Graduation is a very important step in a young person's life, and as a person of influence in their life, of course you would want to give them something that not only reflects that importance, but will give them some sort of assistance for the life that they'll be growing into. That's a lot of pressure for one simple gift! It's difficult to decide what to get. Something person that reflects the relationship you have with that person? Something that will make them smile? Something official and business-like? So many choices!

In my experience, there are two different types of graduation gifts: sentimental and handy. For either category, there's one keyword to remember when doing your shopping: effective. Recent graduates, whether high school or college, or moving onto a new area of their life. High school grads will probably be moving out of their parents' house for the first time. College grads may be relocating for the newfound career. Moving is when you weed out all of those things that you just don't use, so get them something that they know they'll use!

Want to go with something sentimental that will help them remember all those years in which they worked so hard to get to where they are today? Here's a few ideas:

1. Diploma Frame: There are a variety of stores that sell personalized diploma frames. You can get them emblazoned with their school's personal seal. Or maybe one in which they can have all of their classmates signatures! There's a lot of options, any of which will give them reason to display that diploma with pride.

2. School Spirit: Get them something that shows their now-past, or upcoming school's mascot! Make it something they can use, of course! Are they relocating to somewhere cold? Get them a hooded sweatshirt with the school's name and logo! Taking a road trip or driving to their next destination? Provide them with bumper stickers or other car accessories so they can proudly display where they're going - or coming from!

3. Digital Camera & Album: Give them a nice digital camera and quality album before their big day so they can capture all those memories!

4. Engraved Jewelry/Accessories: A necklace, charm bracelet, class ring, money clip or swiss army knives engraved with the graduates name or an inspirational message is a great idea, and always useful!

And even easier, here are some ideas for handy grad gifts:

5. Home warming: A laundry basket filled with soap, laundry detergent, towels, rolls of quarters and other

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