Parents: What are you doing for your 2021 HS graduate? What’s the big gift?

[Anonymous]

No big gift. Instead help him open a ROTH IRA and he can put a percent of his paycheck from his summer job in and then yoi can gift him the additional funds to max it out. He will thank you when he is ready to buy his first house/condo.

[Anonymous]

A practical gift is a tool box and basic tools. Hammer, screwdrivers, wrench set and pliers, measuring tape, screws, nails, picture hooks. Although we weren't supposed to hang pictures or tapestries in the dorms, we did. Much easier with a hammer than a shoe.

30+ years later, I still have the toolbox and tools.

[Anonymous]

MacBook is plenty! My parents did nothing and gave me anything besides room and board and 1/2 tuition at an expensive private college (I took out loans for the rest).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MacBook is plenty! My parents did nothing and gave me anything besides room and board and 1/2 tuition at an expensive private college (I took out loans for the rest).

Actually, I didn’t even get board. I got a dorm room paid for (no meal plan) so had to feed myself, and pay for all books and supplies.

[Anonymous]

We are paying for college and we also bought him college apparel as part of his graduation gift. That's more than enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure you hold off on all laptop purchases until you get the requirements from the university!

Lots of universities are requiring purchases through them even if you have a brand new one you just bought. They want to make sure all specs are met and the same for everyone.

I have not seen this for either of my kids and the dozens of college tours we went on.

Seriously? I'm surprised.

It may not be an issue for majors with no particular reliance on technology -- if all your kid will be need is something that can handle spreadsheets and word processing, you're set. But something STEM-y or creative is going to need particular capabilities. Check the college website.

Even with just spreadsheets and word processing, check the school website before buying software. We bought DS's laptop on our own (it more than meets the requirements for his major) but have to buy Office through the school, the charge for it will actually be on the tuition bill. Even if we'd already bought it, we'd have been required to pay for it again.

[Anonymous]

A nice leather jacket.

[Anonymous]

A very nice laptop which he already has so it doesn't seem especially "present" like for graduation day. Also, for his dorm since he's going to VT and loves maps, I got this blanket: https://society6.com/product/blacksburg-virginia-collegiate-map-handrawn_throw-blanket?sku=s6-9665786p49a64v437

[Anonymous]

Senior trip with friends to Portugal. DC is in UK and handled all the logistics including communications to the parents.

[Anonymous]

Canada goose down jacket- the uniform of nyc. I think they check to make sure you have one upon arrival.

[Anonymous]

Paying for college and all the stuff that goes with it isn't enough?

[Anonymous]

DS will take a hand-me-down MacBook (5 years old) to college. He doesn't mind it at all. So we are getting him the new iPad Pro w the Pencil as his graduation gift. He can use the iPad for note taking if he doesn't want to lug the MacBook from class to class.

[Anonymous]

A trip to Maui with her best friend and a lap top.

[Anonymous]

Our youngest is graduating this year. He will get the same thing his four older siblings got - A Mac Book. He also gets to keep the Jeep he has been driving since his sophomore year. We are having a small family party. I ordered a cake. Very low key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A trip to Maui with her best friend and a lap top.

So she’s taking her best friend and a laptop to Hawaii?