Aunt Esther may spend hours searching for that perfect gift, when – let’s face it – all a college graduate really wants is a little money, some cash for the road before starting life all by one’s self. But if that doesn’t strike your fancy, here are some gifts that should make graduates a bit more enlightened, or perhaps just remind them of their childhood. Before you go down the jewelry/watch/check route or perhaps the lamest of them all, the “”high-quality ink pen,”” check out these unique gifts.

Electronics. No one wants to carry an old laptop he’s been using for the past several years of college into a new job. A graduate will always appreciate a quicker, newer computer. And, although it may not be too original, a new iPod or iPod nano always works well as a gift. If your grad is still using an old iPod mini circa 2004, the newest iPods can hold up to 15,000 songs and 150 hours of video (although these iPods sell for about $400).

Books. Nothing says congratulations more than tidbits of wisdom from Mister Rogers. “”The World According to Mister Rogers: Important things to Remember,”” by Fred Rogers himself, offers quotations of inspiration by the late children’s show star. Or for the more adventurous, try Patricia Schultz’s “”1,000 Places to See Before You Die.”” The book, “”Twentysomething: Surviving and Thriving in the Real World”” by Margaret Feinberg gives advice for the life after college.

A trip. Who wants to plan her own trip, let alone pay for it? A college graduate will especially appreciate a nice trip to do a little exploring before heading into the real world. And she’ll have to use the gift. The trip destinations are endless – a scuba-diving trip, a backpacking trip or a trip to the Mediterranean or Europe would all work.

Entertainment. The Namco Classic Arcade Video Game System, which allows you to play Pac-Man, Bosconian and other childhood video games is only $25 at Spilsbury (www.spilsbury.com). The portable joystick plugs into any TV input jack.