Graduation Gift Giving Guide

Graduation is only a few months away, it's time to start buying those gifts for your newly grads. Here's a look at some of the most-fitting graduation gifts for the high school graduate. Great gift ideas for someone who has just gone through the process. A first year college student takes a look at come things she had received/ wished she had received/ or had to buy during her first semester in college. Each item comes with a few words on why this gift is functional for your recent grad.

MONEY

Consider giving money, in forms other than cash and bills.

Debit Cards- College students need money ready at hand for online shopping, school and everyday supplies, food, and activities fee. Debit cards (such as the VISA gift card or the SIMON cards) are convenient for students.

Bank Account- Open a new account for your grad and teach them the importance of savings. Put in a few hundred dollars to give them a head start.

Pay Pal Money- Easy and convenient, excellent for many students who like to buy used textbooks online.

APPAREL

Long or Knee Length Winter Jacket- walking around campus in the winter can be torturous. Keep your grads warm. Also give winter gloves, hats, scarves, thermals, long socks to fight the bitter cold. They'll appreciate it.

Rain boots and Snow boots- Again, to ease the harsh weather conditions one must face walking around campus. The boots will make things a whole lot easier.

Umbrella- invest in a sturdy umbrella that can function just as well in times of strong winds.

Alert System- little alert systems (whistles, sirens) can be bought at local sporting goods. Walking around campus (from the library to the dorm) late at night is not safe. Things could happen. If that's the case, all your student would have to do is to press a button and the alert system will go off, causing attention! Take precautions.

TECHNOLOGY

Laptop- cause nearly every college student has one.

Laptop backpack- allows you to bring your laptop everywhere.

Printer all in one- printing, scanning, copying, you will find it useful on many occasions.

Digital Camera- for capturing college memories and fun times

Flash drives- to save files and for backup file purposes. Easy to use USB port flash drives.

External hard drives- many colleges have networks where one could download music and movies. Get the external to save your files. Don't risk clogging up the memory on your laptop.

CD-Rs, DVD-Rs- a must for a college student's movie, music, data collection

DIVX DVD- the DVD player that can play downloaded files. Your student would love this player as it allows them to watch their downloaded movies on a big screen.

MISCELLANEOUS

Picture Frames- to bring a little "home" into the otherwise cold dorm room

Water Boiler- also known as the automatic electric kettle. It is very easy to use and boils water in minutes. Great for instant cup noodles and coffee lovers.

Pedometer- it's fun to keep track of how many steps a college student takes from class to class and all around campus.

Board games- an educational, fun, interactive alternative to bars, clubs, frat parties, house parties, etc. Great college favorites include Cranium, Taboo, Catch Phrase, Scrabble, Mah Jong, Setter of Catan. Check out www.boardgamegeek.com for other ideas.

Basics- some everyday necessities include shower shoes, shower caddies, clothes hangers, area rugs, desk lamps, crates for books, etc.

A reminder that most campus housing does not allow candles or halogen lamps. So think twice before purchasing flammable products.

Whatever it is you choose to buy for your high school grad, be sure to tell them in advance. Communicate, so your student does not receive any duplicate gifts.