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 according to the kids themselves, but rest assured, we found things that everyone would be thrilled to receive. Here are some of our favorite graduation gift ideas.
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through some of the links in this post.
Great college graduation gifts
1. Duffle Bag (lululemon)
Your young adult would love this stylish and practical duffle bag from lululemon. Water-repellent, it has an adjustable strap and zippered main compartment, a zippered exterior pocket, and interior pockets so they can keep sweaty gym clothes or toiletries apart from the rest. Available in two colors.
2. Cuyana Travel Beauty Case (The Container Store)
We have been fans of Cuyana bags for a long time and were thrilled to see that they have a sleek and functional set of zippered bags for makeup and other toiletries. Crafted from pebbled Italian leather, it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
3. The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them by Dr. Meg Jay (Amazon)
In this riveting 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 best graduation gifts we have on our list!
Watch why 4 million people have downloaded this Ted Talk by Dr. Jay.
4. TAKEYA Cold Brew Coffee Maker (Amazon)
Is your soon-to-be grad a cold-brewed coffee lover? This reusable, at-home cold brew maker has a 4-cup capacity and produces smooth, well-balanced, concentrated coffee. Save money and the environment, and enjoy delicious coffee. This would be a perfect graduation gift, especially if they move into their first apartment.
5. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) (Amazon)
If you are looking for a tech gift that your son or daughter will use (and thank you for) EVERY DAY, this is it. Apple AirPods Pro are wildly popular and have fantastic functionality. They have noise-cancellation capabilities, an upgrade from earlier models, which can be very helpful in open offices. This device has practically become a necessity for our young adults, and if they have an earlier generation, they will love the new model.
6. Eagle Creek Pack-It Starter Set – Set of 3 (The Container Store)
Packing cubes are a life-saver for travelers and Eagle Creek is a top brand. This set includes a small and medium bag plus a carryon-friendly garment folder to help keep ironed clothes from becoming a jumbled mess. Available in blue, black and green.
7. YETI Tumbler (YETI)
YETI is a legendary brand, and your son or daughter would love to have a travel mug to keep their coffee hot all morning. Personalize it with their initials or their alma mater’s logo, and they will use this — and thank you — daily. YETIs are good graduation gifts known for durability.
8. lululemon Backpack (lululemon)
The lululemon aptly named “Everywhere Backpack” is perfect for life on the go, from work to the gym and everywhere on weekends. With plenty of pockets, including an exterior for a 16″ laptop and inside ones for the rest, this smart-looking bag comes in several sleek colors. A new backpack is a handy gift and one they would love.
9. Leatherology Passport Holder and Luggage Tag(Leatherology)
If your grad is eager to travel the world, this leather passport holder and luggage tag set is a fantastic gift. This passport holder has enough space for credit cards or cash; both pieces can be personalized with a monogram. Available in nine colors, including bright ones that can help your young adult more easily spot their luggage if they check it. Don’t forget to add a note reminding them of how proud you are of them.
10. Meet 100 People by Pat Hedley (Pat Hedley)
Young adults can learn the art of meeting people to expand their network of professional contacts, a skill that will enhance their professional development and career prospects. Pat Hedley has written THE book on the topic.
11. GMorning, GNight: Little Pep Talks for You & Me by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Amazon)
No one in the universe may 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 and would be a great gift.
12. Cutting Board (Amazon)
This cutting board is both beautiful and functional. Made of walnut, cherry, and maple, it is reversible and has a built-in well to make it easy to chop and sort ingredients. Beautiful to use when you young adult wants to serve charcuterie to their guests.
13. Leatherology Slim Wallet(Leatherology)
If your son could use a more conventional wallet with room for all ID, insurance, and credit cards, consider this slim bifold wallet from Leatherology. Add initials and choose from 10 different colors. Available with RIFD (radio-frequency identification) blocking, too. Slip in a gift card to Starbucks or a favorite retailer for an added treat.
14. Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones (Amazon)
It was not just the dorm or college apartment that was noisy for your grad. Open office floor plans or working from home with roommates(!) are all distracting and loud. These wireless headphones are excellent and would be a very welcome gift.
15. Tumi Continental Dual Access 4-Wheeled Carry-On(Tumi)
This Continental Carry-On meets the carry-on size luggage requirements for travel within North America. It includes a built-in USB port and a separate garment sleeve for a suit. In addition to being an incredibly functional suitcase, it is extraordinarily well-made. It’s such high quality that your recent grad will tire of it long before they need to replace it. Perfect for leisure travel or business trips!
16. Riedel Wine Glasses(Amazon)
If your new grad likes entertaining, they will love this eight-glass-shaped Riedel wine glasses set.
17. Yurman Cable Classics Center Bracelet(David Yurman)
We love David Yurman jewelry, including their beautiful necklaces and earrings, but this sweet bracelet caught our eye, and we guarantee your graduate will love it.
18. Cosori Air Fryer (Amazon)
Make cooking much more accessible by getting your graduate an air fryer. It heats up within seconds and can cook almost anything — salmon, chicken, tofu, french fries, vegetables, and much more.
19. Ninja Blender (Amazon)
A Ninja blender is an excellent addition to a kitchen. The strong motor crushes the toughest ingredients quickly for creamy frozen drinks, smoothies, sauces, and more. It offers 3 speeds, a 28-recipe inspiration guide, and is dishwasher-safe.
20. Apple Watch (Amazon)
If your graduate is into health and fitness, they can track their heart rate, sleep stages, and more with an Apple Watch. It also includes safety features like fall and crash detection and they can call for help by pressing a button. Plus, Apple Pay can also be done through the watch.
21. 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 frame.
22. Roomba (Amazon)
If they are soon-to-be moving into a new apartment or house, a Roomba will make cleaning up dust much easier. This one connects with WiFi and works with Alexa. It cleans both carpets and hardwood floors and can run for 90 minutes without being charged.
23. Home Office Lap Desk (Amazon)
If your new graduate will be working a hybrid or remote job in the future, this at-home lap desk offers the ideal setup for comfort while working in bed or on a couch. It has a soft dual-cushion base, wrist pad, mouse pad, phone slot, tablet slot, and storage drawer.
Still Looking for More Graduation Gift Guides:
