<p>I really nice interesting watch for a modest cost is a “Seiko 5” watch and these are not distributed in the U.S. but are easy to get on-line or on ebay. They are automatic (no hand winding) and often have exposed backs that show much more character than quartz watches. They have dressier versions and ones that look more sporty like dive watches and you can find them new on ebay for $75+. They may not be as exactingly accurate as a quartz watch but they are not throw away items and mine have been durable.</p>
<p>We used to give hot air popcorm makers with a jar of kernels but have since given some tool kits which I think are much more useful.</p>
<p>Wow, there must be a cultural/regional divide or something. Our kids only got graduation presents from us and their grandparents. I never thought to give graduation presents to anyone other than immediate family.</p>
<p>For good friends, we gave leather wallets with monograms embossed in them and then put a few gift cards for places like Starbucks, etc (depending on what was near campus). A lot of high school guys don’t have a good wallet yet - they’ve always been well-received.
Seems that something monogrammed is a good idea - S got a monogrammed money clip that he always uses; a monogrammed pocket knife; and a pewter stein with his initials.</p>
<p>Dad3x- we have previously only given gifts to family. This son is the youngest of 4 and the only one left at home. He goes to school in a neighboring town and has made a very tight group of friends. Since he is farther from home during the day, some of the parents have practically adopted my son and he is at their houses a lot between school and sports or for projects. These same kids are at our house a LOT on weekends- sometimes seems like we still have 4 kids at home. They are great kids and I will really miss them a lot next year! Just want to get a few something small.</p>
<p>dadx3–in our area it’s common to have an open house style graduation party with friends and relatives. Most of their friends don’t exchange gifts but they will get gifts, usually money, from adult family friends and relatives.</p>
<p>Around here, everyone gives gifts to 20 of their closest friends or more or less-haha- with my oldest I think it was about 8-she had a HS BF and was not into socializign with alot of girls… Son is quite social and has a big group- i found the tool kits at Target for $9.50-
[Apollo</a> 39-pc. Household Tool Kit : Target](<a href=“http://www.target.com/p/apollo-39-pc-household-tool-kit/-/A-10230581#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=apollo+tool+kit]Apollo”>http://www.target.com/p/apollo-39-pc-household-tool-kit/-/A-10230581#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=apollo+tool+kit)</p>
<p>I was able to snag 12 of them and I gave the pink ones to my D’s friends and all of the parents say they were well received and shared in the dorm… I am now looking for another gift for his really close friends-some are rooming together so hate to give all 4 the same thing…I am really thinking about a tie from their school of choice- found a great one and my son always needs ties… adnd they will be pledging a fraternity so ties will be worn often…keep the ideas coming…</p>
<p>Our area is a “relatives only” gift zone. Grad parties are generally family events too. Of course our school is 60% low income so even a big grad party is burgers in the backyard. And just for the record, my S would laugh if he ever received a tie or a “needepoint belt?” for a gift. I guess Texas just isn’t up with the times! (And I guess that’s why giving a Bible for graduation is not unusual here)</p>
<p>Not a big gift, but my D once received face paint and color hair spray in the colors of her college. Purchased at Michael’s/AC Moore. Loved it.</p>
<p>Hmmm… S got the check for $20.12 last spring, and then we gave a few of them. Maybe that person that gave us the check is on here and I just don’t know it! DH thought it was weird though, and a pain to balance in the checkbook. I thought it was cool. S mostly just took cards to his friends’ parties. I got a few things from oriental trading with 2012 on it - the shutter shades were a big hit - saw a few pics on facebook of kids wearing them. S just taped them on the envelope of the card. Most money gifts he got were from relatives or adults from church.</p>
<p>For D’s guy friends we gave out small first aid kits (that we made up with motrin etc) and a small gift card to fast food type places. </p>
<p>For girl friends we gave hanging jewelery organizers with gift card</p>
<p>I love the face/hair paint idea. Megpmom- my son would have the same reaction to the needlepoint belt or tie. It would not be a big hit around here either. I think maybe that is more an east coast thing?? A Bible would not work either as his friends are very diverse-from (I am guessing) atheist to Muslim to Jewish. I think a lot of this depends on your area of the country, but all are great ideas. Keep them coming.</p>
<p>We gave our D’s friends a copy of “The Naked Roommate” and a personalized laundry bag. Found a website, probably from someone here, that makes cotton drawstring laundry bags. The name of the school, the students name and year are screened on the bag in the school colors.</p>
<p>I had fun looking at all the colorful bags when they arrived. I was told by the kids they use them and appreciated having a useful gift.</p>
<p>I’m curious about the tool kits. Why are they needed in the dorms? Are they expected to do repairs?</p>
<p>I don’t get the tool kits either to be honest.</p>
<p>PG–when we were moving our oldest into his dorm freshman year, he had at least 5 kids stop buy asking for a screwdriver, hammer, etc. His got used a lot. Sometimes it was to fix a loose screw on a chair or computer or whatever. Hammers were helpful to get the loft kits together. He had a futon that needed some assembly as did some other kids. That kind of stuff.</p>
<p>Last year, I bought flat leather pouches, for lack of a better word, for my son’s friends. They are not as big as a wallet, but kids could put their iD and some cash in it. It would fit in a front pocket. I tucked a little money in it too for his best buddies.</p>
<p>My D had one of those tool kits and it was also in high demand in her dorm; especially at move in. It has come in very handy in different apts. also- a lot of times she is the only one w/ any tools. She used it recently to put some furniture together.</p>
<p>I now see the value of the tool kits. Forgot about furniture building.</p>
<p>Yes, toolkits were very popular with D’s friends. I also got her one and it’s gotten a bit of use from her and her dorm friends.</p>