High School Graduation Gifts When Broke?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
High School Graduation Gifts When Broke?
6
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 5:15pm

Dh and I have been invited to two graduation open houses later this month. One is for our pastor's daughter, and the other is for the daughter of my hubby's Aikido sparring partner. Things are sooooo tight right now, but we want to gift these girls with something. But what? Is only money acceptable? Both of these families are aware of our financial instability due to dh's employment situation, but we don't want to seem cheap!

Dh had a non-cash idea for his friend's daughter .... as one of his umpteen part-time jobs, he drives limos. He drove this girl and her friends to their prom a couple of weeks ago. Because he's also a photographer (another part-time job), he took several photos of the kids before the prom. He thought maybe he'd get the nicest one developed into an 8x10 at Sam's Club, and then we could get a nice frame (with a 40% off coupon) from JoAnn's or Michael's and give her the framed photo with a card. He also thought he'd give her a CD with the other photos on it, too. Does this sound like a good idea? Or would it look cheap?

Not sure about what to do for our pastor's daughter. My mom suggested a nice dictionary, but I thought that maybe with the internet so available on campus that maybe the kids don't even use them that much anymore? My 13yo ds uses ours all the time, but we homeschool him and it's handy ... I could get one at Sam's Club or Border's with a coupon.

Anyway....sorry so long; hopefully I can get some feedback from you financially creative ladies!! :-)

TIA!!
Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 5:39pm
I think the framed photo and CD is a wonderful idea, it's personalized, and you guys have put some thought into it. I am sure it is going to be her favorite gift.
Actually, the free versions of online dictionaries are not compelete, it's always nice to have a desktop one, too. Sounds like a good idea to me.
student.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 7:26pm

Amy, the 1st idea sounds just fine (and NOT cheap).

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 7:58pm

Student:

Thanks for your feedback! I hadn't considered that the online dictionaries might not be as complete as good ol' Webster's! :-) I think I'll ask her mom if she has one yet.

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 8:02pm

Aravis, those are great suggestions! I've heard of those books but hadn't even thought about them -- super idea!! And I believe she's planning to head out west to college with her cousin so a book like you suggested would definitely come in handy. :-) Thanks again!!

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 06-03-2006 - 11:28am

If you end up deciding on getting a book, whether it is a dictionary or one of the "life skills" books check out amazon.com. I found them to be much cheaper than at my local bookstore, and if you order a total of $25 or more shipping is free. They usually come in just a couple of days too.

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Sat, 06-03-2006 - 6:32pm

Thanks for the reminder about Amazon, Heather! :-) I'll definitely check there first.

Amy