High School Graduation Gifts for Under Thirty Dollars

High school graduation season is here and if your mailbox is full of invitations, but your bank account is running low, don't panic, yet. Here are ten ideas to keep your graduate happy and your gift budget under thirty dollars.

Unfortunately, most greedy little graduates prefer cash (or as my sister so sweetly informed me, "a check would be fine"). If you still want to have something to wrap up, find a small gift box and consider trying your hand at money origami. Check out the Origami Resource Center at www.origami-resource-center.com/money-origami.html for ideas and instructions.

If you are uncomfortable with giving cash, gift cards are a great option. Most stores have cutesy gift card holders for all occasions. If you plan ahead, you can use your credit card points to get gift cards for double (more or less depending on the offer) the amount you spend. Just be sure to check out the offers and read the terms and delivery times carefully. I have had great luck redeeming my rewards for my Discover card (www.discovercard.com), and for my Visa on the Thank You Network (www.thankyounetwork.com). Saving on a graduation present is not a great reason to have a credit card sitting around, but if you already have the points . . . take advantage.

Brookstone is my favorite stuff store, but it is usually pretty expensive. There are a few fun items at www.brookstone.com that ring in under thirty dollars. Do your browsing on the website (so you don't get distracted with all the cool but expensive stuff they carry), but purchase on site. The shipping adds too much to your bottom line. For the tidy, practical recipient (if you are lucky enough to have one), Brookstone carries a hand held paper shredder for $29.95 called the ZiszorTM. Cool name with a cute concept. For your fun loving graduate, the LED Flying Disc for $29.95 adds a new dimension to nighttime Frisbee golf. If they are off to dorm-life, they definitely need a toothbrush sanitizer, and the ZapiTM UV Toothbrush Sanitizer for $29.95 looks kind of cool, and is definitely practical. The Einstein Mind Trainer is a small, hand held, eleven game, electronic device to keep those bored students occupied, and it only costs $29.95. If your teen is just plain worn out from their high school experience, get them the super comfy Quick n-a-pTM pillow for $29.95.

Target is a great place to shop for inexpensive gifts. Check out www.target.com to get an idea of what they have, then give your local target a call to make sure it is in stock. For the board game loving graduate, check out Apples to Apples a fun group game (especially for getting to know each other) for $23.99. To commemorate this special time, the $19.99 silver tone pocket watch and a heartfelt card will do the trick. Target has a wide variety of timepieces under thirty dollars if the pocket watch is not quite what you are looking for. Finally, never underestimate the power of a "Snuggie Fleece Blanket: As Seen on TV" for those teens headed off to the dorm. It is only $14.99 and is great for a laugh, too!

Whatever your budget, and whatever your gift, just be sure to include a card with a thoughtful message and good looking wrapping. Sometimes it is more about presentation (but a cool present helps, too). Good luck this Graduation Season!

Sources:

www.origami-resource-center.com/money-origami.html
www.discovercard.com
www.thankyounetwork.com
www.brookstone.com
www.target.com