Gifts for Graduates

Wondering what to give a special student that is graduating? Here are 10 items that any graduate will love:

10.) Diploma frame -- Every grad is proud of their accomplishment, and a diploma frame will allow them to show it off! Diploma frames start at about $15 at Office Depot (or OfficeMax), to custom frames with custom matting (which you can have embossed with the school mascot, the school name, and/or your graduate's name or initials) which are priced based on the customizations you make.

9.) Disk-Chair -- Any graduate that is college-bound, and even some who are not, will enjoy a disk chair. It's a quick way to make a bedroom look cool, and have a place for a friend to sit. These can be bought at Target or Bed Bath and Beyond for around $40.

8.) Suitcase/Duffel Bag -- Nothing says, "Good luck on your ventures," like getting someone a nice suitcase. Whether they're going to spend a year traveling the globe, or just moving to a dorm room half an hour away, this is a gift that is sure to come in handy. Purchasing a nice suitcase can get pricey, so I recommend shopping around at closeout stores like Marshall's or Ross. You may also want to keep an eye on the sale papers for stores like Macy's or Dillard's. Both are not posting very good sales so far this year, and so they are forced to give better and better discounts on their merchandise. We've gotten Kenneth Cole luggage for $25, which were originally $200.

7.) Terrycloth Robe -- Everyone loves a good, fluffy robe. Try not to purchase weird patterned or brightly colored robes. The safest purchase is white or black. White is especially good, since it can be bleached or washed in hot water without fading. A good robe can be purchased for $45 at most department stores.

6.) Get together with another person and pool money for a ticket to something that you know your grad loves! Giving a graduate the gift of a fun time is priceless! You can score great ticket prices on trips by going to a reputable travel agent and explaining what the purchase is for. He or she is more likely to score a better value, to really give you a better bang for you buck.

5.) If you're creative and have access to a lot of pictures, create a scrap book of his or her years at school! It's sure to be treasured forever. If you're not so handy with paper cutouts, there are several stores that can either help you create a scrap book or let you pick out designs, and they'll create it for you!

4.) A nice down or down alternative comforter. I would recommend getting the down alternative comforter unless you know for sure that your grad doesn't have allergies. It's also a good idea to buy a full or queen sized down comforter, since they can be folded in half during the winter months, for an extra warm bed, as well as being able to use the comforter after college is through.

3.) A portable hard drive. Most students these days use laptop computers which have a smaller hard drive than desktops. Having a portable hard drive is a great way to keep your grad organized and not have to choose between keeping their Call of Duty game or saving a presentation for class. The Iomega eGo Rugged costs about $117 and has been independently tested by Popular Mechanics to survive a 15ft. drop onto solid concrete and was run over by a Chevy Tahoe -- and still worked (see http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/reviews/4275478.html )

2.) Emergency Radio: It may not be appreciated immediately, but an emergency radio with hand crank and cell phone charging capabilities will definitely come in handy. No matter where you are, weather happens and no one likes to be left in the dark -- literally and figuratively. These run anywhere from $15 at home depot to the super-duper NOAA endorsed hand crank weather radio at $85. I'd recommend somewhere in between. Look for a radio that can be either battery or crank powered, charges small electronics like cellular phones, and has a built in light.

1.) Digital Camera: No matter where your grad is headed, they'll want to document every step. Cameras aren't as expensive as they used to be, and for a reasonable price, you can get one that your grad will love. Look for a lightweight and easy to take along model. Fancier models are great for people who are going to be using them professionally, but this camera is recreational, so don't get fooled into buying a 15 mega pixel camera. 7 mega pixels is more than enough, and can be purchased for under $100.

And when all else fails, every grad loves: Money!