What do you suggest for a college graduation gift?
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M$26 Answers
Buy a copy of Dr. Suess' "Oh the Places You'll Go," write a lovely inscription on the front cover and use whatever you can afford to give in cash as a bookmark.
It will be something they can treasure and something they really need all in one.
***
As mentioned by @girlieq3000 jewelry could be a good option. Try a Pandora bracelot or necklace with a charm that represents her graduation. The beauty of this is that you can add another charm for each important life event throughout the years. (Link to Pandora page is below.)
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M$I would buy her the most exciting electronic products of today. I would recommend the iPad if it proved to be usable and user-friendly. I don't have an iPad yet, but I read today that it "may be driving users crazy, at least according to an early usability study" (PC World). I think it was the voice of a Devil's Advocate, though. I think the iPad is the future of computing because of the human need to hold on to something. We control the mouse, but we don't really lift it, we don't actually hold on to it.
I've never had a video game console in my life (I just borrow a friend's Wii), but I would recommend an Xbox 360 + Project Natal if the controller-free add-on were available today. Unfortunately, it won't be released until December. If you're like me, the Wii is the only video game console you find interesting, and you believe Xbox without Natal is far from worthy to mark an important event.
Anyone interested in the Project Natal is invited to answer the following question:
http://www.videogame-answers.com/xbox-360/what-are-your-dream-microsoft-xbox-360-project-natal-controller-free-games-and-applications
I might recommend a DSLR camera that shoots the best pictures and videos under your budget. If you like this idea, I can find it for you and post information on it and where to buy it as a comment.
Maybe you really want to send her on a premium dream European vacation that will guarantee that she comes back home alive and healthy, but you think it's too expensive? Maybe you would spend a thousand dollars or two for a budget European vacation that guarantees her safety?
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M$
She bought herself a camera for a digital photography class this year- so she's all set there.
An iPad might be good- but I'm assuming there's a monthly wireless charge...and that's probably not in her budget.
I was gonna recommend a smartphone too, but I'm boycotting all smartphones until I find one that handles videoconferencing. I don't know if there is one already, I also have a question on it here on a Mahalo spin-off site:
http://www.photography-questions.com/mobile-photography/what-camera-phones-or-smartphones-take-the-best-pictures-and-videos-and-function-well-as-videophones
Give her money to spend whichever way she likes. That will never go wrong. Gift cards will also be appreciated.
Get a resume helper to work on her resume. It will be well appreciated. You can think of giving her a good outfit to go for interviews. A good looking handbag to go with the outfit can also be added according to your pocket.
If she is thinking about further education, get some professional help to apply to her dream university.
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M$
Depending on her tastes, diamond earrings, a nice pendant, or a pretty ring would be perfect, and you could get something high-quality for under a couple hundred dollars. My only warning is to make sure it's something she actually likes. Unless you know her tastes VERY well, let her in on your idea and let her give you suggestions or even take her shopping with you. My parents always give me a ring when they can't think of something else to give me for birthdays, Christmas, etc, but they have very different tastes than I do, so I end up with quality jewelry, but it's nothing I'd ever wear. The jewelry I own that I love, though, I wear all the time.
Check out Swarovski; I'm in love with that place. They have very pretty jewelry, and it's reasonably priced, almost always under $300, and many things are even under $200. Certainly helps that it's crystal rather than diamond, and it's a brand name (which unfortunately is important.. no one wants an iRiver when they can have an iPod). She could pick out a nice pendant or ring that would be pretty and last, and you could get it engraved with her graduation year and/or name and school.
My next suggestion would be a pen set, but only it she is the type to write (on paper) frequently. Otherwise, nice sentiment, but it's just going to sit and collect dust. A nice watch would also be appropriate.
Here are some things that are reasonably priced that I think would make appropriate gifts:
$70
$175
$130
$290
Anything else you'd like to tell us about her? Perhaps I can come up with a better idea!
Good luck! I'm sure she'll love anything you get her!
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M$
A professional looking laptop briefcase that I would feel comfortable taking to interviews and work.
A framed reprint from my favorite aritist since I would finally have my own place.
A nice set of luggage because I would be traveling quite a bit for work.
No matter what her personality, there a lot of nice but reasonably priced gifts that she will love.
Techie-
Apple iPad Tablet 64GB WIFI- $800-$900
Apple iPod Touch 34GB- Price $250-$300
Magellan Maestro GPS 4350- Price $450-$500
Artistic-
Season Tickets to Ballet, Opera, or Theatre that she likes- Price Varies but are usually betwen $300-$500
A framed painting from her favorite aritist- Price Varies but you can find a large selection for under $500
Athletic-
Timex Triathalon Watch- Price- only $100 but a great gift
Exercise Equipment- If she had room these can be great gifts- Prices range between $500-$1500
Film guru/Filmmaker-
Tascam HD P2 Recorder- Produces film with professional sound- Just under $1000
Final Touch SD- a color correction tool- Price $600-$900
Blu-Ray LG BD390- Price $300-$350
Business-
Jake Georges Veronica Business Case on Wheels (holds laptop)- Price $450-$500
Single Gusset Milano Top Zipper Leather Briefcase (doesn't hold laptop)- Price $200-$250
Adventurer/Traveler-
Diane Fon Furstenburg 4 piece Betty Collection Luggage- Priced around $1000
Eagle Creek Deviate Thrive 90L- Price $250
More ideas-
Jewelry is always a classy gifts and you can choose within your price range
Turn on of her beloved family photos into a canvas print- Price $100-$150
Digital Camera or Video Camera- Available in a wide range of prices
Kindle 2 Digital Reader- Price $250
http://reviews.cnet.com/2727-31087_7-366-8.html?s=0&tag=thum
http://www.mahalo.com/best-magellan-maestro-gps-system
http://www.coloradoballet.org/tickets/seasontickets
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/shop/tp/090704tp.htm
http://www.dvguru.com/2005/12/19/buying-the-right-gifts-for-filmmakers/
http://www.luggageonline.com/productlist.cfm?N=4294967262+4294966469&Ns...
http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/canvas-prints?c=10065&p=2004
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Generation/dp/B0015T9...
http://www.amazon.com/Single-Gusset-Milano-Leather-Briefcase/dp/B000AS5D7M/...
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M$
However, I think it also depends on the type of person she is and what her situation is with the job market. My mom couldn't afford to get me anything, and what with the job market being what it was, I ended up having to move in with my aunt and uncle because I couldn't afford rent. (I'm in LA and my parents are in MI). If I could have had anything, I honestly would have just wanted my rent paid!
I would ask her to give you some ideas. Does she want jewelry, or something more useful, like a camera or other piece of technology? Also, remember that if you get something like an iphone, that's not a one time cost. That's also a monthly payment to AT&T! Maybe she'll just want to go shopping, or get a new computer, or just save the money for a deposit on an apartment if she moves for a job. Yep, definitely get some ideas from her!
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M$
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
For my daughter, who will graduate from college next fall, we have to think harder. She has a life to live, but also wants to go to graduate school. How do you make a gift choice for someone with those requirements practical and yet gift-like at the same time?
Personally, I wouldn't buy jewelry for someone who I didn't have very intimate knowledge of. Otherwise, it is just an expensive bauble that will sit in a drawer. If she bought herself a good camera for class, then unless you're offering a substantial piece of add-on equipment, I'd suggest a gift certificate to a good camera store, if you think cameras are in her future. If she has a large format camera, then a good quality pocket-sized camera (easily had for $300 or less) might be a nice compliment to her equipment (I have both--I like the Nikon Coolpix cameras, and have had several small ones for travel, to compliment the large Canon EOS 30D I use for work.)
If you're not certain that she wears jewelry, or what type, and you're not certain if she needs more camera gear, then a good general gift certificate to a store with a variety of department choices, that she can make herself, is probably going to be well-received. Is she living in somewhere with access to nice stores that offer gift certificates? Does she shop online, and would she instead prefer an Amazon gift certificate or a pre-paid VISA card to shop anywhere? Will she want to punch-up her wardrobe in preparation for work searches, or will she want to purchase good housewares after living in a dorm for several years? There are so many possibilities, so it seems to me that the best gift is one that lets her choose and target the gift to her needs now or her dreams for her future.
Rather than try to post a lot of links, I will suggest that you find the nicest (within reason--Nieman-Marcus is "nice" here in Texas, but it is so over the top price-wise that there is little they carry that I want). Dillards, May Company, (some of these used to be linked - May Co owned Foley's, etc, but Macy's bought them out a few year ago), etc. Don't go to Best Buy--their customer service stinks. Look at Amazon, NewEgg, Barnes & Noble, Target, lots of places with generous variety. If she's an outdoor adventurous type, then a certificate to Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI - http://www.rei.com/) or North Face might suit.
Good luck to the graduate. A nice card or a book to tuck the certificate into would be a good way to delivery the card. Someone mentioned the Dr. Seuss book _Oh The Places You'll Go_. Did you know that that single book is a perennial bestseller, long after Theodore Geisel died? I think this is one where the circulation grows higher each year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Seuss Who knows, maybe she'll decide that a batch of good towels is what she really needs after graduation. Be as flexible as possible in your gift giving, and if you're not comfortable offering straight cash, gift cards are the next best thing.
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
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M$Someone said their grad was biking cross country. That could be really fun with a big group of people.
As a college student myself, that's what I would want.
Beyond the vacation though, it would be nice to know who's hiring.
But if that's too practicle, give her some money to go to Barnes and Nobles. She's been reading stuff she hasn't wanted to for the past 4 years, have her get her something she wants to read :)
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M$Vizit Picture Frame
Olympus PEN E-PL1
iPad
Chumby One
HTC Incredible or Nexus One
Chrome Plated Nintendo Wii
Livescribe Pulse Smart Pen
iRobot Dirt Dog
iJoy Massage Chair
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M$
I think they are all great gifts, don't really know her or where she went to college. If I were graduating, I would like each of them, so that's why I'm recommending them. I think the camera is the best, The Olympus PEN E-PL1, it's amazing.
Please watch the videos, they show you about some of the gifts you can get her.
Hope this helps you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Loa5T16lE10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCUXi7gWseM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_V5iNsEsUA
Any thoughts about why each gift would be a good idea?
Live scribe ROCKS. Especially for math courses.
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M$
It's not only an extremely classy gift, but very useful in the professional workplace. You'll look professional in job interviews and later in business meetings.
I still use them both to this day!
What I got and still use.
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M$
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Material gifts are good and all, but take it from this recent graduate: if it isn't money she can make her own decisions with, than you might as well send her somewhere she can stretch her legs and put that well-educated brain to some real world use! In Europe, students go on something called a Gap Year, but I believe it is typically in between high school and college. Since us American students don't have such a tradition, any kind of escape you could offer your daughter would be well appreciated! It would give her a chance to gain unique experience before she has the unfortunate task of finding a job in a bad economy.
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M$
Ask someone you know to get her a job . That is the best graduate gift you can give someone in these tough economic times. She will feel superior to her fellow classmates.
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M$
1)
The first thing that comes into my mind are frames for her degree(s). Matching frames are nice to have for this sort of thing and having the same old frame as everyone else in your graduating class can seem a little passe. One of the nicest frames I've seen was custom made with a quote engraved on the bottom. A good quality frame will last a lifetime and every time she looks at them, she'll be reminded the gift.
2)
I didn't receive any gifts when I graduated. Instead, my family helped me buy my first house. I didn't have a lot to scratch together but knew that I didn't want to rent. I didn't have a fancy gadget to show my friends but I now have a lower mortgage payment because of this. It's the gift that keeps on giving :)
3)
A friend of mine received a first edition law book when she graduated. I thought this was classy, reflected her education and wasn't simply a gift. It was an expensive book, but prices vary and the real gift (as in any collectible or antique) is in the hunt.
4)
Does she want to go to Europe? There are a number of ways to see Europe that don't need to cost a lot. If she flys into London or Amsterdam and then takes the Eurorail to Germany or better yet Prague, that will make for an inexpensive European vacation. My only reservation in giving this type of gift is that in a few years, when she has a good paying job, it should be easy to afford a European trip. If she happens to have any kids, letting them stay with you for a week or two would be a real gift ;)
5)
Family heirlooms can start with you. I always thought that it would be sort of cool to start a "pen" tradition in my family. In short, I'd like to buy a crazy nice pen and pass it down on graduation day. Along with the pen, a log book. From the signing of each family members first house to other important events, it would be a pretty neat tradition to see a pen and a list of events unfold as the pen is handed down from graduate to graduate.
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$Hope I helped!
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M$I googled it.
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M$
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M$
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M$
I like the idea of inscribing a book in addition to some amount of money. They will remember the justure long after the money is spent. But make no mistake, money is very important for someone just starting out!
Oh The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Suess sounds like it might not be the most appropriate title for a grad, but if you've ever read the book you would see that it's possible that no better book has ever been written for an adult just starting their adult life (or facing a new horizon). It's a favorite in our home and anyone of us (13-81) revisits it from time to time.