High school graduation season is just around the corner, and if you have a special student in your life, we have ideas here. My favorite gift for grads is ‘things to do’ money – either cash, which is always preferred according to my nephews, or you can personalize with the gift of entertainment so they have no excuse not to make memories with their friends before everyone goes off in many directions.
Experience Gifts: Knights Action Park passes (for mini golf, go-karts, Route 66 or the water park), Springfield Park District Golf Passes, Golf Lessons, Velasco Tennis Center Tennis Lessons (Washington Park), Baskin Robbins, AMC movie gift cards, Spotify/Netflix/Amazon Prime subscriptions, Jimmy Johns or Dairy Queen gift cards, Panera Bread, Chipotle. etc.
- Money – of course! Consider gift cards to Subway, Target or Amazon.
- A laptop is near the top of most student lists.
- Travel. Gas cards, airline, bus or train vouchers.
- A laundry basket filled with a couple of fluffy new towels, detergent, dryer sheets and a laminated list of “laundry tips.”
- First aid kit that includes all their go-to remedies for colds, headaches, aches and pains. Add a thermometer and the phone number for college health services. (Also include a bag of rice for when their smart phone goes for an unexpected swim!)
- Cafeteria survival kit: fill a basket with their favorite snacks and other individually wrapped goodies they can keep in their room for those days when the cafeteria fare just doesn’t cut it.
- A dorm fridge to keep beverages and other perishable items.
- Books – a few titles to consider: Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McCraven; In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It by Lauren Graham; and Year of Yes: How To Dance It Out, Stand In The Sun And Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes.
One of our absolute favorite new resources for families with teenagers is “Grown and Flown.” Check out their graduation Gift Lists here. Like those? They offer even more ideas here.
Visit our Pinterest Board of Graduation Party ideas too!
