Whether it is for high school or college graduation, giving a new grad a thoughtful gift is a nice way of showing pride in their achievements. Gifts can be really anything. A gift can be a wide range of things, from monetary presents to practical gifts for everyday living.
Monetary Gifts for Graduates
It is customary to give graduates a gift of a check or cash upon graduation. The amount of money is not standardized, though. It really depends on what the giver can afford to present as a gift, as well as how well they know the graduate.
Other money-based present ideas for high school graduates could include gift certificates for bookstores or restaurants which have locations at the college of their choice. This way, they would have something to fall back on come August. Some schools even have "cash" that can be put into a student account and used via student ID card. This may be something to consider as well.
For college graduates, it might be appropriate to give gift cards or certificates to home furnishing stores. Another consideration might be a store that sells business attire, in order to build the graduate's wardrobe for job interviews.
Create a Care Package for Graduates
Instead of writing a check or handing over a few bills, consider giving a recent graduate a large care package. This can be a container of any sort (plastic bin, reusable bag or laundry basket, for example), filled with "necessities" alongside some fun items. Suggestions include:
- laundry detergent, dryer sheets and a roll of quarters
- hangers
- basic cleaning supplies
- anti-bacterial wipes or hand sanitizers
- a set of towels
- a shower caddy
- a flashlight and batteries
- a fleece throw blanket
- a reusable water bottle
- something fun, such as a board game or a deck of cards
A gift like this gives a grad the tools needed to live in a dorm or start off an apartment.
Unique Gifts for Graduates
For a unique gift for a graduate, think about their interests and needs. For instance, a student who has always loved to travel might enjoy a trip to Europe, courtesy of their family. In this way, relatives and friends could all go in on one large gift, rather than having several separate ones.
Other gifts could be something like:
- a scrapbook memorializing the student's achievements
- gaming system with some games
- movies, books, or music
- jewelry
- an overhaul on a car
- an MP3 player
- a docking system or speakers
- bedding or furniture
Really, anything can become a great graduation present. It's the thought that counts.
RWC101
Alicia Linn - Hi! I'm Alicia. I have a degree in journalism from Michigan State University. In terms of writing, I have worked on feature and news-type ...
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