Under $25 h.s. grad gifts for friends

Parent Cafe
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<p>Perhaps too dated when so many students have smart phones, but I really like the “Not For Tourists” guide books. They’re small, a discreet black, and in no way scream “tourist”. They have great fold-out maps, including (where appropriate) the local transit system. They list nearby pharmacies, grocery stores, and so forth along with locations of attractions and restaurants. I carried the NYC one with me years ago during a family vacation to Manhattan, and it was a great resource. Left it with family friends who lived in the area; they loved it too.</p>

<p>Maybe I’m looking at this the wrong way: it’s actually the perfect gift for parents! :)</p>

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<p>A football, basketball or volleyball for sports-loving boys, good way for them to stay fit while at school and a good ice-breaker for them to get together for a pick-up game.</p>

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<p>This was my go-to gift for boys and some girls for years. A cool flying disc (we might call it a Frisbee), coolness determined by your teen or a local sports store, with a modest check taped onto it.</p>

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<p>I’m thinking of adding a room deodorizer for a couple of boys - does anyone have brand suggestions (gels, sprays, charcoals)? Is it worth a new thread in the ‘College Life’ forum, LOL?</p>

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<p>^^I won one of those wax melting night lights in a drawing and thought what a dumb thing it was. However, it is THE BEST air freshener I have ever used and it has a night light. Mine is one from a home party distributor, but I think Yankee Candle sells the same type of thing. They are called tarts, I think.</p>

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<p>I love money. Since I love it, I tend to think that others do too. They can buy whatever they need or want.</p>

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<p>I like the poster hangers–though I’m not sure of the cost these days. You buy them at many museum gift shops. It’a gizmo that lets you hang up a poster without framing it in glass. It fits any poster, looks much better than if you scotch tape something to the wall, and dos very little damage to the wall.</p>

<p>Here’s another neat idea for hanging photos:
<a href=“http://store.metmuseum.org/picture-frames/hanging-photoclip-mobile/invt/13138862/[/url]”>http://store.metmuseum.org/picture-frames/hanging-photoclip-mobile/invt/13138862/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Here’s a page with ideas that I setup. It’s basically my wishlist just online. I’ve included amazon links for people’s convenience. Maybe it’ll help?</p>

<p>[Graduation</a> Gifts for Him](<a href=“http://www.squidoo.com/graduation-gifts-for-him]Graduation”>http://www.squidoo.com/graduation-gifts-for-him)</p>

89

<p>$25 gift card to a Dollar Tree Store if there is one locally or in the college town. Great stuff if you know what to look for and sometimes brings back memories for teenagers/young adults. My sons were always excited to go into the “dollar store” and pick out something.</p>

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<p>either cash (crispy), gold, silver, or food. everything else is not as good. Copper trade bars are ok.</p>

91

<p>Lots of great suggestions here! Good job parents :)</p>

<p>I’ve read most of “Naked Roommate.” For the most part, it’s fun, lighthearted advice about random college things, like studying for finals, living on not a lot of money, or (as the title suggests) a naked roommate. It’s small too! I think it would be a fun gift.</p>

<p>I also loved my spa wrap. Mine’s white, has a ribbon sewn down the side, and has my monogram at the bottom corner. Super preppy. Lots of compliments.</p>

<p>My grandfather framed my graduation announcement for me. (Happens to be his traditional gift to the grandkids–he owns an art gallery–and the framed announcement is a surprisingly eye-catching gift. Hangs in my room at home.)</p>

<p>My mom’s friend gave me a floral hammer for my high school graduation. The handle unscrewed to become a screwdriver, which then unscrewed to be a smaller screwdriver. Kind of like the Russian dolls of hammers. It was in this really girly gift bag and got lots of laughs when I opened it.</p>

<p>It was a really fun way to meet new friends (boys especially!) during move in…they all needed a hammer, and I was the one that had it! </p>

<p>Just graduated from college last week. And guess which gift still sits on my desk?</p>

<p>Another great one was a big stack of note paper that said my name in pretty cursive at the top and my school at the bottom. </p>

<p>Both were useful, fun, and unexpected. Other than that–cash is great! Students have their eye on some expensive stuff, and helping them purchase that (laptop? bike? coffee maker?) is pretty awesome.</p>

<p>Here’s another fun one for you: I just decided to make my graduation present thank you notes. My friend took a picture of me in my cap and gown, holding a sign that said “THANKS”, at a prominent location on campus. Will either make them into postcards ($0.90 each online) or will print 4x6s and attach to blank cards (haven’t decided yet). I’m sure I didn’t invent this idea, but nonetheless I’m happy with the way it turned out!</p>

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<p>Tool kit. Great for decorating and making small repairs in dorm rooms.</p>