Graduation Gift Help

Is your cousin going to college?

Basket, hamper, or some sort of storage bin filled with household items is great.

Or small appliances. Crockpot. Toaster. Ext.

Or, if your cousin will be moving out and into an apartment a good set of cookware. Silverware. Glasses.

Pretty much anything in the housewares department.... Those items can be used for many years to come. And most people don't think to give those things.

A laundry basket or hamper filled with house hold stuff that adds up and know one wants to spend money on. Example - towel set, silverware, plastic dishes, throw blanket, mini fan, desk light, desk accessories, small trash, laundry soap, dish soap, can opener, dry erase board and markers. Since she is moving into a new apartment she will need everything to fill and furnish it.

I have a suggestion if the kid is going on to college, or otherwise moving out of their parents' house. When my younger brother graduated, I bought a large, sturdy clothes basket and packed it full "essentials": Tylenol, kleenex, laundry soap, snacks, a roll of quarters, cold medicine, Tums, toothpaste, paper towels, phone card, etc. All the mundane stuff that you need, but that a 18-year-old would not think to buy. (Or want to spend their money on!).

I ditto the suggestion to stay away from "trinkets"--give them something tangible they can use now. Putting money on their account at the college bookstore or cafeteria is a GREAT idea!!

If they are going to be staying with their parents for now, a gas card (or bus pass, if applicable) would be most welcome. Maybe find out what restaurant or coffee shop they like and get a gift card for there.

Kinda like what the others posted is a hope chest... a trunk (they can store what ever in it later) filled with towels (bath and kitchen), shower caddy, small kitchen appliances (coffee/espresso maker, toaster), can opener, pizza cutter... stuff like that, what ever will fit their next step in life.

The best gift I got when I graduated from grade school (going away to a prep high school) was a nice suitcase set. This is useful if going away from home to school or moving out.

I also liked the other idea that they other mom's said: put everyday useful items and gift cards to things in the area were they will be in the next stage of their life in one of the bigger gifts (suitcases, laundry basket).

The trinkets not so piratical maybe unique but not piratical, most get tossed/stored/never used.

It would be helpful if you posted how much the top end of the budget is :) At any rate, the first thing that comes to mind is a laptop. I got both of my daughters' theirs at Sam's Club for graduation, really nice HPs, for around $800.00 loaded. Other things that my daughters received that they really liked:

Gas cards for local gas stations
Money on their food plan at their colleges (you didn't say if college was the next step)
KitchenAid Mixer (I have one daughter that loves to cook)
Pack of movie tickets for a nearby movie theatre
Starbucks/Caribou gift card(s)

Here are the things they didn't like (and I agree):

Savings bonds (takes 30 years to mature)
Antiques/commemorative coins/trinkets/silver picture frames/stuff with their name printed on it/stuffed animals (I now am storing all that stuff at my house while they are away at college)

Hope this helps!

My daugther graduated last year. My brother and sister-in-law gave her a $50 gift card to her college bookstore. She really liked that idea. In fact, we have given college bookstore gift cards to several of her close friends. She could use the card to help pay for books, school supplies, sweatshirt from her school or even at the student store. ie; food

You didn't mention if your cousin was a girl or boy. Another item my daugther received (from a group) was a large duffel bag (Vera Bradley.) These are popular among the girls at many college campuses. Also, you could add a small duffel bag, make-up kit, etc. These work very well for those quick weekends home and don't take up much room in a dorm room. (They are soft sided and squishable.) :)

Does he/she have a digital camera? This could be a good graduation gift for a group.

I-tunes gift cards are also popular. (The student can load the card onto their account and then they don't have to worry about losing the card. Then, they can purchase songs/movies when they want.) This might be an idea to go with something else.

If he/she is going to college, a dorm fridge is nice. I would be careful about many other appliances. Some dorms allow microwaves, some don't.

good luck!