<p>I am looking for some dieas-practical- for my son's friends for graduation from HS- I have an older daughter so I know most fo the basics- like laundry bags etc- trying to find soemthing original for his friends- did buy some toolbox kits for some of them but still need a few more for his closer friends.. One mom is doing monogrammed button downs- ....</p>
<p>Most people give cash here. If I give a gift I try to give dorm stuff, usually a laundry basket filled with stuff–extension cords, Ethernet cords, etc. might be good for boys but they also need laundry stuff, etc. I rarely give “stuff” for graduation any more though, just cash.</p>
<p>Yeah… I think cash is the standard around here, too.</p>
<p>I agree with STEVEMA that cash was the main gift of choice, but the one gift that stood out that my kids received was a nice gift package that was customized for each of my kid’s schools from our neighbor. The package had mainly food items - microwave popcorn, tea, - I can 't remember all that was in there, but there was a microwave bowl and plate that I know they use a lot for soup, reheating, etc. But the cute part was the neighbor (who happens to be a year older and had just finished her freshman year) put little tags on each item - for example for the microwave popcorn (for those late nite hunger pains when you are studying for finals). She also had in there a map of the city of each of their schools and went to AAA and got a trip tik with driving directions from home to school. I thought it was a very cute and clever gift that showed a lot of thought. She packaged it all up in a basket with tissue paper with their new school colors. If your daughter is older she may have fun putting something like this together and would have relevant “sayings” to put on each item.</p>
<p>Cash or gift cards always a hit. The Tide laundry “pods” were the surprise hit gift for last year’s guys, and SteveMA’s suggestion of extension & ethernet cords is great. </p>
<p>Also a couple of care packages, especially freshman year, can be more meaningful than a gift at hs graduation. Takes more time & effort but were really appreciated by the recipients.</p>
<p>Some guys really like the needlepoint belts for their schools – but those are pricey!</p>
<p>Both sons received (from a close family friend) really nice leather portfolio pads – the sort of thing you take to an interview or intern meeting with a legal pad inside, when a laptop isn’t necessary and a briefcase is trying too hard. I thought it was weird, but boy they have used them over and over.</p>
<p>We only give gifts to relatives - but I’ve given boys noise-cancelling headphones, swiss army knives, Bibles (I give one to every graduating relative), and of course, cash.</p>
<p>Copy of “The Naked Roommate” for kids of either gender if they are going away to college. Otherwise, I’m a Walmart gift card kind of gal.</p>
<p>Be careful with the Tide Pods–3 of the schools we looked at won’t allow kids to use them–they have been clogging the drains according to the signs.</p>
<p>We gave out took kits. I bought a bunch of them on Amazon and just had them on had when my son had an open house (they also make some w/ pink tool handles for girls). At first my son thought it wasn’t a great idea, until he saw how well received they were. He said that his took kit was coveted in the dorm last year.</p>
<p>Most dorms my kids have lived in have banned extension cords. My D likes her tool kit she got from relatives.</p>
<p>We gave cash to acquaintances because it’s just so hard to know what they already have. For my own kids and closer friends, our favorite gift is a nice folding camp chair - the really common ones that fold up and go into a bag. They’re great for storing under a bed or in a corner, and easy to pull out for a comfy reading chair or if friends stop by the dorm room. They were a big hit with my kids’ friends in the dorm.</p>
<p>I have given copies of “The Naked Roomate” with a personal little note inside (& perhaps $). </p>
<p>Also a favorite gift for boys is LLBean’s hanging toiletry bag–you can have them monogramed and I try to get them in their college colors: [Toiletry</a> Bags: Travel Accessories | Free Shipping at L.L.Bean](<a href=“http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GuidednavDisplay?categoryId=507361&catalogId=1&storeId=1&langId=-1&thumbType=-1&sort_field=Relevance&position=1&page=toiletry-bags]Toiletry”>http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GuidednavDisplay?categoryId=507361&catalogId=1&storeId=1&langId=-1&thumbType=-1&sort_field=Relevance&position=1&page=toiletry-bags)</p>
<p>A fun, and distinctive “gift”…I learned here on CC:</p>
<p>Check made out in the amount of the year graduated. IE: Year 2013 - check $20.13</p>
<p>Silver frame w/family photo for child…or just the frame for a friend</p>
<p>A friend got all of her son’s friends ties from the colleges they were going to attend. I thought that was very cool. I have given gift cards (In-n-Out, etc…). For a good friend’s son I gave him a first-aid kit with different over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Advil, cough syrup, Imodium, etc…) and directions for use (I found a great article written by a pediatrician). I love the LL Bean hanging toiletry bag.</p>
<p>I like the toiletry bag ELY- which size seems to be best for boys??</p>
<p>^My son has gotten good use out of this toiletry bag. Great for hanging in the dorm showers and keeping all the items organized & handy (lots of pockets & a mirror). He even took it when he did Winter Term in Spain earlier this month. He has the medium size which has served him well.</p>
<p>Thanks- I have been trying to think of grad gifts for a few of my son’s friends and this would be perfect!</p>
<p>thanks- we do not do cash around here…several are going to instate schools so I may do a tie… and stick witht he tool boxes for some… also like toiletry bag idea</p>
<p>S already asked for a good watch. the watches that i got for him are from the cruise ship. all three broke after a few months.</p>