Inexpensive and Thoughtful Presents for Graduates

Graduation is a definite milestone in a person's life. Whether it's kindergarten, elementary, high school, college, or graduate school, graduation means not only a diploma, but a life change as well. Thinking of what to get for a recent grad this year but don't have much money? Some terrific ideas for affordable, yet tasteful gifts. Here is a list of some things that you could make yourself:

• Photo album with lots of lovely memorable pictures
• Photo CD capturing the special moments of the graduate's life
• Painted coffee mug, just make a design the graduate will love
• Homemade card, a very personal note to the graduate
• Jewelry made out of beads
• Decorated jewelry box
• Creative hand bags
• Embroidered handkerchief
• Make up a scrapbook with all the great photos, stories, clips, and comments from friends all about the graduate. This is one that takes quite a bit of effort but it is a cheap graduation gift and will be one treasured for the rest of the graduate's life
• Flower bouquet made with flowers from your garden wrapped with cellophane and curling ribbon. Make it extra special with a painted vase
• A beautiful plant which you have nurtured specially for the graduate
• Why not bake Graduation Cakes
• Pen stands
• A neat graduation gift is a set of say 6 postcards with prepaid postage. Each card is addressed to home and has a note saying please send me more, and then the graduate can tick for money, phone cards, food, clothing or write down what they need in the other section. This is just a fun way of keeping in touch and getting help.
• Create a memory blanket with lots of embroidered squares which represent key areas in the graduate's life so far, including the graduation.
• If you are a good photographer you could take photographs of the graduate, their family, their friends and their favorite places. Create a photo album or a photo frame with these photos.
• Use craft kits to create a cheap graduation gift. There are great craft kits available to make picture frames, photo frames, decorate mugs, homemade jewelry, decorate sunglasses and even a kite.

Nothing is more appreciated than a custom-made, one-of-a-kind gift. Even when craftiness is not a strong-suite, arts and crafts stores sell kits that even novices can tackle. It shows a great deal of thought and effort has gone into the present.

Still don't know the best gift to give a special graduate? Simple words of wisdom. After just graduating from high school or college, so many changes are in store. Offering encouragement and support will give a person the confidence he/she needs to embark on the next phase of life.


Congrats Batch 2011!