No matter what kind of year it’s been, there is still reason to celebrate all the students who have already graduated or are soon to be graduating in 2020. When there are so many different kinds of graduation gifts, it may be hard to find the best one for your friend or family member who is walking the stage (or celebrating via Zoom).
So, we’ve compiled 20 of the best graduation gifts for her and graduation gifts for him. Let’s get to browsing!
Students who attend a traditional on-campus college likely have gotten used to a cafeteria meal plan. They’ve spent years walking into restaurants and cafeterias on campus and choosing already prepared food. That’s why a subscription meal plan can help ease the transition upon graduating and living on their own (or even at home). Check out meal plans like Blue Apron or Freshly to see what we mean.
2. Chic Luggage
Upon graduating, it’s always fun to get away for a bit. Whether your graduate is going to continue studying in a different city or country or just take some time off for vacation, a luggage set is just what they need.
3. Customized Passport Holder
To piggyback on the chic luggage set, every traveler should have a passport holder to keep their important documentation intact. Consider a customized passport holder with either initials or full names.
4. Coffee Maker
There’s a lot of buzz around staying caffeinated the right way. Buying coffee from a coffee shop every day becomes an expensive habit. For convenience, control, and cost effectiveness, a coffee maker could be the perfect gift. Just like there are endless types of coffee to choose from, there are also a lot of coffee makers on the market. Here’s a look at some of the most popular options: Nespresso, Keurig, and the Cuisinart Single Serve Brewer.
A travel mug is the perfect accessory to support an at-home coffee maker. Even if your graduate doesn’t want or already has a coffee maker, they can use their travel mug at many coffee shops and receive a discount. Also, it’s a great gift for the graduates who have just landed a new job to use on their commute and even in the office!
6. SodaStream
What’s better than water? Sparkling water! A SodaStream gives anyone the ability to transform regular water to sparkling water. They also are eco-friendly as they reduce the need for plastic bottles and cans.
7. Drinking Glasses
A set of fancy drinking glasses is a good gift for any graduate. Even if they aren’t big drinkers, it’s something that any home needs for entertaining. You can find nice drinking glasses in a variety of price ranges, too.
8. Nutribullet
Consider buying your recent graduate a Nutribullet or other blending device. Nutribullets can serve many purposes — from blending sauces and dressings to creating smoothies. They also come in many different styles and sizes depending on need and spend level.
9. Headphones
Whether you’re working out, sitting in an office or relaxing on a beach, every person finds a need for headphones. You can buy the perfect pair to give as a gift. Oftentimes, someone will want a pair of expensive headphones but not consider it a necessity. So, this luxury item could make the perfect useful gift!
Smart home appliances are becoming increasingly popular. Consider being inside and simply commanding a Google Home or Amazon Alexa to start a timer, turn off the lights, or answer questions. These smart tools can be added to any room to create a smart home.
11. Gym / Yoga Membership
Staying healthy shouldn’t be an option, it should be a priority. Giving the gift of health becomes a priceless present. Whether you buy a Classpass membership, yoga classes, gym pass or the like, you can support your friend or family member staying healthy since they may no longer have access to their college gym.
12. Leather Resume Portfolio
Walking into a job interview with a leather resume portfolio can serve as a signal to a potential employer that you’re organized and detail-oriented. Consider buying your recent graduate a nice portfolio for their next job interview. There’s even the option to customize these with engravings like their initials.
13. Custom City Map
Custom city maps are one of the top, unique graduation gifts to buy. Perhaps the graduate is moving to a new city and they’ll like a nice reminder of their hometown. Or you can buy a city map that represents where their college was located or their favorite experience from studying abroad. No matter the reason or story, a custom city map is a great present to frame and give.
14. Gift Card
No one can deny that a gift card can go a long way. Gift cards are great gifts for anyone, but they are especially good if you are really unsure of what the graduate wants. You have so much freedom in choosing where to get a gift card from, or you can stick with something generic like an Amazon gift card or Target gift card.
15. Books
If you know your graduate loves books, why not supply more for their adventurous and curious mind? If you want to go a step further, you can even consider buying a tablet ebook reader like a Kindle.
16. Cufflinks
A good graduation gift for him is cufflinks. You can choose from customizable cufflinks with initials or even buy sterling silver or gold cufflinks. This is another gift that serves so many purposes — whether they are used in job interviews or formal occasions.
17. FitBit
Just like a gym membership, buying someone a FitBit is a step in the right direction (no pun intended). By tracking steps and gamifying the experience of getting steps in, a FitBit supports a healthy lifestyle.
18. Journal
For those who like to write or even just reflect on their own thoughts and experiences, a journal can be a touching gift. While it’s easy for someone to go pick their own journal or notebook, giving a journal as a gift adds a nice sentimental layer to a book that will become filled with their own words.
Sooner or later, the need for a tool arises. Having a toolkit handy will help anyone when the need arises for a screwdriver or nail.
20. Wireless Speaker
Ever met someone who doesn’t love a wireless speaker? Neither have we. A wireless speaker is a gift that keeps on giving, especially for anyone who loves music.
Wrap It Up!
The best graduation gifts are those that come from the heart. Before you decide what to buy your recent graduate, think about what he or she really likes, wants, or needs. If nothing in particular does come to mind, then hopefully the above list has sparked some ideas! The only thing left for you to do is buy the perfect present and wrap it up.
At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More
