Great Grad Gifts
As you know, we are celebrating Graduation Week here at Gardenias and Glitter, brought on in large part by the college graduation of my youngest daughter. Today we would like to share some suggestions for gifts for the graduates in your life. I have to confess, I consulted with some recent graduates, so not all of the ideas are my own. No graduate in your life? That's okay, these gifts work for birthdays or holidays for the late teen/early twenties loved one in your life.
Tervis Tumblers or coffee cups- just about every college student I know has at least one of these in their school colors or with their favorite movie character. These cups keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for an extended amount of time. They also have tops so that the beverages don't spill. See here for more information. Take a look at the special cups for grads. For bonus points, put a gift card to their favorite coffee shop in the cup!
Amazon Alexa- this allows the grad to do information searches, get the weather, hear a story, listen to music and even order pizza and coffee. For more information click here. I recommend the Echo Dot.
Fitbit- For the graduate who is trying to avoid the "freshman fifteen" at college or stay fit after graduation, a Fitbit is a great way to monitor activity throughout the day. Some college P.E. classes are requiring students to buy them to keep track of their exercise for class. You will find more information here.
College "Swag" giftbag- If your high school grad is going to college, check out the college bookstore online for t-shirts, sweatshirts, bumper-stickers, coffee mugs, mascot emblazoned school supplies, or even stuffed animal mascots. Fill a backpack with some fun school school supplies or school swag.
Personalized Business Card Holder- If your graduate is going into an office job, this is a classic graduation gift. Most office professionals will have business cards and a personalized holder is a great way to make sure that they have a special and professional way to carry them.
Quilt in School Colors- this is one of my favorites and I realize that not everyone can make them, but it is my go-to for some of my favorite grads. They get used for blankets while watching t.v., beach blankets, picnic blankets, at tailgates and chilly ballgames. If you can't sew one yourself, there are several seamstresses in most areas who are willing to make them for a fee. Again, Google to the rescue! Some school bookstores will have blankets in school colors for the same purpose.
Jewelry- One of my favorites is this Alex and Ani graduation cap bracelet.
Books- I don't usually recommend books as gifts for young people, but one of the favorites of "young people" I talked to is Adulting- How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown. The author talks about a wide variety of topics from renting an apartment to auto maintenance, cooking, getting a job, etc. While the topics sound dull, she explains them in an interesting and easy to understand way. It is such a good read, I am considering making it a required text in my classes. I wish I had it when I was a young grad!
A Netflix Subscription- I can't even begin to describe how important this has been to the grads I know. It is an inexpensive way to watch movies, binge watch old t.v. shows or catch new ones that everyone is talking about.
Gift Cards- this was a favorite gift choice among the grads that I talked to. Some suggestions:
Money- probably the favorite choice of graduates of all ages is money- in any denomination! Find a cute way to present it (here's where Pinterest comes in handy!) and you have a one-size fits all gift!
By the way, I do not have any interest, monetary or otherwise, in any product or service presented- I just think they are great gift ideas (to give and receive!).
I hope this list has helped you find the perfect gift for your grad. Thanks for stopping by today!
~Cynthia
Tervis Tumblers or coffee cups- just about every college student I know has at least one of these in their school colors or with their favorite movie character. These cups keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for an extended amount of time. They also have tops so that the beverages don't spill. See here for more information. Take a look at the special cups for grads. For bonus points, put a gift card to their favorite coffee shop in the cup!
Amazon Alexa- this allows the grad to do information searches, get the weather, hear a story, listen to music and even order pizza and coffee. For more information click here. I recommend the Echo Dot.
Fitbit- For the graduate who is trying to avoid the "freshman fifteen" at college or stay fit after graduation, a Fitbit is a great way to monitor activity throughout the day. Some college P.E. classes are requiring students to buy them to keep track of their exercise for class. You will find more information here.
College "Swag" giftbag- If your high school grad is going to college, check out the college bookstore online for t-shirts, sweatshirts, bumper-stickers, coffee mugs, mascot emblazoned school supplies, or even stuffed animal mascots. Fill a backpack with some fun school school supplies or school swag.
Personalized Business Card Holder- If your graduate is going into an office job, this is a classic graduation gift. Most office professionals will have business cards and a personalized holder is a great way to make sure that they have a special and professional way to carry them.
Quilt in School Colors- this is one of my favorites and I realize that not everyone can make them, but it is my go-to for some of my favorite grads. They get used for blankets while watching t.v., beach blankets, picnic blankets, at tailgates and chilly ballgames. If you can't sew one yourself, there are several seamstresses in most areas who are willing to make them for a fee. Again, Google to the rescue! Some school bookstores will have blankets in school colors for the same purpose.
Jewelry- One of my favorites is this Alex and Ani graduation cap bracelet.
Books- I don't usually recommend books as gifts for young people, but one of the favorites of "young people" I talked to is Adulting- How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown. The author talks about a wide variety of topics from renting an apartment to auto maintenance, cooking, getting a job, etc. While the topics sound dull, she explains them in an interesting and easy to understand way. It is such a good read, I am considering making it a required text in my classes. I wish I had it when I was a young grad!
A Netflix Subscription- I can't even begin to describe how important this has been to the grads I know. It is an inexpensive way to watch movies, binge watch old t.v. shows or catch new ones that everyone is talking about.
Gift Cards- this was a favorite gift choice among the grads that I talked to. Some suggestions:
- Starbucks- almost every grad loves this national coffee chain and almost every town has one. Some colleges have Starbucks on campus, but they may not take the gift cards, so if your grad is going on to college, they may not be able to use it there. (If it lasts that long!)
- Amazon- the grad can get anything that they need for their dorm room or new apartment sent directly to them. They can also get movies, TV shows, etc. through Amazon prime.
- Target- a favorite of many grads around here- again, they can get anything that they need to prepare for school or their new apartment.
- A local restaurant- if you know where the grad is going to school or where they will be living post-graduation, Google favorite local restaurants and buy gift cards. College students and new grads don't always have a lot of money for eating out and this is a special treat.
Money- probably the favorite choice of graduates of all ages is money- in any denomination! Find a cute way to present it (here's where Pinterest comes in handy!) and you have a one-size fits all gift!
By the way, I do not have any interest, monetary or otherwise, in any product or service presented- I just think they are great gift ideas (to give and receive!).
I hope this list has helped you find the perfect gift for your grad. Thanks for stopping by today!
~Cynthia
These are such awesome ideas!! TFS!
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