Graduation Gift Ideas

Tis the season for graduation gifts. What to give a graduate that will not be handed off to a younger sibling or cousin or eventually tossed into a future yard-sale pile? The key is to think useful from the graduate's point-of-view. If the graduate is someone you know well, gift decisions come much easier. However, many of us get glossy invitations with pictures of fresh-faced graduating youngsters we barely know on a day-to-day basis. Here a few ideas of gifts for graduates in a variety of cases, both those you know a bit about and those you do not:

1. Cash, always cash. This one is the top choice for all, most of the time. Easy for the giver to enclose a check or cash into a card, mail it and call it good. This one needs no further comment.

2. Gift cards. Falling into the same popularity and ease as cash, these are most likely a top choice. Simple to enclose in a card, yet a bit more imaginative and creative than merely sending money. These cards can be purchased for places such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart, Target, Borders or Barnes and Noble bookstores, Staples, Circuit City for electronics, computer or music options-- even food stores and restaurants if you know your graduate is going to be living away from home.

3. Books. Inspiring, memorable books are a good keepsake item for any graduate. These can be a childhood favorite to treasure, an inspirational story that brings hope, books of fitting religious content such as a Bible or a book of short, motivational passages. This type of gift does require you to know your graduate a little bit better than 'cousin twice removed's child I've never seen.' If you chose books, be sure to include an interesting bookmark and inscribe the book as well.

4. Luggage. If you know the graduate will be leaving home, luggage would be a good gift idea. Duffle bags or backpacks come in all sizes and shapes and are something that can be utilized in many ways, lasting a long time as well. Smaller bags for shaving kits/toiletries as well as tote bags that carry library books or groceries easily would both be practical, lasting gifts.

5. Household Items. When you know the graduate in question will be leaving home, whether for college or just moving out on their own, the variety of ideas available becomes endless. Kitchen items such as toaster ovens and microwaves, plates and bowls and the like can be very useful for a long time to come. Other good ideas for household goods would be cool and interesting picture frames or artwork to decorate a new space with.

The important thing in considering graduation gifts is to tailor your selection, to personalize the gift as much as possible. If you're in a case where you do not know the graduate well at all, cash or gift cards are really your safest bet. Such items will never be under-appreciated, that's a fact. When you do know the graduate, personally, you can be more specific in personalizing a graduation gift. It is clear when a graduation gift is given with thought and sincere well-wishes for the future, so take time to think about it and pick out a nice card as well. To the future.