Graduates deserve all the gifts
The end of the school year is approaching, and if there’s a graduate in your midst, it’s time to start thinking about gifts that’ll set them up to tackle new challenges or embrace a fresh journey in style. Whether they’re heading on a trip overseas, starting a dream job, or still trying to figure out their place in the world, show them how proud you are with a thoughtful present from our top picks of graduation gifts. From sharp-looking luggage to new apartment must-haves, here’s the best way to say “congrats!”
Best gifts for travelers
This award-winning carry-on is designed with a hard exterior shell, 360-degree turning wheels, a cushioned handle, a weight-limit indicator and an expandable section with a zipper closure. It comes in 11 colors and finishes, so you’ll find the perfect version for your graduate.
A good passport holder can make all the difference when juggling everything at airport security or Customs. This leather version has room for credit cards, cash, important documents and a passport, of course. The snap fastener holds everything in place and you can choose from 18 different colors.
Give them the stylish bag you’re seeing everywhere. Whether they want to go to a concert, on a hike, or just enjoy a day out and about, the Everywhere Belt Bag is a perfect fit.
This messenger bag will send graduates to the office in style. Made from soft leather, it’s equipped with built-in RFID technology to keep private information safe from electronic scanners, a laptop sleeve and interior and exterior slip pockets.
Best gifts for gamers
Gamers will love to display this fun light in their first apartment. Inspired by the iconic PlayStation gaming system, it will give their living room a cool vibe.
When sending a graduate out into the world, it's all about organization. Help them keep their console in order with this personalized station for controllers, headphones and more.
Best gifts for book lovers
They might be done with textbooks for now, but if they love reading in their free time, give them this rechargeable book light. Perfect for reading in bed without disturbing a roommate or partner, it comes in three different light settings, can be attached to books and a Kindle and can be arranged however they prefer.
The grad in your life will love the scent combination of juniper and lavender, and the soft flickering light sets the mood for an evening of cozy couch reading. This inviting candle is made with nontoxic, clean-burning soy wax.
Books in your hand are always awesome, but if someone is headed on a trip or prefers a screen to paper, a Kindle is a great gift idea. This signature version has thinner edges for more reading room, wireless charging capabilities and 32 gigabytes of storage. It also has adjustable lighting for a personalized experience and with Kindle Unlimited, users can access over two million titles, audiobooks and more.
Half funny stories, half sage advice, this book is based on Kelly Willams' popular blog, Adulting, and offers tips on everything from what to check when renting a new apartment to the secret of finding a mechanic you love (and won’t charge you a zillion dollars).
Best gifts for coffee lovers
No more late classes and even later drinking sessions means your graduate will need all the caffeine to get going in the morning. This Nespresso can make espresso, drip coffee, ice coffee and more. Plus, it’s sleek enough that it won’t take up much room on the counter.
If they’re already budding baristas, this Aeropress coffee and espresso maker will take their cup of morning joe to the next level. This press-style coffee maker combines agitation and pressure with micro-filtration so they can use fine ground beans and it eliminates the bitterness of a traditional French press.
The sweetest little glass sipper for a celebration! Add it to a gift bag full of goodies, and they can enjoy iced drinks all summer long.
Another great gift for coffee lovers; this manual espresso machine comes with a frother so they can make cappuccinos and lattes. The sleek design means it’ll look good on display, and the easy-to-clean parts mean they’ll get a good cup every time.
A cold cup of coffee tastes great — said no one ever. With this smart mug, your graduate can focus on the task at hand without worrying about their warm beverage. There’s an app that allows for temperature adjustments, and after two hours of inactivity, it shuts off automatically.
Best self-care gifts
Good sleep is essential for anyone, so start your grad off on the right foot with a luxe silk pillowcase and sleeping mask set. It absorbs less moisture than a regular pillowcase, so their nighttime products stay on their skin, and it helps reduce hair frizz, which helps reduce their morning routine — it’s a win-win situation!
They made the grade, got the diploma, and now it’s time for pampering! This three-pack DIY pedicure comes with a salt soak, a sugar scrub, a mud mask and a massage butter.
Bath bombs, but for people who don’t have time to relax in the tub. This set of six shower steamers includes scents like lavender, grapefruit, watermelon and more.
If the new job requires a clean-cut look, set them up with the ultimate shaving supply set. They’ll get a facial cleanser, a luxe shave cream and a soothing after-shave balm.
Best gifts for foodies
A mini-waffle maker, but make it super cute. This popular version is perfect for someone living alone or with roommates — it makes just enough for one person or two!
This 10-inch pan does almost everything: sauteing, steaming, searing, frying, boiling, baking and more! The perfect addition to a new kitchen, your budding chef can learn how to cook their favorite dishes without the hassle of extra pots and pans to clean up afterward.
Best sentimental gifts
Pictures on a smartphone are convenient, but there’s nothing like capturing memories on real film. This mini camera prints out mini pictures within five seconds, has a compact design created for easy carrying and has a built-in mirror for selfies.
If they’re moving far away or even around the block, a digital picture frame will let them create a slideshow of their favorite memories. The distressed wood is fashionable and there’s an easy USB flash drive or SB card option for transferring photos from storage to screen.
They treasure each stub from every ticketed experience they had in college, so let them display and preserve them with pride! The sleeves allow for ticket stubs of different shapes and sizes and there’s room to jot down notes on the sides of the margins.
Let them show off their college pride with a university campus map. It includes the latitude and longitude of the campus and can be personalized with the graduate’s name and commencement year.
Best tech gifts
If they don’t already have an Apple Watch, this is the perfect time to splurge. The series 9 has the popular fitness tracker, blood oxygen and electrocardiogram apps and an always-on retina display. Choose from two sizes and nine different colors.
A FitBit is also an excellent choice for a new graduate. With 40-plus workout options, auto-exercise tracking, built-in GPS, tools to measure and improve sleep quality, mental health features, phone and text notifications and built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Wallet, this slim but mighty fitness tracker is popular for a good reason.
Studies show that keeping your smartphone out of your bedroom improves sleep. This smart alarm clock has all the bells and whistles you like without the distraction of social media and streaming platforms. It has a two-phase alarm that mimics your waking patterns, a wind-down night mode and night light, and has white noise, meditations, sleep stories and more.
If they like taking notes and drawing, but also love tech, this tablet is the perfect compromise. It feels like real paper, comes with a pen that has a built-in eraser, can organize notes into various tabs, allows users to work directly in PDFs, has two weeks of battery life and a cloud to store work
Another great gift for people adjusting to rising at the same time every day, this natural wake-up clock has a sunrise simulation light, seven wake-up sounds, dual alarm clocks for different people, various snooze options and an FM radio.
AirPods are a great gift for a recent grad. Whether they’re commuting on the train, taking a trip, or learning how to take care of their place, they’ll be able to listen to their tunes, podcasts, or audiobooks with ease. The second generation version has 24 hours of battery life, has a charging case and offers voice control with Siri.
This smart lamp offers a red light to naturally increase melatonin production, preset lighting modes for day, night or reading, and was designed by physicians to help mimic the body’s circadian rhythm. The sunrise feature allows the lamp to get lighter gradually to help you wake up peacefully.
Wireless earbuds, but with an attitude! Your graduate can get all the perks from wireless earphones with extra sass with these Beats Studio Buds. The sweat-resistant feature means they won’t lose a bud while at the gym and the built-in microphone makes it easy to make and take calls.
This retro-cool Bluetooth speaker offers 30 hours of portable playtime and delivers clear sound, and the water- and dirt-resistant design makes it extremely durable.
This is a serious massage gun. Hydragun claims their products are used by Olympians and recovery professionals, and after using this product we see why. It comes with seven attachment heads and a storage bag and gives your grad the deep-tissue massage they crave.
More of the best graduation gifts
If your grad is heading to college, they'll appreciate the homey comfort a pair of UGGs slippers brings. And if they're heading into the “real world” — they'll need as much comfort as they can get!
Stanley's newest design has a retro feel and will ensure your grad stays well hydrated with style.
Shower slides are absolutely essential for any student heading to a dorm room situation, and these classic Under Armour slides will last.
Money trees are said to bring good fortune, making them the perfect gift for a recent graduate. (Student loans, anyone?) This one arrives with The Sill's guarantee that it will arrive happy and healthy or they'll replace it for free.
A jewelry dish is such a great gift, and this one has a sweet reminder of the grad's recent accomplishment. They worked hard! They deserve a few reminders littered around the house.
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