What Not to Get a High School Graduate as a Graduation Gift

It is that time of year again: Graduation! Parties, tears, laughter, drama, college stress, the works. There is nothing better than a graduation gift that will actually aid a high school graduate in their transition to this new phase of their life. Some family members or friends simply are completely dumbfounded when it comes to the ideal gift. So here are so pointers on what NOT to get a graduate, which will hopefully narrow the scope so the useful gifts can come into focus.

Do not get the high school graduate in your life a new PS3 or Nintendo Wii, much less the actual video games to go along with it. While it might seem like all fun and games and he/she will thank you dearly for it, his/her parents will have a frown on their faces. Think about its utility. It will probably only be used this summer because when college rolls around in the fall, they are going to be in class most of the time or studying. Yes, there is downtime in between, but most of this time will be spent socializing and meeting new people. Video games can stir up addiction causing them not want to leave their rooms because Resident Evil 3 is just THAT much more important than the rest of the world.

Forget the new silverware set you had your eye on or that toaster that is on sale. The high school graduate is going to college, not getting married. They will most likely be living in a dorm room and eating at the campus cafeteria. Each set of dorms has a communal kitchen area and living space which usually is already stocked with all the necessary appliances and trinkets. Why not get them something useful instead such as a new bed-in-a-bag set or vanity mirror to hang in their dorm? Put yourself in their shoes. What will they need?

No puppies. Or kittens. The last thing a high school graduate needs to worry about is a pet companion. Everything is going to be new to them when they arrive at college and they will take a while to assimilate into their new dorms and apartments. The dog or cat you are planning to give as a gift that "comes from the heart" will inevitably be neglected as the new freshman wades around campus. This would make a better gift the second or third year of college when the student in your life is accustomed to the way of life in college. For now, think smaller instead. If the high school graduate is going to live in a dorm, maybe fish in a trendy fish tank will suffice. If they are going to live in an apartment, maybe they can focus more attention on a hamster.

There are many other things that would not be useful or beneficial as graduation gifts. To pick the perfect gift, remember what NOT to get them and see if what you had in mind falls around the same category. Remember to include a "Congratulations Graduate!" card along with your gift. Happy hunting!