The Most Practical Graduation Gifts That Every Grad Needs

Ambar Pardilla
·2 min read

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Get the grad in your life a gift they'll actually appreciate. (Photo: HuffPost)
Get the grad in your life a gift they'll actually appreciate. (Photo: HuffPost)

It’s the middle of May — when finals are over, grades are in, credits are counted and graduation ceremonies are usually happening. But the end of the school year looks a little different for the class of 2020.

Zoom and Google Hangouts have become virtual classrooms. Tests are open-book and online. And graduation ceremonies aren’t being hosted IRL but through a screen.

Still, graduating college is always a reason to celebrate — all those all-nighters finally paid off, after all.

You might be looking to get the grad in your life a thoughtful gift that they’ll actually use. Since they’re officially adults and hunting for their first jobs and apartments, your best bet is to get them something that’ll make adulthood much easier.

They’ll figure out soon that no one’s really got it all figured out anyway.

To help, we found 20 graduation gifts that every grad needs as they become full-fledged adults. From a duffel bag for all the places they’ll go in the future to a storage stool that’ll give them the extra space in their small apartment, they’ll get some serious use out of these gifts.

Check out these graduation gifts that new adults need:

A duffel bag for all the places they'll go

Chances are your grad is really <a href="https://amzn.to/2LN0qYJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">going places</a>. So they'll need a bag that'll take them everywhere &mdash; with its own shoe compartment inside. <a href="https://fave.co/3cOQ0DS" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $90 at Nordstrom</a>. 

A coffee maker to get their days started

Now, they can save themselves a trip to Starbucks. <a href="https://fave.co/36c6CTy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $200 at Nordstrom</a>. 
Now, they can save themselves a trip to Starbucks. Find it for $200 at Nordstrom.

A wine rack for all their at-home happy hours

You can throw in a <a href="https://fave.co/3a5r6xT" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">bottle of wine</a> to celebrate, too. <a href="https://fave.co/36pbJjH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $68 at Anthropologie</a>. 

A bedding bundle that's move-in ready

This set includes sheets, a duvet cover and pillowcases so that they'll have sweet dreams. <a href="https://fave.co/2Zi68db" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it starting at $189 at Brooklinen</a>. 
This set includes sheets, a duvet cover and pillowcases so that they'll have sweet dreams. Find it starting at $189 at Brooklinen.

A set of dinnerware to ditch the paper plates

Now, they can <i>definitely</i> have guests over. Find the <a href="https://fave.co/36fvBFS" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">set of four plates for $80</a> and <a href="https://fave.co/3g7dfeo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">set of four bowls for $56</a> at Anthropologie. 

A fry and sauté pan set for most meals

So they don't have to order too much takeout. <a href="https://fave.co/2X4EayM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find the set for $130 at Williams-Sonoma</a>. 
So they don't have to order too much takeout. Find the set for $130 at Williams-Sonoma.

A cold brew coffee maker for hot days

Double the ice. <a href="https://fave.co/2WIu7Re" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $30 at Bed Bath &amp; Beyond</a>. 
Double the ice. Find it for $30 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

An art print so that they always look on the bright side

No sour grapes in sight. <a href="https://fave.co/2zQyVLq" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $24 at Rifle Paper Co</a>. 
No sour grapes in sight. Find it for $24 at Rifle Paper Co.

A sunrise alarm clock so they're never late

They can hop into their day with this clock that still shows a bit of their personality. <a href="https://fave.co/3cQgiWs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $39 at Urban Outfitters</a>.
They can hop into their day with this clock that still shows a bit of their personality. Find it for $39 at Urban Outfitters.

A pressure cooker to take the pressure off cooking

They'll have a one-pot wonder in no time. <a href="https://fave.co/2WLAK57" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $100 at Macy's</a>. 
They'll have a one-pot wonder in no time. Find it for $100 at Macy's.

A storage stool that'll give them the extra space they need

Plus, they won't be able to resist these Pantone colors. <a href="https://fave.co/2Zgi6Eh" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $80 at Uncommon Goods</a>. 
Plus, they won't be able to resist these Pantone colors. Find it for $80 at Uncommon Goods.

A set of champagne glasses for celebrating

A graduating grad is always a cause for celebrating. They can definitely <a href="https://fave.co/2ZidTQl" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">toast with these</a>. <a href="https://fave.co/3bI85SZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find the set of four for $32 at Nordstrom</a>.

An instant camera to make memories

Say cheese. <a href="https://fave.co/3cNQ2Mf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $69 at Urban Outfitters</a>. 
Say cheese. Find it for $69 at Urban Outfitters.

A weighted comforter for sweet dreams

They'll be resting easy. <a href="https://fave.co/2XbX9Yr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $249 at Brooklinen</a>. 
They'll be resting easy. Find it for $249 at Brooklinen.

A steamer for their button-downs

They won't need to iron out anything. <a href="https://fave.co/3e5bGvF" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $60 at Bed Bath &amp; Beyond</a>. 
They won't need to iron out anything. Find it for $60 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

A set of essential knives for the kitchen

Chop away. <a href="https://fave.co/2xHCt1a" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find the set of three for $139 at Food52</a>. 
Chop away. Find the set of three for $139 at Food52.

A pair of headphones so they can listen to anything they want

And they come in black, too. <a href="https://fave.co/3e2qUlm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find them for $200 at Bloomingdale's</a>. 
And they come in black, too. Find them for $200 at Bloomingdale's.

A journal for all their brilliant ideas

For when inspiration strikes. <a href="https://fave.co/2WJRQ3g" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $24 at Rifle Paper Co</a>. 
For when inspiration strikes. Find it for $24 at Rifle Paper Co.

A panini press for tomato soup days

It's cheesy, in a good way. <a href="https://fave.co/2WJI4y7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $80 at Williams-Sonoma</a>. 
It's cheesy, in a good way. Find it for $80 at Williams-Sonoma.

A bluetooth speaker to turn their music up

It's perfect for the techie in your life. <a href="https://fave.co/3e20Ma2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $60 at Nordstrom</a>.
It's perfect for the techie in your life. Find it for $60 at Nordstrom.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.