A check. In a nice card. Seriously.

They both will have lots of expenses getting ready to go to college, money will be needed. I know its not warm and fuzzy, but kids starting college need money.

ML

Ditto what Maddielee said - money.

You might add a small framed photo of you and grandpa with your grandson. And he may well put it away for years, but at some point he will bring it out and remember you fondly.

Ditto again! I think an engraved silver frame with initials and graduation date would be nice and you could put the check inside the frame! Small ones aren't too expensive. I also like the idea of a picture of you and DH with your grandson. A treasure for sure!

I have a son graduating from high school this year too. I know the things he will need for college are going to be paid for (partly) by the $$ or gift cards he receives as gifts from family. So I would have to agree with the other votes -- money, or a gift card to someplace like Best Buy or Target. Or since you're close to him, you could give him a card saying something like "We'll take you on a shopping spree to get your dorm room supplies -- we'll buy your sheets, quilt, and towels! Then we'll go out for lunch." Or whatever. That makes it more personal and fun. Depends on what kind of kid he is -- whether he'd find that fun or not.

Another idea is to see if it's possible to get a gift card to the bookstore at the college he'll be attending. Or a few smaller gift cards to student-friendly restaurants or take-out/fast food places near his college.

I agree with Sueb20. I've seen too many kids (my nephew) blow good money given in the spirit of good faith it will be used wisely. My nephew spent $12,000 his grand parents gave him when he turned 18. It was meant to go toward college but he went to New York instead.

Too bad they didn't start a savings for any of the rest of the grand kids. Every single other grandchild would have spent and money gift on college but this kid had no guidance or supervision and ended up with very little to show for that hard earned money, other than "art supplies" (felt tip pens).

My niece is a senior, graduating in about 6 weeks, and we've gone the luggage route. She's heading off to college and has never had her own luggage, so we've gone the route of one large pullman and a huge duffel style bag...both on wheels.

Gift cards are, IMO, much better than cash.

My son is graduating too this year. We'll probably give him money. We got our older son a St. Michael medal (his name is Michael) and nice gold chain + some money. Middle son said he didn't want the medal, so will just give him a bit more $$.

Personally, I dislike gift cards - unless they're for a specific purpose to a store that they already know they want to shop at. My kids have gotten countless gift cards over the years from relatives to stores they don't really shop at. So, they "save" them thinking they'll find something they need at some point.

I'm not talking about handing the kid a small fortune, but at some point they need to learn to control themselves with more than $100 bucks in the bank. My son recently started working steadily and we opened him a bank account with an ATM card. He'll use this account in college, and I'm assuming will deposit all his gift money into it. Maybe we'll talk about creating a savings account too, so he knows he's got the money over there, but isn't tempted every time he goes to the ATM!

Another who agrees with money. We have a cousin graduating and the daughter of close friends. Both will receive money from us. It's not like we're sending a huge amount and honestly, I don't expect them to use it for college (unless they want to), but would rather they spend it on something they want or will enjoy. Both are girls and we're not around either of them that often, so rather than try to choose something for them, we'd rather give them money and let them use it as they wish.

I'm not crazy about the gift cards either, unless you know it's one they will use. Or a visa gift card, etc.

tina

Gift cards or money. I think SueB's ideas are fantastic. When our DS graduated from high school, his monetary gifts went towards his many college needs. His gift cards were used to buy things for his dorm room and all were very much appreciated! His gifted large dictionary and "cute" graduation books were left home to gather dust in his room, as he used an online dictionary and had no room for cute things in his minuscule dorm room. His expensive pen set stayed safely at home . . . and is actually still in it's box in his desk here. But, those gifts of money and gift cards bought a dorm fridge, microwave, great desk lamp, bedding, some textbooks, etc. The fridge, desk lamp and microwave (etc.) were MUCH appreciated and used. They lasted him all the way through his four years of college and 2 years of grad school, BTW.
Lynn

Agree with money or a gift card you know they'll use.

I really like the photo idea too.

If you want to send a little something with the money, I think Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture, Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" is a wonderful gift for kids this age.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Last Lecture

Having been through this a couple of years ago with my son and his friends, I found the 3 biggest items wanted by the kids after money/gift cards was a laptop,camera and TV. I know that at my DS's school, the microwave/fridge are permanent fixtures in each of the dorm rooms (my how times have changed) but TV's and other items are still luxuries.

My son received a lot of money and gift cards and me and my hubby made it plain that the bulk of the money needed to be used for school supplies and needs. We suggested that he take a fixed portion of the money as "mad money" to do whatever he liked with it but the rest went into his account to be used as needed.

Gift cards are problematic. Sometimes they get lost. Some cards expire or have a "service fee" that allows the balance to decline over time. I think a check is the safest way to go, and that is speaking as a Mom who has had too many issues with gift cards in the past. I say, get the money in the bank!

Thanks, all of you, for your suggestions! DH already decided on a new Mac laptop for grandson - and hadn't discussed this with me! We're Mac people, and grandson was raised on our computers, so I know he'll get good use from this.

Money will be our gift for new step-granddaughter - that way she can use it as needed for her new dorm room.

Your suggestions helped a lot!

Perfect gift! I love Macs. We bought a Mac Pro laptop for Max when he graduated.