One of the most celebrated times in a person's life is graduating from high school. Graduation is one of the first major milestones in a person’s life. The event is usually celebrated with family and friends through a graduation party. Students can use technology as a way to encourage useful gift giving towards college.
Gift Giving at Graduation
American tradition states that attendees at graduation parties give a gift to the graduate. The gift is thoughtful in nature and meant to signify the celebrated event. However, tradition has changed slightly to include gifts that will send off the student to college.
Most attendees have difficulty finding an appropriate gift for a graduate. Some will resort to engraved picture frames or expensive pen and pencil sets. College bound students are usually in need of less extravagant gifts and more useful items to live in the daily world of college. A gift registry will give people ideas of items that you need.
Request Needed Graduation Gifts
In order to convey the items needed, consider creating a website with a listing of things you need most. This will give attendees an idea of what you need for college and is most helpful to those who need ideas.
The internet is full of free website hosts to create a list. Otherwise, tech savvy students can arrange a Facebook or MySpace page to include similar information; however, remember that family members will have access to your personal page information.
Include a list or weblink with your mailed or emailed graduation party announcement.
Arranging a Gift Registry
Organize the webpage to be both reflective of you as a person and your needs for college. Include some baby pictures and school pictures to personalize the page. Be sure to welcome visitors to your site and invite them to look around the site for gift ideas.
Consider these headings for gift ideas and examples:
- Bath: towel sets, hamper, shampoo/conditioner, soap, flip flops for communal showers, robe, and a small plastic bucket to carry items into the shower.
- Academic: printer cartridges, highlighters, a gift certificate from the college bookstore, funky pens and pencils, and school bag or backpack.
- Cooking: mini refrigerator, microwave, dish soap, hot plate, packs of ramen noodles, can opener, cookbook, and a setting of plastic dinnerware (both utensils and plate/bowls).
- Dorm: clothes hangers, laundry detergent, bedding, fan (most dorms do not have air conditioning), TV, alarm clock, roll of quarters for laundry, and fun furniture.
- Electronic: digital camera, cell phone, laptop, IPod/MP3 player, jump drives, ITunes gift card, music CDs, and videocam.
- Personal: sewing kit, first aid kit, fish bowl, board games, sport balls, and anything else you need.
Be sure to post a picture of what you have in mind and consider applying a link to a store that sells the product.
While cash is useful to students moving to college, having the necessities right away can relieve some stress. An online gift registry helps others to know what to give, if they so desire. The website can be updated when items are purchased or when new items are needed.
Once you get settled at college, take pictures of the gifts and send to the appropriate giver. The picture will show that you indeed are utilizing the gift and appreciate it.
Kerrie Troseth - Kerrie is a licensed school counselor who works exclusively with adolescents. As a school counselor she is trained in the areas of ...
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