High school graduation gift help needed
 

Hi! I am desperate for a nice gift for a high school graduate.

He's a boy, off to college in the fall, with a free ride. This kid is a genius and VERY intellectual and deep and political and all that goes with it. Loves jazz.

I don't really have mnay ideas and would appreciate any help.

Around $60 is what I'm hoping to spend.

Thank you!

You have a few options.

Are there any books he might particularly like? For instance, say he likes history, you could get him a history book or two.

If he loves jazz, get some CDs. Maybe check with his parents or siblings - you don't want to duplicate something he already has, plus there are different types of jazz, and he may not be into all of them.

Is he going to live on campus? A gift certificate to some place like Bed Bath & Beyond might be good, but it's a bit impersonal.

Any good jazz concerts or cultural events going on in your area before he goes off to college?

Gift cards to either Best Buy or Bed, Bath And Beyond are popular. I know you're going to say, but he's a guy - but guys need tunes & sheets, too!

if he has an ipod - $60 worth of itunes would be sweet

Borders or Barnes and Noble are great places for gift certificates if he likes jazz.. if he's going to school in a larger city you can sometimes buy guides to different types of scenes such as jazz clubs and stuff.. i'm sure he'd love to go exploring and get to see some of the local music in the area..

What about gift cards to Target?

grad present
 

i have kind of started a tradition with high school grads buying giving them a gift basket...
i start off with one of those big tubs that you can get at walmart/target/whatever that some kids use as laundry baskets. then i just load it up with stuff that i used, or think they might enjoy. i do the basics like, a pair of flip flops for the shower, cubes of sticky notes, a t-shirt of the school their going to...then i added stuff like the big rand mcnally road atlas if they're going far away, or even if they'll be embarking on road trips and spring break trips! favorite candy bar, pens, markers, easy mac, popcorn, a couple of big plastic tumbler cups, sharpies!, etc. etc.
it's a lot of fun to put together and the kids usually dig it! i also went through and put a sticky note on every single item with a "college tip" it's a fun gift that you can totally personalize, and they'll probably actually use everything you get them!
have fun, and good luck with whatever you choose!