<p>For the tool kit, Ikea has a great one--and bargain priced, as well. I want to say $9.99 or $12.99?</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot:
Batteries. And light bulbs for that desk lamp you are taking (not halogen!!)</p>
<p>One more add on gift my friend always gave everyone was a cheap door stop (the kind you buy at the hardware store to slip under a door) painted in the college's colors. And, though unoriginal, clothing with the college logo is always welcome.</p>
<p>Someone gave S one one of those "pop up" laundry baskets. Three years later, he's still using it.</p>
<p>A prior suggestion was for a nice watch. </p>
<p>I've found that cellphones serve as timepieces these days. Watches may disappear.</p>
<p>I asked DS what the most memorable grad gift was. His response: "hmmmm. I don't remember." :D</p>
<p>DS never wore a watch, said he never wanted one, used his cell phone. Then his aunt & uncle gave him a nice sporty watch. Now he never takes it off. (Note - classrooms at his college do not have clocks on the wall).</p>
<p>And the most memorable gift he received was.... the cookie postcards.</p>
<p>But I think his favorite was money.</p>
<p>so a laptop computer would be a good grad gift? I wondered if it would be like gving a toothbrush since it is so utilitarian.</p>
<p>Admittedly my son is a computer nerd, but he very much appreciated getting a good lap top.</p>
<p>Does anyone's kids find a big desktop computer screen useful? I'm thinking that since S will have a laptop (and we didn't have to pay for it -- YIPPEE!), a big screen might be a useful plug-in when he's working at his desk, watching movies, or (not like he EVER does this) plays COD4... :)</p>
<p>Have seen suggestions for a collapsible beach chair that can be hauled down to the TV lounge, outside to sit in the sun or to a sports event, etc. School colors a plus.</p>
<p>Re: those collapsible mesh laundry hampers -- are they a pain to haul down to the laundry room?</p>
<p>IDIC5: There's utilitarian and then there's utilitarian! A laptop is a great gift, especially if the student has input on the type and its capabilities.</p>
<p>CountingDown:yes, son requested a desktop monitor for his first Christmas. Loves it.</p>
<p>The collapsible mesh hampers I'm thinking of are pretty rigid and stable when they are popped open. Haven't heard any downside to them. They have handles, and I've toted them to the dorm room full of stuff without any issues. S received 2 and makes use of both. Only one for laundry and the other for Stuff.</p>
<p>There are some pretty nice desktop monitors at Costco for under $300, which is what made me think of it.</p>
<p>My spartan S did accumulate a few items: Computer monitor with large screen, desk chair, fan, and a sofa. Any of these would have been a great gift.</p>
<p>We gave DD a laptop. We gave her a budget and she did a lot of research. She selected Apple-and waited for their back to school sale which then included a free printer as a promotion. One thing...don't bother with the $99/yr one-on-one training option they sell-DD has NEVER used it. We ordered the laptop,printer and paid for it here, and then picked it up at an Apple store near her school. I hope this helps-APOL-a mom</p>
<p>My son would love a laptop as a graduation gift! PM me for his shipping address.</p>
<p>My D already has a laptop (Christmas gift), does anyone think a small LCD TV would be practical?</p>
<p>One friend gave a laundry basket (painted with name) with detergent, dryer sheets, quarters, and a cute description on how do laundry in the basket!</p>
<p>My most appreciated graduation gift would have been a nice set of thick, fluffy towels! Unfortunately, this was an item no one thought of, and I had to borrow 2 new sets from my mom. This has become my standard gift now for most graduates, though my own son will get military-issued linens and towels from a service academy so I will not be getting those for him on grad. day. </p>
<p>I also liked the suggestion of rolls of quarters for laundry room or vending machines, and the instructions for how to do laundry is a cute idea and probably badly needed by some of our new grads. I remember being entertained watching the guys in my dorm complex doing laundry for the first time and throwing whites and reds together and trying to figure out how much detergent they needed! </p>
<p>Other thoughts: framed photos of family and special friends, individual piece or nice set of nesting luggage pieces, and a sturdy backpack for collegiate use.</p>
<p>For girls adding a lingerie bag for the washing machine would be a great addition to the laundry basket gift. I think I will do the laundry basket idea for D's friends.</p>
<p>Anonogron, I loved the quarters idea too--I remember (in the olden days, apparently) getting a roll of quarters every year in my Xmas stocking, and I was so excited to do this for DS. Unfortunately, his campus ID/debit card is what students use for laundry AND vending machines.... :( They don't accepted change!!!!!</p>