Seeking Ideas for High School Graduation Gift

B.,
I have 3 grown children and was not able to give them expensive gifts for graduation either. I gave them each the Dr. Seuss book "OH The Places You'll Go". I wrote a note in the front telling them how proud I was of them and how much I loved them. I made a wish for them in the note that they would go "All of the places they wanted to go" and do all of the things they wanted to do. Each of them loved it so much it is now the graduation gift I give all of the special young people in my life.
Just a foot note...Each of my children took that book to the hospital at the birth of each of their children and read it to them right after they were born then wrote a note to the child under the note I wrote to them.
S.

B.,
When my kids and their friends graduate from high school and even college I make them funky looking martini or champagne glasses filled with Jelly Belly Jelly Beans that is a flavor or flavors they like and then cover it with plastic wrap. Usually I will give 2 glasses per gift for their friends and a set of glasses for my kids,especially if they are going off to college. The kids get a kick out of it and I recently heard from one of my daughter's friends that she still uses the glasses; they graduated in 2001. One of her girlfriend's put them on her shelf, refills them whenever she has company, and puts them out on the coffee table; she said everyone now wants a set, so I now I am getting paid to make them. You should try it, it will only cost you about $20. Let me know if you have any questions.
Hugs,
T.

We bought our Godson/Nephew a really nice watch - I think it was around $150. Sleek and modern - very nice for someone his age (and good to wear to interviews - ha ha).

Hi B.,

something useful and something sentimental...

My parents gave me an HP (my favorite brand) Calculator in a leather case, which was extremely useful in college as I studied engineering. In addition to the manual that came with it, they also gave me the additional programming manuals that were available for the model I had. I read them all cover-cover!

A sentimental gift would have been nice as well ... a silver coin or coin set minted the year of graduation or one of the other nice ideas that has been suggested.

Congratulations to your son! Best wishes to him for whatever he chooses to pursue.

Warm Regards,
C.

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(: have an awesome day :)
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Hi B.,

What about trying to borrow some camping supplies from family or friends, and take a local camping trip? You wouldn't have to travel far, and with borrowed items you can keep costs down. Hiking, fishing, swimming etc. can all be really fun.
You will inevitably get quality time sleeping in a tent, or cooking over a campfire! Make sure to take pictures he can keep!

or

If he doesn't already have a cell phone, a pay as you go phone will give him the phone and responsibility to pay for it. He may need this if he's moving out of your home.

A watch. It is a lasting gift and you can have it engraved.

What does he aspire to? What are his goals? To keep him looking forward would be best. Perhaps soething that has to do with his desired career goal. A journal perhaps might be helpful as well. Not knowing what he aspires to limits my suggestions.

An engraved pen, a wallet or a frame is always a favorite one however I recently spoke to my friend whose son was graduating from middle school and he got a helicopter ride in NYC. I guess nowadays kids expect more than just a congrats :-) good luck

Why not purchase a high end leather Dopp kit? It would be used for years when he travels anywhere to carry personal grooming items.

What about a family heirloom? It doesn't have to be worth alot of money just attach a significance to it. For example, my mom gave me the first piece of jewelry my father ever bought her when I graduated college. It couldn't have cost alot of money because they didn't have any, but I treasure it.

B.,
Is he going to college? If he is get him a lap top. He will need it and he can take it anywhere. They are always on sale and can be quite affordable.Its what I got my son last year.

sounds kind of cheesy but a scrapbook. or a watch or something else with something engraved "we're very proud of you, Name. Love mom and dad". things remembered has some nice stuff.

Does he have a particular interest - or major picked that he is excited about? Maybe something to do with that.
Or you could collect some of his favorite photos of friends and family and turn it into a poster collage or something. Digital photo frames are getting more affordable - and then he can add more photos later.
If he played a sport or likes to watch sports, you could probably find him fairly inexpensive tickets to a game.
Congrats to him -and to you!

I asked my husband for his advice...he said that when he graduated from high school he was given a Tiffany key chain. He uses it to this day and he is 47 yrs. old. It is one of his most memorable gifts. Good luck....You might make him a dvd, set to music with pictures of his growing up, there are places that do that...some people can do it on their computers.

http://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Forever-Robert-Munsch/dp/0...

My Mom gave my brother this book when he graduated high school. She wrote on the inside cover. He loved it and he still has it. It is a very nice book and writing your own message on the inside makes in more special. That was only part of his gift from them. They also threw him a huge party and took us on a three day weekend to a theme park in PA.

Good luck!!

Lenovo T series laptop. Crash tested at 35 miles an hour. Go to Lenovo.com. My husband is EXTREMELY hard on laptops and it has proven durable. It'll be rugged enough for a college bound kid and out performs just about all other laptops on the market. You can have them custom built or buy prebuilt which are a bit cheaper. It'll be between 1300 and 2000 dollars for the T series. (T series is the only one crash tested and has a drop proof hard drive, trust me he'll need that in college!)

There is a book written by Dr. Seuss titled "Oh The Places You'll Go", excellent book, then write something nice on the inside.

You could take him on a Family vacation or send him ALONE with a Friend of his choice.......Cost ABOUT $300 Dollars
http://www.kittatinny.com/pages/rates.php

Kitany Canoe is very fun , and inexpensive
http://www.kittatinny.com/pages/canoeing_rates.php

they have paintballing too.....35 dollars per person

Camp there over night
http://www.kittatinny.com/pages/camping_rates.php

If he's into baseball.. you can get him tickets to see his favorite team or through him a graduation party and have him invite all of his friends. At the party take lot's of pictures and then make him a graduation scrapbook for memories. If you are not going to give him a party make him a scrapbook of him and how he's grown so fast.(he'll love it !) and in the book have family members right a personal message or advice to him . -M.

Hi B.,

These products are heirloom type in quality and will be something to be cherished always, there are also tons of other ideas if you check around on the site. Blessings and good luck!

Memory Trunk:
https://www.onceuponafamily.com//forms/frm_shop_item_info...

Words of Wisdom:
https://www.onceuponafamily.com//forms/frm_shop_item_info...

There are lots of other heirloom type products too, I am a consultant with the company so if you have any questions let me know!!!

Best of luck!
A.

The gifts i still have are a watch, luggage, and my grandmother's engagement ring. I got them over 40 yrs ago! I gave my sons expensive engraved keychains, luggage, and a very personal letter. They both still have and treasure these things. They are 26 and 31 now. Wish I had a letter from my parents. Good luck in making your decision.