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College graduation is one of life’s happiest and most exciting milestones, but possibly one of the hardest to find an appropriate gift. The gifts we get our young adults and their friends will vary but, rest assured, we found things that everyone would be thrilled to receive. While monetary gifts are among the most frequently given to grads, here are some of our favorite ideas for presents, many of which were suggested to us by members of our Grown and Flown community.
Best college graduation gifts
Travel Gifts
Trips with family and/or travel with friends are among the most popular ideas for grads. People also suggested luggage, tote bags, backpacks, and toiletry bags. Here are some of our favorites:
1. Away Carry-On Luggage (Amazon)
Is it time for your young adult to upgrade their luggage from what they used during college to a bag they can take on their future travel? Away bags are very popular and a top pick by The New York Times Wirecutter product review site. They are available in several beautiful colors and there is a limited lifetime guarantee, too. This is a great grad gift for any young man or woman celebrating this important milestone! Here’s where you can read about our other favorite luggage brands.
2. BAGSMART Puffer Tote Bag for Women (Amazon)
BAGSMART is a very popular brand in the Grown and Flown community and on Amazon! This puffer tote bag is available in 13 pretty colors, is lightweight, machine washable and has a padded compartment for her laptop. This is a versatile, practical, and well-priced gift for a grad. It is the #1 bestseller in Women’s Tote Handbags on Amazon.
3. Troubadour Apex Backpack 4.0 (Amazon)
If your son (or daughter) is going to work after graduation and plans to use a backpack for their commute, consider this one from Troubadour. It has an ergonomic sculpted 3D breathable mesh back panel, lockable zippers and shoulder-strap pocket, drop-down zippered side pocket for wallet/phone which keeps them hidden, and a cushioned laptop sleeve for devices up to 17″. Great for travel, too.
4. Lonely Planet: Where to Go When: The Ultimate Planner for Where to Go When (2nd Edition, 2022) (Amazon)
Your young adult will no longer have long academic breaks and months-long summer vacations but they can plan trips with this handy guide that suggests best vacations to take for each month of the year.
5. BAGSMART Men’s Toiletries Bag – Large (Amazon)
If your son has been using the same toiletries bag during college, it is time to replace it with a new one. BAGSMART makes this popular bag in two sizes and several colors.
6. Trusted Traveler Programs: TSA PreCheck (US Gov)
If your grad has plans to travel after graduation pay for a TSA PreCheck card for them to help streamline their security checkpoint at USA airports. If they plan to travel internationally, consider purchasing a Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck.)Each lasts for five years.
7. Samsonite Better Than Basics Weekender Duffle (Amazon)
This spacious duffel has a bottom space that is perfect for stashing shoes or larger items apart from the inner compartment of the bag. It has a padded laptop sleeve and other pockets. there is a detachable shoulder strap and a luggage trolly strap which makes it easy to carry on top of a roller bag. Fits in an overhead compartment of an airplane.
Jewelry and Watches
8. Kendra Scott Birthstone Jewelry (Amazon)
Kendra Scott has a wide range of beautiful pieces at every price point. Take a look at the birthstone selections that include necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. You might also consider giving her earrings or a necklace in her college colors. Find additional personalized jewelry pieces here.
9. Timex Unisex T80 Steel Watch (Amazon)
Timex watches are durable and this style is a classic. It is on the InStyle list for top men’s watches but could be worn by anyone. It has an easy-to-read digital display (including INDIGLO® lighting) with the date, and also an alarm and stopwatch capabilities. The band is 8″ stainless steel.
10. Kate Spade Travel Jewelry Box (Amazon)
We love the idea of a diminutive jewelry box which your daughter can use for travel and/or to store valuables inside a dresser drawer. Do you have an heirloom piece of jewelry to give her as a grad gift? Slip it inside this box for a memorable present. More designs available.
Inspirational Books, Upgraded Tech
10. Aura Ring 4 (Amazon)
An Aura ring is a much more than an elegant piece of jewelry. Your young adult can track their health on 50 health metrics including sleep, activity, stress, heart health and women’s health metrics. This could help them live a healthy (or healthier) lifestyle as they lunch their new status as graduates.
11. The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them (Revised Edition 2021) by Dr. Meg Jay (Amazon)
In this important book, Dr. Jay explains that the twenties are the most defining years of adulthood. These transitional years should not be squandered because this is the decade to get things done; the things not accomplished will have far-reaching consequences — your twenty-something NEEDS to read this. This is one of the most popular graduation gifts we have on our list!Watch why over 4 million people have downloaded this Ted Talk by Dr. Jay.
12. The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age (2025) Dr. Meg Jay (Amazon)
For the last 25 years, Dr. Jay has worked as a clinical psychologist who specializes in twentysomethings. In this follow-up book to The Defining Decade, she writes about a mental health crisis in young adults and advocates identifying solutions to problems rather than focusing on disorders.
13. Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock (Amazon)
Hatch Restore 3 is designed to help adults create a bedtime routine that results in better sleep by creating optimal sleep environments of light and sound. More innovative features available with a Hatch Subscription.
14. Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice from Dear Sugar (10th Anniversary Edition) by Cheryl Strayed (Amazon)
For years, bestselling author Cheryl Strayed wrote an advice column with readers writing their relationship questions to “Dear Sugar.” This 10th anniversary edition, and Reese’s Book Club pick, has been updated from the original with new columns and a new preface by Strayed.
It’s also the basis for a HULU original series – watch the trailer here. BTW, there’s a mother-teen daughter element to the series that could be relatable to many Grown and Flown moms.
15. Apple AirPods Pro 3 (Amazon)
If you’re looking for a tech gift that your son or daughter will use (and thank you for) EVERY DAY, this is it. Apple AirPods Pro 3 are wildly popular and have fantastic functionality. They have active noise-cancellation, live translation, heart rate sensing and more. This device has practically become a necessity and, if they have an earlier generation, they will love a newer model.
16. Anker Nano Ultra Slim Power Bank (Amazon)
Your grad is going to be even busier than ever once they leave college. This slim charging device can make sure their phones are always charged.
17. GMorning, GNight: Little Pep Talks for You & Me by Lin-Manuel Miranda (2018) (Amazon)
Few artists in the universe inspire more admiration than Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the musical Hamilton. But before creating that mega-masterpiece, he posted daily tweets to inspire his followers. This New York Times Bestseller is a collection of his very best tweets and would make a great gift.
Apartment Furnishings
18. OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker – 24 oz (Amazon)
Is your soon-to-be grad a cold-brewed coffee lover? This at-home brew maker makes a concentrate for either hot or cold coffee and would be a perfect graduation gift, especially if they are moving into their first apartment. The New York Times Wirecutter recommends this coffee maker especially if someone wants to make a small batch and/or has limited space.
19. Cuisinart Goose Neck Electric Kettle (Amazon)
For a tea or hot coffee drinker, with a pour-over system, this goose neck electric kettle by Cuisinart could be an upgrade if they have a basic model. This one is also recommended by Wirecutter.
20. Tramontina 8-Piece All Clad Cookware Set (Amazon)
With a new apartment comes the fun (and expense) of furnishing a new kitchen and cookware can be daunting. This set is recommended by Wirecutter as an affordable and quality choice for anyone moving into their apartment.
21. Ironwood Gourmet Charleston End Grain Board with Channel, Acacia Wood (Amazon)
A beautiful wooden cutting board can be both kitchen essential and serving piece. This one is also recommended by Wirecutter.
22. Libbey All-Purpose Wine Glasses – Set of 4 (Amazon)
When your new college grad is entertaining friends, it would be nice for there to be to have a set of wine glasses that match. These are on the recommended lists by Wirecutter and Food & Wine.
More Graduation Gift Ideas
23. Graduation Mall Diploma Frame with Tassel Holder (Amazon)
The hard work they’ve put in over the past four years of college deserves to be celebrated! They can hang up their diploma and tassel in their living room or bedroom with this beautiful wooden frame. There are several design options and color combinations available that include spaces for the diploma, tassels, photograph and/or cap.
24. Alumni Association
If there’s an option for a Lifetime membership at their college’s alumni association you might want to offer to pay for that as there will be many benefits they can tap into over time. Many schools have employment support, special travel and on-campus activities, many around game-day.
25. New Clothes and Shoes for Work
If your son or daughter could use a wardrobe refresh, consider giving them funds NOW while they are still students and can take advantage of the student discounts that many retailers offer to students. Often they will need a .edu web address to register.
Why You Should Trust Us
We are three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on product lists for over 14 years now, making us experts. When selecting products we survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of over 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. We do opinion polls, surveys and ask open-ended questions. We search for products that combine reasonable prices with high quality and are recommended by our large following.
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