<p>If there are things you know you’ll be buying (sheets, towels, under-the-bed storage, school supplies, etc), you can set up Amazon or Bed Bath and Beyond registries. </p>
<p>How about itunes gift cards?</p>
<p>I have to give my mom huge props… she made the kids quilts when they were born, which all evolved into their beloved blankies. Then for HS graduation she make them all extra long quilts for their beds. Actually their big enough for a double bed, which is really nice for a college bed. Great gift but obviously it’s from Grammy and not just a friend.</p>
<p>This isn’t a simple gift suggestion for people who want to spend $30-$100, but the quilt idea reminded me: </p>
<p>You know all those t-shirts the kids collect as they pass through their activities? One for each team, theatrical production, summer camp program, charity walk? I know someone who makes those into a quilt. What a nice way to take an overstuffed drawer full of t-shirts that might not even fit anymore and make them into a wonderful keepsake. Some kids might want to take them to school, others might want them to stay home, but it’s kind of like a scrapbook of t-shirts for them to enjoy.</p>
<p>I love the two quilt ideas. My mother-in-law made the quilt that is on my bed. I know she can do this. I don’t know how much time she needs. Graduation is at the end of May. I’ll call her tomorrow and see what she thinks.</p>
<p>A friend of mine had a son who graduated last year. She got all her son’s good friends (found them on sale) those valet charging stations. Evidently - the guys loved them - a single place for keys, phone, iPods, cameras, loose change, etc! </p>
<p>[charging</a> valet,wood men jewelry valet,charger station,charger station,wood charging caddy,desktop charging valet](<a href=“http://www.charging-station.cn/charging_valet.htm]charging”>http://www.charging-station.cn/charging_valet.htm)</p>
<p>iTunes cards are can’t-miss, at least among my D’s circle of friends.</p>
<p>I always like to give “event” gifts too, if there’s a concert or other event he’d like to attend over the summer.</p>
<p>My daughter graduated last year. I gave her closest friends each a set of 3 note cards with self-addressed, stamped envelopes that said “Dear Mrs. Tulare, please send me some home baked…” and then I listed banana muffins, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies (my specialities that they always ate at our house). I also put on the cards “Here’s a little bit about how things are going for me at college” and left a blank spot for them to write a short note. It’s been such fun this year to receive the cards in the mail and read the notes. I usually throw in some extra fun stuff along with the baked goods requested and have gotten some lovely thank you notes, which is icing on the cake. It’s been a gift as much for me as it was for them.</p>
<p>The quilt idea is great; I’ve got a bag of tees that I’ve saved from back in elementary school that I planned on putting together myself. Alas, I now realize that we’re 8 weeks out from graduation and I’ve gotten in contact with someone who puts these quilts together. She can also back them with a fabric with the logos of the SEC school that she plans on attending.</p>
<p>Tulare, I am going to steal your idea! Have to ask, though, did you get most of the cards back eventually?</p>
<p>dragonmom, I’ve gotten 2 of the 3 back so far in most cases. I figure they still have time to send the third, which will likely come as they approach finals. I’m already buying fun Easter goodies to put in the packages (really cute bunny socks from Target, chocolate eggs, Peeps, etc.).</p>
<p>Girls, obviously. Not sure it would work as well with boys based on my younger one and his friends…</p>
<p>yeah, my son and his friends were not into cute themed socks! (Except when given as silly gifts by cute girls in the dorm…)</p>
<p>How about …
sheets that fit dorm beds (this will be a must anyway)
noise canceling headphones - pricey
shirts, sweatshirts, athletic shorts with school logo
a roll of quarters, or two - for the laundry machines
a “tool kit” super glue, band aids, screwdriver, etc
a “medicine kit” cold medicine, cough drops, Advil, etc
a flash drive</p>
<p>MaterMia, great ideas for local relatives. For those that live far away, Mater has given me another idea - Home Depot gift card. Basic tools like screwdrivers, small hammer, DUCT TAPE, ect. could be picked up at the new location instead of hauled across country.</p>
<p>Okay - this is mean…but I’m in one of those moods…</p>
<p>I just keep hoping MIL will decide to throw some major $$ our way to help cover the cost of educating our son just 90 minutes from her house!!! She keeps bragging about how much money she has…and she has been “helping” out her favorite niece and grand-nieces and grand-nephews for years. But somehow…nothing ever seems to fall our way. </p>
<p>Just a silly wish…</p>
<p>There are many wimpy collapsable hampers out there. But this one from Bed Bath and Beyond is very study. A good addition is laundry detergent tablets, so much handier than powder or liquid)
[Spiral</a> Pop-Up Hamper on Wheels - Bed Bath & Beyond](<a href=“Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree”>Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree) </p>
<p>(This gift works best if the college is within driving distance.)</p>
<p>Gift must be something new and useful, which people don’t have! </p>
<p>An wood charging organizer, a single place for keys, phone, iPods, cameras, loose change, etc. and can charge many different gadgets at one time, which is perfect! </p>
<p>Below is a popular model:</p>
<p>[recharging</a> station,charging valet,charger charging station,wooden charging station](<a href=“http://www.charging-station.cn/recharging_station.htm]recharging”>recharging station,charging valet,charger charging station,wooden charging station)</p>
<p>Wow. I’m so glad I asked this question. Great ideas everyone. I will definitely be sharing all of them.</p>
<p>rocket6loise …thanks you are very kind; people has provided a lot of information in the thread “Kindle(or other e readers) for the elderly?.” I decided for Kindle for my kids graduation. There are a lot of ideas and description of different uses for this device. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>Gift cars for other people’s kids…my D really appreciated these.</p>
<p>Got a new computer for our D…I think this is pretty standard, since they need a new laptop to start college with, anyway. </p>
<p>congratulations! It is such a milestone when they graduate, so much more so than I realized at the time. I was very teary and so were the kids.</p>