Graduation gifts for kids who are not your own

I like to enclose a check in a nice card and call it good. I write the check for $20 plus the number of cents equal to the year. So this year the check would be for $20.15. The graduates always get a kick out of it, it's memorable and doesn't break the bank.

A really wonderful, sentimental card and cash. Yep, that's what I would go with. Are you a card maker? Maybe you could find one great design and make each one a little different with the paper/embellishments.
I'm sure whatever you decide will be much appreciated by these young girls. It's so nice of you!

I usually get girls Coach wristlets, or this little zippered id pouches that can act like a wallet. They also allow the id to show through a clear window.

Vera Bradley has some nice ones too of that is "in" in your area.

I also like the idea I read about on Peas...first aid kit that includes all the day to day necessities and things for the cold and flu season.

I'm normally totally opposed to this gift, but what about a nice picture frame (nothing too large) with a photo of the girls? They can keep it in their dormroom as a nice reminder of their friends, it's small and easy to pack, and someday when they don't want it displayed it can be packed away.

I love the wristlet idea!
Do university kids there use lanyards for their IDs? Most first years here, do, especially since their ID is also their food card and security key. A fun lanyard or a school-specific one might be nice.

When my sister graduated I gave her a "first year survival" pack. I don't remember what was in it, but I labelled everything with a note -- one of the items was a huge cereal bowl (the kind that is taller than wide) with a note that said she'd need it by the end of the year because by then she'd be broke and all she could eat is cereal. She used it for at least 10 years.

I would not do the small make up bags. How long would something like those even last? nor would I do a wristlet. Both my dd's had to have lanyards where they went, that had the college Ids, and swipe cards on them.

What I DID do for my dd's best friends, is that I did a small emergency kit. I made them out of small Rubbermaid containers. I personalized the front with Jenna's Emergency kit,printed on some patterned paper, and then laminated it on the container In the container I had-band aids, triple antibiotic lotion, Tylenol, ibro, ace wrap, cold med's, tums, pepto, safety pins, stick pins, paper clips, rubber bands, alligator clips, push pins, duct tape, packing tape, gift wrap tape, a sewing kit with thread, needle, and scissors, anti static spray, and super glue.

Based on what you said, I would go with something sentimental for them. We have a similar relationship with several of our kids friends, but we gave DS's friends cash anyway. We also wrote them cards that reminisced about their antics with DS over the years which the boys appreciated.

For your girls, what about an Alex and Ani bracelet? They are still very popular around here and they have lots of different charms including many colleges. They start at $28 I think.

I'm doing monogrammed towels: a bath sheet, a standard bath towel, two washcloths and two hand towels. We're giving them to a set of twins and I asked for their favorite colors to know which color towels to purchase. We were just invited to a cousin's graduation, and I purchased towels in his university's school colors.

Love the idea of the cash showing 2015!

If I feel the need to do more than a card with cash I will get a Tervis tumbler that is their college logo and put cash in the cup.