...of Good Money Management

Talk It Out:
Gifts for Graduates (and Graduates and Graduates...)


"My husband is a school teacher/football coach and we get tons of graduation invitations each year. We would really like to give each student something but as you can imagine cost is a big factor. In the past I have ‘broken the bank’ buying gifts and would like to at some point have a plan that I could either pick up things during the year or have a gift idea that can be easily picked up during the graduation season. I don’t know if you have addressed this subject before but I was wondering what other teachers, coaches, youth pastors, etc., do when they receive volumes of graduation invitations." ~ Rhonda


Responses:
"A heartfelt letter can be a wonderful gift.  I still remember special ones I received at high school graduation.  If you wanted something larger, an inspirational book would be great.  Half.com is a great resource for new or almost new books at a more affordable price. Anything by Mitch Albom or the classic graduation gift 'Oh the Places You’ll Go' would be a great choice. Even the local dollar store may have affordable books inspirational or cookbooks or a simple calendar/planner.  Mostly I think your presence at graduation parties that you are invited to can be the most meaningful gesture. How special to celebrate this great achievement surrounded by adults who really cared about you and helped you along the way. " ~ Bridget

"The best gift I've found is a gas card. Of course those don't go as far as they used to, but they are still appreciated and available all year long. Plus they fit in the card, so no gift wrap!" ~ Paula

 
"Here are a few ideas for graduation gifts that are for either male/female students.
 
*Beach towel and/or flip flops with  sunscreen
* Mylar helium balloon with a large candy bar attached (or if hot weather, we wouldn't want the chocolate to melt so attach a pocket calculator)
* Gift certificate to favorite restaurant  (or some location like Subway, Pizza Hut etc...)
* Our local newspaper publishes the photos of all the graduating seniors each year. You could cut out the photo and laminate it, and send it with a card." ~ Colleen in Toccoa, GA
 
"Without knowing what Rhonda would like to budget per gift, my suggestion would be gift cards/gift certificates to fast food restaurants or video rental places or even Walmart/Target.  Just a $5 gift card per student would be great. There are places online, I think, where you can get the gift cards cheaply, too - I don't know any websites off the top of my head, though.  I know that if you're signed up with Upromise and buy McDonald's gift certificates using your registered debit/credit card, then you earn $$ back." ~ Nancy

 

 
"Instead of buying individual gifts, why not have your husband/family donate to a charity that is in the local community or that is important to your team? Then he can write, 'In Honor of the Football Team at _____,' count it as a charitable contribution on his taxes, and not break the bank on multiple gifts. Just include a note with the graduate's card saying a gift was made in his honor to ____." ~ Karen

"I am a personal historian. My suggestion for a nice graduation gift will take time and thought but will be inexpensive. You'll need some nice sheets of paper and consider learning a bit of basic calligraphy. Parchment or vellum are the two paper types I would recommend. They both last quite a long time and each sheet should cost less than $2. Using calligraphy pens, write the name of the graduate at the top of the page and then write a letter to the graduate. You could do so many things with this idea. The letter could be a favorite story that you have about your time with the graduate, ways that you've watched the graduate grow and change into a woman/man over the past semester/year in class with them, advice for the future, etc. Use the letter to tell the graduate that you see them as someone who is truly unique and special and why you'll remember certain things about them. Then tie the letter up with a bit of ribbon OR fold it in thirds and use a fancy wax seal to close the envelope - again, something to show that you put thought, effort and time into making this gift special and unique for the person receiving it. This idea could actually work for family and coworkers as well." ~ Melissa 

 

Editor's Note: Thanks to these subscribers for taking the time to respond.

Sign up for Counting the Cost, 
a free twice-a-month email newsletter filled with ideas, insights and inspirations for living each day to the fullest. 

Email address:

Subscribe Unsubscribe

Google
 
Web     CountingtheCost.com

Home    Products and Resources     Speaking Engagements    Nancy's Itinerary  
Creative Frugality     Talk It Out     Abundant Living    Readers' Input      Advertising Information      
National Creative Frugality Week    Media Mentions and Publicity     Support This Site