The 20 best college graduation gifts every grad will want (and actually need)
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It’s that wonderful time of year again when summer feels so close you can practically taste it — yet all the students in your life are more stressed than ever, entering finals mode and job-hunting season. Sleepless nights and stress have suddenly entered the chat, which means it’s college graduation season. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect college graduation gift, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve gone down the TikTok rabbit hole, internet-surfed far and wide and thoroughly researched the best gifts and deals so you don’t have to.
Here are our top picks for the best college graduation gifts guaranteed to leave a smile on any freshly graduated student’s face.
Best tech college graduation gifts
Sony WH-1000XM5
Long study sessions and late-night projects go hand in hand with a good playlist and, of course, a good set of headphones. The grad in your life has probably clung onto an old pair, so why not give them a sleek and elegant noise-canceling pair as a graduation gift? They’re great for post-grad work trips and travel, and even better for hands-free phone calls.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera
Film photography is back and better than ever, and this instant Fujifilm camera is a great way for any grad to kick-start this hobby. This film camera is not only compact and lightweight but also available in five pastel colors to suit any grad’s preference. They’ll appreciate capturing all of those post-grad memories and feels — and you’ll score bonus points if you throw in some instant film too.
Oura Ring Gen3
Forget a class ring — an Oura Ring is a more useful gift that will help keep sleep and wellness in check. Grads will love the in-depth sleep analysis that will keep them on track for all their post-grad ambitions, along with the activity, recovery and stress support this ring provides.
Kodak Ultra Mini Portable Projector
Make a memorable movie night anytime, anywhere with this portable Kodak projector. It weighs just 0.3 pounds and it's around the same size as a stack of Post-it notes. It connects to any smartphone and features built-in speakers and universal inputs, making this an ideal gift for any film-obsessed grad.
Moleskine Smart Writing Set
You’ve heard of smartphones, smart appliances and more, but have you seen a smart notebook? This sleek, digital notebook from Moleskine comes with a smart pen to digitize handwritten notes that can be saved in the Notes app. This helpful tool is bound to level up any project or, at the very least, make that new grad in your life look extra chic and tech-savvy in the office.
Best home and kitchen college graduation gifts
Yeti Rambler 42-Ounce Straw Mug
If the student in your life doesn’t already have a trendy water bottle, this Yeti rambler is a fan-favorite pick that can be customized with a sweet message or personalized with a photo or name. Not only does it come with a reusable straw and elongated handle, but it also fits in most cup holders and comes in an array of fun seasonal colors. If you plan to personalize it, make sure to order ahead to ensure the order comes in time for the big day.
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee Maker
This compact and colorful Nespresso machine is an ideal gift for the coffee-obsessed student in your life. It comes in a bunch of bright colors like Pacific Blue and Mango Yellow, and it can brew up to five cup sizes. The graduate in your life will appreciate making delicious, artisan-level coffee every morning with this sleek device.
Uncommon Goods College Cityscape Can-Shaped Glasses
These pint glasses will definitely serve up school spirit. The grad in your life will appreciate the personalized touch and practicality of this gift, in addition to proudly repping their alma mater.
Lucky Cactus One Degree Hotter Candle
Let’s be honest, no one wants an average-looking candle as a graduation gift. This handmade one, however, is a punny tribute to the hard work and success that made the grad in your life “one degree hotter.” It also comes in five different scents, including Clean Cotton, Apple Harvest and Cinnamon Vanilla.
Uncommon Goods College Cityscape Embroidered Pillow
Who doesn’t love a cozy throw pillow? This embroidered one from Uncommon Goods can be customized with a sprawling, artsy landscape of a college campus, which the student in your life is bound to love and cherish.
Saigon Leather Campus Map Acrylic Night Light
Although the student in your life may be itching to wrap up their college days, we all know they’ll cherish these days fondly. What better tribute to their school than this customized, handmade acrylic night light? It’s definitely going to brighten up their day.
NHallman Designs Custom Painted Champagne Bottle
Naturally, you’ll want to pop a bottle of something bubbly to celebrate the success and achievements of graduating. Level up a bottle of champagne with a gorgeous, custom hand-painted design that can range from thoughtfully placed flowers to letters or words of wisdom.
Best outdoor college graduation gifts
Wawona Hammock
With summer right around the corner, this hammock makes an ideal gift that every grad will love. The lightweight, packable fabric is also comfortable and comes with tree attachment straps. Any adventurous grad will appreciate taking this hammock along on trips or using it to soak up the final, lazy park days before officially adulting.
Neso Grande Sunshade
This portable sun shelter is another practical gift for the outdoors-loving student you know. This handy version can fit up to seven people beneath the canopy and offers water-repellent UPF 50+ sun protection — just in time for sunny beach days or post-grad travels.
CGear Multimats Sandlite Sand-Free Mat
Beach trips, campouts and picnics will get so much better with this sand-free mat that comes in two bright blue colors. Not only is it lightweight, but it also comes with openings in the weave to ensure everything stays put, even on the windiest of days.
Best college graduation gifts for self-improvement
'Atomic Habits' by James Clear
Any podcast-loving or bookworm student has probably wanted to get their hands on this book for a while. This trending, bestselling paperback details the best way to break old habits and build new ones. Graduates will appreciate the words of wisdom in this gift that keeps on giving.
Amazon Kindle
The student turned graduate you know is finally going to be able to enjoy reading for pleasure. Why not gift them this light and compact Kindle that comes with extended battery life, adjustable font lights and a glare-free screen? You can also give the gift of a Kindle Unlimited subscription for access to over 2 million titles.
MasterClass Subscription
Not every graduation gift has to be tangible; this graduation season, give the gift of a MasterClass, with over 200 classes to choose from in a range of topics like business, cooking, wellness and more. Consider it a fast-track crash course in post-grad adulting.
Blue Apron Meal Delivery Plan
Who doesn’t love having a fridge stocked with delicious, prepped and nutritious meals? This is a wonderful gift for any fresh grad — they can pick from a bunch of different meals, including keto-friendly options, protein-rich meals and carb-conscious picks.
Book of the Month Club Membership
If you know someone who is itching to expand their library, this book subscription is the answer. They’ll get to choose the books they’re dying to read each month, or you can choose from a list of the best new hardcovers. They’re bound to love this thoughtful, curated gift.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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