What gift for an 18 yr old graduating high school?

[Anonymous]

My SIL is graduating HS this weekend, and my DH is flying down for the ceremony/party, while DD and I are staying behind. We'd like to give her something, and DH's family is big on gift cards/checks for presents (my family is not...I'd rather give her something she'll have for a while..anyway, this is for another post) and we were wondering how much would be appropriate? We were thinking $250?

Any ideas? They live in upstate NY, and she's moving to an apt by herself and attending community college.

[Anonymous]

Something for the kitchen? Or entertaining?

[Anonymous]

why don't you want to give her something you know she will like a check or gift card? if that's what his side of the family likes.. why bother getting an item?

[Anonymous]

A great book and a check.

[Anonymous]

How about a gift card to Target and a nice journal?

[Anonymous]

I think a gift card is practical: all through college all I needed were gift cards to target and walmart. I could buy everything from groceries to things for my apartment to magazines/books and makeup.

If you really want to give a gift, maybe look into food/gift baskets?
I love http://www.harryanddavid.com/

[Anonymous]

I agree with a nice edition of a great book and a check. When I graduated high school I got things like a silver pen from Tiffany's and a fountain pen, and the gesture was very nice but I never use them.

[Anonymous]

My aunt gave me a set of lugage for my HS graduation. It was a great gift. As a college student, I was always moving, so I used the set all the time. My parents gave me a watch-also a great graduation gift.

[Anonymous]

DH and I gave his sister a nice pair of pearl earings for her HS graduation. We bought them at Macy's during one of their 50% off sales (I think they came out to $200. She has worn them everyday since, it was such a compliment to know that she liked them that much. Not to mention they are a basic piece of jewelry that she can wear her whole life.

[Anonymous]

I know how you feel -- giving checks or gift cards just seems so impersonal -- but, when we've had babysitters graduate from high school or college, they really appreciate the gift cards. As several PPs have suggested, you can combine a gift card with a smaller, more personal item. As an alternative to the books and jewelry already suggested, you might consider a really nice, roomy tote bag that your SIL can use instead of backpack (try J. Crew or Banana Republic). You can combine that with a gift card from Target or Ikea so she can get something for her new place. Or, buy a pretty vase or an easy-to-care-for plant for her apartment and give it to her with the gift card. If you just can't do the gift card, how about a set of dishes from Ikea or Target?

[Anonymous]

I love the pearl earrings idea.

The two best gifts I got for hs graduation:

1. A took kit. A family friend got me a tool box and stocked it with the basics - two screwdrivers, a hammer, a tape measure, a level, etc. 15 years later I still have and use it. Was indispensable for college apartments, etc.

2. My aunt gave me a beautiful silver key chain with a St. Francis medal (protects travelers) engraved with my h.s. graduation date. Also still have and love it.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

My aunt gave me a beautiful silver key chain with a St. Francis medal (protects travelers) engraved with my h.s. graduation date. Also still have and love it.

This is not meant to be snarky, honestly. But, PP, Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travelers. St. Francis protects animals. (Just so OP doesn't buy the wrong saint!)

[Anonymous]

Maybe St. Francis protect travelers from animals? Also, wasn't St. Christopher de-accessioned by the Roman Catholic Church at some point, along with other saints? (Again, not meant to be snarky. I have very fond childhood memories of our family's housekeeper adviisng me to pray to St. Anthony whenever I couldn't find my homework.)