HS graduation gift ideas for DS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is graduating. We are giving him cash.

But I have a gift bag to give him at lunch tomorrow after graduation, which includes:

custom oreo cookies that say "Congrats Grad" with his name.

A t-shirt that says Class of 2025 I'm So Done

A Christmas ornament of a boy in cap and gown with his school name and grad year on it.

A chain necklace with a compass that has been engraved with some words of encouragement that we always share with one another.

Aside from the cash and Oreos, I don't think a teenage boy would want any of this stuff! An ornament with his high school name on it?! Seriously?

Hate to break it to you. But I'm close to my son and I know what he'd like from his mom. I was throwing ideas out there in case any resonated with the OP or others. If you don't like them, don't buy them.

[Anonymous]

My kid got the graduation gift of college tuition. I think that's plenty.

[Anonymous]

You’ve done enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
Son mentioned last night that one of his friends is getting a $6900 watch for graduation. That opened up our conversation. He knows we would never buy him anything like that – nor would he want it. He wants new parts for his computer (he built his own 3 years ago or so, so it is time to upgrade the CPU and graphics card).
When I say we are not rich, it is comparison to some of his friends that are getting expensive watches or a trip to Italy.
His car is a 2013 Hyundai. My DH & I mid-tier cars are over 5 years old. We don’t own extra vehicles or additional homes and do not vacation internationally. We both work full time, kids go to public school and we never had a nanny. I don’t buy clothes from upscale boutiques and don’t get mani/pedis. Compared to many on DCUM, we do not qualify as “rich”. We don’t spend on frivolous things -allowing us to save money.
His college is a local state school, and he will be living at home, hence why our college savings that I started when he was born can cover it. He would have to take out loans if he went out of state or picked a private university.
He picked Orlando for his senior trip. That is going to be our family vacation, he just gets to bring a friend and do his own thing.
I do like the idea of custom Oreos!

Ok well you’re rich compared to us then. Our kids’ don’t have fully funded college funds and won’t be getting a car in high school. We’ve never been to Disney World bc it’s way too expensive and will probably never go. We’ll have to take out loans even just for in state. Out of state isn’t even an option.

[Anonymous]

I'm not buying a gift.
My son got a new car when he was 16 and can't bring a car to college freshman year.
He has whatever clothes and personal items he needs courtesy of a family credit card.
He has 4 years of college at a private liberal arts college paid for plus expenses.
My mom gave him $1,000 to buy things for college though I'm sure we will fund most of it.
I'm not getting him anything for graduation. I don't buy gifts just to buy gifts at this point.

[Anonymous]

He can buy the computer parts out of the nice sized check.
But is it a laptop? Most kids take one to classes.