all schools with extra-long beds on their campus. Please note that extra-long sheets will fit standard twin beds too. Therefore, ordering these extra-long linens will ensure that you will have what you need.

Even if you don't order, it might help to look at a list of items for college students.

 

[sugarpie]

How about a trip? Maybe a family trip or just a special weekend to celebrate her moving on to a new phase of her life.

 

[Kirby]

My parents gave me a cedar chest (it's what I wanted) when I graduated many moons ago.

We are giving our son a laptop as a graduation/18th birthday present.

 

[Lynn CC]

These are some of the things my DS got last year when he graduated HS. We gave him a huge Graduation Party at a restaurant and all his family there was about 55 of us! What FUN!
His fav. gift and the most popular with him and his roomates was a maid service that came in and cleaned the dorm bathroom (he shared with 3 others and they were responsible for cleaning it) and the 2 room suite. She came once a week and spent a couple of hours there cleaning the floor, toilot, shower, double sink, vacume, changed sheets etc. Then took the laundry and had it cleaned and returned the following week if they wanted. DS didn't get his laundry done by here though, some of the boys did.
This was a service from Sept-May, except for January because they weren't there. (his grandparents)

He got a $1200 bank card to use at a local bank about a half minute from his dorm in case he needed cash. (his grandmother)

He got a gift basket with lots of gift cards for local restaurants, CVS, Staples, local movies, Ice Cream Shops,and College Bookstore and some shops at the Downtown Crossings and Fanueil Hall, T Tokens, local museums and sporting event tickets, Gasoline Cards, Tours etc. (given by a bunch of his Aunts that live nearby). They went crazy, he didn't even use all the GC's in the Basket yet. His favorites were the restaurants in ChinaTown, and the North End he went about 6 times with different friends and dates!

So if you know what is around your DD's College you could get something like this, he loved it, and it got him out and around Boston.



Other than that he got cash. We got him his college dorm room things during the summer months, and he did coordinate and accesorize with his roomates too! They had a "Navy Blue" Theme LOL, the whole place was navy blue rugs, bedspreads, shower curtain etc. LOL
Next year they are having an Asian Theme red with dragons and paper lanterns etc.

Have Fun and I hope you decide on a great gift.