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This post is all about college graduation gift ideas.
As a senior about to graduate from college myself, I can tell you it's an exciting but scary time.
College goes by so fast and almost being a real adult is a lot of change. There are so many new experiences we are about to go through - from new places, new jobs, and new people.
The good thing about graduation is that there are people that want to celebrate us... usually with gifts! This can be from practical things that we can use in this next stage of life or things that will remind us of how much fun we had in college.
I've rounded up all the items that I know graduates are asking for this year.
This post is all about college graduation gift ideas.
Best College Graduation Gift Ideas for Her:
1. A Nice Watch
Every girl needs a nice watch, especially if she's going into the professional world. It really just makes any outfit look more put together and sophisticated.
I love this Daniel Wellington one because it's classy but not too pricey for the quality. If she's into fashion, she'll know this brand and be so excited to recieve it.
2. Kitchen Appliances
If your graduate is heading off to somewhere new and living on their own, they will definitely need some essential kitchen appliances.
I just recently invested in an air fryer and seriously it's life changing. I also linked a milk frother if your graduate is a heavy coffee drinker. Making coffee at home is such a money saver, which is why this is such a good graduation gift idea for someone right out of college!
For more appliances all graduates would love:
3. Luggage
Any college graduate is bound to be traveling after graduation - whether it's to visit friends, or coming home for holidays, luggage is a perfect college graduation gift idea.
Beis Travel is Shay Mitchell's new brand and it's such high quality. I love this nude color!
4. Travel Cosmetics Bag
This is also a Beis product that is a great gift to go along with luggage! I always struggled to find a good cosmetics travel bag. This one comes with a pouch that you can separate smaller items from others and a mirror that all fits inside.
5. Birchbox Subscription
Gift a Birchbox subscription, from $45.
As a college graduate, we are absolutely broke. If the graduate is anything like me, they probably love expensive things, especially when it comes to beauty products.
That's when Birchbox comes in. Birchbox is a subscription box that comes with samples of different beauty products. Getting new beauty products every month... I mean that sounds like a dream to me lol.
Here are some of our other favorite subscription services:
6. Echo Dot
The Echo Dot, which also comes with Alexa, is so much more than a speaker. It tells you the weather, turns on and off your lights, and can play your favorite song on command.
This is such a fun graduation gift for anyone moving in to a new place!
7. Work Bag
Every college graduate going into the professional world is going to need some sort of work bag that can hold everything they'll need for the day.
This Cuyana bag is perfect for just that. And look how cute it is!
8. or a Professional Backpack
If your graduate is more of a backpack person, there a plenty of nice looking backpacks that will hold all their necessities.
I love this one from Knomo because it has so much storage but also looks really nice.
9. Rent the Runway Subscription
Gift a Rent the Runway subscription.
If your graduate is a fashionista at all, this is such a fun college graduation gift idea.
Rent the Runway is a monthly subscription that lets you rent designer pieces. This is such a good way to let your graduate wear designer clothes for a very affordable price.
10. Favorite Streaming Service Subscription
Cable TV just isn't a thing anymore, at least for college graduates!
A really unique graduation gift would be a subscription for one of their favorite TV streaming services. This is a cost that definitely adds up over time so it will save them a ton of money in the long run.
Here are our favorite streaming services:
11. Custom Business Card Holder
As your college graduate goes out into the real world, they're definitely going to need somewhere to put their business cards. I love these personalized ones from Etsy so they can have a business card on them wherever they go.
SO obsessed with these.
12. Pan Set
As college graduates go off on their own, they're going to need to learn to cook for themselves. A nice non-stick pan set is definitely an essential for anyone so it also makes a great graduation gift idea that they will use for so many years.
13. ClassPass Membership
Check out ClassPass and gift a membership.
For anyone that enjoys workout classes, this is such a great college graduation gift idea! ClassPass allows you to use credits at a variety of different fitness studios. So they could try yoga one day and boxing the next!
This is great for anyone moving off to a new city that wants to try different places before they fully commit to one or if they like to do a variety of different kinds of fitness throughout the week.
14. Airline Gift Card
As a college senior myself, I plan to travel after graduation before I start working full time (I mean when's the next time we'll get a month to travel!).
An airline gift card (or money towards flights) would be such a good graduation gift for any college student that loves to travel.
15. Charcuterie Board
I feel like a super adult thing to do is have a ton of friends over, drink some wine, and eat cheese from a charcuterie board.
If your graduate loves to entertain or plan parties, this is such a simple but useful graduation gift that they will love.
16. Recipe Books
Recipe books are so great to have when you don't know what to make. They're an awesome college graduation gift if you are on a budget but still want to gift something they will actually use!
I especially love this Trader Joe's one especially because I'm obsessed with everything from Trader Joe's and love making recipes with their stuff.
17. HelloFresh Subscription
Gift a HelloFresh subscription, from $60.
If your graduate wants to start cooking their own meals but may struggle a bit doing it on their own, HelloFresh is a perfect graduation gift idea.
HelloFresh sends you the exact proportions of everything you need for a meal as well as detailed instructions so it makes it super easy to make reallyyyy good meals.
18. Nice Pajama Set
Pajama sets are sooo adult. It really makes you feel so much more put together and sophisticated... even when you're sleeping!
I love this set from Revolve... so girly and cute!
19. Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry is so classic and so in right now. It really is a great way to dress up any outfit, especially for work.
Mejuri is an up and coming jewelry company that has very high quality pieces that don't tarnish.
Here are some of my favorite pieces:
20. Amazon Prime Subscription
Gift an Amazon Prime membership.
Every adult needs Amazon Prime. And for college graduates, this can be a little expensive. So what a great graduation gift it would be!
21. Map of Their College Town
A map of their college town would be such a great decor piece for any graduate's new apartment or home. It will be a constant reminder of all the good times they had in their 4 years of college.
22. Ugg Slippers
I seriously recommend these slippers to everyone I know. They are so soft and warm and perfect for lounging around after work or on the weekend. Seriously any girl would love these and use them for years.
Best College Graduation Gift Ideas for Him:
1. A Nice Wallet
Every man needs a nice wallet, especially once they are out of college. I love this Ralph Lauren one because it is classic and simple but still really good quality.
2. Fire TV Stick
Streaming services are completely replacing cable TV. The Fire TV Stick allows you to access all your favorite streaming services on your TV.
This is a great college graduation gift idea for any guy that likes to relax in his free time with his favorite TV show or loves binging shows and movies on the weekends.
3. Recipe Books
For all those guys that love to cook or make special drinks, these recipes are a fun spin on cooking books. Such a fun graduation gift that they will definitely use!
4. ClassPass Membership
Check out ClassPass and gift a membership.
For any guy that enjoys workout classes, this is such a great college graduation gift idea! ClassPass allows you to use credits at a variety of different fitness studios. So they could try boxing one day and HIIT the next!
This is great for anyone moving off to a new city that wants to try different places before they fully commit to one or if they like to do a variety of different kinds of fitness throughout the week.
5. Apple Watch
For those guys that do love to work out, Apple Watches are perfect for tracking fitness as well as many other things like setting alarms, replying to texts and reading emails. Definitely something they will not be able to live without.
6. Grooming Gift Set
Once you graduate college and go off into the professional world, you're going to have to keep up a clean look when it comes to facial hair.
This grooming set is a unique college graduation gift idea for any guy that needs a little help in the grooming area lol.
7. Travel Gift Cards
For those travel lovers, gift cards that will save them money on all of their adventures is such a good gift that any graduate would love!
8. Sonos One Speaker (with Alexa!)
Sonos speakers are sooo good. Seriously they have the best sound quality that completely fills the room and last for years.
I love this one especially because it's a smart speaker that also has Alexa. You can also control it from anywhere with the Sonos app and Apple Airplay. Basically it's one of the best speakers out there so any guy would love this for post-grad life!
9. Toolkit
What more manly of a graduation gift can you get than a toolkit?
Lol but seriously this is such a practical gift that anyone would get so much use out of.
10. Amazon Prime Membership
Gift an Amazon Prime membership.
Every adult needs Amazon Prime. And for college graduates, this can be a little expensive. So what a great graduation gift it would be!
11. Workout Gear
If your graduate loves to workout, good quality workout gear is always a good option for a graduation gift. Lululemon is a great brand for workout gear. While it is expensive, it lasts forever!
More of my favorite workout brands include:
12. Work Bag
As graduates begin their new jobs and new chapters in life, they will need a work bag to bring all of their things to work everyday.
A professional backpack is an inexpensive gift idea that will be used everyday!
13. AirPods Pro
AirPods are honestly a really great investment for anyone. I use mine literally every day.
From listening to music or podcasts when I walk to work, do my laundry, run on the treadmill, etc. I never call tell they're there. Such a great college graduation gift idea!
14. Robot Vacuum
Is it just me or are guys just way dirtier than girls when it comes to their living spaces? This robot vacuum is a perfect way for any graduate to keep their place clean without having to do anything lol.
15. Coffee Maker
Being able to make a really good cup of coffee at home is one way to save a ton of money after college graduation (when we're drowning in student loans). This is such a good graduation gift idea for any guy that has a slight caffeine addiction.
16. Luggage
Every college graduate needs a good suitcase, especially if they are living far from home. Whether they are traveling home for the holidays, or love to travel in the free time, a sturdy suitcase is a necessity.
Away suitcases are amazing. This one is a hard case with a built in lock, USB charger and a leather luggage tag. What more could a traveler need!
17. Cast Iron Skillet
I feel like this is just a staple in any guy's cooking ware. My friend has one and uses it on the daily. Definitely a good graduation gift if you're on a budget!
