This isn't really instead of money, but it is a fun way to give money. I haven't done this for years because it has been awhile since my brother and sister graduated from college, and we haven't had any high school graduations lately, but I saw this idea on HGTV years ago, and just did a search on their website and here is the link:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafting/article/0,,HGTV_3352_1812291,00.html
It is SO cute! You fold the bills into the shape of fortune cookies and insert cute little fortunes (you can find lots of them online, or make up your own). Then you can put them into a little Chinese take-out box and it is a really fun little gift. I found fortunes that related to starting a new stage in life, etc. for my brother when he graduated from college.
My fail safe present is to buy a laundry basket and fill it up with the following. A towel, small laundry bag, Detergent, Dryer Sheets and a couple of rolls of quarters. I didn't even think of having to pay for laundry when I went to college and someone gave me this as a gift, I loved it so much that I now return the favor.
My cousin that I babysat from the time he was born all through school is graduating from High School this year and we are giving him the basket gift as well as a great set of luggage. His parents gave me luggage when I graduated and it were such a good set that we still use it (GULP, 14 years later).
Go Flyers!!!
I was going to suggest the laundry supplies as well. I have taught enough students and have overheard the conversations of how they waste (in my opinion) their graduation 'CASH' that I refuse to give money.
SandraSandra
I was going to suggest the laundry supplies as well. I have taught enough students and have overheard the conversations of how they waste (in my opinion) their graduation 'CASH' that I refuse to give money.
Sandra
My oldest graduated last year and suggestions off the top of my head are:
Sheets and bedding if you know what college they are going to (check the college website for the sizes, alot of them are the long twins)
A laundry bag and laundry supplies (most prefer the bags over the baskets and to personalize them you can embroider their name on them or use iron on tranfers)
If you know what college they are going to gift cards to their college bookstore are great as they can use them to help pay for textbooks
Personalized totes filled with hygiene supplies (towels, wash cloths, razors, shaving cream, aftershave, lotions, hair products) or pens, pencils, notebooks, alarm clock and other things they will need for college with some snack items (hot cocoa and microwave popcorn is a MUST)
Digital camera with bag, batteries and memory cards are great
An address book filled with all the family and friends addresses, email addy's, phone numbers and phone cards to call home with if they don't have a cell phone
A gift card to a grocery store would work if you knew what grocery stores were in the town of their college. I like the laundry stuff too otherwise you could even just fill up a big box of non-perishable food!
Listen to your heart, it whispers softly so listen closely.
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Graduation is right around the corner. What do you give people besides money? We have 3 family members graduating HS this year. Are there any good ideas for gifts around $30.00-50.00? If it is a larger gift, I would get others to go in on it with me. Thanks for your opinions!