38 Thoughtful College Graduation Gifts to Celebrate Their Perseverance

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It's time to celebrate: The college grad in your life has officially completed their degree, and you've never been prouder of their hard work. Show it with a present (or two!) from our list of the best college graduation gifts of 2024. No matter your relation to the grad — child, parent, niece, nephew, cousin, or friend — it’s always nice to recognize someone’s studious efforts with a unique graduation gift for him or her that’ll set them up for a successful future.

Choose from our curated list of best-selling, top-rated personalized graduation gifts they can use to decorate their new desk, useful household necessities for their first post-grad apartment, or sentimental gifts that encourage them to keep up the hard work, even when doubt creeps in. While your spending capacity for a graduation gift may depend on your budget and relation to the grad, we’ve covered all bases with picks for every price point, starting with cheap graduation gifts at $6 and luxury gift ideas at $90 and beyond.

If you’re slated to attend a host of graduation parties this spring, be sure to stock up on gifts for other recent grads too, such as preschool graduation gifts, kindergarten graduation gifts, high school graduation gifts, and law school graduation gifts. Lastly, congrats to the class of 2024, and welcome to adulthood!

Money Tree Plant

Symbolic and perfect for plant lovers, the money tree is said to bring good luck and good fortune to those who care for them. Even if the new grad hasn't quite mastered their green thumb, the money tree is a resilient plant that can bounce back easily.

'You Were Made to Make a Difference' Graduation Cuff Bracelet

Ideal for men or women, this keepsake bracelet will offer the new grad a boost of confidence that they can carry into their new job and career.

Positive Affirmations Cards

As they venture into a career they may not feel prepared for or a city they have no connections in, this card deck full of positive affirmations can provide the confidence and support they seek. Each quote is like a mini pep talk to remind them of their worth and capabilities.

Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

The 9-5 workday (or let's be real, often 8-6) requires a lot of caffeine. The grad in your life can brew a quick cup or more with this single serve Keurig — perfect for WFH days. The machine comes in four color options.

'Letters to My Future Self: Write Now. Read Later. Treasure Forever.'

Both a memento and a time capsule of sorts, this booklet is filled with prompts they can write to their future self, whether that's themself in six months, six years, or six decades. They will be able to see read about where they wanted to go, things they never wanted to forget, and promises they made to themself.

Super-Plush Bath Towels

Your recent grad might not think to splurge on nice bath towels for their first apartment out of school, so receiving this set of extra-thick, spa-quality ones from Brooklinen as a gift is sure to be a welcome surprise.

RELATED: The 9 Best Bath Towels You Can Buy on Amazon

Wireless 3-in-1 Charging Stand

They can keep their cellphone, earbuds, and smartwatch fully charged with this 3-in-1 docking station that's especially great for new grads on-the-go.

The Jewelry Box

She can protect her jewelry in style with this leather case from popular travel brand Away, whether she's packing accessories in her suitcase or keeping her favorites safe in a shared apartment.

Ombre Color Keyboard Protector

They can add a personal touch to their new work laptop with this colorful keyboard cover. The brand has covers in a variety of hues and designs, so you can choose the one that best suits them.

Fix-It Kit

From hanging pictures to assembling furniture, this mini tool kit will come it very handy for the new grad. It comes with a screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, flashlight, hammer, and more — all in one convenient carrying case.

Personalized Drink Tumbler

Personalize this tumbler with her name and a special illustration, along with a cheeky message about the strange times she endured while in college.

Portable Electric Wine Opener

Level up their wine game with this electric wine opener. Now, they won't have to fuss with a corkscrew or makeshift opener to enjoy their favorite red, white, or rosé. The device is battery powered, cordless, and could not be easier to use.

'Things They Don't Teach You In School' Game

It's impossible for school curriculum to cover it all, which is why this trivia game will come in handy for filling in the blanks about art, human sciences, and more. The game is ideal for 2+ players ages 17 and up.

Digital Gift Card

Let them choose a plant (or plants) to brighten up their space, whether it be a new office desk or a studio apartment, with a digital gift card to The Sill. This popular, female-founded company allows new plant parents to shop by size, or browse curated sections for easy-care, low-light tolerant, and pet-friendly plants.

Compass Necklace

As a sweet gift from parents, this compass necklace will remind your newly graduated child to follow their instincts as they head into the next great adventure of life.

'Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life' by Admiral William H. McRaven

Based on a graduation speech, this book is chock full of advice and life lessons every graduate will soon face. One review says, "I read the entire book straight through, underlining my favorite passages, and it is so well written! Lots of simple but sage advice and this book will be on my annual re-read list."

Adulting Note Pad

Adults have to keep track of so many things — work shifts, doctor's appointments, grocery lists. This notepad will keep it all in one convenient place while also gently poking fun at their tendency to procrastinate.

Graduation Wine Gift Bag

Celebrate their hard work by gifting them a nice bottle of wine or champagne in this burlap gift bag that reads, "Pairs well with graduating." They can pop open the bottle after walking across the stage or at their celebratory dinner.

Collegiate Pouches

Full of symbols and images emblematic of their alma mater, the college graduate will love one of these hand-drawn, woven pouches. They're perfect for carrying small items such as cosmetics, keys, cash, and other essentials.

12-Piece Nonstick Pots and Pans Cookware Set

If college is about quick and easy meals, the post-grad life is about cooking and sharpening your skills in the kitchen. Treat the former student in your life to a 12-piece set that'll provide them with everything they'll need to hone in on their new craft.

Custom Filled Map Art

If they're moving away from their college town, they're sure to appreciate a sweet memento of their time at university. Send the address of their college to the artist for a custom print that they can show off in their new apartment.

Cap & Diploma Personalized Coffee Mug

With this cute cup, the new grad can enjoy their drink out of a personalized mug. Add their name to the grad cap and up to two lines of text above the diploma for a special touch.

Custom License Plate Sign

As a fun, unique gift, give them a custom sign made from old license plates from across the U.S. The sign can spell out their college name, graduation year, first or last name, or anything else up to 16 letters.

Diploma Frame with Tassel Holder

Many pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to achieve their degree, so they should at least frame the paper that verifies their hard work. This traditional frame will display their diploma and graduation tassel side-by-side.

Inspirational Coloring Book

When adulthood gets too stressful, new grads can turn to this relaxing coloring book. Not only is coloring a super soothing activity, but these pages are filled with motivational quotes to keep them going on tough days.

RELATED: Best Adult Coloring Books to Make Your Stress Disappear

Laptop Bag

Now that she's graduated, it's time to ditch the worn-out backpack, and replace it with an elegant work bag that will hold her laptop (up to 15.6 inches) and other work essentials. This specific design comes in ten different colors and patterns.

RELATED: Best Work Bags for Women That Make Commuting Easy

Passport and Vaccine Card Holder

For the college graduate who's off to see the world before their next endeavor, this passport and vaccine card holder will come in handy. It'll keep their essential documents organized and at the ready for whenever they need them next.

Office Decor Subscription Box

For the student that's heading off to their first desk job, get them this career growth and office decor box. It comes with items to decorate their work space and tools to help with productivity.

Snack Care Package

College grads are bound to miss care packages from family and friends during finals week. Replicate the joy with this jam-packed snack box filled with all kinds of tasty treats, including salty, sweet, gummy, and sour snacks.

Home Office Lap Desk

If they'll be working from home at all, they'll love this lap desk that allows them to work from their bed or couch with comfort and ease. The desk comes in seven colors and patterns to match their personal style.

Laptop Backpack

If a laptop bag isn't really their style, gift them this sleek, minimalistic work backpack instead. It fits laptops up to 15.6 inches and has plenty of room for everything they may need at work or during their commute. It's definitely an upgrade from their beat-up college backpack!

RELATED: The Best Work Backpacks

'Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones' by James Clear

This chart-topping book has more than 100,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. It offers tons of actionable tips and practical solutions to help anyone reach their goals. It's perfect for new grads taking their next step in life.

Potted Plant Picture Frame

The graduate in your life will love this unique frame where they can display a picture with their college pals and a plant or bouquet of flowers in the attached vase. It'll look great in their new office or living space.

Cordless Handheld Vacuum

Recent grads may not realize how expensive vacuums can be, so this gift will certainly come in handy for keeping small spaces clean.

'Bend. Don't Break.' Art Print

This gorgeous 8 x 8-inch print from designer and illustrator Leeya Makes Noise will be a great reminder to stay open-minded and flexible when challenges come their way in their new career or life path.

Compact Swivel Cheese Board with Knives

One of the best parts of adulthood is get togethers with friends, which frequently involve snacks, such as meat and cheese or chocolatey desserts. Prepare the newly graduated host with a charcuterie board that swivels and comes with its own serving tools.

Gift Card

If they've got an epic, post-graduation trip in the works, send them on their way with an Airbnb gift card that'll help them secure a place to stay.

Duo 7-in-1

For a new grad still acquiring all of their kitchen essentials, an Instant Pot is a handy gift. They can use it as a pressure cooker, a slow cooker, a rice cooker, and more. Luckily, there are a ton of great Instant Pot recipes out there to help them get started.

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