With the graduation season upon us we thought we would create a list of gift ideas for the high school and college graduate. But as you know we don’t just give you regular old ideas here at GiftStumped - we give you unique gift ideas.
We have put together some ideas for creating gift baskets your graduate will not only like but actually use.
For the High School Graduate
Going into college you think you need a ton of stuff. I had everything under the sun my freshman year but by the time I was a senior, I took about about half of that with me. Here are a few gift basket ideas featuring the things your high school grad REALLY needs:
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Laundry Basket - One word…Quarters. Doing laundry while in college can be a huge pain in the rear. I remember searching for quarters in our couch cushions and having to use my roommate’s detergent cause I was too lazy to go to the store. No fun.
To create: Buy a laundry basket and fill it with the things you know your grad will need - detergent, dryer sheets, hangers and of course quarters. You may also want to throw in there towels, flip-flops (for the shower) and some bath goods. |
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Keep-in-Touch Basket - While traditional letter writing has gone the way of the 8 track it is still nice to send mail every once in a while and your grad may appreciate it.
To create: Buy a file folder/organizer and it fill it with stationery, envelopes and stamps. You could also add cards for different occasions (birthdays, just for fun, Christmas, etc). A great personal touch would be getting a matching address book and writing in the addresses and email addresses of loved ones and friends. |
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Medicine Basket/Kit - Perhaps some of the most underrated products we as kids take for granted when living at our parents houses are the medicines we use. Need a BandAid? Which size? Cold medicine? Day or night? A medicine kit is a GREAT gift that will definitely be used.
To create: Buy a small plastic container (Artbin’s work great) and fill it with the things your grad will need - Advil, Tylenol, Band Aids, Tums, Pepto Bismol, Cold & Flu, cough syrup, etc. Add a gift card to Target or some cash for an additional treat. |
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Gift Certificate Basket - Yes, gift certificates aren’t typically unique…but they can be. Create a small basket featuring gift certificates to places like the college bookstore, fast food restaurants and the local grocery store. Fast food was a 2-3x week staple for me and not having to pay made it even better.
To create: Get a small basket and fill it with a few gift cards to places you know your grad will go. Buy some candy and snacks to fill the basket. |
For the College Graduate
When you graduate and move into your own apartment you realize a few things…Those three plastic plates you used for four years don’t really seem as great as they once did, the one pot you have isn’t conducive to cooking an actual meal and having a matching set of towels for the bathroom is kind of nice. Here are a few gift basket ideas to help the college grad get started in their new life:
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Kitchen Basket - A kitchen basket has endless possibilities. Have you ever walked into Williams-Sonoma? That place is amazing! The kitchen section at Ikea? Plates galore! Get your grad a few things you know they will need - plates, glasses, silverware, dish towels, a couple of pots and pans, tupperware, etc.
To create: Buy a laundry basket or something that you know they can use and fill it with some kitchen goods. A great finisher would be a gift card to the local grocery store. |
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Food & Drink Basket - Want to know one of the best gifts I have ever receieved? A cooler. A simple cooler that I can take with me camping, to concerts or anywhere else. They are cheap and one of those gifts you don’t realize how much you will use.
To create: Buy a cooler from Lowe’s or Wal-Mart and fill it with some food and beverages your grad likes. There are also these personalized party tub coolers that might be a nice touch. |
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Cleaning Basket- I didn’t know just how much went into cleaning a small apartment. Don’t get me wrong, I had cleaning chores as a kid but like the medicine, everything I needed was just there. Windex, Pledge, Scrubbing Bubbles, Mr. Clean, the list goes on and on.
To create: Get a plastic bin and fill it with cleaning products for your grad. Sponges, dust clothes and paper towels are also a nice addition. If you are feeling crazy consider a Swiffer or vacuum as well. |
Well, those are my gift ideas for high school and college graduates and I hope you find them useful. Of course you could always be unoriginal and just give them money…
Update: I came across a couple of other sites with some nice ideas so I thought I would include them.
Robyn Klauer from Georgie Designs contacted us about a great gift idea her site offers. We all know about fruit of the month, wine of the month and book of the month clubs…but how about a Ring of the Month club!?
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