Finding Useful Graduation Gifts
Graduation gifts traditionally range from pen and pencil sets to cash, with a few other options that are considered "old standbys." But why should you limit yourself to traditional graduation gifts, especially if your graduate is a young man about to be living on his own for the first time? Whether he's moving into a dorm or into a house or apartment of his own, there's plenty of great ideas that he'll use as he faces this next step in his life. And if you choose well, these graduation gifts will keep giving long after the money has been spent and the pens have been lost.
Knowing your graduate is the first step to choosing great graduation gifts. Has this young man learned to cook and do other household chores for himself? Or was he always just too busy running to football practice? If you have someone who hasn't really learned to cook at all, there are dozens of ideas for great graduation gifts, including cookbooks. While he might not think that he's going to need it, a month or so of fast food, sandwiches and scrambled eggs will likely convince him otherwise. Especially if this is someone who hasn't learned to boil water, remember to keep it simple. To make truly unique and personal graduation gifts, take the time to write down some simple instructions - how to boil noodles, how you make mashed potatoes fluffy and what brand of spaghetti sauce to use - this will help him out and remind him of home. Remember to include cleanup tips, including the use of non-stick spray and aluminum foil.
Some minor cooking implements will also likely be appreciated as graduation gifts. Don't expect this young man to jump out there and start producing gourmet dinners during his first weeks from home (or that he'll always eat right). But a quality pizza pan and serving set means he won't always have to order pizza delivery. Small electric appliances such as deep fryers and toaster ovens will also likely be used often by this young man who finds himself searching for fast answers at mealtimes.
Another idea for graduation gifts is to compile items needed for laundry or household chores. Fill a laundry basket or dirty clothes hamper with detergent, fabric softener, fabric deodorizer and clothes hangers. Or fill a small bucket with some basic house cleaning supplies. While you can't follow them everywhere and make sure they use these items, they're even less likely to clean if they have to purchase cleaning supplies for themselves.
