In need of a few gift ideas for grads? When I graduated from college, my parents gave me a string of pearls. From time to time, but not very often, I go into pearl mode and wear them with everything. Generally, though, they sit in my jewelry box. I had them restrung years ago, and the jeweler did a miserable job. When I told him they don’t lie flat and seem to buckle because of how tight he made them, he said that my body heat would make the knots relax. I must be stone cold. Those pearls do, however, mean a lot to me.
These days, graduation is a gift-giving ritual from pre-school on up. It’s hard to track who is graduating from where because schools and grades seem to be divided according to the district’s momentary demographics. My granddaughter, therefore, will be “graduating” this June at the end of third grade when she will advance to middle school (junior high schools in both name and grade seem to be extinct). So it’s her third graduation – pre-school, kindergarten, and now third grade – at the ripe old age of nine—no problem thinking of something she’ll love.
Gift Ideas For Grads
But what do you give the college grads today? Especially if you can’t afford to provide them with a new car or pay for their summer in Europe. We have a few ideas:
Something-of-the-Month Club
Create your club. Except only your graduate has a membership. Then, each month, mail them anything that follows the theme. Monthly gifts like homemade cookies, movie tickets, t-shirts, wine, jelly beans, personalized M&Ms. Pretty much anything you can send them one of each month.
Make a Donation
There are lots of causes which appeal to young people, reasons that let them really see what money can do. A donation in a graduate’s honor can trigger a healthy habit that can hand down to the next generation. Heifer International provides training and animals to families worldwide to help make them self-reliant. Still, there are thousands of causes, one of which might hold unique appeal to the graduate you want to honor.
iTunes Gift Cards
Actually, anything with an “I” in front of it will do. You’d think Apple stores are giving away iPads based on the number of people you can see pouring out of the stores, new devices in hand. But whether you want to spend ten bucks or dozens of tens, it would be hard to find a graduate who tires of getting new downloads for their iThis or iThat.
Amazon Kindle
Find anyone who owns a Kindle and doesn’t love it. End of story. While there are lots of worthy competitors, to my eyes, this one remains the best. You can also add a couple of books you’ve loved or accessorize with a carrying case into which you add an Amazon gift card.
Cash or an Amex Gift Card
Cash or an Amex gift card which they can use anywhere. Need I say more? Might soon disappear, but will not disappoint!
Quilt Throw
It’s a little late for this one, but if you’re handy, get photo transfer fabric (any quilting store) and transfer photos of your grad’s life (or college life) to these fabric squares. Choose a background fabric. Stitch the squares together, and you have a usable photo “album.”
Go Have Fun Bag
If your graduate, like so many, has been toting gear and clothing to and from college in tired duffles or, as my daughters did, giant leaf bags, a nice lightweight weekend getaway bag is a good gift. Family members who want to add to the send-off can put their own gifts into the bag.
Gourmet Gift Basket
Still at a loss for what to gift your grad? Gourmet gift baskets are always a hit!