Graduation marks a rite of passage. Gift giving for such an event can be tricky. Here, then, are affordable ideas for stumped parents or friends.
Graduation marks a rite of passage when an individual makes a clear, recognizable transition into another stage of life. Gift giving for such an event can be tricky. For the thoughtful gift giver, a good graduation gift means recognizing the importance of accomplishment and providing tools for the road ahead.
Here are 10 great affordable graduation gift ideas that cost less than $100. In fact, the most meaningful graduation gift of all might not cost a single penny.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go. The final book written by Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go has long been a staple in graduation gift giving. Like many of Dr. Seuss’s books, the timelessness of Oh, The Places You’ll Go ensures it will continue to be a meaningful graduation gift for years to come. Price: $17
A Good Backpack. Loaded with books for class, clothes for weekends, or sporting gear for some fun, a good backpack is an indispensable element in any young adult’s life. Price: $40-70.
Digital Camera. In recent years, the price of digital cameras has dropped considerably. For less than $100, you can find a decent quality digital camera that makes an excellent graduation gift. Price: <$100.
Newspaper / Magazine Subscription. If your grad is moving away to college and living on campus, it can be easy for them to lose touch with the real world. Giving a newspaper or magazine subscription as a graduation gift helps your graduate stays aware of changes in the world they are preparing for. Price: $20-100.
A Toll-free Number. Getting yourself a toll-free number allows your grad to call from anywhere at no cost to them. Whether it’s to say hello, set up visits, or ask for money, a toll-free number makes a great graduation gift. Some plans start as low as $2 per month and 7¢ a minute. Contact your phone service provider for their rates. Price: Varies.
USB Flash Drive. As a graduation gift, perhaps no other item will get as much mileage as a USB flash drive. Compatible with virtually any computer on the planet, a flash drive is a convenient way to transport pictures and music as well as research papers and class presentations. Price: $70 for 2G.
The Lorax. Yes, Dr. Seuss is back. Not as obvious as Oh, The Places You’ll Go, when you give The Lorax as a graduation gift, you will be reminding your grad that, as they go through life, there are wise decisions and unwise decisions—and each has an effect beyond the here and now. Price: $15.
Passport. Graduation opens a new world of opportunities. To be sure your grad can go anywhere in the world to chase those opportunities, a passport makes a thoughtful and practical graduation gift. Price: $97.
Scrapbook. Sometimes, to get a better idea of where you’re going, it helps to look at where you have been. A scrapbook is a personal graduation gift you can make yourself. Let your grad know how special their life has been to you so far and how proud you are for their future. Price: $30-75 on average.
Advice. How many times have you said, “If I only knew then what I know now”? As a graduation gift, use this time to sit down with your graduate and share some of the life lessons you have learned. And do it in a way that recognizes your grad as a peer and a friend. A wise man learns from his mistakes. A wiser man learns from others’ mistakes. Make your grad wiser by sharing sound advice about life. Price: Free.
