Top Ten 2009 College Graduation Gift Ideas

Graduating from college is a huge milestone in a person's life. With a college degree in hand, the new graduate must now achieve the ultimate goal of their entire academic course of study; finding a job in their chosen field. Choosing a gift for the college graduate involves some serious thinking; do you choose a humorous gift or a practical gift? In this article, I will list ten college graduation gift ideas for the 2009 college graduate.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #1: Graduation Caricature Print

PersonalizationMall.com offers a graduation caricature print for $52.95. The graduation caricature print is a fun way to remember this important milestone in a person's life. PersonalizationMall.com says "Each caricature is an original creation, hand drawn by one of our talented artists...then digitally scanned and framed in handsome black wood." The caricature print is 11 inches by 14 inches and is sure to be a hilarious reminder to the college graduate of their success in graduating from college in 2009. For more information on how to order the caricature print, check out the website for details.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #2: USB Fingerprint Reader

A practical gift idea is the USB Fingerprint Reader from Frontgate.com. It is $69.50 and keeps computer files safe and secure. With a fingerprint scan, there are no passwords to remember and "...sensitive information is sent to websites in a hacker-proof, encrypted format..." Computers are certainly very important to any college graduate and computer security is always an issue.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #3: Cross Century Chrome Ballpoint Pen and Pencil Set

Once the 2009 college graduate finds employment in their chosen field or perhaps during their search for that perfect job, they will need a fine pen. Cross is well known for manufacturing fine ballpoint pens and pencils and may even impress an employer enough to offer the college graduate that perfect job. The Cross Century chrome ballpoint pen and pencil set is available from Things Remembered for $60.00. It has a chrome finish and a slim design. You can have the recipient's name or initials engraved on the cap to make the gift even more personal. Plus Cross pens have a lifetime mechanical guarantee so this college graduation gift idea will be remembered as long as your gift recipient owns it.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #4: Framed Microsoft Stock Certificate

You can buy the college graduate on your list one real share of Microsoft stock as a gift. It is one real share of Microsoft with a certificate of ownership that you can have framed. You can also include a personalized plaque. One of the plaque options at the website is "May this be one of many windows of opportunity on the road to success!" There are other stock options, personalization options, frame options and more available at the website so you may want to check those out. Plus the era of actual paper stock certificates is nearing an end so this college gift idea for 2009 will end up being historical memorabilia. The framed share of Microsoft stock is available at OneShare.com for $105.00.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #5: Business or Financial Magazine Subscriptions

Magazines.com offers a wide selection of magazines that will come in handy for the college graduate. Prices range from just a few dollars to $200.00 for a magazine called "Alternatives to the High Cost of Litigation." If your college graduate doesn't know where they will be living, you can purchase a Magazines.com gift card.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #6: IOGEAR WiFi Hotspot Finder

A convenient and handy gift for the college graduate is the IOGEAR WiFi Hotspot Finder available from Dell.com for $30.99. The WiFi hotspot finder is a RF wireless device that detects WiFi 802.11b and 802.11b/g signals. It will help the college graduate find internet access easily and quickly.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #7: Kindle 2: Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)

Available from Amazon.com for $359.00, this gift idea is an investment for the serious reader. The Kindle 2 makes reading easier than ever with its "...electronic-paper display [that] provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper. Simple to use: no computer, no cables, no syncing. Wireless connectivity enables you to shop the Kindle Store directly from your Kindle-whether you're in the back of a taxi, at the airport, or in bed. Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute." Amazon.com has more information at their website about the Kindle 2 plus they have one of the largest selections of electronic books available on the internet.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #8: World's Largest HERSHEY'S KISS™ Hollow Milk Chocolate

Chocolate is always a great gift idea and what could be more perfect than the World's Largest HERSHEY'S KISS™ from Hersheygifts.com? For $39.95, you get a large hollow milk chocolate Hershey's KISS™ whose hollow center is filled with seven ounces of regular-sized milk chocolate KISSES™. The total net weight for all this chocolate is two pounds twelve ounces and the large KISS™ comes in its signature silver foil wrap with the paper plume. You can have your own personal message, up to thirty characters, printed on the paper.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #9: Atomic Projection Alarm Clock with Temperature

The college graduate who is just beginning their career or who is job hunting is going to need an accurate alarm clock. The Atomic Projection Alarm Clock with Temperature from firstSTREET is the perfect gift because it is the most accurate time-keeping device available. "Each night this clock receives a signal from the government transmitter in Colorado, automatically adjusting the time..." Along with keeping the correct time, the clock projects the time on the ceiling, tells you the temperature indoors and out along with humidity ranges. It also comes with a wireless remote sensor, a battery-operated outside transmitter, an AC power adapter and an LED backlight. Your gift recipient will never be late with this clock! It sells for $39.95 from firstSTREET.

2009 College Graduation Gift Idea #10: Gifts Cards

Perhaps a gift card seems like an impersonal gift idea but it's actually quite perfect for the newly graduated person. Check out the gift card ideas at gifts.com where they have a section devoted to "Graduation - Gift Cards for Graduates for College Students." The site shows you more than the ordinary gift cards for things such as iTunes or Fandango movie gift certificates. You can find the links to fruit, flower or ice cream of the month club gifts, sky diving adventures, racecar driving schools, whitewater rafting adventures and so much more. Prices vary so you can choose one that fits into your budget.