Great graduation gift ideas – creative ways to say congrats to your grad
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So cash may be still be king when it comes to what high school grads want to see when they open their graduation cards, but if you’re interested in a spark of creativity or trying to personalize your gifts here are some fun suggestions.
HELPING THEM STAY CONNECTED – Students are constantly connected electronically, so most anything that will make that make that connection easier and more convenient will be appreciated.
Amazon Prime Membership ($99, Amazon). This could likely be every student’s favorite gift. I think it’s worth it for the free delivery alone, but giving often cash-poor kids access to free movies, music, and discounts like $10 off your first Amazon restaurant order is truly a gift that keeps on giving. To make it extra special, you can order it in a gift box, and include a small gift card with it.
Mophie Juice Pack Reserve – this is an iPhone and iPod charger that students can carry on their key chains. It can be used when they run into a situation where they find themselves with a low-battery and a must-have app download or photo that can’t wait. $59.95, www.mophie.com
A Jackery Portable Charger($29.99, Amazon) For under 30 bucks, it’s a fabulous gift and every time they run out of juice on their phone or tablet, they will think of you saving the day.
Here’s a list of practical tech gifts of all kinds should inspire great high school graduation gift ideas.
Bedphones – One of the toughest adjustments for most freshmen is adapting to a roommate’s sleeping/working/partying schedule. The Bedphones are earphones that are designed for sleeping with foam covered speakers that lie flat against your ears. There’s even a free app with the product that turns the music off when they fall asleep. www.bedphones.com
Card iPhone Cases – What else does a student need besides their phone, their student ID and a credit or debit card? Not much, just a convenient, good-looking place to keep their lives together. They’re everywhere, just google “card iphone cases.”
PERKING UP THEIR LIVING SPACE & MAKING THEM MORE COMFORTABLE
Removable Wallpaper – What a great way for students to personalize their rooms with a cool variety of fun design choices. Absolutely, positively check with your RA (Resident Assistant) before papering your walls. $50. Check out www.dormify.com for checklists and great ideas.
Travel HoodiePillow – Featured on popular ABC reality show Shark Tank, this hooded pillow case is a soft sweatshirt material that covers a pillow insert which deflates. $19.95, www.dormify.com
HELPING THEM “SURVIVE”
Create your own “Off to college” survival kits – These are a great idea if you are industrious, frugal and have multiple gifts to purchase. Some items you might include:
- Keeping them clean – put together a laundry basket with the supplies they’ll need to do their own laundry; soap, a roll of quarters, stain remover, fabric softener, etc.
- Satisfying their snack urges – design your own basket filled with their favorite candies, snacks, and gift cards to their favorite coffee shops and restaurants.
- Keeping them healthy — purchase a hot pot for cooking their favorite cereal, soups, snacks, hot cocoa, etc. Personalize it even more by adding a hand-compiled recipe book of simple things they can make with limited kitchen resources.
- Keeping them safe – First Aid Kit. You can buy one ready made or put together a kit yourself. Include bandages, anti-bacterial cleansing wipes, Advil, Neosporin, Benedryl, matches, tape, gauze, scissors.
- Fixing them up – A tool kit – Get them a basic tool kit that includes a hammer and screwdriver, or find a kit with a little of everything. There is even a pink one for girls.
- Homesick Candles – large glass scented candle with a label displaying a student’s home state. $30.00, www.uncommongoods.com
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Quarantined Graduation Gift Box- Check out etsy.com for creative Grad Gift Boxes-t. $28.00
Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte. Send questions to: lee@collegeadmissionsstrategies.com; www.collegeadmissionsstrategies.com