64 College Graduation Gift Ideas for the Class of 2024
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Graduating from college is no small feat, and it should be celebrated with a graduation gift that's just as special and exciting as this milestone accomplishment....which may feel like a lot of pressure. So, what do you get the grad? Well, think about what their interests are. If they’re an artist, treat them to an iPad Pro that they can do digital illustrations on. Or maybe you know they have a green thumb, in which case you can surprise them with a plant baby for their new apartment. And if you’re still stumped, try one of these 64 stellar college graduation gift ideas they’re sure to appreciate regardless of what life looks like in the coming months.
What Should You Give for a College Graduation Gift?
As with any gift, it depends on the person. But for college graduates, here are a couple rules of thumb to follow, according to Hallmark. For one: Get them something they can return or exchange. While you might think the monogrammed bright pink hand towels you picked out are "so her," keep in mind they they might not be in her taste or she might just prefer something else. As such, consider providing a gift receipt or only buying from places with an easy return policy.
Next, be practical. Whether the giftee has a job offer lined up 24 hours after they toss their cap in the air or they're moving back home with their parents, giving something with everyday or long-term utility (see: luggage) is a thoughtful way to guide a youngster through this often strange transition into the "real world." Nursing school student Paige Kaufman agrees: “I'm graduating nursing school in a few months, and I'm definitely someone who would want something gifted to me that would make my life easier as a new grad; something practical," she tells us.
And finally, think about the person and what the next few months look like. Are they aiming for a high-rise corporate career? Shoe polish kit it is! Getting their first apartment? Stock them up with a cute photo frames. They'll be able to customize the frames with their favorite photos from the past few years of friends and family to give them a little piece of home in their new place. It’s all about making thoughtful purchases that they’ll actually use.
How We Chose the Best College Graduation Gifts
We put together this list by interviewing recent college grads from all walks of life. "Things like meal prep containers, a nice water bottle, a meal service subscription would be great. As a mom, I don't have much time for myself with school, so items like this would be amazing to help me cut down on time doing things to prepare for shifts," says Kaufman. We also included gifts that helped us get started after college life (hello Ninja Professional Blender). And finally, we used our keen eye for high-quality items with great reviews. But remember: there's really no wrong way to give someone a gift—because it's the thought that counts, right? And just in case you have some gifting anxiety, here are 64 potential gifts for grads we know they'll love.
The Best Gifts for College Graduates at a Glance:
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1. Let's Eat: 101 Recipes to Fill Your Heart & Home
Help your college grad toast to new beginnings with this 101 recipe cookbook, which features television personality Dan Pelosi, aka GrossyPelosi, sharing many of his favorite Italian American recipes. Your kid will expand their recipe repertoire, all while enjoying interesting (and funny) stories while they cook.
2. ThingsBag AirTags 4-Pack Keychain Case
Is your kid prone to always losing things? Set them up for success with this four-pack keychain case designed specifically for holding AirTags (aka clever devices that can be used to track your keys, wallet, purse, backpack, luggage and more). Owning multiple AirTags means they'll be able to easily find any missing items of theirs, and having keychains to store them in means they won't actually lose the AirTags. See? A win-win situation.
3. Carote Pots and Pans 14 Pc Set
Since you've already gotten your college grad a cookbook (or have passed down your famous spaghetti bolognese recipe), the next step is to grab a useful cookware set they can take with them when they move into their apartment. This cookware set comes with 14 different non-stick pots and pans they'll be able to take advantage of. Plus, the pots are super convenient to clean and easy to use.
4. Samsonite Novaire 2-Piece Set
A new luggage set will help them feel grown-up and ready as they jet off to their new apartment. And feel free to throw in a comment about how useful these will be for flying back home to visit too. This duo has a TSA lock and 360 degree spinner wheels for a smooth glide and pivot.
5. Bose 700 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Shopping for a music lover? Gift them these noise-cancelling headphones that fit comfortably over your ears. Whether they're used to drown out younger siblings battling over the remote downstairs or chatty colleagues who sit a few desks over, they’ll definitely come in handy.
6. Ninja Professional Blender
Blenders are a practical choice for the kitchen—especially if your college grad loves making smoothies and frozen drinks. This blender is about as professional as you can get—operating on a 1,000 power watt system that gets you fast, efficient and tasty results.
7. lululemon ABC Classic-Fit Pants
These best-selling men’s pants come in 16 waist sizes and five lengths and have more than 600 reviews raving about how comfortable they are. The signature Warpstreme fabric is a Japanese-loomed polyester that stretches like yoga pants but looks like nice heavy cotton and Ulitech, a poly-cotton stretch blend. Talk about a winning combo.
8. Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner
Since you won't be around to monitor their daily cleaning habits anymore, the next best option is to stock your new college grad up with a load of cleaning products so they won't have any excuses to not keep things tidy. This portable carpet cleaner works like a charm when it comes to removing stains and tackling tough-to-clean areas. Plus, it's small and lightweight enough to take with you virtually anywhere.
9. Larq Self-cleaning Water Bottle
This color-blocked, 17 oz. water bottle is made with stainless steel, which limits bacteria growth (unlike their old plastic water bottles). As an added bonus, there is also a UV-C LED light on the inside that helps eliminate up to 99.99 percent of bio-contaminants. The light turns on automatically every two hours, so your new grad doesn’t even have to remember to do it themselves.
10. Wireless iPhone Charging Station
A wireless charging dock comes in handy more often than you think (especially if you're traveling). Scoop up this under $20 charging station which charges phones uber fast, can be folded to to easily fit into bags and suitcases, has LED capabilities and other cool features. Did we mention it's currently under $20?
11. Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug
Help your college grad start their morning off on the right foot with this temperature-controlled mug, which will keep their drink hot at their preferred temperature for up to one hour on a single charge, or keep the charging coaster plugged in for a cup of Joe that tastes just right all day long. The mug can be connected to smartphone devices for customizable settings and comes in two shades.
12. Homesick Candle
If your new grad is heading out of the state, get them a gift that will remind them of home no matter where they are. These hand-poured soy wax candles feature scents that are designed to align with aspects of a home (or favorite) state, like the natural soy wax blend for Texas and the orange lemon scent for Southern California. Each one has a 60+ hour burn-time so you can be sure it will last them quite a while.
13. Book of the Month Club
For a gift that truly keeps on giving, give your grad a subscription to a book club. This Book of the Month club will allow your college grad to choose from a curated selection of hardcover and audio books monthly, at a price cheaper than what it would cost them to purchase from a store.
From $12 per month at book of the month
14. Hello Fresh Gift Card
Post-college life can get quite hectic as grads adjust to new jobs and living on their own, which means there's often less time for cooking from scratch. As such, your college grad will certainly appreciate a Hello Fresh gift card, which will give them delicious pre-made meals delivered straight to their door that can easily be whipped up in a matter of minutes.
15. Pvolve Membership
So long, free campus gym. If you’ve got a fitness lover on your hands, sign them up for Pvolve’s workout streaming service (it’s Olivia Culpo’s favorite). It’s guaranteed to give them a real challenge with videos and classes they’ll love and can access from their phone, laptop or tablet. Choose from live class options and on-demand picks for whatever time of the day they like to workout.
16. La Colombe Coffee Subscription Service
The odds of them finding a job that lets them sleep until noon just like their highly perfected class schedule are slim, which means they might need a little extra pick-me-up in the mornings to get them started. This coffee subscription can be customized to send either a specific bean or a selection of dark/medium/light roasts, and you can choose the grind as well (there’s always the option to send whole beans if you’re not sure what kind of coffee maker they use).
17. Ayesha Curry Home Collection 9-Piece Cookware Set
You can never have too many pots and pans (and you always need backup in case something goes awry in the kitchen). This nine-piece set comes highly rated from buyers for its non-stick properties, convenience and modern design that works well with any kitchen setup. We'll give it bonus points for being under $100 as well.
18. Paragon Hydration Pack
This helpful hydration pack can accompany them to all their outdoor activities and musical festivals as it's spacious enough to not only hold a sizable water bottle, but serves to keep drinks cold for 24 hours through its built-in insulation properties.
19. ettitude Signature Sateen Sheet Set
Goodbye, twin XL mattress! It’s time for a major bedding upgrade and this luxe set is an excellent place to start. It contains a fitted sheet, a pillowcase set and a flat top sheet, all of which are so soft, they’ll make your grad feel like they’re staying in a luxe hotel...not their tiny apartment.
20. Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Earrings
Gorgeous pearl earrings are a sophisticated and regal option for your graduate to wear on her first day of work. They’re always en vogue, they’ll always fit and they’ll remind her both of you and her great accomplishment. These small studs are made of Akoya pearls and the hardware is 18K white gold.
21. Terrain Earth Fired Clay Pots and Saucers
Help your college grad transfer their beloved ferns, herbs and flowers to her new digs in style with this gorgeous new planter set. This four-piece set comes with two saucers and two pots, one small and one medium. Each one is hand-crafted for a unique and beautiful natural look.
22. Our Place Always Pan
Sure, all they know how to cook is scrambled eggs, but at least now those eggs will slide right off the pan and can be cleaned without any scrubbing. (Just be sure to warn them never to put a non-stick pan in the dishwasher and to wait until it’s cool to wash!)
23. Mejuri Diamonds Open Ring
Maybe she likes to wear the same jewelry on the daily (a woman after our own heart). In that case, get her this dainty 14-karat gold diamond ring. It won’t oxidize or get discolored, so she can keep it on even while she’s taking a shower or working out. "I bought it for myself as a reward after giving birth to my second kid and I love it so much. It doesn’t bend and so far I had no problem with it getting stuck in my hair or my clothes," says shopper Marion Z.
24. Hulu Subscription
They've been using their roommate’s Hulu login to catch up on The Bachelor for the past four years, but now it’s time for them to get their own account. Help them out by covering the first year of their subscription and they’ll be totally psyched. FYI: Plans start at $10/month, so a whole year will cost you $120.
26. Brooklinen Super-Plush Towel Move-in Bundle
If they've been using the same scratchy bath towels since their freshman year, surprise them with an upgrade to this set made from one hundred percent Turkish cotton. After all, there’s nothing like premium bath linens to make you feel like a true adult (even if you’re still crashing with the rents for the time being).
27. Apple 11-inch iPad Pro
The most advanced iPad models aren’t cheap, which is likely the reason why your favorite budding artist doesn’t already own one. Once he unwraps it and downloads the Procreate digital illustration app, you probably won’t see him for hours. Just make sure to get him an Apple Pencil to go with it too, otherwise he’ll be stuck drawing with his fingers. This model can be connected to Wi-Fi and is very slim and easy to travel with.
28. Winc Wine Subscription
Now that they're graduating college, it’s probably time that they graduate from boxed wine, too. Get them started by gifting a Winc wine subscription. After taking a quick palate quiz, the brand will recommend bottles that appeal to their taste preferences. From there, they can select exactly which ones she wants to receive for the month.
29. LG Home Theater Projector
A projector is an awesome grad gift because it’s something they probably want, but would never buy for themselves. This model from LG is designed to create a move theater-like experience at home, and offers two-and-a-half hours of battery life per charge so they can even set it up outside for a summer movie night if they want.
30. Milkadamia Plant Milk
Hate to break it to ya, but cereal is still going to be a major part of every post-college student's life. Stock them up with a pack of this plant-based lactose-free milk. There are multiple flavor options available (I personally love the Barista flavor), and the deal is pretty neat considering you get six packs for just a little over $25 bucks. Not too shabby!
31. Ring Video Doorbell
Want to make sure your graduate feels secure in their new living arrangement? Set them up with this Ring Video Doorbell. It features motion detection and connects to an app on their phone, so they can see who’s at the door at all times. For extra peace of mind, you can connect it to your phone too so you know they’re safe. They'll be able to adjust the perimeter of camera view that notifies you to people who walk within view, which is great if they live in a high foot traffic area.
32. Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket
Thanks to their soothing pressure, weighted blankets are ideal for lulling insomniacs to sleep. So while it may feel like a strange graduation gift at first, they’ll surely thank you after seeing how their sleep quality improves. This one from Gravity comes in three different weights: 15, 20 or 35 pounds—although we suggest starting with the lowest one if they’re not already used to sleeping with a weighted blanket, unless you're wanting it to be the width of your bed in which case, shop based on size. "I naturally am a great sleeper—but this gravity blanket makes me sleep even deeper. I feel so much more refreshed in the morning," reports one shopper.
33. Tory Burch Perry Leather Tote
A color-block backpack may have been sufficient for hopping across campus from class to class, but a sleek leather tote is much more appropriate for the working world. This one from Tory Burch comes in eight pretty colorways, and features three interior compartments to keep belongings organized. Plus, it’s big enough to hold a 13-inch laptop.
34. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go
If they got their current laptop as a high school graduation present, chances are it’s pretty slow these days. Help them upgrade to this Samsung Chromebook, which doubles as a tablet. According to one PureWow VP, editorial Candace Davison, it works so well that it convinced her to ditch her MacBook Air. " Given that its retail price is comparable to the Air, I'll be totally honest: It's better. The Chromebook boots up in seconds, it weighs half a pound less " she mentions.
35. Serene House Astro Electric Aromatherapy Diffuser
The transition from leading an independent life on campus to living under mom and dad’s roof (and therefore abiding by their house rules) is not an easy one. An essential oil diffuser (that doubles as a mini humidifier and nightlight) can help make their room feel like a mini oasis, that’s still entirely their own. Pair this gift with some calming essential oils to really hit it out of the park.
36. Amazon Gift Card
You can no longer gift an Amazon Prime membership, however, you can give your grad an Amazon gift card so they can open one themselves. Amazon does offer free Prime accounts for college students, but once that university email account closes, so too does their access to free two-day shipping. The annual cost of a membership is $139 per year, which breaks down to about $15 a month, so make sure your gift card has at least that much on it.
37. Slip Silk Pillowcase
A dreamy silk pillowcase is the perfect gift for any graduate who takes a serious approach to haircare. The 100-percent mulberry silk is gentle on skin and hair, meaning it won’t cause breakage and split ends over time like a cotton pillowcase might. (If you’re really feeling generous, pick up a matching silk sleep mask, as well.)
38. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering The Elements Of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat
Cover: Simon & Schuster/Background: Getty Images
This popular cookbook won’t just show them the necessary steps to bake a loaf of bread, it also explains why those steps are necessary and what exactly they’re meant to do. This way they can learn to become not just a good home cook, but a smart one, too. We realize recipes can be easily searched online within seconds, but sometimes there's nothing better than getting tips from the pages of a book of a bestseller.
39. Milk Bar The Sweetie
The most delicious way to celebrate your favorite grad from afar? Send him this assortment of Milk Bar’s popular birthday cake truffles and cookies, which comes with six assorted cookies and a dozen delicious birthday cake truffles. Trust us, they’re way better than anything you could whip up from a box and mail yourself.
40. David Donahue Stripe Silk Tie
Odds are he owns exactly two ties: one splashed with his fraternity logo and the other featuring a naughty Christmas theme. Neither one is likely to impress a potential employer, but this classic blue-patterned one definitely stands a chance. It's made of 100 percent Italian silk and the pinstripes are slightly elevated to add a bit of texture to the surface. Just make sure he knows this tie needs to be dry cleaned only when washed, so he either needs to be very careful when he wears it, or just avoids food altogether when it's around his neck.
41. Boss Defrost Food Thawing Kitchen Appliance
We all know how frustrating and time consuming it can be waiting for food to thaw out before cooking. Luckily, this defroster is here to save the day as it substitutes a plug-and-play device designed to be submerged underwater that runs for extended periods of time. It also eliminates that awful freezer burn taste food sometimes has after you thaw it out. When you factor that you're actually saving money by eliminating running water for long periods of time—this is a good investment for post-college students.
42. Therabox Self-care Subscription Box
If your kid is graduating without a job offer, they're probably feeling the pressure to get something lined up ASAP. Remind her to take some time to relax by signing her up for this self-care subscription box. Each month, she’ll get tools for a therapeutic stress-relieving activity, plus seven self-care items delivered straight to her door. You can pick from a single box, three month subscription, six month subscription or 12 month subscription.
43. Ray-Ban Erika Classic 54mm Sunglasses
Give your favorite fashion lover these sophisticated sunnies just in time for summer, and you’re sure to earn some brownie points. Also, you’re required to write that these shades are “for a future so bright” in the card. Sorry, we don’t make the rules. Plus, they have UV protection, so they'll actually block out the sun instead of just looking nice.
44. Philips Smartsleep Sleep And Wake Up Light Therapy Lamp
Waking up to start their day is much easier and also much more pleasant with this alarm clock that mimics sunrise. The light gradually intensifies to gently rouse them from sleep rather than jolting them out of REM with loud beeping. They can also add a sound to gently wake them up as well for a relaxing, calming experience as she's awaking. The brand also mentions it's recommended by physicians and pharmacists for a healthy night's sleep.
45. Things They Don’t Teach You In School Game
The international economics major might know all the ins and outs of how the stock market works, but do they know why the Mona Lisa doesn’t have eyebrows? This hilarious card game is chock full of facts so random, everyone who plays is bound to learn something new. They can play with two or more friends, and we recommend maybe even adding wine so they can entertain with a nice bottle, too.
46. Cravings: All Together: Recipes To Love by Chrissy Teigen
Cover: Random House Inc./Background: Getty Images
Cooking for yourself is way more fun if you’ve got a celeb chef (and her recipes) in your corner. Plus, Teigen has been known to regularly comment on fan food pics, meaning they might just get a shout out from the queen of Twitter herself. "I've used this book many times for cooking, and it's a fun way to feel like you're Martha Stewart (ahem, I mean Chrissy Teigen)," jokes commerce editor Olivia Dubyak.
47. Double Dutch Cast Iron Set
This two-piece Dutch oven set makes a mighty pot roast according to its buyers. Sizably-made with a measurement that clocks in at 6.75-quartz for the larger pot and a smaller pot (which is great for making side dishes), that stands tall at 3.5-quartz, reviewers really enjoy the versatility of this pot-set with one shopper exclaiming: "Nothing but love for Great Jones and this adorable dutch oven. Versatile and perfectly sized for my apartment kitchen. The details are perfect!" Needless to say, we're sold.
48. Oak & Luna Personalized Necklace
Design a piece embossed with their initials, birthday or graduation date. Or opt for a sweet message that will make them smile every time they wear it. No matter how many necklaces they already have, this minimalist one is sure to become a staple in their wardrobe. The box chain is very sleek and upscale looking and looks stunning with the rectangular pendant, so they will feel proud flaunting this necklace on a daily basis.
49. Apple Watch Series 8
It used to be that a quality watch was the go-to graduation gift. Now, a smartwatch is the way to go. The Apple Watch Series 8 is the newest model, so your grad is sure to geek out over it and show it off to all their friends. To be fair, it’s pretty similar to previous versions, but has a new blood oxygen levels sensor and offers insight on ovulation patterns. "I was in a bad car accident in December and my watch detected my crash and alerted my emergency contacts and first responders immediately, which was a life saver since my cell phone was ejected from the vehicle," says Dubyak.
50. Cozy Earth PJ Set
A ratty old T-shirt might have been appropriate sleepwear in college (and, OK, it still is), but now that they're adulting it's time to upgrade their PJ game. This set from Cozy Earth is made the softest bamboo fabric that will keep them cool—and chic-looking—all night long.
51. Drunk Elephant The Littles Kit
She knows Drunk Elephant skincare is the best of the best, but it hasn’t exactly been within her budget over the past four years. Treat her to this set, so she can sample six travel sizes of the brand’s most popular products and decide what’s actually worth splurging on when she gets her first adult paycheck.
52. Modern Picnic The Luncher
The last time they carried a lunch box it had Thomas the Tank Engine on the front. We’d say it’s time for an office-appropriate upgrade. This lunch box doubles as a chic purse, so they can impress their coworkers from day one. It's insulated and has plenty of room for your lunch and maybe an extra snack.
53. Rent The Runway Subscription
They’re entering into a whole new phase of life, one where the sorority semi-formal dress collection may no longer be appropriate. On the other hand, they’re unlikely to have a ton of spare cash for new suits and impressive workwear. Enter Rent the Runway. It’s eco-friendly, easy to use and gives them the tools to always look the part.
From $69 a month at rent the runway
54. Target Gift Card
They will most definitely use this gift card, whether it’s to stock up on new novels, basic home goods or some office-appropriate shoes. If you can’t attend graduation IRL, just select the gift card amount and have it shipped straight to their doorstep. Choose from $10+ amounts for the gift card for them to shop whatever they're interested in buying for themselves.
55. Archer And Olive Subscription Box
I wish I had known about the Archer and Olive subscription box when I graduated. Each month, your recent grad can look forward to sleek new notebooks, fancy gel pens and more thoughtfully selected items that will help them de-stress from their day.
56. The Solo Travel Handbook by Lonely Planet
Cover: Lonely Planet/Background: Getty Images
We’re willing to bet your recent grad is itching to go traveling right about now. Even if their next trip isn't for a while, this book will be super useful. It’s an excellent guide to making the most out of both the planning process and the trip itself.
57. Ramona & Ruth Daily Overview Notepad
Whether their days ahead will consist of working in an office, bouncing between odd jobs or crafting cover letters, this notepad is just what they need to ensure that all their daily to-dos actually get done. “This notepad is EVERYTHING! I love to write down everything I have going on throughout the day but never find that planners have enough space,” writes one reviewer.
58. A Bouquet Of Flowers
When in doubt, go with a gorgeous vase of blooms. This particular bouquet features alstroemeria, solidago and aster, plus a succulent that they can plant once the flowers have seen better days.
59. Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones
This New York Times best-seller is a funny and poignant series of essays all about conquering your fears. No matter what they have planned for the months following graduation, Jones’s words will give them some much-needed guidance on how to start building a life they’re excited about.
60. Audio-Technica Stereo Turntable
Give his vintage vinyl collection a modern upgrade with this impressive stereo system that sounds every bit as good as it looks. Nearly 800 five-star reviewers say it’s easy to set up, high quality and sounds amazing.
61. Costa Farms Monstera Plant
Whether they’re moving into their own place or camping out in their childhood bedroom for a few months while they figure out their next move, any plant lover will appreciate a new addition to their collection. We recommend this Monstera, since it can thrive in a variety of different settings.
62. The New Wine Rules: A Genuinely Helpful Guide To Everything You Need To Know by Jon Bonne
It’s time they learn a little something more about wining and dining. You know, beyond just, “If it’s pink, I’m in.” This guide contains simple advice on how to choose a quality wine—hint: It’s not all about the price.
63. Riya Marble Wastebasket
If your college grad is moving into some new digs, consider getting them some beautiful pieces to enhance the aesthetics of their place. This wastebasket compliments any area of your home nicely (especially bathrooms in my opinion), but we're also quite fond of this bath accessory set and wooden bath caddy as well.
64. Inbox Zero Adjustable Standing Desk
Many jobs are still onboarding their employees remotely, which means there’s a pretty good chance your grad will be starting from their home...at least for a few months. Gift them this adjustable standing desk so they’re set up for success. It functions as a traditional desk, but can be raised later in the day if their back is starting to hurt from all that sitting.
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