Skip to main content

Gifts for the GRADUATE

Stumped on what to give the graduate that has everything? Or better yet, nothing? Consider these ideas ranging from practical to elaborate:

1. Personalized Stationery: Custom stationery always makes a nice gift because it's both useful and personal. Three of my favorite stationery sites are suitorlife.com for a very simple, professional look and I love http://www.minted.com/, thebutternyc.com and Chloe B. for Crane for clean, modern designs.

2. Jewelry: Jewelry makes a lovely graduation gift. If you want the piece to have "meaning," the butterfly is representative of change and rebirth into a new life.

3. U-Haul rental: Moving costs pile up with an uncommon ease. Bestow a grad with an U-Haul rental for $20-30.

4. Gym Membership: The end of college or high school means an end to amenities - like well-stocked college gyms or mommy and daddy's auto-pay membership. A Bally Total Fitness membership is roughly $20/month with no enrollment fee right now. Pool together your money with a few family members and give the gift of health.

5. Bulk Store Membership: For a $50 Gold Star membership to Costco, you can help a poor graduate save a few bucks by purchasing massive amounts of Top Ramen.

6. Leather Agenda: A leather agenda is elegant and timeless. And even better if it comes in an orange box. Browse Hermes agenda covers here. Beware: Don't even bother clicking on the link unless you have deep pockets and/or you LOVE the graduate more than yourself.

7. Money (and wallet or money clip): Let's face it, every graduate really just wants one thing: CASH. If money feels a tad impersonal, dress it up by tucking a few bucks inside a classic wallet or engraved money clip.

8. Mattress: One shock of adulthood is realizing how expensive mattresses are. Help a grad out with a good bed so they are well rested for college exams or a hard days work.

9. Alarm Clock: A heavy-duty one is preferred for those newfound early mornings.

10. Laundry Gift Basket: Okay, so it's not the sexiest gift. But laundry - especially for laundromat-goers - requires many components. A basket, detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softener and a stock of quarters might encourage a grad to take care of his or her hygiene. Empower your grad by equipping them with the keys to personal cleanliness.

11. Hip Kits: These clever little care packages make a fun gift for the graduating student. Check out the Freshman Survival Kit or the Career Kit.
Labels:

Comments

  1. heatherMay 19, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Love the idea of the Butterfly!! This topic has been on my mind - gifts for grads, and thanks to you I think I'm going with the butterfly idea. Now I just need to find the perfect one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SueyMay 19, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    How about organization and meal planning ideas for the graduation party/
    open house option? Those of us who are parents of graduates are going a little nuts right about now! Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tame the Tum: Spare tire or stress bulge?

For many women, getting bikini ready means tackling one dreaded area in particular — our tummies. Most of us still think the best way to achieve a washboard stomach is by doing hundreds of sit-ups. Not so, says A-list trainer and body guru James Duigan. James, who sculpts supermodels Elle Macpherson and Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley among others, insists there is no ‘one size fits all’ method for getting a flat belly. Instead, he’s identified five key ‘tummy types,’ all of which require a different approach to achieve successful toning. Once you figure out your tummy type (mine is the STRESS BELLY) thanks to the UK Daily Mail , you'll be on your way to getting the perfect midriff... THE SPARE TIRE TUMMY The spare tire: This is one of the easiest tummy troubles to eliminate because it's caused by eating the wrong foods and not exercising enough. HOW TO IDENTIFY THIS TYPE These people are likely to lead sedentary lives, perhaps with jobs that k
162 comments
Read more

Martin Luther King GIVEAWAY!!

Happy MLK Jr. Day!! It's GIVEAWAY time! For all your readers that have been with me since the beginning of time (three whole months now), you'll remember my "What's one item of make-up I could not live without?" post. To refresh your memory - MASCARA. For today's giveaway, one lucky reader will receive my secret to voluptuous, clump-free eyelashes; the combination of Jane's MaxLash Primer & Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara. With an added bonus - Sonia Kashuk's Full Glam Eyelashes for a night where you want your eyes to really pop! If you missed my Splurge vs. Steal post on Fake Eyelashes , this is a must-read. To be eligible to win: 1) You must be a Friend/Fan on my Facebook page. If you aren't already, just click on the Facebook icon on the left toolbar and it will re-direct you to Hailey's Helpful Hints page. 2) You must answer the question in the comment section below: WHAT IS ONE ITEM OF MAKE-UP YOU COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT? Rules: 1)
11 comments
Read more

Digital Savings 101

  Did you know that 96.8 million adults will use digital coupons this year? Are you one of them? Normally I am not but my mom recently turned me on to RetailMeNot.com. If I'm not shopping on Amazon, I'll always search the store on Retail Me Not prior to purchasing to see if they have a valid promo code to save a little extra. Wondering where to look? The Internet can be a treasure trove when it comes to getting the most for your money. Thanks to Family Circle magazine, Denise Winston, author of Money Starts Here! Your Practical Guide to Survive and Thrive in Any Economy , and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch, these recommended sites are the best to bookmark for bargains on food, fun and more. CouponBlender.com At this gateway to savings, you'll see dozens of deals at a glance from the top couponing destinations (the homepage is constantly updated with a slew of news feeds). Each of the featured sites includes a range of shopping categories, so you can snag coupons for gro
Post a Comment
Read more