I am in a similar situation, my sister is graduating high school this year, i ordered the following, here is a review on CNET of a model similar to what I bought
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/asus...-32466960.html
She isnt a gamer, just a normal female user I would suspect. Total cost was about 600US plus shipping. I looked a little in Canada, couldnt find it. It will run what she needs, and be light enough she can carry it and not look like some engineering n00b.
Runs Windows XP, I will configure it for her and lock it down and then give it to her when she has her ceremony in May.