Our Top 33 College Graduation Gift Ideas
Mark their milestone with a gift that will also help them settle into their new city, apartment or job.
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Graduating from college marks the start of a new life chapter that's full of change and possibilities. New city! New apartment! New job! It can all happen so quickly. Most twenty-somethings are perfectly happy with the gift of cash, but some might prefer a little something that they wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves and that will help set them up for future success. This gift guide is for just that.
From a sunrise alarm clock to a smart travel mug to a robot vacuum cleaner and acrylic wall calendar, we've found the best gifts for recent college graduates. Whether they're in for a long work commute or are new to living solo, our top picks will help them embark on their new adventure with style, confidence and efficiency.
A quality coffee maker is a must for young professionals. We love this Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker (and your grad will too!) because its brew strength can be set to regular or bold, it includes one generous glass carafe and it boasts a self-cleaning mode. You can also sweeten the delivery with a new milk frother, coffee cups or canisters.
Consider this the gift that keeps on giving. Encourage your loved one to develop a daily gratitude practice now by handing them The Five Minute Journal. Inside, they'll find guided prompts to fill out in the morning and at night, plus weekly challenges for noticing the good all around them.
Set them up for post-grad success with a backpack that easily converts into a shoulder bag. They can wear the piece as a backpack on their way to work, then switch to a shoulder bag once they arrive at the office. The durable, water-resistant fabric, RFID-shielded pocket and padded laptop compartment will help protect their tech as well.
Entering the "adult world" is jolting as is, so the last thing your grad needs is to wake up to a blaring alarm. Our advice? Surprise them with a Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock. This ingenious device actually simulates the morning sun for a more natural, refreshing waking process. It also functions as a reading light and ambient sound machine at night.
For the college grad who's sentimental, we highly recommend this Custom Campus Portrait. The custom-drawn portrait can highlight a special spot on campus, a beloved building where they spent hours studying or any other view. You can choose to have the print framed, and a dedicated designer will provide unlimited proofs before printing.
No storage space in their new kitchen? No problem. Gift your college grad this bestselling pan, which does the job of 10 pieces of traditional cookware in one. They can use the Always Pan 2.0 to steam, sear, saute and even serve themselves dinner. The nonstick ceramic coating ensures minimal cleanup, too. And if you really want to take this gift to the next level, combine it with a brand-new cookbook.
Never underestimate the power of hotel-style bedding. Ensure that your college grad gets a good night's sleep (and starts every day on the right foot) with a luxurious bedding set that they'd never buy for themselves. This buttery-soft and breathable cotton percale bundle is a far cry from the twin XL sheets of their dorm days and includes a comforter, a duvet cover, four pillowcases, two pillows and a free Silk Eyemask.
Of course, a good wristwatch never goes out of style. Sophisticated with its leather band, this stylish smartwatch will elevate your grad's professional wardrobe and keep them right on schedule. It looks simple but it keeps track of everything, from heart rate and step count to calendar alerts and social media notifications. We love how the stick indexes and watch hands create a classic analog look, which is perfect for a young professional.
A new home means new walls — and a sudden need for photos and artwork. Go above and beyond by sending your loved one a Framebridge gift card, so they can choose exactly what they want to be professionally framed. Think polaroids, collegiate pennants, vinyl records, playbills, race bibs, etc. Framebridge can even take care of their shiny new diploma.
Help keep their work clothes pressed and professional with a handheld fabric steamer — no ironing board required! This gadget is a dream come true for busy college grads, as it essentially cuts ironing time in half. Plus, the 12-foot power cord allows for easy maneuvering, while a 30-second heat-up time and a high-powered steam output ensure wrinkles are gone in seconds.
If smoothies are their drink of choice, then they need a blender that can keep up with their busy schedule. Enter the unrivaled Nutribullet Pro 900 Series Blender. The powerful stainless steel blades were designed with all kinds of whole foods in mind and can easily handle nuts, seeds, fruit, ice cubes, etc. The Nutribullet Pro also comes with a to-go lid, so they sip as they please.
Help your college grad travel in style with a fashionable and functional suitcase. This bestselling Away Carry-On will last for years thanks to its durable polycarbonate hard shell and premium 360-degree wheels. But here's the best part: For an additional $20, you can customize the case with a USB charger and keep their device powered up on longer flights. Complete the gift with a set of packing cubes, a new cosmetics bag or a personalized passport holder and luggage tag.
If they travel to work by subway or train, then improve their daily commute with a Kindle Paperwhite. This compact e-reader will slip right into their shoulder bag and give them access to thousands of titles while they ride to and from the city. Best of all? The 6.8-inch flush-front display features an adjustable warm light, so they can read it first thing in the morning or late at night.
Add a special touch to their new office and help them keep track of upcoming deadlines and appointments with a personalized acrylic wall calendar. We love this particular design from Artifact Uprising because you can customize the frame finish and layout, and leave your college grad an inspiring message like, "To the Great That Awaits."
Long day of meetings ahead? Let your grad enjoy their favorite beverage piping hot (or at whatever temperature they prefer) with the Ember Smart Mug 2. This high-tech container will allow them to see and control their drink temperature for up to 80 minutes. No more cold cups of coffee!
Nothing will help relieve the stress from a busy day quite like a weighted blanket. Made from an ultra-breathable, moisture-wicking material called lyocell, this Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket will replicate the serotonin-inducing feeling of a hug without the heat. It's available in six trendy hues and three sizes.
Give their new grown-up home a high-tech makeover with a smart home device, like this Amazon Echo Dot Smart Speaker, that will answer questions, provide news and traffic updates, play music, manage everyday tasks, act as an alarm clock and more.
For those brief moments when the excitement fades and they desperately miss their college town, we suggest a Homesick Premium Scented Candle. Each one is hand-poured into a glass jar and features distinctive notes that will remind them of their home away from home. And if you really want to go above and beyond? Pair the candle with a stylish new warmer lamp, match cloche or wick trimmer.
This bento-style lunch box will help your college grad save money on dining out and pack their meals smarter. The reusable container consists of three pieces (two lidded compartments and a set of utensils) secured by a fabric strap. It's also conveniently microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
They'll have no excuse for a messy house if you gift them a hard-working robot vacuum, like this iRobot Roomba 675. Using an app on their phone, they can schedule cleanings throughout the day and even alert the robot vacuum to high-traffic areas that need a little more TLC. It runs for up to 90 minutes before docking and recharging.
A fancy card case is exactly what they need for all those networking events and future business meetings. This sleek double-sided wallet will get the job done (and give them an edge over their competition), as its magnetic trapdoors offer ninja-like access to business cards. Plus, it can conveniently double as a smaller wallet during Happy Hour.