Get Useful Gifts for High School Grads

June 2, 2008 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar

Graduation season is upon us and for those of us with loved ones graduating high school or college are all happy to leave the books behind and see what future has in store. Buying practical, useful gifts for graduates is more important now because of the high cost of further education and living expenses.

Kids moving on to college or a working life will appreciate practical gifts that help them start their new, adult life. Here are some ideas that will help get the grad you love started off on the right foot.

Gift Cards - You can choose the denomination you wish to give and the student gets to use the card to help afford school supplies, a new career wardrobe, or gas for their car to get them to their summer jobs. Gift cards are always the right size and rarely need to be returned.

Theme Basket - Collecting practical items for a student going away to school is not only thoughtful but also appreciated. The more creative you are, the better. Here are some themes you could use for your basket.

• Postal Package - Assemble items such as stationary, computer printer paper, postcards, postage stamps, envelopes, pens, and stickers.
• Laundry Basket - Assemble items such as detergent, fabric sheets, bleach, laundry pen, stain remover, mesh laundry bag, and put it all in a sturdy laundry basket.
• Cleaning Basket - Assemble glass and other cleaners, sponges, cloths, candles, air fresheners, potpourri, and other “smell good” items and present them in a large plastic bucket.
• Car Care Basket - Any grad who received a new car for a gift would appreciate a basket full of car care cleaning supplies such as wash, wax, windshield wash fluid, oil, and other essentials.
• First Aid Kit - Fill a convenient carrying case with bandages, gauze, antiseptic ointment, itch cream, burn cream, and other essentials to take away to college.

Memory Keepers - Graduation time will no doubt bring a ton of photos. Purchasing quality photo albums, photo frames, scrapbooking materials, coupons or gift certificates for film developing, photo printing paper, and the like will help your grad preserve the memories forever.

College Merchandise - If you know the school the graduate will be attending in the fall, you may be able to browse the school store online and buy some school-spirit merchandise. Sometimes such items are over-priced so you can look for an alternative vendor or purchase a gift certificate from the school to help students with on-campus expenses.

While cash is always welcome, using some creativity will not only save you money but it will make your graduation feel extra-special because you designed a gift with them in mind.

Posted in Giving, children, college, education, family

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