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May 7, 2016

How to Pick the Best Graduation Gifts Ever

If you can already hear “Pomp and Circumstance” playing somewhere off in the distance, you know that graduation season is here. Graduation is a major life milestone and a well thought-out present is a great way to help the graduate celebrate this important occasion. Worried about finding the perfect graduation gift for someone you care about before they get to throw their cap in the air? We’ve assembled this handy list of some awesome graduation gift ideas for anyone walking across that stage to get their diploma. With that graduation ceremony right around the corner, start shopping online today and don’t forget to activate Cash Back at Ebates to save even more on great graduation gifts.

Pick Out Something Personalized

If a graduate has invited you to help celebrate their big day, you are probably someone special they want to include in making this important memory. So why not pick out a graduation gift that helps capture the moment? Personalized items like monogrammed journals, photo books and other keepsakes are some of the best graduation gifts because they help your graduate keep celebrating this important accomplishment long after graduation day is over. Looking for gorgeous graduation gifts for her? Check out the personalized jewelry from Things Remembered. Want to build a custom photo book filled with memories? Check out awesome personalized photo projects and keep an eye out for a photo book promo code online at Shutterfly. It’s easy to fill up a photo book with pictures of the graduate from all the moments that lead up to their big day. Surprise your grad with a customized gift that will let them know how much this day means to you, too!

Get a Gift for Their Next Adventure

If your lucky graduate is heading off to college or life in a new city after graduation day, get them a gift that will improve the next phase of their life. A new bicycle is a great gift for a grad heading off to college or a new city and can help them get out and get around. Check out city-friendly bikes like the one above at PUBLIC and get Cash Back at Ebates with your graduation gift purchase. Sign up for emails from Public now and stay tuned for an awesome money-saving bicycle promo code.

Looking for something smaller? Give your graduate’s cell phone photography habit a boost and get them a new camera to help capture all their favorite moments, whatever the future may bring. Stores like Best Buy have a terrific assortment of cameras, no matter the lifestyle of your graduate. Cameras like a high-powered DSLR or even an awesome HD Action camera like a GoPro will help your grad hang on to new memories for years to come.

Help the Graduate Dress for Success With a New Outfit

Moving up from one school to the next level of education or off into the work force can leave a lot of graduates in desperate need of a wardrobe update. Whether they’re headed out for interviews or starting their first summer internship, any graduate will welcome some new threads. Help your graduate dress to impress with a new suit for interviews or other work appropriate clothes. Find a great deal on stylish, classic suiting for both men and women online at stores like J.Crew or J.Crew Factory. With tons of sizes and cuts plus the occasional suiting promo code, you can easily pick out a graduation gift outfit that’s guaranteed to be a big hit. Activate Cash Back at Ebates to help your graduation gift budget go even further and pair the suit with a chic tie or other accessories.

Sponsor a Getaway

After several years of hard work, far off trips make incredible college graduation gifts or even high school graduation gifts that the recipient will never forget. Many grads will have some time off, making a post-graduation trip a perfect way to get out and see the world before the next chapter of life begins. While this may seem like a big present, you can always work together with members of the grad’s family or group of friends to chip in and send your grad off on the trip of a lifetime. Check out the deals and vacation packages for destinations around the world at travel sites like Orbitz or Expedia and get Cash Back from Ebates when you book their graduation gift travel package. Pick out a great suitcase to go with the trip package like this one from Overstock.com and send them off in style!

Now that you have some fantastic graduation gift ideas, go pick out your gift and get ready to celebrate your graduate’s incredible achievement!

April 30, 2016

Money-Saving Graduation Party Planning Tips

Graduation is all about celebrating your grad’s accomplishments. All of their late nights and hard work finally paying off so they can go on to get the dream job on this path we call life. It is not, however, about going into debt over napkins, balloons and beverages. Fortunately, Ebates is here to wow you with graduation party ideas that will save you money, time and headaches.

The DIY Approach

No one will ever claim that the DIY angle will save you time or headaches but the personalized touches and beautiful effects are well worth it for a one-of-a-kind graduation party. You could go wild with all of the creative ideas available on Pinterest but it’s best to keep it within your wheelhouse.

Simple projects include tissue paper pompoms and folded fan rosettes that offer a big impact without breaking the bank. Elicit the help of friends and family to decorate in the colors of your grad’s alma mater. Create a flashback that’ll bring tears of joy with printed photos displayed by string and mini binder clips. Of course, if you’re not so handy yourself, Etsy has plenty of DIY artists to lend you a hand so you can get the look without the time commitment.

Digital Maven

We live in the era of technology so there’s no reason you can’t use it to your advantage. Switch that analog photo display to a computer created slideshow. You (or your tech-savvy friend) can create a slideshow to play on digital picture frames or a television. You can even get your graduation announcements and graduation invitations with a digital yet personalized effect through Minted’s beautiful online invitations. Cut the DJ cost and create a custom playlist with all of your favorite songs and blast your creation from a powerful Bluetooth speaker. Encourage your loved ones to use a custom hashtag on Instagram so you can collect all of the images in one convenient spot. You’ll be able to keep the party planning organized and have a digital record of your special celebration for years to come.

2-For-1 Special

If there are multiple grads in the family, why not stack the celebration? If you split costs with other hosts, you can save on everything from the décor to the photo booth supplies at Michaels and enjoy the benefits of a big party without all of the expense, especially when you use a promo code for additional savings. You can even share graduation cakes and top it with a personalized image of the honorees together. Often times, guests are only spending a few hours at an individual’s party before moving on to the next graduate on the list, so the partnership will keep people enjoying your party for longer.

Plan Ahead

You don’t have to wait until the weeks before graduation to start planning. In fact, you can stock up on things months or even years in advance. Purchase party supplies after graduation season and find sales of 50% off to even 90% off in some cases. Even some food items can be purchased and stored in the pantry or freezer for later.

B-Y-O-Whatever

There’s no shame in asking for a little helping hand. Ask everyone to chip in on the festivities by bringing something to the shindig. Borrow their tables and chairs, ask them to bring their own beverages or even make it a potluck occasion.

Keep It Simple

You don’t have to rent a banquet hall and hire entertainment to have a good time. You’ll have a memorable experience with the ones you love wherever you are. Host the soiree at your house and get your family or friends together to create simple decorations. You don’t have to host a four-course meal either. Friends and family will be hopping around and mingling with each other so keep the food to a manageable antipasti that offers a variety of grab-and-go options. The snacks will save your budget and prevent someone from manning the grill the entire time.

Attending a Party?

If you’re attending and not hosting, we still have tips for you. Things Remembered offers a great collection of personalized items perfect for graduation gifts. Personal tokens are a great symbol to celebrate their accomplishments. Or you can keep it practical with gifts for their new home – which is thankfully no longer a dorm room. They’ll need furniture and fixtures to fill their new space. Or, if you want guaranteed success, graduation cards with a financial contribution can be used towards whatever they need.

Graduation season is a time to celebrate so just remember to have fun. Kick off the next step in their life with a degree in their hand and earn Cash Back at Ebates to save you money on all of life’s moments.

April 9, 2016

The Complete Guide to Post-Grad Travel Planning

Ask most working-age people if there’s one thing they wish they would have done before entering the workforce and the resounding answer will be travel. That innate wanderlust is deeply rooted in the mind of many, and locking into a job right after college can put your travel dreams on indefinite hold.

But with some careful planning and amazing deals through Ebates, your journey doesn’t have to be just a dream. You can go scuba diving in Costa Rica or learn to cook in Italy. You can take up painting in France or meditate in Nepal. More and more companies are looking at travel experience when considering employees, so it may be just the right touch to add to your resume. After all, your journey will teach you independence, money-management skills, language skills, leadership and cultural understanding that will help you stand out from the crowd.

With a little planning and creativity, you can see the world in ways you never imagined. Allow this guide to post-grad travel to help you along the way with money-saving tips and graduation travel ideas.

Step 1: Preparing the Post-Grad Travel Plan

Any college student gorging themselves on dorm-room staples like ramen noodles and pizza can tell you that funds are pretty tight. The retail or food-industry job that you work part time may not pay as much as you would like, but with careful planning you can make your travel dreams a reality.

Be mindful of how you spend your money, and stick to your savings plan. Arrange for a specific amount to be set aside for your spendable budget. Many services can pull specific amounts directly out of your bank account or you can stow away the funds the old fashioned way. You can even get a rewards credit card to cash in on all of those necessary purchases. Just be sure you stick to the plan, even if that means a lot more Friday nights spent in your room over a hot plate of ramen. That sorority social and manicure are well worth skipping to save for your post-grad travel plans.

How much you need to save is based entirely on your travel goals. A domestic road trip is a great low-cost option that will allow you to get to know your homeland better. International travel, although more costly, allows you to discover other cultures for a more worldly appreciation. Some international destinations, such as Ecuador, Thailand, India and Bolivia, are great for seeing the world without spending a fortune.

Wherever you end up, your travel doesn’t have to be a money-draining experience. A fellowship can fund your travel, and many are awarded based on specific interests or majors. You can also take on a position teaching English as a Second Language in many countries. More and more students are able to afford overseas adventures by taking on freelance work through sites like Upwork and Craigslist. Computer programming, writing and graphic design can often be performed from anywhere, allowing you to bring in extra money while still touring the world. There are plenty of work abroad opportunities available for the right person.

Step 2: Making the Arrangements

Now that you’ve sorted through your college graduation trip ideas, chosen your destination and rounded up all your funds, it’s time to start making the arrangements for your big journey. Getting there is half the battle, and Travelocity Air can help you find great deals on plane tickets. There is no magical day to buy plane tickets, but research indicates that 54 days before your trip may be the key number. Keep your dates open to find the cheapest flights. Some companies even offer student travel deals to accommodate post-grad travel plans. These student travel programs allow you to make the most of your vacation planning. They may even provide you with new graduation travel ideas with more nearby destinations along the way.

Remember to do plenty of research to get the best deal on your graduation trip ideas. Sites like Groupon Getaways can not only get you great deals on plane tickets and hotel accommodations, but also often feature a promo code to help you save even more. Plus, with Cash Back at Ebates, you’ll find the best deals and earn money back on each qualifying purchase. You’ll even be able to save on international travel with airline tickets from British Airways, Emirates and Air France.

Step 3: Stick to the Plan, but Allow for Extras

Your carefully crafted travel arrangements and frugal college spending have afforded you the trip of a lifetime, so make the most of it. The sharing economy has reached a high point, allowing you to get much more than ride shares for cheap or free. Accommodations, meals, tours and more can be done at a discount. Even accounting for these opportunities, it’s probably a good idea to set aside a bit of extra money for plans that fall through.

No matter how much you’re saving, don’t forget to plan for the unexpected in your expenditures. You might discover a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while you’re traveling in the Netherlands or find that that exotic cuisine in Japan didn’t sit well and warrants medical attention the next morning.

Although you may enjoy a color-coded itinerary of events, a bit of spontaneity can add to the adventure and help you form valuable life skills. Pick up travel guides from Lonely Planet, but also dine at local favorites or randomly zipline over the forest canopy.

Step 4: Enjoy Yourself!

Most importantly, enjoy yourself out there. Capture every fleeting moment to immortalize the journey of a lifetime. Whether you choose a destination based on your studies or decide to volunteer with WWOOF and learn about organic farming, we hope you have an unforgettable experience and relish the adventure!

June 5, 2013

Great Gifts for Grads from Poppin

One of the trickiest gifting seasons is upon us: graduations galore! These aren’t the simplest occasions to gift, but one of my favorite shops, Poppin, has lots of great options for that new grad in your life. Poppin offers a variety of organizational gifts that will help them get a leg up during their transition from student to the workforce.

Grab a great monogrammed notebook – who wouldn’t love this sleek, stylish notebook. It would look amazing on a job interview or at the first week at a brand new job. A desk organizer set will help their space neat. Help them keep all their cords in check with a pretty little power cord wrangler for their work desk or home office. Not sure which awesome Poppin products your grad needs? Pick up a great gift card so they can choose. Last, but not least, I am absolutely IN LOVE with this graphic tote bag. It’s perfect for day to day use, as a gym bag, or at the farmers market!

Not only is there a great selection of grad gifts, but right now Poppin is offering free shipping sitewide with code EBFREE (through the 15th only!) and 14.0% Cash Back 🙂

June 4, 2013

Getting Ready for the OTHER Big Gift Season with FTD

At last June has arrived, and with it, the start of summer. It’s a big season for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and housewarmings – all great reasons for showing the special people in your life how much you care. And among these special occasions, two stand out as particularly fun gifting opportunities: graduations and Father’s Day.

The Class of 2013
Make Their Graduation a Day to Remember

What a day! They’re saying “good-bye” to one part of their life, and saying “hello!” to the next all accompanied by the requisite pomp and pageantry and gushing parental pride. Traditionally, it’s a jumble of mixed feelings−elation in a successful job done, sadness for the end of a happy time, excitement at what’s to come next.

How do you appropriately mark a day this important and celebrate the graduate at the center of it all? Flowers are always welcome and a brilliant pick that honors the departing student and their alma mater is a bouquet from the FTD College Roses Collection. These beautiful, bi-colored roses come in the official colors of over 50 schools. Another colorful choice is the Way to Go Graduate Rainbow Rose Bouquet created especially to make an indelible impression and happy memories.

And if you want to present them with a great way to savor and preserve those memories, consider the Personalized Dream & Believe Graduation Wood Frame for displaying a photo of the day’s special moments.

One of the nicest ways to wish a graduate success is with the Peace & Prosperity Braided Money Tree that blooms with your hopes for happiness or treat them to a sampling of appetite appeal with the Mrs. Fields® Graduation H at full of the world’s most acclaimed cookies. Or take the celebration to its ultimate expression with a luxury treat of our Celebrate with Dom Perignon & God iva® gift combo−which is also perfect for honoring over-21 graduates, along with their persevering parents.

Father’s Day 2013
Honoring the Big Guy. Big Time!

Right now, in the weeks leading up to Father’s Day, folks everywhere are wondering what to get dad? Searching for inspiration they ask, “what does he need?” or, “what does he want?” or, “what gift will convey how much we love him?” or, “what can we afford?” No wonder Father’s Day neckties and golf balls became favorite gifting clichés!

This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 16th. Anticipating our customers search for Father’s Day gifts that combine originality, creativity and the making of happy memories, FTD offers a great select ion with plenty to please practically every pop, big time.

Since FTD has been the top name in flowers for over 100 years, let’s start by debunking the obvious fallacy … real men DO like real flowers. You think that just because they’re guys they don’t go for big, beautiful, colorful, attention-getting demonstrations of love? Even if they’ll never admit, MEN LIKE GETTING FLOWERS. And if it’s a bouquet from our College Roses Collection and they come in the colors of the college team he loves best, then these flowers are a made to order choice for the big guy.

Other inspired ways to celebrate dear old dad are the Nuts for Him gift basket chock full of treats that will make his day, or you can pay tribute to his culinary skills with the Happy Father’s Day Barbeque Gourmet Gift Basket overflowing with everything he needs to take his grilling to a whole new level.

Is he a golfer? Then dress up his desk with Dad’s Big Day Father’s Day Gift, a flourishing plant in an oversized golf ball planter, or give him an assist for his own dressing up with Personalized Elite Collection Silver Engraved Cufflinks customized with his initials so he’s knows they’re for him alone.

One final bit of advice – don‘t wait until the last minute to order. Ordering in advance (for arrival on the date you choose) will help assure that the items you order will be available and ready for delighting grad or dad on their special day.