| In 2010, traditional graduation gifts have become all | | | | finding the right job, and interviewing could become a |
| but obsolete. Out are luggage sets, diamond | | | | great asset, giving your graduate the edge that |
| necklaces, and diploma frames. Graduates from the | | | | employers are seeking. Your grad might also need |
| Class of 2010 are far more practical, and would | | | | practical items like a light weight laptop, updated |
| prefer to receive gifts that will help them with their | | | | software, or a stationery/organizer kit to use in their |
| futures and give them a head start in life. The hot | | | | careers. A new trend is paying for graduates to |
| gifts, believe it or not, are household items, | | | | attend seminars or life-coaching sessions so they can |
| professional clothing, and electronics to help them | | | | discover their goals and strive towards achieving |
| survive in the job market. | | | | them. Giving grads extra tools like these to succeed |
| Success in today's economy has a lot to do with | | | | is far more valuable, and higher on their wish lists, |
| budgeting and planning. Teach your grad some of the | | | | because it will help enable them to provide better for |
| basics with books or software that aid in creating a | | | | themselves and their futures. |
| budget and help graduates make smart spending | | | | Lastly, a great interview and resume are important, |
| decisions on their own. Healthy low-cost cookbooks | | | | but just as important is a great first impression. Your |
| are a great start, encouraging young grads to save | | | | grad will need attire for the business world that is |
| money by eating healthy at home for less, instead of | | | | entirely different from their relaxed needs while |
| spending too much money on going out to eat. Other | | | | studying in school. The beginnings of a business |
| practical kitchen gifts like a pot, pan, and utensil | | | | wardrobe, including clothing and accessories, will work |
| starter kit, a knife set, everyday dishes, and basic | | | | wonders. Even a gift certificate to a business clothing |
| appliances (i.e. coffee maker, toaster, mixer, blender) | | | | retailer would be a perfect choice. Work attire can be |
| will help your grads save the money they will be | | | | expensive, so help your graduate save by providing |
| working hard to earn for better uses. For the high | | | | them with this much needed commodity. |
| school grad headed off to college, a set of towels | | | | While your grad may have fun with iPods, expensive |
| for the dorms and a set of bedding linens are great | | | | pens, and personalized linens, the average graduate |
| choices. | | | | from the Class of 2010 has a practical mind on their |
| The tools your soon-to-be graduate can use will | | | | shoulders. They are desperate for tools to succeed in |
| extend beyond basic needs to include skills for | | | | their future, and a graduation gift is the perfect |
| attaining their future. They have just learned enough | | | | means of providing them with much needed aid. So, |
| to succeed in their trade, but with a competitive job | | | | think about what your grad could use first, because |
| market they may need help with getting the job. | | | | in today's world it is likely that their needs and wants |
| Books and software with help on writing resumes, | | | | will closely overlap. |