How to Buy the Best Graduation Gift

Reward a grad with a meaningful or practical gift.

Picking out the perfect graduation present is a relatively easy task. Whether you are shopping for a high school graduate or a college graduate, first you need to assess your graduation gift-buying intentions. Decide if you want to buy a meaningful graduation gift, a fun graduation gift, a practical graduation gift, or the quintessential "gift that keeps on giving." After you have determined the type of graduation gift you want to buy, narrow down your choices within the broad category.

Instructions

1. A meaningful gift for your grad should be sentimental and cause the grad to reflect on his/her time spent in school as well as hopes for the future. A great choice for this is a scrapbook complete with photos and mementos from school.

2. For a fun graduation gift, consider purchasing jewelry, cell phones, articles of clothing, or gift certificates toward travel.

3. The practical graduation gift requires you to choose between necessities that the graduate will require like laundry supplies at college, career-oriented clothing, gift certificates for food or other necessities, or simply cold hard cash.

4. The "gift that keeps on giving" could include a car (typically a graduation gift purchased by the parents), a savings bond, or a co-sign on a lease for a new apartment.

5. Think about the student you are buying the gift for and whether or not he or she will appreciate it. Decide if the graduate would value something practical to use in a new career or college, or if they'd have better use for a check in the amount of money you would have invested in their gift.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave your home or start your Internet browsing with a clear budget in mind for your graduation gift purchases to avoid overspending.

References

• Huffington Post: 12 Great Graduation Gift Ideas