<p>Hosting a graduation party next month for D's friends--we'd like to give something small to all the kids who attend. Other than cash, what's a small item that proved to be indispensible, whether for moving in or day-to-day in a dorm room, or for academics? BTW, do they even use those magic marker boards for writing messages anymore?</p>
<p>Roll of quarters?</p>
<p>How small is small? Itunes gift cards? How about this from Sephora? Its on sale for only $3!! [SEPHORA</a> COLLECTION Hot Hues Orange Bag Collection: Shop Makeup Bags | Sephora](<a href=“http://www.sephora.com/hot-hues-orange-bag-collection-P306201]SEPHORA”>http://www.sephora.com/hot-hues-orange-bag-collection-P306201) This one is only $7 <a href=“http://www.sephora.com/signature-red-bag-collection-P307564?skuId=1380070[/url]”>http://www.sephora.com/signature-red-bag-collection-P307564?skuId=1380070</a></p>
<p>Many kids seem to put those small dry erase boards on their dorm door for messages. I don’t think these small ones are very expensive.</p>
<p>Really funky push pins (many rooms have a cork strip for hanging) 3M poster tape or a small, but powerful flashlight are useful.</p>
<p>They do have dry erase markers with velcro on them.</p>
<p>Some people are very good at burning CDs…if you are one of them, you could burn a Greatest Hits of Class of '12 CD…could start with a song from whatever Disney movie they all loved as kids, progress to Spice Girls or Brittney Spears from elem school, and progress to current hits. (Note: I am not technologically adempt enough to do this.)</p>
<p>When my son was a senior, I couldn’t bear to send him to parties empty handed. I bought inexpensive gift bags and tissue in school colors, and added a bag of Hershey’s Miniatures and assorted sizes of chip clips.</p>
<p>The ideas above are good, I also thought of getting them all matching bracelets. We have a bead shop here and you can rope/natural fiber bracelets for under 5$.
Another idea is photo albums or picture frames.</p>
<p>A tool kit</p>
<p>I like to give a roll of duck tape; it comes in many bright colors and patterns.</p>
<p>There are some cute/funny USB flash drives on ebay - really inexpensive from China - I’d test each one before I gave it as a gift but those would be useful.</p>
<p>Young women often use those Vera Bradley key chain/wristlets with a clear plastic slot for ID.</p>
<p>Poster photo collages are inexpensive and fun.</p>
<p>I second the tool kit. One of D’s friends gave one to all of her friend’s as presents. It was one of the most useful gifts she received. It was pink, and had a hammer, screwdriver, tape measure, etc. It was used on move in and move out day, and many days in between.</p>
<p>Give them fridge magnets that they can in turn give to their parents that say “Remember to send money.”</p>
<p>Def a tool kit and duct tape! You can get tool kits for under $20 at walmart and target and they come in colors for guys and for girls. Another thing that sounds stupid but is a really good gift is a can opener. I used the Vera Bradley zip ID case. They have lanyards too.</p>
<p>I love missypie’s idea of a CD filled with their high school songs…affordable, portable and a great way to remember everyone.</p>
<p>Duct tape also has college versions. Wal Mart had large pencil cups that photos fit into.</p>
<p>I’m glad no one has suggested photo frames…they have been the “perfect gift” for so long that D received too many. There is a limit to how many adorable frames filled with pictures of you with your high school friends that a person can take to college.</p>
<p>D2 has used her Coach lanyard with id case everyday. She has to have her student id with her to swipe in to her building, parking and cafeteria. It is convenient and stylish, holds her credit card or cash, keys and provides easy access to the id card. The guys also use a lanyard so they don’t have to carry large wallets. Most of the guys use the ones found in the university book store. I believe we paid $20 at the outlet for hers but the college ones were under $10.</p>
<p>Check out the Vera Bradley graduation section on their website. There are some cute ideas.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity - do your kids still use CD’s? I use CD’s for my car but my kids don’t appear to have any, beyond a few random leftover CD’s from their youth - everything is electronic / digital / mp3. They don’t even have CD players beyond what is in their computers.</p>
<p>Tiny flashlight they can put on their keychain-- like asplights.com
Flashdrive (thumbdrive). They even sell tiny cases that can hold two and hook to a keychain.
Reflective pop-bracelets or straps for walking or biking at night</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, probably not, but couldn’t they still download a mixed CD on to their MP3 players?</p>
<p>Sometimes you can find mini tool kits on sale/clearance for as little as $1. My son got a multitool that he has used quite a bit. It is a combo hammer/pliers/screwdriver thing.</p>