Welcome carnival-goers from Money Hacks Carnival #12 — The Twelve Labours of Heracles over at CAN I GET RICH ON A SALARY. Make yourself comfortable while you are here, and come back soon--or better yet, sign up for my feed (right margin).
Once again, I'm going to prove to you that I am, by nature, a very, very practical person. I rarely give a gift that is not practical in nature. I try to spice it up or personalize it, but the core is almost always practical.
Now that the time is fast approaching to hear the echoes of "Pomp and Circumstance" echoing from high school football fields, gymnasiums, and auditoriums across the country. For those kids, this is an exciting and even frightening time in their lives. Many will be off to college or some form of continued education--some at a local community college and some all the way across the country. Many will simply enter the workforce. Either way, they need our support. Here are some frugal and/or practical gifts for high school graduates that you might want to consider.
For Any/All:
*How about some photo albums or frames? They are moving from the comfort of being surrounded by friends to a place in life where they have to grow up suddenly and some of their closest friends are no longer available (locally). They cherish those friendships and want to hold on to the memories that will be all they know. You can often find great deals at CVS, Michaels, and Bed, Bath & Beyond (and all of their competitors) similar to 50% off, B1G1, and such.
*Thank You Notes and Stamps: I was raised to always send a hand-written thank you note for gifts. The idea of the notes and stamps being the gift is awesome to me if you are close enough to the family for this not to be an insult or ill-received hint. However, these items can cost big money and it is great to have them on hand. Even once the graduation parties are all past and they move on, you can always use these (especially with Forever Stamps).
*Gift Cards: Really can be used by anyone, although I was more thinking of those who would be moving into their own place and needing items they had never purchased before. Here I was thinking along the lines of all-purpose stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, and the like.
*Remembering that Special Year: Something like a silver dollar or some similar collectible from the year of their graduation will be a keepsake to hold on to.
All Students:
*School Supplies: Pencils, folders, filler paper, index cards, stapler/staples, drafting or engineering paper for technical student, art supplies for libel arts students, staff paper for musicians.
*Personalized Lap Desks: Tap into your creative side. Buy a simple lap desk and decorate it yourself. Use their name, their favorite colors, their new school colors, or whatever you like.
*Rain Hoodie or Umbrella: There will be walking to classes. Even when it rains. Be prepared.
Away from Home:
*Sewing Kit: This was by far the most useful present I got. It does not have to be anything predesigned. Mine was a Rubbermaid container with scissors, sewing needles, straight pins, safety pins, and a sampler of thread. I used it to patch holes, "hem" pants (with safety pins), sew buttons back on, and several other things. I was the seamstress of the dorm!
*First Aid Items: Simple things they might need like antibiotic ointment, bandages, alcohol, peroxide, Tylenol, medical tape with gauze, and the like.
*Snacks: Never fear. There will be late nights studying. It's inevitable. If they are stuck in a dorm, they will need nourishment nearby. Crackers, cereal, chips, microwave popcorn, pop-tarts, and anything else that either doesn't need heating or can be heated in a microwave is great!
*Sheets: If in a dorm, they will find themselves needing twin sheets again (but be careful, as some dorms hang long twins that need special sheets).
*Posters: Every college dorm room has posters of their favorite actors/actresses, bands, or movies. A standard is a scene from Animal House or the like.
*Jumper Cables or Such: Great for that student that will be on the road more than before...if just for a sense of security for the parents. You can get classic jumper cables or a battery type charger that can be plugged into your outlet to boost the battery.
*Basic Tool Set: Great would be a basic set of tools for any need that might arise. I just saw a post at BeCentsAble about a free one! Thanks, Chrissy! You could use it for car trouble, apartment fixes, hanging pictures, or putting together a new desk. The possibilities are endless!
*Laundry Supplies: How about a laundry bag full of detergent, softener and a few rolls of quarters! You could, if you know that it might help, include a basic step-by-step for those who have never done their own laundry before. The parents might appreciate this as well, as the kids lose an excuse as to why they don't do it themselves!
*Iron and Portable Board: Okay, so many won't use this, but it can be a HUGE helper in a dorm room. A must for anyone who owns cotton clothing! Throw in a can of starch in case they know what that is!
*Cleaning Supplies: Once again, great for those who have never lived on their own before. Why else would an 18-year old own Formula 409? Just some basics would be fine...all purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, some bleach wipes, or something along that line.
So those are the things that came to my mind when I pondered this post. What do you have to add to the list?
Now that the time is fast approaching to hear the echoes of "Pomp and Circumstance" echoing from high school football fields, gymnasiums, and auditoriums across the country. For those kids, this is an exciting and even frightening time in their lives. Many will be off to college or some form of continued education--some at a local community college and some all the way across the country. Many will simply enter the workforce. Either way, they need our support. Here are some frugal and/or practical gifts for high school graduates that you might want to consider.
For Any/All:
*How about some photo albums or frames? They are moving from the comfort of being surrounded by friends to a place in life where they have to grow up suddenly and some of their closest friends are no longer available (locally). They cherish those friendships and want to hold on to the memories that will be all they know. You can often find great deals at CVS, Michaels, and Bed, Bath & Beyond (and all of their competitors) similar to 50% off, B1G1, and such.
*Thank You Notes and Stamps: I was raised to always send a hand-written thank you note for gifts. The idea of the notes and stamps being the gift is awesome to me if you are close enough to the family for this not to be an insult or ill-received hint. However, these items can cost big money and it is great to have them on hand. Even once the graduation parties are all past and they move on, you can always use these (especially with Forever Stamps).
*Gift Cards: Really can be used by anyone, although I was more thinking of those who would be moving into their own place and needing items they had never purchased before. Here I was thinking along the lines of all-purpose stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, and the like.
*Remembering that Special Year: Something like a silver dollar or some similar collectible from the year of their graduation will be a keepsake to hold on to.
All Students:
*School Supplies: Pencils, folders, filler paper, index cards, stapler/staples, drafting or engineering paper for technical student, art supplies for libel arts students, staff paper for musicians.
*Personalized Lap Desks: Tap into your creative side. Buy a simple lap desk and decorate it yourself. Use their name, their favorite colors, their new school colors, or whatever you like.
*Rain Hoodie or Umbrella: There will be walking to classes. Even when it rains. Be prepared.
Away from Home:
*Sewing Kit: This was by far the most useful present I got. It does not have to be anything predesigned. Mine was a Rubbermaid container with scissors, sewing needles, straight pins, safety pins, and a sampler of thread. I used it to patch holes, "hem" pants (with safety pins), sew buttons back on, and several other things. I was the seamstress of the dorm!
*First Aid Items: Simple things they might need like antibiotic ointment, bandages, alcohol, peroxide, Tylenol, medical tape with gauze, and the like.
*Snacks: Never fear. There will be late nights studying. It's inevitable. If they are stuck in a dorm, they will need nourishment nearby. Crackers, cereal, chips, microwave popcorn, pop-tarts, and anything else that either doesn't need heating or can be heated in a microwave is great!
*Sheets: If in a dorm, they will find themselves needing twin sheets again (but be careful, as some dorms hang long twins that need special sheets).
*Posters: Every college dorm room has posters of their favorite actors/actresses, bands, or movies. A standard is a scene from Animal House or the like.
*Jumper Cables or Such: Great for that student that will be on the road more than before...if just for a sense of security for the parents. You can get classic jumper cables or a battery type charger that can be plugged into your outlet to boost the battery.
*Basic Tool Set: Great would be a basic set of tools for any need that might arise. I just saw a post at BeCentsAble about a free one! Thanks, Chrissy! You could use it for car trouble, apartment fixes, hanging pictures, or putting together a new desk. The possibilities are endless!
*Laundry Supplies: How about a laundry bag full of detergent, softener and a few rolls of quarters! You could, if you know that it might help, include a basic step-by-step for those who have never done their own laundry before. The parents might appreciate this as well, as the kids lose an excuse as to why they don't do it themselves!
*Iron and Portable Board: Okay, so many won't use this, but it can be a HUGE helper in a dorm room. A must for anyone who owns cotton clothing! Throw in a can of starch in case they know what that is!
*Cleaning Supplies: Once again, great for those who have never lived on their own before. Why else would an 18-year old own Formula 409? Just some basics would be fine...all purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, some bleach wipes, or something along that line.
So those are the things that came to my mind when I pondered this post. What do you have to add to the list?
Photo Credit: Jamison
1 comments:
Gifts are source of happiness to both - provider and recipient. Thanks for ideas.
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