<p>My son has received an appointment to the academy for the class of 2009 and is pumped up about reporting on I-Day. However, we've received a couple of inquiries from family friends about suitable High School graduation gifts for him. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about graduation gifts that would be appropriate for a new Mid? </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I assume you want navy-related stuff or Plebe stuff. If you want decorative and not really useful for plebe summer (i.e. fashion over function), I'd try to get my hands on the USAA Merchandise Catolog. For an insurance company, they sure have a lot of good stuff. </p>
<p>As for the Academy, I'd check first to see what we're gonna be issued just in case someone wants to buy him a sweater or whatever.</p>
<p>Watches are good too. Oh and if he plays a sport (or is going to) there, merchandise for that could be useful as well.</p>
<p>My son got a nice digital camera that had the capability to take short video clips as well. He was able to have it on PPW. He has taken lots of photos and is able to share them with family and friends online. Gift cards are good for Mids. You can check out the Annapolis Mall and the movie theaters there or the theaters at the Harbour Center. Mids love to attend movies on the weekend--it is a favorite activity. You can get gift certificates to either the malls or more specifically the theaters. Other than that, we bought our son a nice combination printer on PPW and some computer upgrades.</p>
<p>Would one of his friends commit to sending a Care package once a month? That's one of my standard grad gifts.</p>
<p>I wouldn't be concerned about what the Academy will let them keep first year. I'd suggest things like a nice pocketknife, a Leatherman, a watch with a compass or GPS built into it, a small shortwave radio</p>
<p>A whole bunch of dollar bills for the vending machines. :) I think that they will get so much "navy" stuff, they will be sick of it soon enough. Stationary, stamps etc. are good too. Money though is always appreciated. :)
NAPS05mom</p>
<p>Don't worry about what you Plebe can or can't have when it comes to a graduation present. Just get him what he wants. Depending on what it is, he'll be able to have it at USNA his youngster year. Money is always appreciated as are gift cards. Our son liked having that cushion of graduation money in his savings account to beef up his spending. They do get paid, but they realize quickly that one night out going to dinner and a movie on Saturday really puts a hole in paycheck. Going out into town is so important that first year to keep a Plebe sane, so maybe you can help contribute to plebe weekends as a grad present.</p>
<p>Money! Anything less would be uncivilized.</p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p>MONEY, gift certificates to chain fast food places that would be in the food court of the mall or nearby, MONEY, prepaid long distance phone cards (so they can make long distance calls from their room phones), MONEY, digital camera, printer for their academy computer (wait until you go for parents weekend), MONEY, and I almost forgot, MONEY!</p>
<p>They don't need much stuff, mostly the freedom (limited) that money gives them during liberty. Digital cameras are nice too.
CM</p>
<p>Thank you nyminute, midmom, candidatemom, and DT for your ideas about graduation gifts. Just planning on diverting the money that I currently send to USAA for my daughter's car insurance to HER instead! </p>
<p>I think a small digital camera would be useful. Amazing how the prices have come down and the megapixels have gone up!</p>
<p>My parents bought me a seven day Florida Vacation where my family and I will hit all the amusement parks and stay at the nicest hotel (grand floridian I think) and eat the nicest food and just do what I want. I guess they figured I am saving them 40-80k for college so whatever. They would have taken me to Europe, but I lived there already and will be sailing over there on the EAGLE this summer. It's the perfect gift, not something that I will just lose or not be able to have at the academy. Get something like that.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who has replied. In fact, for his graduation, his mom & I are taking him on a week long trip to Sicily. However, my question is really about gift suggestions appropriate for other familiy and friends. Things more in the $20 to $50 range. I understand the comments about MONEY amd will pass those along, but any other suggestions are welcome.</p>
<p>
printer for their academy computer (wait until you go for parents weekend)
I've never heard the suggestion for a printer before. Is that something that would be very useful? I didn't even know something like that was allowed.</p>
<p>You will definitely want a printer. The Mid Store has a good selection of printers in a range of prices. They have a number of the combo printer/copier/scanner available. It will be convenient if there is a problem with the printer and you purchase it from them. Wait until PPW and make the purchase at that time. Printers and irons and ironing boards were hot selling items on that weekend.</p>
<p>nyminute,
I've been looking at printers at Costco, but dread the idea of lugging one from Southern California to Annapolis. I'm arriving early for PPW, so I guess the Mid Store will still have a good selection. I understand that the Mid Store runs out of printers that weekend. First time I've heard anything about irons and ironing boards. Do plebes have room to store ironing boards? Wow, that could be a hot commodity! Thanks for the heads-up! :)</p>
<p>The Mid Store had many printers available for that weekend. I don't think you need to be concerned about them running out. Last year they had large stacks of printers of every variety. Yes, your plebe will learn to iron. It still brings a smile to my face when I hear my plebe tell me about ironing shirts to get the special creases. The Mid Store had a large quantity of irons and small fold up ironing boards that I believe attach to the desk. Everything that my son needed we were able to get at the Mid Store. They have a large selection of items. You will receive a pass to the Mid Store and if you are like the rest of us, shopping at the Mid Store will be a part of your trips to Annapolis. Welcome aboard!</p>
<p>I am curious about the printer situation at USNA. AT USMA they will issue printers for the first time to the class of 2009 along with the laptops, memory stick, and pda (In the past plebes had to buy printers or use the barracks printer). Are you all sure that Navy isn't changing this procedure as well?</p>
<p>That is why it is always a good idea to wait until PPW. I believe that they are still using desktop computers but you will get information on the exact specifications of the computer that they will receive. At that time, they will probably indicate if a printer will be part of the package. If not, there will be many options available at the Mid Store. Your Plebe may also talk to other Mids that will have recommendation on type of printer to purchase.</p>
<p>Apparently we won't be issued computers. And they recommend that you bring your own printer. Computer</a> Specs Calculator</a> Specs</p>
<p>Would a Apple Powerbook G5 be too much to hope for? Just kidding--we know everyone uses PCs. :( Does the Academy allow mids to have their own laptops? If USAFA and WP are issuing laptops, maybe USNA will too.</p>