College graduation, high school graduation, Master’s Degree to a PhD or even the simplest certificate achievement need to be celebrated. It doesn’t matter which you have as long as you have achieved your studies for which you have worked so hard, so let’s start easy: Congratulations! Now comes the hard part, what do you give them after you congratulate them?
Let’s think fast, college graduation gifts ideas should be something that they like, will use, will remind them of you and of their accomplishments. Yes, a teddy bear with a graduation cap is cute, but it will probably get forgotten after five years, maybe even less. A card is always nice, but it needs to have something else going with it and surely not something that their aunt already thought of. So let’s be creative and let me help on what you can buy ahead of time for the perfect gift.
No matter their major or career field, every graduate will love the fact that you have decided to give them a gift. Still, they will love you even more knowing that you thought so deeply about them
Why Thoughtful College Graduation Gifts Ideas Matter
The gift will remind the graduate of all their accomplishments during their years as students. From when they were a small child in elementary school to an incredible adult. It is important to remind them of their accomplishments, especially in hard times after graduation when they are looking for jobs and more opportunities. It can be easy to lose hope but just looking at a gift might make the difference.
Not only this, the real-world is also expensive. Giving your graduate something that they can use everyday, will need constantly and will last, will be appreciated from the depths of their heart and bank account.
Nevertheless, make sure to choose something that represents them and your affection towards them. There is nothing better than knowing you are loved and someone is supporting you.
Related Article: Valentine’s Day Gift Baskets: 8 Unique and Romantic Ideas to Wow Your Loved One
25 Collegiate Graduation Gifts
- Professional Laptop Bag: Yes, they might already have it but what if they don’t? It needs to be professional and can be used even after the laptop breaks. It will last and protect their laptop in the meantime.
2. Customized Graduation Keepsakes: Overused? Maybe, but a classic stays a classic for a reason. Try not to get the graduation teddy bear and try their favorite animated character with a graduation cap, a jewelry with their initials and a symbol of their major. Make it unique.
3. Gift Cards with a Purpose: When you go to any store, you can find any gift card imaginable hanging around waiting to be bought. You can buy gift cards even for groceries! This one is easy to find but can be easily misinterpreted as laziness so be mindful of what your graduate thinks of this type of gift. Do they use Uber a lot because they are saving for a car? Get this one. Do they read books a lot? Maybe grab a giftcard at your local bookshop. Make it something special, it’s not just a card.
4. High-Quality Notebook or Planner: If they are organized, this will count and if they aren’t, what better time to start being organized if not after graduation? Picking up good habits is never too late. While some might enjoy writing by hand, others might not, so consider the option of a digital planner other than an elegant and elaborate paper one.
5. Headphones: There are headphones for music and headphones for noise-cancellation, both are great options. Consider advanced headphones for music if they like to listen to it while working out, painting or just enjoy music all the time. If not, consider noise-canceling headphones for those who have trouble sleeping and simply enjoy this type of sound to concentrate.
6. Portable Charger or Power Bank: Oh, I know I love this one and I am sure your graduate will too. Nowadays, this item is very popular and no matter where they are, they will think “I wish I could charge my phone right now.” If they travel a lot, go to concerts, or simply find themselves forgetting things a lot, like a charger, a portable charger might be the solution.
7. Subscription Services: Nowadays almost everything requires a subscription. With an expired student discount, your graduate will surely need some subscriptions covered. Choose carefully, it can range from entertainment like Netflix and Amazon Prime to wellness apps or even VPN services that are very popular. If you aren’t sure, make the subscription for one month so they can test it out and see if they’ll like it.
8. Professional Wardrobe Essentials: Unfortunately, suffocating dresses and suits are a must in some jobs. Even worse, they can be super expensive! So make sure to know their size and buy them comfortable work shoes, jackets and more to be used in their working hours.
9. A Durable Travel Bag: If after graduation they decide to travel the world for a fun vacation or they take on a job that involves a lot of traveling, this is a good present. Do they need a big luggage or a small carry-on? Make sure to find out before you buy it, nonetheless make sure that it is a strong and durable model!
10. Books and Reading: Kindle is popular, but regular books with paper pages are too. What genre does your graduate like? If they already have an accumulated stack of books to read, then you might want to buy them some reading-accessories instead like a cute bookmark, annotating stickers or a reading light.
11. Cooking Essentials for Beginners: Can you believe it? They will live alone from now on and will have to cook for themselves. To help them escape starvation, eating only take-out or straight-up poisoning from their own food: buy them a cook book and some kitchen essentials that they might think they don’t need but truly do.
12. Gym Memberships or Fitness Gear: Finding time for fitness can be hard in this workaholic environment of 9 to 5. If they are a gym person, find out what gym they frequent and help them pay for the membership. If they prefer more private sessions, then buy them yoga mats, exercise instruments and more. You’re feeling innovative? A fitness watch or tracker will very much be appreciated for them to use during morning runs.
13. Online Courses: Learning doesn’t stop at graduation and their new job might be asking for skills they never considered to develop, so help them do so. There are various platforms like the reliable LinkedIn Learning, MasterClass or Coursera that offer thoughtful programs of self-learning. An advice: this might be very helpful if they want to learn a foreign language!
14. Quality Water Bottles or Tumblers: Hydration is important and buying a new plastic cup every morning is tedious so big water bottles might be the way. Of course you have the social media famous Stanley, but there are also YETI and more options to look into for a new water experience.
15. Decor for a New Apartment: First of all, are they a minimalist or a maximalist? Make sure to know what type of style they like so that your gift will be even more meaningful. Wall art is very specific, but you can never go wrong with a small plant like a cactus that doesn’t need too much care.
16. Coffee Maker or Espresso Machine: Coffee-addicted? This is the easiest solution for your graduate. Some options you might consider are Keurig, French press and more. If they don’t like coffee then they probably like tea so a cute tea-set or new flavors might do the trick as well.
17. Car Essentials: It is surprising how many people don’t have an emergency kit in their car. This will be a gift that shows you care for them even during their commute. Another thoughtful gift might be car stickers, seat organizers or phone mounts. If you aren’t sure, you can go with a simple but nice car decoration.
18. Health and Wellness Kits: Vitamins are a must and help a lot when feeling weak. At the same time, if they suffer from emergencies it is good to purchase a first aid kit. You aren’t wishing for anything bad to happen, you just want to prevent it before it is too late.
19. Games: They aren’t kids anymore, but games are never too old. If they have a lot of friends, board and party games will be a great solution to hours of silence and awkwardness. Even if they are not that social of a person, online games will do great too.
20. Streaming Devices or Smart Home Gadgets: FireTV is pretty popular, just like Roku and other streaming devices that make life easier. Amazon Echo might be good too in making their home more modern and updated.
21. Financial Tools or Budget Planners: Regular budgeting books with paper pages are useful, but not that popular anymore. Budget planner binders are all the rage as they can help saving with putting cash inside inserts depending on what you want to save for. At the same time, you might want to consider some apps that serve that same purpose.
- Professional Photoshoot Voucher: This one is incredible for resumes and LinkedIn! A professional photo is what might make the difference in a job application.
- Tech Gadgets: Those gadgets are good for both remote jobs and jobs that stay in office. They might want a bluetooth speaker to help them concentrate with some soothing music or a wireless keyboard that relaxes the fingers. Think of this.
- Charitable Donations in Their Name: Activism is extremely popular in this new generation, and supporting causes they care about with a donation in their name is incredibly wonderful. Be careful with this one and only select causes that they truly care about with much passion.
- Adventure Experiences: Travel is incredible and can involve so many adventures from camping to surfing and more. It doesn’t always need to be abroad and extra-expensive, sometimes it can be local in the mountains, deserts or beaches they wanted to visit but never could. What a better time to enjoy this reward if not after graduation!
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Collegiate Graduation Gift
I hope you are not reading this article too late because the perfect gift only comes with the best research. Start by asking them questions some weeks or months before graduation, figure out what they truly like and not only what their job will be.
Have a gift that will last, will be used yet still remind them of you and nobody else.
There is no better tip than just getting to know them and choosing what they truly like.
Bonus Tips for Personalizing Your Gift
If you want your gift to stand out then add their name with engravings or decorative wrappings. Even the shortest of letters can make an impact with a few sentimental lines. You can also include an inside joke that only you two know, the possibilities are endless as long as you know your relationship is strong.
Final Thoughts
Graduation gifts are supposed to be a reminder of the hard work during studying hours, but also of the ambitious future that lies ahead after it. It is meant to be personal and unique, a reminder of all that can be achieved even though hardships. What about you? What was the graduation gift that made you cry? That you remember until this day and keep safe? Let’s see how different your list is from mine!
Plugin designed by RofiTech
Leave a Reply