18 Gifts For Your Graduate

By Lakyn Arnett on May 14, 2014

‘Tis the season for…graduation! Whether your grad is graduating high school, college, or graduate school, it will be one of the most special moments in their life. Not sure what to get your grad on their special day? Here are 18 gifts that will make any grad happy!

Money

One thing is for sure: whether your grad is off to college or heading into the real world, they will need some extra money. Cash and checks are always great gifts, but if you’re looking for a more personal gift or you want the money to go towards something specific, keep reading for some great monetary gifts!

1. Gift cards to local restaurants: Gifts cards are great gifts that are often overlooked. Sometimes things happen and students forget to save money for food every week. It’s nice to have some extra money on gift cards that can only be used for food. Some of my favorites are Starbucks (gift cards can be registered and you earn points every time you buy a drink or food), Subway (subs can be put in the refrigerator to save for late night studying and it’s a healthier choice), Dunkin’ Donuts (gift cards and reloadable reward cards available), etc.

2.Gift cards to college store: Nothing is more exciting than stocking up on apparel and other items to show off their new school spirit!

3. Gas cards: Gas prices aren’t always the cheapest, so buying a gas card for your grad would be very helpful. Ensure that they will come back home to visit!

4. Put cash or a check into a brand new wallet and wrap it!

5. Clip cash into a money clip! Monogram it with your grad’s initials to personalize it.

Gift Baskets

Indecisive folks: this one’s for you. If you just can’t settle on one thing to give your grad, why not give them a gift basket full of items? These can be centered around a certain use or theme and can be personalized!

6. Kitchen: dish towels, dish detergent, utensils, plastic plates, cups, and bowls, etc.

7. Bathroom: shampoo/conditioner, shower gel, shaving cream, razor (plus blade refills), towels, washcloths, etc.

8. School Supplies: planner, notebooks, pens, paper, white out, highlighters, index cards, etc. This is really great because most of their money will go to expensive textbooks and they’ll probably forget about regular supplies.

9. College-themed basket: Fill this basket with school spirit! Face stickers, notepads, folders, key chains, blanket, apparel, etc.

Practical Gifts

10. Luggage: It’s always nice to have decent luggage. Whether your grad is traveling far to attend college or moving for a new job, they’ll need something to keep their belongings in.

11. Tool Set: Whether it’s a hammer, tape measure, or screw driver, a tool set is something that will definitely come in handy at some point. Try this one from Target.

12. Cookbooks: Not many people graduate high school or college knowing how to cook more than a few simple meals. Give them a cookbook full of new and delicious recipes to try!

13. First Aid Kit:  Living alone can be hard, especially when you get hurt or you aren’t feeling well. Make sure your grad will be safe and healthy with a first aid kit full of typical first aid items plus any kind of medicine they may need (Advil/Tylenol/Aleve, Allergy & Sinus, Benadryl, etc). 

14. Shower Wrap/Bath Robe: For grads that are going to college, I have two words: community bathrooms. These are usually located down the hall and are shared with many people. A shower wrap or bath robe will make life easier when walking down the hall to the bathroom and when getting dressed. For those graduating college and never having to use community bathrooms, shower wraps and bath robes are still really great gifts! These can be monogrammed too!

15. Magazine or Newspaper Subscription: This is something that your grad would probably love to have, but just aren’t willing to spend their extra money on.

16. Netflix or Hulu Plus: For less than ten dollars a month, a subscription to Netflix or Hulu Plus can provide hours of entertainment from TV shows. I’m a huge Netflix fan because there are so many shows that I never watched when they were on the air. Hulu Plus may be a better option for those that are interested in more recent TV shows. Both are great!

17. Kindle/Nook: For the reader in your life, an e-reader is a great gift because it allows them to have a huge selection of books on one device. Some textbooks are even available as ebooks. You can buy an Amazon Kindle here or a Nook from Barnes & Noble (you can compare different styles to find the one best for your grad).

18. Keurig: This may actually be one of the best gifts I have ever received. I’m a huge coffee drinker, but I’m a very busy person so this allows me to make a single cup of coffee. The best thing about a Keurig is the huge selection of K-cups available.

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