[ The following is a post on behalf of Deal Taker]
It’s that time again where budding minds of America (even the students who gamble on their grades) are celebrating the completion of a stage of their educational careers! Whether from high school, college, or grad school, friends and family members are emptying the shelves of the greeting card aisles, picking up roses from the gas station, and balloons from the local store – but that is the easy part. What about the real graduation gift ideas?
Thankfully, there are a number of tried and true graduation gift ideas out there, some take a little time and planning, and others you can just grab and go!
Graduation Gift Ideas For Lazy Shoppers
Money: The Easiest of Graduation Gift Ideas
Money is the perfect gift for EVERY occasion! Everyone likes money, everyone wants money, and every graduate I know needs money! For the student heading off to college, money for school books or basic living expenses can be helpful so they can avoid getting into debt.
And for those going into workforce, those funds are useful as a jump start for student loan repayments, or possibly for living expenses while finding a job (since job hunting expenses aren’t tax deductible if it’s your first job).
Moving Van/Truck Rental
Many recent graduates will need to rent a moving truck in order to enter into the next phase of their life. If they are heading off to college, they might decide to live on campus, which may require them to move a significant amount of their possessions (depending on living arrangements).
For those who are done with college, they will need to either move back home, or move into their own apartment!
They may be able to stuff everything into their own vehicle, but that might not be possible depending on their situation. Find out from them whether or not they will need to pay to rent a moving truck/van. If so, you can offer to cover the expenses!
As long as you don’t offer to help them move, this can be one of the laziest graduation gift ideas ever!
Job Essentials
If your recipient is a college graduate, there are many gifts that can help them prepare to step into the business world. It can be quite a transition from jeans and sweats to business suits and dress shoes, so appropriate attire would be a welcome gift. You can always save by using a gap coupon code on apparel, or by purchasing a gift card from retailers like Amazon.com
Electronics have now become a staple as business tools and any graduate would be grateful for such gifts which may be immediately out of their reach. A laptop
Keepsake Gifts
Gifts that memorialize this special occasion in the graduate’s life are often times the most treasured. One way to mark the graduation is with an engraved gift
On the lighter end of the budget are gifts that may just mention the graduation year like a coffee mug or teddy bear in graduation garb. Another great idea is to consider making homemade gifts!
photo by Ian Kahn
Your Turn!
- What’s Your Lazy Graduation Gift Idea?
- Have you ever received or given any of the gifts above?
- Do you enjoy giving gifts that take a lot of effort, or do you like the lazy approach?
1. Nalgene water bottle with a sticker of the graduate’s college on it and a nice card.
2. Yes.
3. I enjoy giving gifts that I know the person would like rather than a cheap, quick gift that will end up as a white elephant gift next Christmas.
Many graduates, high school and college, are financially illiterate. I recommend ” I Will Teach You to be Rich” by Ramit Sethi.
The most thoughtful gift for a new graduate is something they can actually use in the future. Money certainly qualifies or specific gifts like gift cards to help with certain expenses is just as good.