<p>I know there was a prior thread about grad gifts, but can’t readily find it any more. Thought I’d start one up again. Someone has posted about making “Desk Packs” for kids heading off to college. I made one for my son, his cousin, and two other grads.<br>
My niece called tonight & she & her mom were effusive about how practical the things in the pack were. I even listed out all the things in the pack & included paper clips, binder clips, stapler with remover & extra staples, mechanical pencil, spare leads, eraser, postage stamps, legal size envelopes, ruler with protractor, solar calculator, sewing kit, scissors, white-out, correction tape, scotch tape, double-stick tape, masking tape, permanent marking pens, gel pen, post-its, pastel push-pins, all contained in a zippered firm plastic pouch. (My son was less enthusiastic, saying he already has assembled his own desk supplies which are superior to those I put in the pack I assembled–which he’s already raiding as needed.)
We will likely give another grad those plush ultra-soft oversize throws from Costco (& son loves the beige one he found there too). He gave another grad a gift card for Border’s (tho he wanted to get a travel version of the game “Connect Four” but we couldn’t find it).
Would love to hear other ideas of what others have given/enjoyed. Of course, cash is always handy.
For my son’s Eagle Scout party, one of his favorite gifts is a Leatherman (multitool) that he will undoubtably take to college with him. Might see if I can find some smaller multi-tools for him to give as gifts–we’ll see.</p>
<p>The Leatherman is a great idea. Also, a small tool set would be great in one of those small red plastic tool boxes. We gave our son a small tool kit and he reported later that he couldn’t have gotten along without it.</p>
<p>For my son’s HS graduation, a friend gave him a laundry kit (kind of like the desk kit above). It was all packed into a laundry bag that had his name embroidered on it.</p>
<p>My sister and her husband have always given tool kits to their various nieces and nephews, including my S and D. These are the tool kits you find at Sears, that come in a case with screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, etc. Both S and D thought they were great and were in large demand on the dorm floor.</p>
<p>We have since stolen the idea and given them as graduation gifts.</p>