Top Ten Gifts for the December College Graduate

Graduation celebrations typically occur in the sunny, spring month of May. It's easy to forget that December is another big month for graduates. The increasing interest in nontraditional education also ensures the greeting card aisle is required to have a few cards on the shelf year-round.

Those December graduates need everything a May graduate would need, if not a little more. The following are ten gift ideas for those college graduates who are now facing the big, bad world and that dark winter chill.

Cash - It seems too easy and doesn't require much thought but consider the grad that has student loan collectors knocking on the door, is trying to find a job and is scraping to find enough truck stop beef jerky to round out that Christmas gift list. Cash isn't the most thoughtful or emotional gift, but it will definitely be appreciated.

Professional Clothing - Your graduate will be interviewing with a large number of companies and nothing is more important than a great first impression. For men, a classic looking necktie is a simple gift that can't miss. It's best to focus on the classics, dark suits (for both men and women), black or brown belts and shoes, or a simple gift card to let the grad pick out what will make them feel most confident and comfortable. As important it is too look nice, it's important to be comfortable in an interview.

Salon or Barbershop Certificate - Along with new clothes, a graduate could probably use some grooming. Four months buried in books in a dark library can leave a student pale and overgrown. A good haircut and shave for the guys, or a style and manicure for the gals can make all the difference. A particularly stressed student would also love a massage or full spa day. It would be a great chance to recharge and get ready to step into a new life as a college graduate.

Gym Membership - Normally this gift could be a little insulting, but a new graduate would jump at the chance to lose that "freshman 15" that has been hanging around their midsection the last few years. It's a great way to get started in a new life and can fill up the time that used to be spent on greasy pizza and cramming for midterms.

Books - Your graduate has probably spent many lonely nights curled up with sterile textbooks. It's about time they had a chance to read something for the simple joy of reading a good book. The book depends completely on what the graduate enjoys; it can be a futuristic sci-fi thriller or maybe a tacky romance. It doesn't matter, as long as it is something fun. Unless they don't like fun.

A Night Off - College students are not just young twenty-somethings anymore. The majority are fathers and mothers who have been balancing school, work and kids. They deserve a night free without the responsibilities of children. Whatever that new grad does is their business, but you could offer to watch the kids for a few hours on a Friday evening. A quiet meal at somewhere without a play area could be just what the doctor ordered. And, it won't cost you anything but a few hours on a Friday night.

Amusement Park Tickets - If a night off is an escape from the kids, maybe your graduate doesn't want to escape from the kids. An amusement park, whether you live near a gigantic Six Flags or the local putt-putt course will be a wonderful diversion from the hard work and stress that's been the normal procedure every semester. Everyone in the family or some friends get a chance to celebrate an accomplishment with your favorite cartoon mascot.

The final three are simple items that will always be staples in gift-giving lists. Specifically in the celebratory air of graduations.

Flowers - This might be more for the lady graduate, but flowers are simple gifts that are always welcome.

Greeting Card - There's a reason you can buy one just about anywhere. Greeting cards are so simple, but can be so profound, particularly if you take the time to personalize the card with a message for the graduate. College is a heavy-duty time, and the immediate time after college can be even heavier. Any words of praise, acknowledgment and appreciation will go a long way.

A Hug - I can hear you snickering. It's corny that I would include a hug as an appropriate gift, but the simple act and just you being there for the graduate means more than anything else. Now don't be stingy and fork over some cash.