Most Popular Gifts

• Let's face it, what college students need most is money. So, why not give them something that they will definitely need and won't expire. A personal touch is a gift certificate that can be used whenever the graduate may need it. On another level, the gift certificate itself is actually worth cash! If you are a family member of the graduate, think about giving a gift certificate worth a significant amount of money that they can redeem at some point during college when they need money the most. Better than having all of your gifts up front is having them when you actually need it. So, when your little grad is in a jam, they remember to redeem the certificate you gave them, and their fears of starving for a week can subside.
  Another personal gift would be elements of the room the student would need to take with them to college. A full bedding set, or even something they need for their computer is a great gift with a personal touch. Remember that buying things the grad needs that can be a little costly will help them save the money they need to get by while in school.
  
  

Creative Gift Ideas

• A great idea is to give the grad paraphernalia of the college they are beginning in the Fall. They can already be set to go wearing sweatshirts and T-shirts that glow with the letters of their university. You can buy this on university websites if you are not located near the school itself.
  A subscription to The New York Times perhaps could be a great gift. It's a good way to help the grad stay in tune with the world as they go away to school, as well as letting them know that real life exists, so you better catch up now!
  
  

Get Personal

• Possibly embarrassing to show their new roommate, a homemade scrapbook will give that grad a little piece of home to take with them. You can take photos from when they were a baby, kindergarten, middle school and so on, putting a book together for them to look at whenever they feel homesick. Fill it with letters of support, inspirational quotes, and memories you have had of them over the years. This not only lets them know that home is not too far away, but they know that your love and support will always be right there with them.