High School Graduation - Need Gift Ideas UNDER $10 - Wichita,KS

The Dr. Seuss book, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" is a classic graduation gift. You can write something nice on the first page of the book. It's $10.85 on Amazon.

Best,
T. Y
SAHM of 5
(13, 12, 6, 4 & 2)

We invite teachers to my kids grad parties. We absolutely did not expect them to give gifts. They already gave the gift in teaching and preparing my kids for adult life. I think some of them brought cards with notes written inside. I think one gave my son a gift card for a sweet treat at dairy queen with a note saying something along the lines of how sweet it was to be graduating.

A "Study basket" for college. Post-it notes, index cards, highlighters, coffee packs (the individual ones), etc. Since you have several to go to, you could get a multi-pack of some things (like the highlighters) and split them up between baskets. Most you could get at the dollar store and the kids will appreciate the thought behind it, especially since you were their teacher.

I would just write a nice note on nice stationary with lovely thoughts and best wishes. I don't think anyone would expect you to give a gift.

I love Custom Luggage tags. They can be used on their laptop bags, actual luggage, gym bag, dirty clothes bag.

http://www.zazzle.com/personalized+luggage+tags

Personalized Key rings,
Dorm keys, Locker keys, car key, extra set of keys, even if they are staying home, a personalized key ring is handy

http://www.zazzle.com/keychains

Also check Vistaprint.com
for the above items.

How about some grown up stationary? My high school teacher bought me my very first set. It was beautifully embossed and it my inital on the front. She was special to me. She said every young woman needs beautiful stationary that expresses individuality and class. In a world where everything is by text and email, it's truely a beautiful thing in a rushed society. Nothing beats a hand written note on beautiful stationary (cursive of coarse!)

This may seem very obvious--but what about a journal?
Useful and inexpensive.
And you could tuck a personal note inside.

A personal note from you is worth it's weight in gold. Something they will cherish, I am sure.

I would not expect anything from a teacher I invited to a graduation party. Therefore I think any kind of gift is nice but I think a card and a note is more than sufficient.

College freshmen have smart cards that allow them access to their dorms AND access to the lunchroom. A great way to keep from losing them is for them to have a lanyard with a sheath to hold the card. My son used it because every time he wore his athletic shorts, the card would fall out. He learned early on that he couldn't carry a wallet around all the time because he'd lose it too. So a lanyard was what most of the kids ended up with after getting a scare or two.

Buy a card and write a really nice, personalized note for each student. Tell them what you love about them, what you have learned from them, and something they did that made you proud. If you have time, you can also include a letter of recommendation for each of them, as they may need to look for jobs in college and likely won't have many references yet. If you don't have time to write all the letters, at least include an offer to do so. Along with the card (and maybe letter), give each kid a $5 gift card to Yogurtland (or whatever local frozen yogurt place is popular), iTunes, Amazon, or a local hangout.

I think the greatest gift is a heartfelt letter from you - someone they look up to. You can just pour your love and compliments onto a piece of paper and that student may keep it forever. Just today I was reading an old journal I used as my "yearbook" for friends and teachers to sign and write notes in middle and high school. My teachers wrote such wonderful things! Wish I remembered all of them! So perhaps a small journal for them to write their own memories in - with your nice note as the beginning? Or a good book, like the Dr. Seuss one suggested. I used to teach elementary school and liked Max Lucado's "You are Special" book. Granted - it has a religious pretense. Depending on what you teach - maybe you can select a book that you used in your class to give and write a personal message in. You never know - that student could end up keeping that book forever, reading it to their children one day!

How many students?
If anything, to cut down on costs, I would write each one a nice note, in a note card. A box of note cards, would be more economical than "gifts."
And with note cards, you also don't have to "guess" at what each one, likes or not.

Also though, I don't think that students/parents EXPECT a Teacher to BUY each of their students a gift.
I mean, that is just a budget nightmare, and costly.

What did you do last year per graduation?
What do the OTHER teachers, do, per graduation or "gifts?" I would ask them.

Itunes gift card. Coffee card.

I don't have any unique advice for you, but I just wanted to say that this is an amazing compliment to you as a teacher to receive so many graduation invitations! I'm sure they sent you an announcement because you made an impact on their lives, and I'm sure that the gift means less to them than your presence. I think a $10 gift card with a nice card would be fine. You must be a very special teacher.

We are Youth Leaders and last year led 25 Seniors in Bible study and had 25 invites. What we decided to do, and will do again this year, is get boxed cards and write personal notes in them for each one we were invited too. We lifted them up in the card and let them know what they mean to us. The cards are welcomed and kids aren't always looking for a gift. They understand that you can't give something to everyone. We did give money to those that we've known for many many years, but that was only like 4 of them. Don't sweat it. Good luck and God Bless.

What about a copy of Oh, The Places You'll Go with an inscription for each student? That runs about $11 (free shipping if you have Prime) on Amazon or your local bookstore may have a good deal.

I also like the lanyard or card holder idea for all their ID and bus passes and whatever else they may need roaming campus.

There are some really nice bookmarks out there that are sturdy and long-lasting, for under $5.

Yep, I would not expect a teacher to give a gift --you gave the gift of yourself and your knowledge over the school year! But if you want to give mementoes: Do you happen to have any photos of the graduating kids? Of class activities, or field trips, or pep rallies or other school events? If you have any with the seniors in them, can you make copies and put them into a nice frame? Or is there some kind of item with your high school's mascot or logo or motto on it, maybe available via the school store if you have one?

Are the students just giving you a standard graduation invitation with a picture or are they inviting you to a party or meal they or their parents are hosting? If they are just giving you a graduation invite, I would just give them a Congratulations notecard with a personal message inside. If I was invited to join them in some type of celebration, I would add a small gift - I like the Dr. Seuss book mentioned below and luggage tags! You could also get a small gift card - for starbucks or target that say - Congratulations on them.

Well, you must be a great teacher to be invited to parties. Good for you!
And I can't imagine the cost. How about a $10 Starbucks, Gas, Book Store
or Grocery card? These can all be helpful towards their new lives. Also,
I would write a nice message to them in a card from the Dollar Store. Your
message will really be the gift. There's nothing like a hand written message written specifically to them. Hope this helps and that you receive lots of
great ideas. Good luck…...

Starbucks, Panera, iTunes, Chipotle, Noodles, etc gift cards. Those kids will surely need some take-out when they're in college.

Or maybe a gift card to their campus bookstore (though that might take a lot of effort to get).

A planner from the $1 store. Add a nice note.

You could do a key ring w/the year they graduate.

How nice of you.

My daughter just picked up a little door knob charm with an inspirational message for her teacher, just because. It just lets her know she is thinking of her even when she is not in class. As well, she will later remember, this is one of the little trinkets one of her students got her.

She purchased it at Steinmart.

You sound like such a lovely lady....and a terrific teacher! We need more of you in our school system!! Not because you buy gifts for your kids...but that you care so much about them and they have bonded so strong with you.

How about a 2014/1015 calendar with a note saying "It is going to be a great YEAR!! Keep up the great work and you will have success in the YEARS to come!" Attach a very thoughtful note with individualized encouragement and what strengths you see in each student.

Or a daily planner. Life sure gets hectic when these kids start their young adult life. A planner could come in really handy! Attach the same type of note that I mentioned before.

Your students will read the note over and over as the stress and discouragement heaps upon their shoulders over the next four years :)

itunes, Starbucks, Jamba Juice cards are always a godsend to a starving student!

You could get them something fun like this:
http://www.orientaltrading.com/plush-class-of-graduation-...

Gift cards are always great, you really can't go wrong, but OT has a bunch of grad things that are cute and inexpensive- like you could do a $5 gift card and a little bottle of mortar board bubbles!

I do agree that you will not be expected to give anything other than your presence, but it is so thoughtful of you to want to find something for each of them.

If you know where they are going to college, a bumper sticker or keychain from that college would be a nice option.

Our daughter is graduating from her Montessori school this year, after our family being there for 14 years. We are doing something for each of their teachers they have had over the years, but one thing I'm giving them is a refrigerator magnet with a quote from Maria Montessori. You can buy and create these magnets on Vistaprint.com, a pack of 25 is really inexpensive. They also have T-shirts for sale this time of year, I ordered 15 for like $5 each with a great picture and saying on it for the teachers. All told, I spent about $6 per teacher, and they each get a personalized thank you from our whole family.

Everyone loves a t-shirt. Everyone uses magnets.

Gift cards.
Seriously.
What kid doesn't love a gift card??
Target (music, itunes cards, video games, food... a gift card of any amount can go towards these things... it's still less than they'd pay for them otherwise... and they do buy these things).
FOOD (fast food)
Starbucks (food and coffee and free wi fi)

My kids get excited about Sonic gift cards even (and my son is 15). If they are going off to college, any kind of gift card will come in handy. Really. ANY kind.

--

And by the way... I don't think you need to give them anything. As others have pointed out, you have given of yourself as you taught them. There is no need for any additional gift. I only mention the gift cards, because you sound as if you don't care and plan to gift them with something additional regardless... I would have never expected any of my teachers to give me a gift when I graduated. Nor do I expect any of my children's teachers to do so.
If you are that heavily invested, and you just WANT to, then... gift cards! :)

I can't imagine anyone would expect you to bring a gift, I think a nice card would be totally sufficient.
If you DO want to do something I think most kids appreciate a $5-10 gift card to a food or coffee place (especially if they are going to college and stuck eating dorm food 24/7!)

I have a high school junior and I wouldn't expect a teacher to bring a gift to his party. Maybe if there was a special or long term relationship, such as coaching them for several years in a sport or activity. Even then I'm not sure I've heard of teachers giving the students gifts. I think a nice note setting forth what you appreciated about that student or what you will miss about them would be nice. If you feel compelled to give a gift I agree that a small gift card would be appreciated.

What about a nice pen for each? I worked at a small family owned rester aunt when I graduated and the family wu rises me with a nice pen-I still have it-let's just say 15 years later. Lol. You could probably get a bulk deal on Amazon. I smile every time I open the drawer and see that pen.
Or a book. Keep it educational. Something to encourage them in the future.
My daughter invited her teacher to a soccer game and the teacher came! She will probably never forget that-the teachers prescence was the present.

What is a graduation invitation? Don't all of the teachers attend graduation? Why would there be a gift involved?