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25 College Graduation Gift Ideas

It’s the day that every college student looks forward to - no more studying, exams and early morning classes. Graduating is an exciting and scary time for a new grad. As they look forward to heading out into the real world and starting new jobs and getting their first apartments help them celebrate their accomplishments and prepare to transition into adult life with these great college graduation gift ideas.

By Stacey McDonald • Published Jan 2 2023

1. Sunrise Alarm Clock

An alarm clock that makes waking up easier.

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One of the most difficult parts of transitioning from college life into the real world is having to get up early. That's right, instead of going to sleep when the sun comes up, you have to get up and be a functioning adult, ready for your real world job instead. This sunrise alarm clock will help ease them into the transition by gradually waking them up with simulated daylight.

2. Uber Gift Card

A gift card to cover their commute.

While they may not be taking quite as many Uber's home from the bar late at night, they still need to get to job interviews, work and more. Nothing will be more welcome to a new grad than having their transportation paid for with an Uber gift card.

3. Apple Watch

The ultimate smartwatch.

The best multi-purpose gift for the college grad, an apple watch does it all. Help them monitor their health and workouts, make payment a breeze with ApplePay and more. The apple watch will be a much-loved accessory that helps make their busy post-grad life just a little easier.

4. Away Carry-On

Elegantly designed carry-on that's built to last.

Whether they're planning to set off on a well-deserved trip or they're moving to a new city a good piece of luggage is a must-have for every young adult. This Away Carry-On is a chic, high-quality carry-on that will last them a lifetime and make travelling a breeze.

5. Nespresso Vertuo Deluxe

The best coffee maker for espresso drinks.

If they thought they needed coffee to make it through college classes, they're in for a huge wake-up call when they enter the real world. Help keep them caffeinated with the Nespresso Vertuo Deluxe with Aeroccino. They'll be able to make as many delicious cups of coffee, shots of espresso or fancy lattes they need without having to spend tons of money at a coffee shop.

6. Greenlife 16-Piece Cookware

The perfect starter set of non-stick cookware.

For the recent grad that's about to embark on their first adventures in adulthood - from a new job to a new apartment. Give them the great gift of a non-stick cookware set to get them started in their new place. This 16-piece set comes in tons of fun colours so they can feel grown-up but, you know, not that grown-up.

7. Custom Leather Graduation Tray

A beautiful custom keepsake key tray.

This customer leather tray is a great graduation gift that combines function and keepsakes. Customized to include their name and graduation date this tray is perfect for collecting their keys and other knick-knacks by their door.

8. Cross Medalist Ballpoint Pen

A high-quality, long-lasting pen.

A truly underrated gift - a high-quality pen. While it may seem silly, a high-quality pen will last you a lifetime. It's refillable, has a good weight and feel to it, and you don't run into the annoying issues of ink blobbing or skipping as you do with the cheap options. Give your new graduate something for them to take with them through their next chapter.

9. Tumi Voyager Laptop Carrier

A stylish and professional laptop carrier.

Get them ready for their post-college life with a durable, water-resistant and stylish laptop briefcase. They'll be ready for whatever their new job and new life throw at them with this smart-looking laptop briefcase.

10. Quicken Deluxe Subscription

Budgeting made easy.

One of the hardest things about the transition into adult life is finances. Gift them a subscription to a great budgeting software like Quicken to help them get a leg up on their finances as they get a new job, and start having to pay back student loans and all those other bills that come with being an adult.

11. Custom Oval Graduation Ring

A beautiful custom class ring.

A thoughtful gift and keepsake, this customized oval graduation ring is a subtle way to celebrate your new grad. Customize it with their college name, emblem and graduation year for the perfect graduation gift.

12. Baggu Horizontal Duck Bag

A sturdy everyday tote for all their essentials.

The Baggu Horizontal Duck Bag is the ideal, sturdy work tote for the new grad. Big enough to hold all their essentials, it's the perfect bag for commuting to their new job.

13. Apple Airpods

The best headphones for their commute.

Make their commute more enjoyable with a great pair of Airpods. Perfect for drowning out the hustle and bustle of the outside world and replacing it with audiobooks, music or podcasts. Whether they're on the train, working in a cafe or taking a last-minute work call, Airpods will be their new best friend.

14. Echo Dot with Alexa

The ideal speaker and virtual assistant combo.

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The Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa is perfect for any new grad whether they're moving back home, or into their new apartment with their roommates. The Echo Dot is great for listening to music, or hands-free commands with Alexa, it'll make their life a little bit easier when they can just shout "Hey Alexa, remind me to buy toilet paper!" when they realize that's a thing they have to do now.

15. Amazon Prime Subscription

The perfect subscription for all their essentials.

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Being a new grad means a whole new stage of life is just beginning, and with that comes the need for a lot of stuff. Whether they're trying to stock a new apartment, or they realize they have basically no work-appropriate outfits, the gift of an Amazon Prime subscription will be a lifesaver.

16. Giorgio Fedon Card Holder

A beautiful and practical business card holder.

As they head into the real world and get their first real job they may find themselves with business cards and if they're anything like me, they had absolutely no clue that business card holders were a thing. Gift them a gorgeous business card holder to store their personal business cards, keeping them in perfect condition for whenever they're needed.

17. Personalized Graduation Hearts Necklace

A keepsake necklace to celebrate their accomplishments.

This beautiful graduation hearts necklace is a thoughtful gift for the new grad. Personalize with the number of heart and hand-stamped letters of your choosing this necklace is a great keepsake for them to carry with them daily reminding them of all they've accomplished.

18. Graduation Gift Box

A thoughtful collection of grad gifts.

This graduation gift box features a personalized "class of" year and their name that's filled to the brim with a candle and matches, luggage tag, lip balm, card, and more. A great gift box for your loved one.

19. Instant pot

Delicious healthy meals in minutes.

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As they move on to the next chapter in their life they're going to experience a few wake-up calls, one of which is just how long it takes to cook all their meals every day. That's where the instant pot comes in! If they forgot to cook dinner or get home late from work they can still whip up a delicious and nutritious meal in minutes with this kitchen wonder.

20. Kindle Paperwhite Signature

Perfect for reading on the go.

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A Kindle is a great gift that allows your loved one to take their reading with them wherever they go. Perfect for catching up on reading for post-grad classes, work notes, or just reading for pleasure on their commute.

21. Hello Fresh Subscription Box

A subscription box that makes cooking quick and easy.

Help them ease into adult life with a Hello Fresh Subscription Box. Take the worry out of their first few weeks or months living on their own and having to prepare their own meals with a subscription box that gives them everything they need to make quick, easy and healthy food.

22. Custom Graduation Tumbler

A custom tumbler for their morning coffee.

This customized "class of" tumbler is perfect for keeping your new grads' coffee hot on their commute into work in the morning, or keeping their water cool all day as they run errands. A fun but practical keepsake graduation gift.

23. College Cityscape Glasses

Beautiful keepsake cocktail glasses.

Remind them of their time at college for years to come with these keepsake college cityscape glasses. Beautiful cocktail glasses featuring the cityscape for their college town so they can be reminded of some of the best years of their life each time they have a drink.

24. Casper Weighted Blanket

The perfect blanket for sound sleep.

Feel the comfort and warmth of a hug with the Casper weighted blanket. Great for those with anxiety, or the new grad living on their own for the first time that just wants to feel safe. The blanket is weighted perfectly to make you feel like you're in a warm embrace making it easier for you to sleep and feel calm.

25. Kitchenaid Artisan Stand Mixer

A kitchen countertop essential.

The ultimate gift for your recent grad's new apartment - a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. A countertop essential that will help them make their favourite homecooked meals whenever they feel homesick or help them prepare dinner for the family for the first time in their new space.