How to Select a Graduation Gift

Research has proven that most graduates have big-ticket gifts in mind, but it's best to stick with what you can afford while providing a thoughtful or practical gift the graduate can use and enjoy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Personal Organizers
• Photo Albums
• Photo Frames
• Women's Watches
• Electronic Personal Organizers
• Mens' Watches
• Airline Tickets
• Gift Certificates

1. Choose one of the top five gifts requested by graduates, if you can afford it: a car, money, a vacation (preferably to Europe), a computer or new clothes (especially professional wardrobe items for graduates entering the business world or starting the job-hunting process).

2. Buy a book. Choose something pertaining to the graduate's field of study, or something fun to read now that school is over.

3. Consider a gift basket filled with gourmet food items. For a college-bound high school graduate, fill a basket with college necessities such as notebooks, textbook highlighters, stationery, stamps, a prepaid phone card, etc.

4. Make a photo album filled with the graduate's memories. Include photos, his or her graduation announcement and program, and clippings and memorabilia from high school or college years.

5. Give jewelry. An elegant pair of earrings for a young woman, or a watch or gold tie tack for a young man, make lovely gifts.

6. Give a gift certificate to a music, clothing or book store if you're not sure what to buy. Gift certificates are always welcome gifts and ensure that the graduate can pick something he or she really wants.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you decide on a gift, carefully consider the graduate's future plans. The best gifts may be based on where he or she is headed (college, business, graduate school, marriage, job hunting).
• Good ideas for books include a book with tips on apartment, house or job hunting; advice on writing résumés or on getting into college, graduate school, medical school or law school; study guides for the GRE, MSAT, LSAT or other tests; dress-for-success advice; or books on investing wisely, saving money or getting the most out of your education.

[kylia]

on 3/1/2009 I ordered custom graduation stoles for my nieces graduation; it had their school initials, their name was on it and their Sorority Letters; they were so cute, it was a very unique gift, and they were able to wear them at graduation. Here is one of the sites that offers this service, www.createastole.com

[zilong]

on 6/18/2008 I have another great idea. Here is a website http://www.qqfigure.com

You just provide some pictures, and they make a cute littlel doll for you with the your face.

[LogiesPage]

on 6/11/2008 Great timely ideas, just had two grandsons graduate so I needed the help.

[EL37]

on 6/5/2008 There is no MSAT it is the MCAT exam for med school, and a graduation is a once a lifetime experience an MCAT book is at most 100 dollars, their plans for med school can easily change and are not the most stable plans and it will be outdated by the time their college plans are up, stick to wearables, drivables, and daily necessities (not paper goods [especially because of the dominance of computers in our society] although personalized stationary is always a good addition). Trips are also good.

[saleemshehzad]

on 6/5/2008 It is very nice article