It’s officially the month of graduations and of course, the month of picking out the perfect grad gift. Sometimes, it’s hard to know what to get someone who is starting such a monumental new chapter in their life. I mean what gift truly says “Good luck and welcome to the real world” without totally freaking someone out? As someone who graduated from WKU just last year, I vividly remember, and miss, the time of graduation gifts and while I overwhelmingly received gift cards, (no complaints here my husband and I are still occasionally having the free date night), I didn’t really receive anything that helped me in my new career pathway or something extremely sentimental that really acknowledged my accomplishments.
So, here are a few gift ideas that range in budgets to ensure that you’re giving the newly freed ex-student the best present imaginable!
- College Survival Kit: Man, this would have been so helpful! A laundry basket filled with cleaners, detergents, Ramen Noodles, Bottled Waters, or gum, just whatever can be easily packed and prepared in minutes or carried in a backpack.
- Dorm Room or Home Decor: Depending on if the person is graduating from high school or college, you can get them some dorm decorations or maybe something to spruce up their new grown-up apartment. Something to let them know you are thinking of them and want them to think of you while on their new journey.
- Tumbler Coffee Mug: This is a universal gift because whether you are beginning college courses or starting a new career, you WILL need coffee to survive. Believe me!
- A Gorgeous Frame for their Diploma: Everyone loves showing off that piece of paper that they worked extremely hard for, so take the extra step and get it framed for them. That will most certainly be an appreciated gift.
- Organization Kit: I was always a nerd in both high school and college so I LOVED buying school supplies and getting my backpack all prepped for the first day of classes. So, if someone had gifted me a whole stock of new paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, a desk calendar, or personal planner, I would have been in Heaven! Help your favorite grad start out on the right foot and load them up with all the essentials.
- Party!: Just a few weeks ago, I attended a graduation party for one of my friends and I kept thinking “Man, I wish I had gotten one of these!” It’s like a birthday party, but better because you are done with school the next day and ready to start posing as an adult. Plus, throwing someone a party is the ultimate form of showing someone you care about them, so start planning!
- Homemade Gift: Everyone is sentimental around this time of year because of all the changes and growing up, create your grad a photo book of all their school pictures or a scrapbook of all their school memories. Even something like a mix tape is perfect for the graduation occasion!
- Take a Graduation Trip: Plan a weekend getaway to celebrate the event. Get them out of the last day of school funk and help them unwind from all the stress of finals and embracing change. Time spent out with friends and family is a memorable way to send them off in the right mood and mindset!
These are just a few examples of things that you can get the graduate in your life, but of course, and speaking from experience here, they will always appreciate $CASH$.
What was something that you loved getting as your graduation present? What is the best gift you have ever been given? Tell me all about it in the comments below.
Until next time.
