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guitarnan
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| Posted: May 29 2012 at 1:48pm | IP Logged
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I have to find gifts for two boys (one Catholic, one not) and one girl (not Catholic, twin of the second boy).
I'm stumped - I don't really want to send a gift card, but all three of these teens have pretty much everything they need/want already.
All suggestions appreciated!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: May 29 2012 at 2:14pm | IP Logged
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I will admit, I'm lazy and just write a check. 
Beyond that, I use dh's Bible that he received when he graduated all the time--it is a nice soft leather-bound one. And I really appreciated the laundry-themed gift I received way back when--laundry basket, hangers, detergent and softener, and a film canister full of quarters for the machines. That is not practical if they are not local though.
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Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: May 29 2012 at 2:20pm | IP Logged
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Jumper cables or one of those emergency kits for the car. Maybe a book like this one with hints and tips on living on a small budget. Or put together your own list of hints and tips for them. 
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Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: May 29 2012 at 2:38pm | IP Logged
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OH NO! Grad gifts???? I never even thought of it! Ds17 has his grad at the end of this month! He isn't moving out, so as much as i like the practical, he won't need it yet. Trying to think of something....
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Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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SallyT
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| Posted: May 29 2012 at 4:15pm | IP Logged
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For a girl, cute towels and other dorm-bath stuff are always welcome. I also second something like a laundry survival kit -- laundry bag and/or basket, detergent, fabric softener, etc. Not sure they actually use quarters in the washing machines any more -- I think my daughter uses some kind of card. But a roll of quarters would be a useful thing in any case.
For a boy . . . disinfectant?
(just kidding. but I really do find boys harder to shop for, since they don't do cute little odds and ends)
Are they coffee drinkers? A French press and some nice coffee is a good gift. Or tea, if they're tea drinkers.
A box of something like Clif bars. My daughter hardly ate the first month she was at college -- or at least, she was always hungry for something protein-y. I sent her a case of Clif bars, and she was happy.
A keepsake edition of Thomas a Kempis's The Imitation of Christ? I know Protestants who read this as well as Catholics.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Most people did give my daughter money, which she definitely appreciated, but she also appreciated thoughtful and practical college-life-themed gifts.
Good luck!
Sally
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: May 29 2012 at 6:02pm | IP Logged
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I given George Weigel's Letters to a Young Catholic as a graduation gift.
I've also always thought that a nice shoe shine kit would be a good graduation gift, though I've never actually done it. My whole life, we used the shoe shine kit that my Dad got as a graduation gift.
We've also given a tool box with the basics: hammer, 2 screw drivers, tape measure, etc... My Dad gave me that when I went to college, and I was the most popular person in my dorm (well, not really at all, but lots of people borrowed my tools  ).
ETA--In fact, I still have my hammer and screw driver in my desk, and the boys keep their matchbox cars in my tool box 
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: May 29 2012 at 9:50pm | IP Logged
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Oooh! The tool kit! I had one (not a grad gift, in my family it was standard equipment  ) and it made me much sought ofter--in a good way!  I tightened screws and bolts on many a loft bed.
If the girl is girly, they make pink kits!
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Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: May 30 2012 at 7:31am | IP Logged
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I made an Important Papers File for a recent graduate. I used one of those accordion folders that zips and I inserted file folders with categories like Bills, School, Car, Bank/Loans, Medical, etc. I found lots of online ideas for what types of files to have and how to organize your papers, so I printed off a few of those sites to help her get a grasp on all the stuff she'll need to hang onto now that she's an adult.
Something similar is LifeinCase.
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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Erin
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| Posted: May 31 2012 at 7:43am | IP Logged
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Can only think of gifts we have given; an alarm clock and the city street directory (country child moved to Capital City)
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Erin
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HSMama
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| Posted: May 31 2012 at 10:31am | IP Logged
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for college:
coffee maker with filters, coffee
nice alarm clock
bulletin board/white board
snacks! (although that gift may be better for when they are leaving- msy not last through the summer)
microwave
electric griddle with spatula, bowl, measuring cups etc. maybe some oancake mix
toolkit
umbrella
towels, washcloths
money is always a good idea. although I prefer to give gift cards. gas station, grocery store or restaurant near their school
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Graduation Gift Ideas for High Schoolers
