whatever4

Input, please. We will be getting high school graduation gifts for our kid's close friends, and are looking for suggestions of things that your college freshmen found (or would have found) really great and/or useful.

We probably will be spending @ $25 per gift, and would prefer something more personal than just giving money. (Or would you suggest just giving money?)

Note: This request is also being posted in the College Life forum, so we will let you know if kids' responses differ significantly from parents'.)

astrophysicsmom

I'm generally a gift certificant person..... D got an overabundance of I-Tunes gift cards (which she couldn't use because I-Tunes and Linux don't play together nicely on her PC), which I purchased from her!

Bed Bath & Beyond or Target are good places for dorm "stuff"....(and you could include a bunch of BB&B coupons....thanks to my CC friends, I found out that you can use multiple coupons (and expired coupons) there on a single trip....even though the coupon says otherwise. or Staples (you could include a ream of paper with the gift cert) or Best Buy for computer-related purchases.... With our family, Barnes and Nobles gift certs are always a sure winner, too.

ellemenope

Barnes & Noble card with a Starbucks card...so they can buy a good book and read it over the summer, sitting out on the patio, enjoying a Starbucks. Because once they get into college, they'll be so busy, they might find it hard to read books other than those that are assigned.

rhy

We give a gift card to the college book store. Some are run by Barnes and Nobel, but some are run by the college. Just call the book store and ask.

mafool

A gift card to college bookstore in the amount of $20.08

Jump drives (often on special for around $25)

Go to a Steve and Barry's and get a hoodie with their school logo.

A portable hanging file box with lid that you stock with files, stapler, scissors, scotch tape, etc.

HarrietMWelsch

At the $25 level, we've definitely done the college bookstore gift card or certificate.

Another $25ish one that goes over really well with girls as well as guys is one of the small, keychain-size Leatherman tools (which come in bright, fun colors as well as standard ones). I think the model name is "Squirt." There's one version that has an extra-small screwdriver, small screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, clip-point knife, wood/metal file, tweezers, and bottle opener; the other has pliers and a wire cutter, plus two different files, in place of the tweezers and the tiny screwdriver. Both are ridiculously handy to have in dorm rooms (and NOT just for the bottle openers). And you can get them engraved.

kristin5792

Way to go Harriet, that sounds like a great gift.

I got one really useful, quirky, unique gift. I even remember the gift giver every time I use it! (A friend of my parents).

It's a small hammer. And it's FLORAL. And it unscrews into a Phillips', then a flat-head, then a smaller flat-head, then a super tiny flat-head. It's kind of like those Russian dolls inside a floral hammer. I get lots of goofy comments about it but it really comes in handy. No idea where its from.

Monogrammed towels are fun. So are soft blankets and anything that can be displayed on a desk! Picture frames (ones from their high school even) are great for memories. Good ear plugs, office supplies, and a travel coffee mug also come to mind as useful things that could be quirky gifts.

If you go the travel mug route, I'd suggest the new Starbucks double walled metal ones with a rubber grip. Less than $20 and nothing keeps my coffee hotter longer!!! Plus, it's lime green so I don't lose it. Or the "create your own" tumbler could be fun too.

College bookstore, a restaurant near their new school, Target, grocery stores, Walgreens, etc gift cards are also super useful.

nysmile

We live in an area near the water that gets overrun with tourists during the summer months. When the local kids aren't busy working their butts off at their summer jobs, they head for the ocean. A great gift here is a large, colorful beach towel. The kids use them all summer and then can take them to college.

2VU0609

I have given many monogrammed towels through the years. The best deal on a nice towel is through Neiman Marcus. They monogram the Ralph Lauren towels for free and if you are subscribed to their e-mails, every so often there is one for free shipping (particularly in this economy!). You can get a nice bath towel for $14.99 if you hit the free shipping. D and many of her friends liked the bath towels over the bath sheets because of the difficulty in finding space to hang and dry a bath sheet.

maineparent

Our HS gave the kids all beach towels as their graduation gift with the year embroidered on it.......we gave them out as they got on the bus for their last ride home after project graduation finished.....

LL Bean has great towels......in every color (should match any school).....so a set of towels (2 bath, 1 hand, 1 washcloth) with their initials or name would be wonderful.......

Bean's also has great hanging toiletry bags that come in lots of colors too, that kids can use in their bathrooms or travels....

We have done Staples gift cards (helps towards a printer).....

I did Art books for my son's friends..... chose an artist that most closely resembled the kid..... to "start" their adult library.......and had a big sit down dinner party just for the kids .... over the summer......

My son got a gift certificate to a bakery in his college neighborhood from 1 friend.....that was unique......

What kid doesn't like money?

binx

If I know the kid is going to college, I often google the college bookstore and get a t-shirt or something. I've gotten the most heartfelt thanks for those. I usually order a bumpersticker or window decal at the same time, and usually hear from the "dad" that the car has now been defaced.

StitchInTime

How about making a donation in their name to a charity that helps third world-based kids get an education?...an organisation like CO-ID.

jsmom

My D's closest friend I am giving her luggage tags as she is going far away to school

NotReady4Purple

One of the best presents my son got was a small tool kit. Always needed in the dorm.

doubleplay

I give a paperback and some money. I figure it's easier to for them to have the money in hand- then they can go anywhere and shop for what they need. The book depends on our relationship, and their personality.