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College Graduation Gift Ideas


Bronze Request Medal for All Time! 66 Requests
April 21, 2008

College Graduation GiftMy niece will be graduating from college in a few weeks. What could I give her for a present? Over the years I have given her many picture frames, keepsake boxes, photo albums, journals, and address books. I don't think she wants any more of those. She has all the luggage and cosmetics cases she'll ever need. She uses her cell phone for a travel clock. Would a crucifix be appropriate? She wears one all the time. She also likes to travel(in the US). Is there something I could get her for that? I don't travel, I don't know what travelers use. Thanks for any suggestions.

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Peanut from Virginia

Answers

By Ingrid (Guest Post)
April 21, 20080 found this helpful

Why not give her something she can use more than once? Like a Starbucks gift card, so she can hang out with her friends at a coffee shop, or a phone card for minutes on her cell phone. Sounds like she doesn't need any more things--give her an experience instead.

Or get her a piece of carryon luggage or toiletry kit or maps and books for her travels.

 
April 21, 20080 found this helpful

how about a silver st christophers medal he is the patron saint of travellers and protection

 
April 21, 20080 found this helpful

If she would like to travel in Europe, a Eurail pass would be a great idea. Does the US have a similar pass where you can travel all over by rail for a set rate, prehaps within a state?

 
 
By Diana (Guest Post)
April 21, 20080 found this helpful

The most well received gift I ever gave was a pop up hamper filled with all the things a college Freshman will need (laundry detergent, snack items, towels, cleaning supplies, devotional items, thank you cards, magnets, paper clips, tool kit, etc. plus some fun stuff personalized to the person. It was practical and I obtained many of the items at the dollar store.

 
By Darlene (Guest Post)
April 21, 20080 found this helpful

One thing she can use anywhere are Traveler Checks. You can get them at your bank which would make it easy for you. Or find out from her mom if there is anything she needs.

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Starting out in life if she has a job lined up find out if she will be moving and into her own place. Good Luck darlene

 
By Guest (Guest Post)
April 26, 20080 found this helpful

I would say a gift card or money because they are useful, but if you want to give her something tangible or more personal maybe:
-something related to the career she will be starting
-a subscription to a magazine she likes
-a charm for a charm bracelet
-a cookbook or cookware if she will be moving out on her own
-a nice Bible or devotion book if she is religious
-tickets to something she enjoys
-if she is planning a trip somewhere then get a gift specific to the trip or a gift card to a restaurant or place specific to her trip
-if you live close then maybe an offer of night out to celebrate her accomplishments

Good luck selecting a gift!

 
By Guest (Guest Post)
April 26, 20080 found this helpful

I would say a gift card or money because they are useful, but if you want to give her something tangible or more personal maybe:
-something related to the career she will be starting

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-a subscription to a magazine she likes
-a charm for a charm bracelet
-a cookbook or cookware if she will be moving out on her own
-a nice Bible or devotion book if she is religious
-tickets to something she enjoys
-if she is planning a trip somewhere then get a gift specific to the trip or a gift card to a restaurant or place specific to her trip
-if you live close then maybe an offer of night out to celebrate her accomplishments

Good luck selecting a gift!

 
April 27, 20080 found this helpful

I would buy her something she can use in her new career. Gary Dominicus

 
By janet (Guest Post)
April 28, 20080 found this helpful

My daughter is also graduating from college. Her degree is a business degree and I too struggled on what to get for her. Finally I came up with the idea of getting her a crystal name plate, business card holder, and a cute little paper weight. It is shaped like a round diamond out of a diamond ring and I had her name put on the card holder and the paper weight.

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I decided on this because she will be able to take it with her if she changes careers and always have a keep sake from her parents with her at work as a reminder of how proud we are of her for her accomplishments. The web site I used to order from was www.wealthwood.com. Good luck

 
By Jenny (Guest Post)
May 5, 20080 found this helpful

I think your idea of a crucifix (or any other kind of jewelry) is a great one. When I graduated, I received too many 'business' related gifts. However, my aunts and grandma gave me jewelry, which I treasured and still do.

 
May 23, 20080 found this helpful

When I graduated, I was broke and had way too many things. I was really stressed out about money (will I be able to pay the bills between graduation and the first paycheck?).

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So money was really helpful. Ask her parents - if she has plenty of money then something more personal would be appreciated.

 
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8 More Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

May 1, 2009

A close friend of mine is graduating from IT college. But, he's been living on his own for several years so he doesn't need any household items. He is moving a month after his graduation, so I don't want to clutter him with more stuff to move! Any ideas on gifts I can give him that won't take up space in his moving van but will be useful or appreciated? Thanks!

By Lisa from Halifax, NS

Answers

July 3, 20010 found this helpful

A good gift for graduating seniors is : Phone cards, cash, a list of all relative birthdays and phone numbers,etc. Another nice gift is gift certificates to fast food places near the college they're attending.

 
May 7, 20090 found this helpful

How about gas station gift cards, or restaurant gift cards?

 
May 7, 20090 found this helpful

Depending on what you can afford, maybe a nice briefcase, the large roomy kind so he can carry all his stuff for work or job hunting. I like the idea of gift cards like for gas and restaurant.

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Throw in a few prestamped envelopes with your addie and some blank for family and other friends, or you can buy prestamped envelopes at the post office I know.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 180 Feedbacks
May 7, 20090 found this helpful

How about a pre-paid credit card with a note congratulating him and saying that when he settles after he moves he may find something he'd like to buy that would remind him of you.

 
May 7, 20090 found this helpful

Restaurant gift cards in the town he's moving to so he doesn't have to cook while he's unpacking.

 
May 8, 20090 found this helpful

You could give a post card good for a batch of homemade goodies.

Get (or make your own) blank post card(s). On one side, you can draw a picture of cookies and include information that the post card is good for a batch of their favorite homemade cookies/brownies to be sent to him/her. Also include a line for the recipient to include his/hers favorite kind of homemade cookie. On the reverse side of the post card, in the "To" field, write your name and address, and place the correct amount of postage on it. Then the recipient fills out the post card and puts it in the mailbox. The rest is up to you!

I use this gift often for those hard to buy for friends. I generally will give 3 post cards as the gift.
Be aware that postage rates go up next week.

Also, if you are sending baked goods in the mail, make sure to send them out asap after making them, and send them Priority Mail to get there fast to arrive fresh. Pack them with care, with adequate cushion and so they can't move around.

Everyone loves a batch of their favorite homemade cookies!

 
June 19, 20090 found this helpful

Everybody has great ideas!

My recommendation as a recent college grad (at the age of 27), money is nice (no matter if it's $10 or more). Most likely the graduate has not had many vacations while in school, especially their last year.

I've put all my monetary gifts towards a long weekend vacation at a spa 3 hours from home. After starting a new job and finishing finals, I'm counting down the days until I can hop in my car and take off without worrying about assignments due, etc.

 
June 8, 20120 found this helpful

Money is really the best. My sister and I have both graduated in the past 2 years and each were given about $1000 in cash and a couple hundred in gift cards. I will tell you, it helps a ton! Especially if he is going on to more schooling. And that much came from mostly people giving us $20, and a few up to $150, so no matter what you can do, it will help him immensely. And of course a thoughtful card/note is lovely.

I have not read most of the responses but I just want to throw out; graduation theme gifts are very nice at the time, but a few weeks after graduation, mine went into storage. The graduation hype was over and I had no room. A few of the books are on my shelf still, but the frames, stuffed animals, knick-knacks are all tucked away in a box in my closet along with my gradation robes.

Hope this helps!

 
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May 13, 2017

What are some gift ideas to make a basket for a college grad?


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Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,298 Posts
May 13, 20170 found this helpful

New job basket (wishing them luck on a job search)

Depending on what they graduated maybe their name engraved with their graduation (ending like BS, RN, etc) on something meaningful or sentimental)

A nice wine and gift card to celebrate!

 

Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts
May 14, 20170 found this helpful

Some things that will get them ready for adult/work life. If it's a male, some ties, books, tools, gift card for diploma framing, wine. If it's a female, kitchen utensils, books, travel bag, plants.

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
May 14, 20170 found this helpful

I love the pizza box money gift. Many examples on Pinterest.

 

Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 242 Answers
May 22, 20170 found this helpful

It seems that lots of graduates get a lot of useless things on graduation. I'd suggest something that helps them get started in the work world or to help set up a more permanent residence than they have had up to now. Gift cards, a cookbook & kitchen supplies, household supplies, or even a basic tool kit is more than a lot of graduates have.

 

Silver Answer Medal for All Time! 409 Answers
June 3, 20170 found this helpful

Individual packets of coffee and hot chocolate, a nice mug, assorted cookies, pretty napkins, and small dessert plates.

 
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February 13, 2011

I would like help with gift ideas for a female graduate from university with a commerce degree.

By Sally from Saskatoon, Canada

Answers


Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 109 Feedbacks
February 13, 20110 found this helpful

Here is a graduation package:
Give her a savings bond, a Walmart gift card and a letter of reference (personal reference for perspective jobs).

 
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March 17, 2013

This page contains frugal graduation gift ideas. An inexpensive present can be both useful and meaningful.

Graduation Gift

Archives

ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.

February 13, 2011

My brother-in-law's girlfriend is graduating from university and I need to get her a gift. However, she will be going straight to graduate school so a business type gift does not seem quite appropriate. Jacqui Cosper

 
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May 1, 2009

I'm looking for some graduation gift ideas.

 
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March 26, 2008

My nieces are both "graduating" this June--one from 5th grade (from elementary to middle school) and the other from 8th grade (from middle school to high school).

 
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March 26, 2008

I have about 10 graduates this year. From granddaughter to church teens to college grads! Help, I am looking at about $300.00 in gifts.

 
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