Price: $199 to $299.

• Luggage. A solid, study backpack is a definite must for classroom hauls. Target has several portfolio bags or duffels. For overnight trips, holiday travel, spring break excursions or study abroad prospects, a nice luggage set is also a great long-term investment.

Price: $20 to $130 for backpacks and portfolios, $90 to $180 for luggage.

• Picture frame. Anyone who has ever set foot in a college dorm room knows the walls and desks are immediately transformed into makeshift scrapbooks. Why not make yours stand out with an engraved frame featuring a heartfelt message?

Price: $10 to $30.

There's no competing for computer-lab time for your student if they have their own. Pictured here: the Apple Macintosh PowerBook G4.

Price: $700 and up (way up).

• Board and video games. Dorm-room battles have been the stuff of legend since the days of Nintendo's "Tecmo Bowl" and "Dr. Mario." A Nintendo GameCube, XBox or PlayStation 2 would definitely go over well with the new grad. If you're worried about a system interfering with studies, remember video games improve hand-eye coordination. Board games also kill time with roommates and friends. Recommended: "Cranium," "Taboo," "Trivial Pursuit," "Scattergories" and "Scrabble."

Price: $25 to $40 for board games, $100 to $250 for video game systems.

• Spa package. Four years of high school or college can really do a number on your back, neck, head — you name it. SpaFinder can hook you up with a day spa or spas across the country that have special teen packages, including facials to cleanse the complexion.

Price: Starting at about $100 for a day spa to more than $500 for a vacation spa, www.spafind er.com.

• Books. Because your soon-to-be student isn't going to want to touch that $180 biology book once class is over.

Grab something fun to read instead, say, anything from "The Onion" series or "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook" College or Work editions.

Price: $10 to $30.

• Bed-in-a-bag. It might not be a fun choice, but new bedding is an essential item. Various bed-in-a-bag brands at stores like Macy's, Wal-Mart, and Kmart are filled with comforters, bed skirts, sheets, shams and pillowcases. Decorative pillows and other assorted items also are available for one-stop shopping. Want to be sentimental? Grab white or light, solid-color sheets or a duvet and permanent fabric markers. Have family and friends sign away.

Price: $150 and up.

• Appliances. Microwaves, small refrigerators and toasters fit in a tiny dorm room or microscopic first apartment's kitchen and may help your graduate eat healthy. The fridge is just the right size for stowing yogurt, fruit and bottled water. The microwave is handy for popcorn. And the toaster can help make a sandwiches at lunch or a bagel in the morning crunchy.

Price: Toasters, $15 to $140; microwave ovens, $50 to $250; mini refrigerators, $60 to $150.

• Money, phone cards, gift cards. Cash or a check is always appreciated. Pre-paid phone cards leave no excuse not to call. Gift cards are more personal and allow for a multitude of choices. Try Best Buy and Barnes & Noble, American Eagle, Gap or wherever you think your grad might like to shop.