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My Daughter’s High School graduation this past Thursday!  I’ve held up pretty well, but I must admit I did have a minor meltdown last week. These last 4 years have gone by so fast. Although I’m sad; I’m excited to see what the future holds for her. Now is the time for rest, summer plans, college orientation and GRADUATION PARTIES!

Along with graduation comes the age-old question “What should I give for a graduation gift?”. I’ve read several posts touting the top gifts of the season, but a lot of the items recommended were EXPENSIVE! With college tuition and other expenses looming, I decided to come up with a more practical, yet affordable list of great gift ideas to share. These gifts are perfect for those students who will embark on “dorm life,” or a “commuter” student like my Daughter.  YEA!!!

Keep in mind that Grad gifts DO NOT have to break the bank. People assume they must give $100 + dollars. Not true. It’s the thought that counts. Give what you can comfortably afford. 

 

Here’s my list of 10 Graduation Gifts that won’t break the bank! 

Just click on the corresponding links or images to view additional information.

 

Money – Of course this is the ultimate go-to gift. I saw posts in a few Facebook groups that suggested giving a check or money order for $20.18. This is very clever! Some may balk at the small amount, but to me, every little bit counts. $20.18 can buy school supplies, fast food lunch, or put gas in their tanks!

Student Amazon Prime Membership – Who doesn’t love Amazon Prime? I’d be lost without mine. Prime not only saves on shipping, but students have access to Amazon Video, Music, Prime Reading, and unlimited Prime photo storage. To sign up, the student will need to have a .edu email address. There is a 6-month free trial available. After the trial ends; the cost is $49.00. You can gift your Grad $50.00 to cover the price for a years membership (amazon gift cards cannot be used to purchase membership products ~ bummer I know)

Google Home Mini – I have a google home, and I love it. These come powered with a Google assistant that can answer questions, give weather updates, set alarms, update calendars and schedules, or stream music. I use mine as a Bluetooth speaker with my laptop. Keep in mind that you will need to have access to wifi to utilize all features. These are perfect for dorm rooms too! The mini is only $49.00 and comes in 3 colors: charcoal, coral, and chalk.  You can find these at Best Buy

Amazon Echo Dot–  Same format as the Google Home Mini, but this device features Alexa. It can also connect to speakers or headphones and require a wifi connection. $39.99

Apple iTunes/Google Play Gift Cards – These can be used for music, movies, or productivity apps that can easily be installed on mobile phones or tablets.

Netflix/Hulu Subscriptions – Now you have the option of giving memberships online or via gift cards found at local stores. The most common denomination is $25.00


Academic Planner – This is a biggie. Even though the younger generation uses their phones for everything, there are times when they still need to rely on pen and paper. Planners will enable them to track they new college schedules, homework, assignments, and labs all in one place. You can find a good planner at Walmart, Target, or Staples. Amazon has a vast assortment as well. $12.99

Essential Oil Room Diffuser – These are great for relaxation. Back in my day, we had incense. All of the ash and the messy covering made these a pain! These mini diffusers use essential oils and are virtually mess free. They help fight stubborn odors, prevents dry and stuffy air, and helps keep the air free of cold/germ bugs. Look for a diffuser that has an auto shut off feature and is waterless. These are great for dorm rooms, bedrooms or offices. You can find the mini bottle of essential oils on Amazon as well. I have even spotted them at Marshalls.  $15.99

Grammarly – This is a product that I find essential for my blogging. As you type, Grammarly checks for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. It can be downloaded to your computer and be used to check for errors on your social media platforms as well. It will give you suggestions for words or phrases, and provide you with insight into the most commonly used grammatical errors. You know, things we have forgotten since 3rd grade. I will add my Daughter to my plan so she can use it for her college papers; etc. The basic spell and grammar checker is free. Grammarly Premium is $29.95 per month. Even covering the first month as a gift would be a great gift idea. Grammarly accepts prepaid MasterCard, Visa or Amex cards.

Gift Cards – Who doesn’t love gift cards? These can be found for thousands of places and never expire. Any denomination will do and can be saved for a rainy day. Here are a few places that Graduates will need to shop:

* Bed Bath & Beyond
* Target
* Walmart
* Staples or Office Depot 
* Amazon
* Barnes & Noble
* Local eateries ( fast food and restaurants)
* Grocery Stores (these are perfect to buy snack food for the dorms)

 I hope you found this list helpful!
All of the items listed are essential for college life and as promised none were over $50.00!
Feel free to share this post with friends, family, or on your social media platforms!

Congratulations to the Class of 2018!!!!

 

Until next time…..

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase using this link

Disclaimer: I am not being paid by any company mentioned to promote, endorse, or even review their products. These reviews will be solely my own thoughts and opinions based on my use of said products.

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