Great Gifts to Show Your College Grad How Proud You Are of Them
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College grads always deserve to be celebrated for all the work they’ve put in for four years. This year, graduation is going to look quite different — and that’s even more reason to make the grads in your life feel special. Even though they can’t walk across a stage to accept their diploma in front of their family and friends, their accomplishment still deserves to be acknowledged. That’s where finding one of the best college graduation gifts comes in. Whether they’re moving into their own place, going off to grad school or still figuring out what comes next, we’ve got great gifts for every college grad on your list.
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Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
Your grads might be in for a rude awakening once they realize grabbing a cup of Joe from the dining hall every morning is no longer an option. To save them money on Starbucks runs, gift them a coffee maker so they can brew their own. This one makes 12 cups, so there’s even enough for roommates. It’s designed to be a cinch to use and quick to clean. Plus, a dual water window ensures there won’t be any overflows. With over 25,000 reviews on amazon (mostly positive) this is clearly the staple $24.99, amazon.com
Boll & Branch Sheet Set
It’s time for college grads to say sayonara to those extra-long twin sheets for their dorm room — they’re moving on to a grown-up bed! And they’ll need the sheets to go along with it. This four-piece set (including a fitted sheet, flat sheet and two pillowcases) is made from 100%, super-soft cotton and comes in over 7 different color options. They come in a range of colors so you can choose the set that best suits your grad. $168-$298, bollandbranch.com
Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen
Chances are your grad is starting a new job. That means they could use someone to boss around, which is where the Echo Dot comes in. The popular smart speaker is petite, so it fits in any small space, like first apartments. Its quality speaker will play music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and Sirius XM, to name a few, all with the demand of your voice. Plus the next generation also offers an alarm clock. Naturally, it comes with Alexa, who can do everything from answer all your burning questions to give a weather report, set alarms, read the news, call anyone hands-free, play games and much, much more. $54.99, amazon.com
Carry-On Luggage With A Lifetime Guarantee
While there are plenty of fashionable luggage brands circulating the internet right now, including loads of colorful travel options from Away and instagram-worthy sets from Paravel, if you’re looking for a gift that will last a lifetime, invest in a Briggs and Riley suitcase. The company’s “simple as that” lifetime guarantee is there to repair any functional damages… forever. Fun fact, this was actually a graduation present for myself and I’ve yet to use this guarantee because the bag has held up for almost two decades now. It’s carry-on perfect (fits like a glove in the overhead storage) durable as all get up and incredibly light. The rolling back features “CX technology” which means it can expand the bag by up to 25% with a few zippers, should you need more storage, then compresses back down to its original size. The exterior is nylon and water resistant. Yes it’s more pricey than the trendy options on the market, but this bag lasts. $569, briggsandriley
Elixir Glassware Crystal Wine Glasses
It’s time to raise a glass to your grad — and now you can do so with the grad’s own set of wine glasses. Nothing will make them feel more adult than this sophisticated set of four by Elixir Glassware. Designed for use with red, white and sparkling wines, each glass is shaped and hand blown by artisans using traditional techniques from lead-free crystal. The design is both classic and contemporary, so they’ll treasure them for years to come. $47.97, amazon.com
Air Fryer
Moving out means having your own kitchen — and they’ll need to stock it with all the essentials. A beloved air fryer is probably at the top of the list. One part toaster, another part oilless cooker the latest kitchen gadget is all the rage for those who want to elevate, literally anything in their fridge. Frozen green beans? Stick ’em in the air fryer and now you have a crunchy delight? Boring chicken again, try the air fryer and all of a sudden you have a restaurant quality bake. Suddenly, takeout doesn’t seem as necessary. The COMFEE digital air fryer is highly rated, and also comes in a larger size should your graduate have kitchen space. $67.99, amazon.com
Collection of Live Succulent Plants
Everyone could use a little greenery at home. Succulents are the way to go since they’re easy to care for — they only need to be watered once a week. This set comes with a variety of four different succulents to start a little plant family. You can add a nice touch by gifting a terrarium as well. $22.96, amazon.com
Weighted Blanket
Graduating from college can also mean moving to a new city with new sounds, a new bed and new noises to become accustomed to at night. Help the recent graduate ease into their new life with this 15 pound weighted blanket, that promises a deep sleep to the user. This 100% cotton blanket is different than the other because it doesn’t find its heft from fillers. The knit design allows for a bit of breathable room, perfect for the summer and spring months as well. $149, amazon.com
Amazon Fire 10 HD Tablet
During college, tablets and laptops tend to take a beating from being dragged to class after class and all that streaming. It’s probably time for a new tablet and this one is as popular as ever. The Fire 10 HD Tablet boasts a 10.1” screen with a 12-hour battery and 32 or 64 GB internal storage (depending on which you buy). It’s compatible with almost all the streamers (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) and has an even faster processor than the previous iterations. It comes with a hands-free version of Alexa that can connect to you smart home if available. $149.99, amazon.com
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