Gift Ideas for the High School Graduate

Need gift ideas for your graduating senior? Here are some ideas to help you select the best graduation gift for your son or daughter.

• Money. The most popular high school graduation gift is money. As long as you don't care how it gets spent, feel free to write a check and stick it in a graduation card. It may not seem very heartfelt to you, but it is usually the most wanted gift of graduates.
• Gift cards. If you worry that your graduate may not make the best financial decisions, you may want to give gift cards instead of cash. These can range from gas cards to grocery store gift cards. These are great gifts because you know that your child will have the necessary expenses taken care of for the first few months of college.
• Notebook computer. A new computer is a great gift for any college bound student. Whether to get a desktop or a notebook computer will depend on user preference, but keep in mind that the notebook will offer more convenience. Your child would be able to take it with him to lectures to type notes and to group meetings around campus. With a laptop, he would also be able to work on papers or projects if he has a little downtime between classes.
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). PDAs have a variety of functions. They can be used as mobile phones, web browsers, portable media players, calendars/organizers, etc. The organizer function is very handy for college students since your child will have many assignment deadlines and campus activity dates to remember.
• Watch. A watch is a great graduation present because it can be engraved with a special message to show your child how proud you are of him. Plus, your college bound student will need it to keep him on time for class and other campus activities.
• Dorm room decorations. Getting your child decorations for her dorm room now will help save her money when she is getting ready to move. You can get engraved picture frames, posters, a bulletin board, a small bookcase, a trunk, or anything else that your child might want for her dorm room décor.
• College gift basket. Give your child a basket of small items that he will need once he moves away for college. Include items such as laundry detergent, dryer sheets, shampoo/conditioner, soaps, toothpaste, dental floss, disposable razors, lotion, etc.
• Camera. Your child will want to remember all the good times that she has at college and looking at pictures of her college life will be a great way for her to reminisce. Also, if your child has a camera, she can send you candid pictures that she has taken of various college activities, so you can see what her life is like at college.
• Prepaid cell phone cards. Help your child stay in touch with family members and friends across the country by giving him prepaid cell phone cards.

If you think of anything else that would be beneficial for a college bound student to have, don't be afraid to buy it. Your child will appreciate anything that you give him.