Dudes. Seriously. I am so freakin’ busy right now, I feel like I’m losing my mind. And I didn’t have that much to start with…
So here are the graduation gift ideas Jason, Alix and I discussed on the couch today (whilst filming the Morning Buzz) brought to you with little fanfair. Plus! Bonus ideas just for denizens of the Cheap Chick Empire. Because I like you like that.
Graduation Gifts: Best Bang For Your Buck
Computer accessories:
1. TIP – Try Costco or Sam’s Club for great prices and bulk items.
2. UBS flash drives, rechargeable batteries, ink cartridges
Gift Cards:
1. Services like Kinkos or other print shops, oil changes, gas, InkSell.com for ink cartridges.
2. Treats like Starbucks, fast food, book stores, pizza delivery.
3. TIP – Check first to make sure you get a card for a place near the school they are attending.
Practical Dorm Items:
1. Linens like sheets and towels
2. Household goods like a can opener, bottle opener, scissors, screwdriver, hammer, duct tape
3. A new, LOUD alarm clock
4. A desk lamp
5. A coffee-maker
6. Free-standing makeup mirror
7. White-board or chalkboard for dorm-room door.
8. Shower robe from IKEA or Target. Just $25!
9. Mace, for walking to and from night classes. And frat parties.
Theme Gifts:
1. Laundry Day – a laundry basket, detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, rolls of quarters, and a home-made instruction manual.
2. Study Guide – Candy, instant coffees, a multi-color pack of highlighters, and ear plugs.
3. Survival Kit – Kleenex, hand sanitizer, Vitamin C, aspirin, band-aids, hot tea and mug.
4. Remember Me – a photo calendar and a photo collage featuring pictures of Mom, Dad, siblings, friends, family pets, even the house the graduate grew up in.
5. Keep It Clean – toothbrush, tooth paste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and a shower caddy
Bonus Idea! Also good for Mother’s Day gifts! Stop by the HandMade in Minnesota Spring Market this weekend (for TC Chicks and Dudes only). You’ll find all sorts of cool and unique items, made by – say it with me now – HAND.
In particular, be on the look-out for cute, colorful wool felt bags/purses made by my buddy, Probie. At just $20 a bag, they are a STEAL. Plus, if you buy enough of her bags, she can go with me to the Bristol Ren Faire this summer. And really, that’s what’s important here.
One Comment
Fabulous ideas! I’d like to add, how about pre-paid phone cards? Do they even exist anymore (I haven’t noticed, sorry.)? If so, I think they’d be great, especially if someone is without their cell phone (if they have one, to begin with). Gift cards to a grocery store near where they’ll be living/attending college would be cool. Bus passes or other mass transit cards (reloadable or not, whatever is available, practical — Metro Transit in Minnesota sells them on their web site, http://www.metrotransit.org, for instance), if the student would be around public transportation. Gas station gift cards. Any of these could even be included in a gift basket of items, like those you mentioned.
Btw, good luck, Probie, in your sales!!
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