Our next door neighbor is graduating from HS (girl) and I'd like to actually get her something that isn't just money.
I read about a cute idea of filling a laundry basket with cleaning stuff for her dorm but I don't want to get her cleaning stuff. I would like to fill a basket with stuff for college but what?
Do you know where she's going to college? Is it someplace close to you? Sweatshirts/pj's/t-shirts with her school logo on them, non-perishable easily-microwaveable food--like noodles and soup, condoms, rolls of quarters for the laundry room (yes I know that's money).
i'm not sure what your budget is, but for the student i've been mentoring for 2 years, i'm buying a coach wristlet form the outlet.
i figure she'll love it's coach, it won't be too much (under $50) and it will be perfect for college.
if you want to stick with the basket, how about just miscellaneous stuff we all needed in our dorms - pens, paper, highlighters, munchies, thumb tacks, lysol wipes, toothpaste, etc, etc.
i think it doesn't have to be specific to a theme for the dorm - any assortment of stuff she could use would be helpful and cute!
We usually do a plastic tote with bath stuff - toothpaste, hair products, shoes to wear in the shower, things that are practical but we try to throw in fun stuff (bath and body works twilight woods shower gel or lotion for the twi-hard, mascara or other make up that will keep sealed up for a while, but that they won't have the money to go throw around to get when they need it.)
And we had luck last year with one of those lap desks (like from RoomItUp.com) and some pens and junk.
You have some great ideas here. You also can use a new clean trash can to put the stuff in instead of a basket. Other things that you might want to tuck in there if you need some fillers are things like Tylenol, bandaids, and antibiotic cream. Depending on the dorm room, some dish towels, salt and pepper shakers, cute little plates and glasses might work too.
Do you have a budget in mind? What about a Pandora bracelet? You can get the black leather bracelet for about $30 and then a silver charm for another $25. Then she can add to it later on. They are very popular around here.
I am trying to figure this whole thing out. We have no money to buy random graduation gifts. I mean, if they were close family or even just family that would be one thing but they are daughters of co-workers. I just don't know what to do. One is going to college the other isn't. Do you ever get the feeling people invite you to things just for a gift? I hate that.
