College graduation is a major milestone that should celebrate years of growth, late-night studying, and hard work, and you should honor their achievement. There's a strong tradition to givemoney, but you can also pick a gift that's practical, thoughtful, or even a tad indulgent.
1. Customized Career Starter Kit
Depending on their professional career path, a personalized kit can help them move ahead with confidence. Order a set of customized business cards, get a personalized pen, order a sleek laptop bag, or treat them to a high-quality leather portfolio. Adding a handwritten note with a message of encouragement makes everything extra meaningful.
2. Subscription Services
Give the gift that keeps on giving. Whether it's a monthly coffee subscription, a book club box, or a meal delivery service like HelloFresh or Blue Apron, subscriptions make a great practical gift that new grads will truly appreciate—especially as they adjust to adulting. Money can be tight for college graduates, and this allows your gift to be one that is used multiple times.
3. A Smart Home Assistant
Smart home assistants can help grads answer questions, control their homes, play music, and organize their schedules. These are fun and functional pieces of technology that enrich a post-college life with modern conveniences.
4. Financial Planning Session
Offer your grad the cost of a budgeting app or financial consultation. This might not sound like a glamorous gift, but it's actually among the more valuable possibilities for someone about to enter adult life completely on their own.
5. Personalized Keepsakes
Sentimental gifts can be beautiful reminders of how far a grad has come in life. Think about engraving their graduation date on a piece of jewelry, a photo book full of precious memories, or a custom illustration of the college campus that was their home for the last few years.
6. Travel Vouchers or Experiences
Before a grad dives headfirst into the corporate world, they might dream of enjoying a post-college adventure. Accommodation credits, travel vouchers, or just a weekend getaway experience let them reflect and unwind before starting their next journey.
7. A Celebratory Cigar Gift Set
If you want to celebrate a grad who appreciates style and tradition, a premiumcigar or related gift set can be a classy and memorable gesture. A few high-caliber cigars, a personalized humidor, and a sleek lighter empower a grad to mark the occasion with a moment of relaxation and reflection on their achievement.
8. Stylish and Functional Home Essentials
Graduates moving into a new space might need some quality essentials they can't yet splurge on for themselves. Cozy bedding, nice cookware, and a minimalist coffee maker are all practical items that can help a grad make headway in making their first residence feel like home.
Don't Overthink It
Whether you choose to celebrate with money or a physical gift, knowing the right gift etiquette tips means your thoughtful gift can leave a lasting impression on a new grad. As they step into the next exciting chapter of their life, your gift can't go wrong when it reflects their accomplishments, personality, and future dreams.
