what do i get a 18 year old girl for her high school graduation?

Question

she is a year younger than me..ive known her all my life...but weve never been close...now im invited to her party tomorrow and i have to get her something (tradition) but i dont know what!!!!!!!
she's really a fashionista...so im not gonna spend a lot of money to buy her clothes or jewelry since our tastes differ....
HELPPP!!!

Answer 1

The customary notion would be to get her something she likes with a certain immediacy, like a gift certificate. That is quaint. To give a gift certificate or money, however, it won't be remembered years from now.

On the other hand, I believe that the best gift on the occasion of one's grauation is something lasting and memorable, and when she looks at it years from now, she will allways be reminded of the landmark occasion and of who gave it to her. I also believe in giving very unique gifts.

In your city, do you have those companies that can take a 3D image of a person, and then carve it into a glass cube? Here in Las Vegas, they are all over the place, particularly at shopping malls and casino resorts. When one of my oldest friends visited here two years ago, she and I went and had a portrait of the two of us done. We received a discount for having two made, so now we each have one to remind us of our 36-year friendship. Our cubes cost about $120 for two. O don't know your area, so I can't say for sure if it is available. My thought was to borrow someone's cap and gown (unless she has hers already), and to roll up a tube and tie a ribbon around it. Take her, along with these props, to have a beautiful portrait of herself done in a glass cube to commemorate her graduation. Have a second one made to give to her parents. This would be a wonderful, desirable, and unique gift!

Also, there are companies who will work from a photograph, without the subject needing to be present! Have a headshot photo taken of her like a graduate, and send that in to be etched onto glass. I was able to locate a mail order company in Pennsylvania that does this work. With them, you can even add a special date or signature. The cost is $99 for the first piece, and $19 for each duplicate:

http://www.photo-etched.com/


I also located a company that will do the laser portrait etching into a cube from your photograph!!! (Wish we had that when my friend's sister was here. I may do that with a photo of my mother, sister, and myself!) The company is in Orlando, FL, and they also sell the lighted bases seperately:

http://www.laserthis.com/3dHead.htm
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I know that you'd like to have the gift immediately, but if you'd like to give her one of these just do this. Order the gift, and at the party, present her with a hand-made certificate (or one that you create off the computer) for a very unique and personalized gift from you, which is on order! (If this doesn't help you now, perhaps you'll take advantage of it in the future, or someone else looking for a unique gift will enjoy it.)

Best wishes!

Answer 2

I am 17 but ill be 18 in 3 months and alot of my friends just graduated and so i was in your same position...i would go some where like a hallmark or just a gift store like that or walmart and just look at the graduation stuff and they have everything from teddybears and tshirts to books and journals to jewelry..etc...i hope this helps...also gift cards to places are always a good choice if she has a favorite store or something...good luck

Answer 3

nahdon't give her money. It shows you didn't think about who she is and what she might possibly like or want. (not that those are important reasons to give gifts...but....) Money is an impersonal gift and actually looked down upon by many.

What does she like to do? Where does she like to go? If you have any clue get her a gift card or certificate for that place. If you can't think of a thing she's interested in, then go with bath and body works certificates or cards. Every fashioista loves special soaps and lotions.

Answer 4

Honestly, people like these like something that represents their personality. You say that you are not very close, but there must be something that you know she likes. My sister is a bit like that and her favorite things are things that have the canadian maple. She loves the canadian maple. Maybe there is something also that it interests her. If there is nothing that you could thing of such things, buy her an album. She will remember it and keep it for a long time if she wants to keep her photos. One more thing. Don't freak out thinking that what you are going to buy she is going to like it. As long as you buy her something, I'm pretty sure she will be happy just for the sake of the deed.

Answer 5

as a high school graduate, i can tell you: money. if you want to be more personal, get her a gift card to a place she likes (target is probably a great choice, i know it was for me). some people think money is impersonal, but it really just comes in handy.
i'd say $20-$25 would be the best amount... it seems to be the standard amount for non-relatives...

Answer 6

if you want a gift idea- maybe a charm bracelet with a grad charm to start and others can be added for gifts later.
or.....money, it doesn't matter the amount is I'm sure she doesn't expect people her age to spend a fortune.
its very nice of you to want to get her a gift even though you aren't close

Answer 7

VISA gift card. It is used like a credit card but you can use it anywhere. Get it at your local bank. You can get one for as low as $10. That way everyone thinks you are generous but no one knows the amount but you and her.

Answer 8

Get her some vouchers for the amount of money you wish to spend and let her buy her own gift as she pleases.

Answer 9

A gift certificate for a soothing visit to a day spa

Answer 10

Find something to help define her new-found freedom and her journey into the real world - a nice pen, or a key chain for her new car/apartment keys.