Posted on: Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Updated graduation presents
By Susan Felt and Scott Craven
The Arizona Republic
A reliable graduation gift used to be a new dictionary or a couple of $10 bills tucked in a greeting card. But books and bills might seem as old school as quarters for a pay phone. If you're at a loss what to give a graduate in 2007 - be they moving on from eighth grade, high school or college - here are some options:
GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR EIGHTH-GRADE GRADUATE
iPod: Note that this suggestion is an Apple iPod, not one of the many less expensive but just as good MP3 players on the market. When you are going into high school, appearance is everything and iPod is the only player to have. The basic 30GB iPod holds 7,500 songs, far exceeding your child's needs (or so it's assumed) and thus should be with her for years, or until she forgets it in gym class. The iPod retails for $350, but check out price-searching sites (www.mysimon.com, www.pricegrabber.com) for discounts. Available at: discount and electronics stores, Apple stores, www.apple.com, www.amazon.com.
Cell phone: No matter how many reasons your 14-year-old has for needing the latest in cell phone technology, do you really want an adolescent armed with a device that can send video and photos across the globe? No. Try Virgin Mobile's Slice ($40), a cool, ultra-thin phone whose main function is to communicate with others. And since Virgin specializes in pay-as-you-go plans (minutes are up to 25 cents each), you can control how much is spent each month. Once the balance is gone, the phone is deactivated until another payment is received, avoiding the shocks that can come with monthly phone bills. Available at: Target, Radio Shack, www.virginmobileusa.com.
A 529 College Savings Plan: This gift (minimum contribution is $250) might not earn any screams of joy until eight years from now, when the now-eighth-grade grad is leaving college with less debt. For parents and grandparents, it means socking away money nearly tax-free and retaining control of the money when Junior enrolls four years from now. Available at: www.savingforcollege.com, a terrific site that offers basics and compares plans. Also visit www.collegesavings.org.
Budget-friendly: Membership to a local museum or zoo can cost less than $50 and provide unlimited admission, discounts and invitations to members-only events.
GIFTS FOR YOUR HIGH-SCHOOL GRADUATE
Laptop: When they're not researching their first college term paper, they can watch episodes of "The Real World." Considerations, besides the $1,000 price tag, are speed, portability, weight and battery life. Check www.cnet.com for consumer information. Available at: dell.com or retail stores such as CompUSA (www.compusa.com) and Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com).
Cell phone: Any self-respecting, tech-savvy high school senior won't be happy with a cell phone designed largely for communication (which is so Class of '97). But a big smile will greet the LG CU500, a thin flip-phone packed with audio and video features. It includes a camera, music player and an address book. The phone retails for $180, but can be found for less than half that with a two-year contract from Cingular. Available at: Cingular stores, www.cingular.com.
Refrigerator: The ubiquitous mini dorm refrigerators ($80 to $120) are now available in colors (red, green and black) to better coordinate with the comforter. Available at: retail stores like Wal-Mart (www.Walmart.com).
Budget-friendly: Shell out $20 or so for an iTunes gift card. This is a present with almost universal appeal to an iPod-carrying high school graduate and available in the denominations you want to spend. The card works like a debit card, allowing you to purchase songs from the iTunes store and download and transfer them to an iPod. Available at: www.apple.com and discount stores.
GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR COLLEGE GRADUATE
Etiquette lessons: Besides knowing to ditch the slippers and give a firm handshake, grads may need a little hands-on coaching on how to successfully navigate the job interview, business cocktail hour and a fancy dinner. A customized consultation by image pros costs about $150 an hour. Look for "image consultants" locally.
Cell phone: Welcome your college graduate to the real world with a phone in which function is more important than form (just like life, if you don't count Paris Hilton). The RIM BlackBerry 8800 ($300) is to business professionals what oxygen is to lungs. The compact device with QWERTY keyboard can support up to 10 e-mail accounts, keeping the busy executive in contact at all times. Throw in a calendar, memo pad and GPS features, and the BlackBerry 8800 will make any college grad feel all grown up. Available at: electronics stores, Cingular stores, www.rim.com.
Briefcase: After nearly 18 years of carrying school paraphernalia in a backpack, it's time for the big people's carryall. Tastes differ, as does price. The monogrammed canvas attache costs $60 to $100, or go with the hand-tooled leather keepsake that can cost hundreds. Available at: www.landsend.com, (800) 963-4816, or at retail stores like Macy's (www.macys.com).
Budget-friendly: Give a grad a gasoline gift card. Depending on the company, it can be used for anything from milk to petrol.
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