Easy, Cheap, Local Grad Gifts They will Love!

It’s that time of year again:  graduation season!  Here’s your go-to guide to purchase easily, locally, and maybe even cheaply depending on what you pick! 

I don’t know about you but graduation time always sneaks up on me.  That’s why it’s so great that so many of our local Pott. Co. resources have the perfect gifts available!  Plus, you’ve got me for just the right suggestions.

First off, be sure to head to your favorite bank.  Whether it be Treynor State Bank in Treynor or Macedonia, US Bank in Carson or Underwood, Great Western or Arbor Banks in Oakland, Rolling Hills Bank & Trust in Carson, Shelby County State Bank, American National Bank in Crescent, or Farmers & Merchants State Bank in Neola and Minden, you can’t go wrong with a savings bond.  Sure, they need the money now, but they’ll need it more when they get out of college to pay off all those loans!  Plus, you get more for your money!  If you are trying to go a little cheaper, get them a crisp $2 bill as a keepsake or make it a $20 and fold it in an origami mortarboard!  And don’t forget to pick up one of those remaining free giveaway 2019 calendars they have left so the graduate can count the days till Christmas break!

I’m also a fan of those little personal touches they will keep with them forever, like a cute luggage tag.  As many graduates head off on their travels, it’s just a cheap little keepsake you can buy for the long list of receptions you have this year.  Blossom’s in Oakland has some super cute ones!

I also happen to love giving cross necklaces or jewelry.  I feel like everyone remembers that they got that for their graduation and it gives them hope on that first big final!  Blossom’s also has those, but so does The Painted Camel in Macedonia.  Of course, they also have little pottery bowls in varying shapes that are perfect for dorm keys!  You can’t go wrong with those either!

Now if you want to talk contraband they’ll love, be sure to swing through the Country Store in Carson and pick them up that Candle Queen candle they aren’t supposed to have but do anyway because, well, who doesn’t want to try to cover the stale mac ‘n cheese and beer-ish dorm room scent?

Speaking of beer, nothing goes better with beer than beef jerky, right?  Stop by Jack Links in Underwood and stock up on the proper snacks for any college kid! 

Is that same college kid needing some new clothes for campus but low on funding?  Help them out by getting some pre-worn name brands at Guilty Pleasures in Shelby.  She’ll even help you put the outfits together!  And then load up on some McDonald’s gift cards while you’re in town because every college kid needs access to cheap food for those late nights!

You know what else I like to give?  Stamps and envelopes.  Yes, they are a little antiquated but they sometimes are necessary for mailing transcripts or paying bills!  Head to your little post office and get the cute scratch and sniff ones.  They’ll appreciate it!

I also think those little reminders of home sure are sweet.  Hit the Walnut Welcome Center for a Walnut koozie or get a picture frame at the Oakland Pharmacy and put an old pic in it for the desk.  Cheap but personal.

You know what else all graduates need?  Command strips and hooks!  They’ll even fit in a big card envelope!  No wrapping required.  Every kid I know is all about command strips for hanging stuff on their new walls whether they be a dorm, an apartment, or a barrack.  JP Lumber in Oakland can set you up!

I’m also a big fan of statement pieces.  Now, I do think you need to know the kid pretty well, but every college kid needs a statement piece – the one that gets people to stake out their room or start the small talk!  There are plenty of beer signs at your disposal at any of the antique shops in Walnut, but don’t be afraid to find that wacky statue or a memorable lamp to put on that desk for hard-core studying! Think Hawaiian hula girl bobbleheads but even more interesting!  Walnut is full of them!

But when it comes down to it, one of my favorite sayings is “when in doubt.”  So if none of these are quite what you were going for, I have one last option.  When in doubt, get a Casey’s gift card.  They can buy pizza, donuts, or fill their tank for that trip back from home.  Can’t go wrong!  Treynor, Oakland, Avoca, and Minden will get you set up!

But seriously, if you’re looking for the exact right gift and it isn’t on this list, don’t worry.  Just message me.  I always have an idea!
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Happy Shopping!  

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