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Submitted
Clocky is an the alarm clock that runs away and hides when you don’t wake up. Clocky will jump off of your nightstand, alarm sounding and wheel around your room looking for a place to hide. It costs $49.99 from elsewares.com.
Submitted
There are many personalized gifts out there for purchase, including this Personal Creations Graduation Caricature Print. The company's Web site instructs consumers to upload a digital photo and allow three to four weeks for delivery. Cost is $49.98.
Submitted
College shirt from the high school graduate’s intended institution are fun.
Guide to the best graduation gifts from $15 to $100
Best grad gifts have meaning, purpose
Hot Topics
By Jill Kelley,
Staff Writer
Updated 4:40 PM Friday, May 13, 2011
Graduations are a big deal. These occasions are among the very few in our lives that honor achievement, and give us the opportunity to recognize the hard work of our friends and relatives.
So, picking out the right gift for your graduate can be a bit daunting. Optimally, you want it to be one that will appropriately mark the occasion or one that could help the high school or college graduate celebrate his or her memorable milestone.
According to the National Retail Federation's 2008 Graduation Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, cash and gift cards are the most popular presents to give for graduation.
But if you decide you want to buy a gift, here is a list of ideas for good graduation presents at a variety of prices:
Less than $20
Books make some of the best inexpensive gifts for grads.
You can go for helpful tomes, such as "The Debt-Free Graduate: How to Survive College Without Going Broke," by Murray Baker; "Do What You Are," by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger; or "What Color Is Your Parachute?," by Richard Nelson Bolles.
Books about the graduate's career plans or college major also work well.
You can go the inspirational route, with such books as "Ancient Wisdom: The Book of Proverbs With Devotions for Today," by James MacDonald, or "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow.
Children's books, such as "Oh, the Places You'll Go," by Dr. Seuss or "Unwitting Wisdom: An Anthology of Aesop's Fables," are fun choices, as well.
You can create a photo album with memories of you and the graduate.
Basic first-aid kits make good gifts for the graduate, and may provide a little peace of mind for his or her mom.
An address book, complete with phone numbers and e-mail addresses if you have time, can work for a graduate leaving the area.
Coffee makers are important appliances for those who rely on caffeine to get up for class or a new job.
Everyone needs a good umbrella; get one that is a little creative.
A high-quality pen, engraved if you like, is a traditional graduation gift.
A mug and supply of the graduate's favorite coffee or tea is simple and useful.
Less than $50
There are many forms of jewelry that can honor this occasion, with the date of the ceremony and name of graduate: pendants, bracelets, rings, dog tags, etc.
A nice frame can hold a picture of the graduate and/or his or her friends.
College shirt or sweats from the high school graduate's intended institution are fun. Gear from colleges not in the area can be found online.
A toolbox with basic tools is handy.
A laundry basket filled with laundry soap, fabric softener or dryer sheets, roll of quarters and directions on how to separate laundry are extremely helpful for any new launderer.
Anyone moving could use a fresh set of sheets; but be aware, most college dorm beds require a longer sheet than home beds (launch a Web search for "dorm bedding" or dorm sheets" for a list of online retailers).
An alarm clock is a useful gift, another opportunity to get creative.
A caricature or other personalized picture of the graduate can be special.
Less than $100
Luggage is useful for those moving to the dorms or their own place.
Along those lines, a briefcase, backpack or other needed bag make good gifts depending on the graduate's next step.
A microwave is an essential first appliance (though not allowed in most college dorms).
A watch makes a good milestone gift.
A hope chest or foot locker, or anything that helps your grad with planning or storage, is a nice thought as well.
More than $100
A digital camera or camcorder make it possible for the grad to record many new memories.
A television, either small for a dorm room or larger for a new apartment, is a very nice idea.
A small refrigerator is a great asset to a dorm room.
Your grad can pass time between classes or commuting to and from his or her new job with an iPod.
Stock or a CD is a sound financial option for someone just starting out.
Furniture is a help to someone with a new place.
And a laptop computer, if you are very close to the grad and have the cash, is an ideal choice for a new college student.
Future grads
If you aren't in the market for a graduation gift this year but plan to be in the future, it pays to stock up.
In June, many stores have big sales on graduation items and cards.
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