DEAR HARRIETTE: I want to get graduation gifts for a few of my friends. I am not sure what to get them or how much to spend. I don’t want to spend a lot of money, but I do want it to be meaningful. Do you have any suggestions on where to start? -- Grad Gifts, Brooklyn, New York
DEAR GRAD GIFTS: Create a budget based on what you can afford for graduation gifts. Make a list of the people you want to give something. Divide that number of people by the amount in your budget. This will tell you how much money you have to spend on each gift. Do not feel pressured to spend more than you have. Instead, get creative.
Think about your friends and their interests. What would make them happy at this turning point in their lives, and what would help them remember you? A framed photo of you, the graduate and any other key friends could be a thoughtful gift. Similarly, a small photo album of memories of you and your friends over the years could be a prized gift.
More traditional gifts that grads might like include a pen monogrammed with the person’s initials, a monogrammed iPad case or a personalized tote bag.
My preference, however, is for the captured memories gifts.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)