<p>I was just wondering about graduation gifts. What did you all get your children? My parents are starting to discuss gifts and I'm not quite sure what is "appropriate".</p>
<p>When my firstborn graduated high school, we bought her an ibook to take to college. My son will be harder, as he already will have all the computer stuff he needs and a better camera than I'll ever own- all purchased with money her earned at his outside job. He doesn't like useless gadgets and clutter, or even mementos. - the only thing I can think of is cash. When the time comes for trips abroad, a new car, or any major purchase later, he'll have a bit more to draw from.
(May also get him that traveler's guitar that he's been eyeing, though ;) )</p>
<p>A combo TV/DVD player was my favorite gift (although back then it was a TV/VCR).
Other ideas:
A stereo.
A laptop.
An IPOD.
High tech camera.
A trip somewhere.
A bike (if you're in to that).
Some piece of furniture for your dorm room (like a really cool chair).</p>
<p>We never did get our son a formal graduation gift, except that we declared the car he drove as "his" from that point on (2004 Jeep). By that point, he had more disposable cash than his parents did, and bought his own $2500 laptop for college. But when he turned 17, we got him a gift that was waaaaayyy beyond a typical bithday gift, and told him that it was for 17th birthday, 18th birthday, and graduation. He almost fainted when he opened it. We told him the only stipulation was that he "do good things with it." And he did. But he also remembered that statement about having that as applying to future gifts, and reminded us at graduation.</p>
<p>I do like the guitar idea for future reference...</p>
<p>ok digmedia, im curious, what was that gift?? :)</p>
<p>We gave our son a combination birthday/graduation gift of a high-res flat-panel monitor he'd been drooling over.</p>
<p>Cost a ton to ship it across the country to his dorm room, too: I should have figured that into the cost equation, LOL.</p>
<p>We also went pretty "beyond typical" giving him the Yamaha drum set he really, really wanted. This is his instrument and he had played jazz and classical since grade 5; rock band since grade 10. Unbelievable what quality musical instruments cost, but he was worth it :).</p>
<p>oops - sorry... It was a Canon GL-2 camera for his film-making (3CCD, meaning 3 separate chips - one to record Red, one to record Green, and one to record Blue to give a much higher quality image). It's a semi-professional camera and was TOTALLY unexpected. But they ain't cheap, plus accessories are not cheap either, so that's why it had to cover multiple (many) occasions.</p>
<p>Of course, now he has his eye on the Canon XLH1, which is the HD version of the XLS-1. But it's $9000!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: So from now on, it's up to him to figure out how to make enough money to buy things like that! I think he's working on having his department buy one. He'd get a start if he sold his GL-2, but he said he loves it too much and won't ever part with it... :)</p>
<p>These are all such wonderful gifts- and so practical too. My parents were discussing jewelry and other very non practical things. </p>
<p>Keep the suggestions coming!</p>
<p>Funny how that works, huh, dig? DS has <em>his</em> eyes on yet a better drum kit... And this is NOT his chosen profession, but rather an avocation. He knows it's all up to him, now, though.</p>
<p>On the less expensive side, my daughter received a very nice monogrammed fleece blanket from LL Bean. My nephew enjoyed a wonderfully snazzy new duffel bag.</p>
<p>My parents are giving me a trip to Hong Kong and Japan. I've never been outside of North America so I'm VERY excited for the experience!</p>
<p>DS got a nice triple trumpet case for his hs graduation gift. He already had the computer "stuff" (used) which was replaced this year with an Apple Power Book. DD will get two things...her college computer (some kind of laptop) and the payment for her summer youth orchestra trip to Vienna.</p>
<p>For high school graduation gift we promised to provide our DD with a college education, debt-free - (provided she do her part to help with expenses through summer work, school year parttime job, etc.). Okay, so we're not big on presents around here.... she was thrilled anyway!</p>
<p>I would love to have a trip for a graduation gift.. especially around SE Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, or S. America! I love to travel.. obviously :)</p>
<p>When parents give travel gifts, does the kid usually go alone or with the family?</p>
<p>lol my dad always jokes that if i get into the ivy league he'll buy me a porsche. i doubt that helps though. seriously as a kid, i dont really care what i get. the oppertunity of college is good enough for me. (wow im the best kid ever lol)</p>
<p>btw: from what teen culture says, when we graduate we're supposed to go to europe for a trip. only friends-no parents allowed. (im sure you can change this though)</p>
<p>For both my kids, our graduation gift was a trip with their foreign language class over spring vacation (France for one, Spain for the other). We were lucky, in that the grandparents gave them laptops for graduation.</p>
<p>my dad is giving me a computer and my mom is giving me a diamond ring. The ring is sentimental because it looks almost identical to the ring my mom was given for her graduation, and the computer is practical</p>