Of all the events that people celebrate in
their lives, high school graduation is one of the best! Graduation often marks
the passage from childhood to adulthood, and is frequently a chance for friends
and family to say “Bon Voyage!” as students head off into life.
If you’re looking for a meaningful or helpful
gift for a graduating high school Senior who is headed into college, here are
some suggestions:
Prepaid
Phone Card/Phone
If the student is going out of town or away
from family for the first time, a pre-paid calling card or pre-paid phone is a
great gift. Whether it’s simply to keep in touch with family back home or
emergency calls to a parent (“Do I wash black socks and white t-shirts
together, Mom?”) the gift of communication is meaningful and helpful.
Bookstore
Gift Certificates
College books are expensive, and students
often don’t realistically account in their budget for how much they might cost.
A gift certificate to a college bookstore or a reputable online source is a
great gift for students. Want a more meaningful gift? Consider asking the
student for his/her complete book list and spend the summer tracking down book
bargains to help offset the cost of college, and sign each one with an
encouraging message to the new college student.
Household
Items
For students moving away to college, the
cost of simple household items can quickly add up. Things as simple as a coffee
maker, ironing board, or a microwave are taken for granted when you’re living
at home with your parents, but can be sorely missed when you’re suddenly on
your own.
A
Cleaning Kit
Alright, it’s not necessarily the most
meaningful gift, but it certainly is helpful! Collect a wide array of cleaning
products (mop, bucket, tea towels, laundry detergent, bathroom scrubber, etc)
and package it all up for the new college student. They might think it’s funny
but they’ll certainly appreciate it by the beginning of October when they
realize that their parents are no longer around to keep their house clean!
Grocery
Store Gift Cards
We’ve all heard stories of students who run
through their term funds too quickly and are reduced to eating ketchup soup in
December. A gift card to a national grocery store chain can help ensure that
the student in your life is well-fed, or give them a little boost for something
fancier than cafeteria fare.
Cash
If the high school Senior in your life is
facing a financial shortfall for college, cash to be applied towards tuition
and fees can be the most meaningful gift of all. Every dollar you give might be
one less dollar the student has to take on in student-debt. Giving the gift of
a debt-free future after college is truly meaningful and helpful; even if the
student doesn’t realize it for years to come.
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