High School: Great Graduation Gifts

By Michele Blandino

Next to the Christmas shopping season, graduation time is one of the biggest gift-giving times of the year. And, with parties extending well into the summer months, sometimes these gatherings turn into college send-off parties. Fortunately, whether you are looking for a gift for a new high school graduate or wish to send a college student on their way with a token of your best wishes, there are plenty of terrific options. Here are a few ideas:

Tunes to Go:

An iPod or iPod mini makes a great gift. With the capability to store nearly 1,000 songs, packing one of these tiny devices is certainly much easier than having to cart along an entire CD collection. And, because these devices are small and lightweight, they can be easily slipped into a pocket or backpack for those long treks across campus.

Gift Cards:

Gift cards are always a great option because they allow the recipient to select precisely what they want. Students going off to college for the first time will love gift cards to department stores located near campus or to the college bookstore so that they can shop for the things they will need to equip their dorm room. Gift cards to restaurants, fast food eateries and coffee shops are also highly appreciated.

Picture Frames:

While most new college students have eagerly awaited their new independence, they will still want to surround themselves with items that remind them of home. A few picture frames – particularly those inscribed with sentimental messages – will help the student make the transition from home life to dorm life a bit easier.

Practical Items:

While they may not make the most exciting gifts, items such as bed linens, towels, small appliances (although you may first want to check with the recipient to see if there are any restrictions on the types of appliances they are allowed to have in their dorm room), book bags, and even printer paper and ink cartridges are all things that college students will need. Other practical items you may consider are non-perishable snack foods such as popcorn, pretzels and bottled water, a laundry basket filled with bottles of detergent and dryer sheets, toiletries, and school supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils and highlighters.

Fun Items:

We all know that college isn’t all about the work. And, while college students like to pass their “down” time in a variety of ways, board games and video game systems are can’t-miss favorites.