Best Gifts for College Graduates
-Diploma Frame: Perfect for a recent grad’s new office, this gift lets them proudly display their reward for four years of hard work. Generic frames can be purchased at office supply stores, however for a more personalized touch consider contacting the student’s college bookstore where customized frames are typically sold.
-Apartment Supplies: There are plenty of inexpensive options if you would like to purchase a gift to help the graduate set up their new apartment. Consider a gift for the kitchen like a crockpot/slow cooker, which would allow the user to come home after work to a hot meal. These can be purchased at reasonable prices at stores like Target or Kmart. A coffeepot or bartending supplies are also nice additions to a new apartment and can also be purchased at Target or Kmart, or stores like Bed Bath and Beyond or Linens and Things.
-Metro Card: Frequently new grads find themselves working in the big city after graduation, and with city life comes city transportation. A MetroCard is a great gift for a recent grad who finds themselves working in New York. A 30-day Unlimited Ride MetroCard costs $76 and is good for all subway and bus rides until midnight. For a new Washington D.C. resident consider purchasing a Metrorail Farecard which can be bought in different denominations and are even sold online.
-Newspaper Subscription: Another gift which is perfect for a graduate living in a new city is a newspaper subscription for their local paper. This will help them feel more at home and find activities and events going on around town. Check the newspaper’s website for delivery options; often a subscription can be ordered right online.
-Day Planner: Life after college suddenly becomes very busy as the graduate becomes accustomed to a 40 hour work week instead of an 18 hour class week. A day planner is a good way to keep on track with appointments and meetings. This gift is also great for different price ranges since they can be found for around $15 at office supply stores or discount chain stores, or for around $60 from designers like Coach.
-A Scrapbook: Close to the graduate? Consider making a scrapbook out of your favorite snapshots and memories. Photos, ticket stubs, and scrapbook decorations that can be purchased at craft stores all make nice additions. Leave a blank page at the end of the scrapbook so that the graduate can add pictures from the graduation ceremony, or the tassel from their cap.
-Luxury gifts: For a graduate you are very close to, an expensive, fancy gift will surely be treasured for a long time. Consider a gift from Tiffany & Co. or Things Remembered like a silver engraved pen or business card holder. A nice watch or leather briefcase is always a good option, and for the ultimate in luxury graduation gifts a car is a great way to reward four years of studies.
Ultimately, the best way to choose a gift for the college graduate is to consider their interest and needs and find something that suits those. Think about their plans for post college life and try and find a gift which will make the transition into adulthood much smoother and easier. Keep those in mind when choosing a present and it will surely be a hit.
