Life
21 Graduation Gifts For New Grads To Make Their Future Even More Exciting Than It Already Is
Graduation is obviously a really exciting time for students who are about to embark on the next chapter of their life. The accomplishment of finishing up four years of school — be it high school or college — deserves a great graduation gift!
Not sure what to buy? Graduating students want gifts that are going to be useful as they either enter college or hit the real world, but they probably also want something fun that has a little bit of personality. These options cover all of that. Whether you're buying something for a sibling, cousin, or friend, or whether you want to spend a lot or a little, there is something here for everyone. Put together a fun package with a bunch of these items, get one small item for someone you don't know very well, or go all out and splurge on a close grad. Check out these 21 gifts for new grads... you'll love these items so much you'll want them for yourself!
An Agenda
By the time August comes around, this statement will be more than true. An agenda helps a student stay organized in every aspect of their life. This band.o agenda is the cutest one out there, with stickers, fun pages, and lots of little drawings. It’s also small enough to carry with you everywhere, which is a huge bonus.
I Am Very Busy Agenda, Shop band.o, $20
Solo Cup Garbage Can
The new grad in your life needs a garbage can in their brand new dorm room. This one, modeled off of the infamous red Solo cup (which you can find everywhere in college), is really unique and fun, and sure to be a hit.
Red Party Cup Trash Bin, Dormify, $16
A Portable Charger
Between their cell phone, laptop, and tablet, a new college student will spend half their day charging tech items. Make it easier with this super thin Kate Spade portable charger, which is easy to carry around because it’s so lightweight.
Kate Spade New York Jubilee Power Card Ultra Thin Charger, Nordstrom, $50
iPhone Camera Lens
College is a time to make memories, especially freshman year — and the summer before. Give this gift so they can take even better pictures than an iPhone normally allows.
PhotoJoJo Wide Angle Macro Lens, Brit&Co, $20
Thermal To-Go Mug
Coffee is basically a college necessity. This thermal mug will keep it warm through class, and it looks really adorable.
Hot Stuff Thermal Mug — But First Coffee, Dormify, $14
An Art Print
Every dorm room needs a little bit of flair. Give a new grad a gift that is purely for decoration, to keep things interesting. This XO art print is very cute and simple, and will go with everything.
XO Illustrated Art Print, Rifle Paper Co., $65
A Chalkboard Wall Caddy
This is pretty much genius. It’s a wall caddy to hold odds and ends, like notebooks or pens that easily get lost, and you can write on it with chalk. It’s the easiest and best way to stay organized.
Three by Three Seattle Sort-It-Out Wipe-It-Off Board Wall Caddy, Urban Outfitters, $46
A Fun Laptop Sleeve
Carrying a laptop from class to class gets exhausting. Make it a little bit more fun with this Kate Spade New York sleeve, which also protects it while you’re running around.
Kate Spade New York Eat Cake For Breakfast Laptop Sleeve, Nordstrom, $60
A Laundry Kit
Doing your own laundry is one of the downsides of living in a college dorm room. Make things a little more simple with this kit, which includes everything one needs for clean clothes.
Laundry and Bath Premium Dorm Kit, DormCo, $119.88
A Photo Garland
Everyone loves hanging photos in their college dorm room, making this a perfect gift. Giving it to a good friend? Add your own photos for him or her to hang.
Photo Clip Garland, Dormify, $17
A Sticky Note Set
Not only is this set of sticky notes obviously very useful for school, it will also look adorable and stylish sitting on a desk.
Kate Spade New York Deco Dots Sticky Note Set, Nordstrom, $16
A Fun Notebook
Give the new grad you know a notebook they can take with them everywhere that will remind them of their classroom responsibilities.
Rough Draft Mini Notebook - Stay Focused, Dormify, $9
A Water Bottle With A Pocket
Every student needs a water bottle to tote around. This one makes running out the door without a bag even easier — it can hold a little cash, some credit cards, and an ID card. Perfect for the gym.
Contigo 24oz Autoseal Kangaroo Water Bottle with Pocket, Contigo, $13.99
A Floor Pouf
There’s not much space for seating in a dorm room. This pouf is easy to store when you don’t need it around, and makes for a comfy seat for guests.
Turquoise Embroidered Floor Pouf, Francesca’s, $98
An ID Card Holder
Keeping track of a student ID is super important. Make that easy with this stylish ID holder.
Kate Spade New York La Pavillion Silicone ID Holder, Nordstrom, $20
An Eye Mask
This is perfect for mornings when their roommate is up early, getting ready or doing work, and they just want to sleep in a little bit more. Plus, it’s adorable.
Namast’ay In Bed Eye Mask, Dormify, $7
A Drinking Game Book
Let’s be real: a lot of drinking is going to be happening. This book will make parties and dorm room hangouts less boring.
1000 Drinking Games Book, Urban Outfitters, $14
A Little Clock
Sure, everyone uses their phones for time now. But that doesn’t mean this glittery clock won’t look perfectly adorable on a nightstand as a decoration.
Mini Gold Clock With Crystals, Francesca’s, $26
A Cute Box
Help the grad in your life keep their jewelry safe with these little macaron boxes. They can be stored anywhere and keep your jewels out from the open.
Macaron Box, Urban Outfitters, $10
A Wine To-Go Cup
This travel mug for wine is perfect for days spent outside on the courtyard, or parties where you want to bring your own booze.
Vino 2 Go Cup, Francesca’s, $16
A Cocktail Shaker
Make a new grad feel like a super fancy adult with a pretty cocktail shaker like this one. It’s great for the nights they feel like being more sophisticated than beer.
Floral Hand Painted Cocktail Shaker, Francesca’s, $22
