Looking for Good Gift Ideas for Graduates?
Gift-giving anxiety is a real thing, and if you found this post, it’s likely you may be one of its victims. I’ve witnessed a special-someone in my life have a full meltdown over trying to find the perfect gift for a certain occasion, and I, myself, have been guilty of losing sleep questioning if the gift I’m about to give will effectively communicate how I feel about the recipient. I’d like to lie to you and say there’s no such thing as the perfect gift, but then I think of my sister-in-law who gives perfect gifts, and I realize with patient observation, it’s possible to find the perfect gift.
Right now, we’re in the midst of graduation season, and many of us know people who have run the gauntlet to earn a diploma. We may feel a special pride because we contributed in some way to their success, or maybe we are humbled because we remember them when they were mostly blank slates, looking for a career path. But now they’re graduating, and we want to honor their achievements and cheer them on for their next adventures. So what can we give them to mark the occasion? Sure, money and gift cards are great because they offer grads flexibility in choosing what they really want, but that could take away from the personal aspect of gift-giving. Let me propose seven graduation gift ideas for college that I’ve curated through patient observation and great reflection.
- Fine writing instrument
- Messenger bag
- Quality headphones
- Subscription for reading material (no, really!)
- Hardbound book with an inscription
- Analog watch
- Spa package
Fine writing instrument
I’m a pen person. I have a robust collection of fine and unique pens. I love what they symbolize: creativity, elegance, professionalism, and luxury. I love them so much that I’ve learned how to make them myself, both woodturning and 3D printing. If you want to buy a pen, the good news is you can find luxury executive pens online easily. Levenger has a wide variety of fine pens for different price ranges. You can even get a classic Montblanc Meisterstuck on Amazon, if you want to encourage your graduate to pursue a lifetime of writing and learning. And don’t forget the one-of-a-kind masterpieces you can find on Etsy.
Of course, if you don’t already, you can make your own pens. Woodturning is one option, and shops like Rockler offer affordable “make and take” classes and workshops where you can make your first pen with expert guidance. If you like 3D printing, consider creating your own pen designs and using pen hardware from a manufacturer like Penn State Industries. Why not make a pen as unique as the grad you are honoring?
Bonus perk of giving pens as gifts: you can use a gift pen as a springboard for future gift ideas for the same person. Fine pens need display stands, ink refills, pen cases, stationery, and journals.
Messenger bag
Of course, it’s tricky buying personal items like clothing and accessories for other people because individual tastes vary so widely. To be safe, I recommend neutral colors and sleek/simple designs that provide a crisp professional look for your grad. Again, Levenger is a good source for elegant professional accessories, but you can also find some posh ones at places like Nordstrom’s Rack.
As an artist on Etsy, I would be remiss not to mention the array of affordable and stylish handmade messenger bags available from small craft sellers, like this one.
Your grad may appreciate that you went through the effort to support a small business / craftsperson.
Quality headphones
Which new adventures will your new grad pursue? Travel? Relocate to a new city? Enter the workforce? Whatever the adventure, taking one’s favorite music and podcasts along for the ride makes the journey much more enjoyable. But nice headphones are a luxury many of us are reluctant to buy for ourselves, so why not treat your well-deserving grad to incredibly clear sound only quality headphones can deliver?
I can’t claim to be an expert on headphones, but I can tell you that my noise-canceling Bose headphones were a life-saver when I worked in a busy art-department that did its best to distract my every thought. These Sony wireless noise-canceling headphones not only have earned top marks on TechRadar and PC Mag, but they have also warranted 30K+ positive reviews on Amazon. If you want to do a deep dive to find the right fit for your grad, there’s no shortage of buying guides online. But the one I appreciate is from the New York Times because it evaluates headphones according to a range of categories from price to style to tech.
Subscription for reading material (no, really!)
A perk of being a student is access to amazing libraries, both brick & mortar and online. And many quality periodicals offer huge discounts to students. Sadly, upon graduating, most students lose their free (or almost free) access to periodicals and journals they enjoyed in school. Why not help your new grad with her continuing education by gifting a subscription that aligns with her major? Here are a couple of ideas appropriate to certain majors:
- Harvard Business Review or The Economist for Business/Econ/Accounting majors
- The MIT Technology Review or Wired for Engineering/Tech majors
- Ploughshares or The New Yorker for Literature/Language/Social Science majors
- Juxtapoz or Aperture for Arts-related majors
Hardbound book with an inscription
According to a research report in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, we have an aversion to sentimentality, and that may make us avoid giving very sentimental and sweet gifts, but in reality, recipients actually are touched by gifts that have emotional value.
One of my most cherished college graduation gifts was a hardbound copy of Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet. Ms. Maloney, my high school chemistry teacher, gave me this book and wrote a personalized message inside the cover. I felt so honored that she took the time to write something and to share with me a book she had enjoyed. I’ve since used this gift idea on occasion, and with each inscribed book I’ve given, I’ve received sincere tears from the recipients. If you can’t think of a book you want to share, you can always find good recommendations online.
Analog watch
I once heard a famous scholar quip that his daughter made fun of him for wearing a watch since it’s a relic from a time when devices served single purposes. Who needs a watch when smart phones, car dashboards, ovens, tablets, and just about every device has a built-in clock? Well, your grad needs a nice wristwatch! Like a nice pen or a good set of headphones, a wrist watch is a luxury. It’s a fashion statement, and it can be a sophisticated accessory for the young professional.
You don’t have to break the bank buying a fashionable watch for your grad. In fact, many analog watches can be more affordable than sports and smart watches. Treehut some chic wood watches that are conversation pieces, and don’t rule out old-school brands like Timex that offers tasteful and sleek models like this one. Besides being readily available online, you can find beautiful watches at high-end and discount retailers.
Spa package
All of the gift ideas so far have been actual things, but don’t rule out experiential gifts! Let the grad’s parents foot the bill for a trip to Europe while you shoot for something closer to home: a local spa package. There are over 20,000 spas in the United States, so you have lots of choices, and chances are that your grad has yet to experience this type of self care, whether it’s a facial, massage, or mud bath.
Wholesale clubs like Costco sell spa gift cards, and networks of spas, salons and studios partner with companies like Spafinder to make it easy to find them. If you want to go a little higher-end, consider checking out spa offerings at 5-star hotels and resorts. Casino resorts also offer spa packages to pamper the weary scholar.
Lastly, mud baths and mineral springs are exciting and cool to visit. If you are in Southern California, for example, you could consider Glen Ivy Hot Springs as a quick getaway your grad will talk about for a lifetime.
Conclusion
Even if these seven ideas aren’t quite what you’ll end up getting for your favorite graduate this year, hopefully they will have inspired other ideas. And while I joked earlier about the perfect gift existing, don’t put that kind of pressure on yourself! Remember why you’re giving the gift in the first place: you want to acknowledge the graduate’s great achievement, moving on to adulthood. All your gift needs is a touch of elegance and thought.
Share Your Thoughts
What was your favorite gift when you graduated? Which notable gifts have you given in the past that were hits with college graduates? Please share your comments below.
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