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Gift Ideas for Every Grad

posted Apr 28th 2009 3:31PM by Genevieve Cruz

By Nicole Passar Gebhardt - AOL

Graduation is such memorable time in a graduate's life that you always want to show you care. But these days, graduations come at all ages and you must think carefully about who you are giving to. It is an important step, so say congratulations with a unique present this year. March down our list of graduate personalities to unearth the perfect gift!

Grade school grad
Diploma persona: No more naps or playground games, this little one is ready for lockers and SAT's. She's excitable and eager to move on to the next step in schooling.e
Graduation sensation: Congratulate her on her accomplishment with a memory book, a personalized magazine cover, or even a graduation cookie basket.

College-bound
Diploma persona: He's a determined, planner who knows what he wants. Brimming with school spirit, he's been wearing his alma mater's colors since you can remember and is revved up to start his brand new school.
Graduation sensation: Get him prepared with a college survival kit complete with collapsible hamper, detergent, how-to books, his favorite snacks, and perhaps an iPod for hours of entertainment. Noise cancelling headphones may come in handy for dorm life while a digital camera can preserve those special memories that lie ahead (under $100!). Of course a gift related to their college of choice is enjoyable as well.

The world traveler
Diploma persona: Trekking across the globe is where your grad feels most at home. She loves to explore new cultures, and having a passport filled with international stamps is a life goal.
Graduation sensation: Whether she's learning a new language or canoeing down the Amazon River, these thoughtful gifts are sure to make her next adventure a blast. For those moments when no one is around to take a photo try a FlexPod Tripod. Also check out 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. or be eco-friendly and get her a Solio Universal Charger, which will charge all her electronics.

The future mogul
Diploma persona: Good at everything and wants to conquer the world! Nothing is too difficult for him to overcome and he won't stop until he is a household name. He is fiercely successful and driven.
Graduation sensation: Try the digital notepad or a handheld PDA. A supply of java will keep him going. Help him strategize with The First 90 Days , or give him the gift of relaxation with a spa certificate.

The fashionista
Diploma persona: Her look is always trendy and her style carries over into everything she does. Whether it's funky file folders or jazzy pens, she always looks amazing. Attention is her friend and she firmly believes that with the right shoe, a girl can conquer the world.
Graduation sensation: Give fashionable fun with these "laughs on your luggage" luggage tags. Show her she's the queen of style with princess of style with the cute but simple crown earrings or provide some retail therapy with an AOL gift card.

The comedian
Diploma persona: He is known for his hilarious jokes and knows how to make any situation fun. Positive and upbeat, he will thrive at any career he chooses. With a great sense of humor and ability to make others smile, he helps everyone make it through the day.
Graduation sensation: Try these chuckle-worthy gifts: Whatever clock, Best of Saturday Night Live or some lighthearted reading.

Taking the year off
Diploma persona: She wants to experience life before committing to one thing. She is a winner in the social circle with her flexible and easy going spirit. Full of spontaneity and free-thinking, she is sure to come across many exciting ventures along the way.
Graduation sensation: Gear her up with a personal organizer for those future road trips, or help keep her friends close with a digital photo keychain.

College grad/New job
Diploma persona: Ready to take on the world, this grad is brave and ambitious. He's goal-oriented and ready to suit up and perform impressively.
Graduation sensation: Set him up with a business or finance magazine subscription like The Economist or Smart Money, accompanied by a fulfilling fortune money tree. Or set the tone for success by giving a traditional gift like a high-quality pen but with a modern twist like a smart pen.

While many graduates have their eyes on big ticket items, don't underestimate the value of sentimental gifts like a heartfelt letter, photos printed on daily-use items (pillow cases, blankets) or a video montage. And if all else fails and you don't know what to get, cash is accepted everywhere.

For more gift ideas, check out our retailer boutiques! Choose from: Ice.com | BootBarn.com | Unbeatable Sale | ProFlowers | FanHouse

Comments:

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ARLENE@Monday 18 May

Neutral

MY SON WILL BE ATTENDING COLLEGE THIS FALL. HE IS DOING HIS UNDERGRAD IN ENGINEERING, BS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AND MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE. DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT LAPTOPS! PLEASE HELP. ANY SUGGESTIONS

Isabella Chloe@Tuesday 26 May

Neutral

I just got a new laptop for Christmas and I love it! I am 16 so around your sons age I think? I would highly reccomend Dell laptops which is what I have. My whole family uses Dell and they are awesome. Other people like Apple laptops but there is a lot of stuff that you cant do on them because most have regular programs like Microsoft Word and Apple uses something different. I would go to your local Circuit City, Best Buy, etc and learn more about the computers. You can also sometimes get the same computer from the retailer or company online for a discounted price. Good Luck!

NYC Tim@Wednesday 27 May

Neutral

Arlene,

Get your son a Toshiba. I'm a journalist and have been using laptops for 20 years now. I've used other brands through work, but Toshiba has always provided me with a reliable preoduct. I still have the first one I bought in 1990 and it still works. My work computer is a Dell and I'm not thrilled with it. Also tried a Hitachi, which was such a disaster that the company stopped making laptops altogether. Apple is also good from what I hear, but MUCH more expensive than Toshiba. Viruses are almost a non-issue with Apple, so you might want to go in that direction if that is a concern.

Angela@Wednesday 27 May

Neutral

I have been through Dell and Toshiba laptops. Dell was better than Toshiba. However, I have recently purchased a MacBook. They are more pricey than a PC, but definitely worth the money. They do not require virus protection programs, and do not catch viruses. Also, they do not have pop-up adds. Also, I just saw on the Apple page, if you buy a macbook with the student discount, you get a free ipod touch! Good luck!

explodingheadsyndrome@Wednesday 27 May

Neutral

Im moving on to my masters in Electrical Engineering this year. Don't listen to the guys above you they have no idea what they're talking about. First off you want something that can handle advanced CAD programs, and it MUST use Windows. An absolute must. Type of laptop really doesn't matter as long as its top of the line. I use a Gateway FX and I believe its the best run for your money. They are around 1000 dollars but if you get your son anything less he will just end up needing a new one in 2 years.

Bev@Wednesday 27 May

Neutral

I read recently that before purchasing a laptop for college, you might want to check with the college book store where the person is planning to attend. They most often have better buys and will advise you on what laptops are most compatible with the courses the person plans to take, i.e. some classes not longer use books, but use only CDs , so you need to have a laptop that will take CDs. Also, the student might want to apply to the college for some support in purchasing the laptop.

birdie@Thursday 28 May

Neutral

I would believe a MACBOOK PRO woud be just the ticket for your son. It uses Microsoft word also as well as it's own version of office called iWorks . I would have your son check with his school for additional discounts on the Mac (somee included the extended warranty (APPLE CARE ) it extends your warranty from 1 year parts and labor to 3 years. Some schools have different prices for software so do check with them before purchasing software. My son's school charges 55.00 for Office. As far as the Nay sayers go , check Consumers REPORTS , while they don't list Mac's as a BEST BUY ,they do list them as being the most ,reliable well built and number 1 for customer service. Mac can even do Windows ! So they can't do a bunch of stuff ? That's hogwash. PC MAGAZINE listed MAC as the best VISTA machine! and a friend of mine is running Beta 7 on a MAC .

Genevieve Cruz@Thursday 28 May

Neutral

This is great feedback you guys are giving each other. Wanted to make sure you saw some new promotions on the site related to laptops.

We've got Laptops under $750.
http://shopping.aol.com/computers-office/accessories

Also check out, this laptop article.
http://shopping.aol.com/articles/2009/05/27/laptops-sale/

If there's anything else you guys want to see, do let us know!

NYC Tim@Wednesday 27 May

Neutral

By the way, Circuit City went out of business a few months ago.

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