College graduation season signifies the start of the real
world for many college graduates who will soon be navigating an entire new set
of work duties, household responsibilities and exciting opportunities.
Keeping this in mind, family and friends can buy college graduation gifts that make the upcoming adjustment period a bit smoother while simultaneously celebrating a graduate’s accomplishments.
Gift cards and cash are gifts that will never be turned down, but for those looking for other college graduation gift ideas, you’ll find great ideas sure to satisfy college graduation gifts for her and him.
The Best College Graduation Gift Ideas for 2023
1. Luggage Set
Packing for business trips or going home for the holidays is stressful without trusty luggage. Give the gift of better travel with Rockland’s Melbourne Luggage, which is available in more than ten colors.
The 3-piece set of hardsided suitcases have spinner wheels, ergonomic telescoping handles and interior pockets for extra storage. College graduates on their way to a new city will appreciate the sleek and durable carry-on.
Savings Tip: Get Home Depot promo codes for the best deal.
2. Instant Pot Duo
Graduation gift ideas that save time in the kitchen will put you in a class all your own. This clever cook pot is seven appliances in one. Use it as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, rice cooker or a yogurt maker and warmer, to cook food 70% faster.
One of the best college graduation gifts for guys and women, this pressure cooker will help make cooking in the real world much easier.
Savings Tip: Get Target promo codes for the best deal.
3. Modern Nesting Coffee Tables
Versatile and compact, these sturdy tables can be used as a coffee table, end table or snack table and can be stacked easily when space is needed.
Gift ideas like these nesting tables give college graduates a leg up on furnishing their apartments. They won’t be able to afford everything they want, but they’ll be happy to have a set of two interesting, beautifully designed accent tables in their place.
Savings Tip: Get Home Depot promo codes for the best deal.
4. 2-Way Coffee Maker
College graduates can make a single cup of coffee or a 12-cup carafe with this two-way brewer. With full programmable functionality, they can have a hot cup of coffee waiting for them in every morning.
This Hamilton Beach coffee maker may be a graduation gift for college, but it will be one of the best gifts new grads have ever received. College graduation gifts this life-changing will never be forgotten.
Savings Tip: Take Target promo codes of the best deal.
5. Indoor Bonsai Tree
A bonsai tree may not be a traditional college graduation gift for her or him, but it’s a great gift for college grads who enjoy plant décor or have a green thumb. A Golden Gate species, it grows best indoors and is the ideal size for a cubicle, kitchen, or on a coffee table or windowsill.
The perfect gift to remind them of their accomplishments, it will also remind them of you every time they see it.
Savings Tip: Find Walmart coupon codes for the best deal.
6. General Household Tool Set
When something breaks in their apartment, college graduates will be grateful for this 148-piece tool kit, which has everything they need to knock out small repairs. The corrosion-resistant tools are secured in a handy tool case for easy storage and longevity.
Graduation gifts that are home essentials make great gift ideas because it will be a while before fresh college graduates will think to buy them, let alone have the budget to do so.
Savings Tip: Take AliExpress promo codes for the best deal.
7. Grocery Bag Dispenser
The perfect gift for eco-friendly college graduates, this dispenser can hold 30 grocery bags and a wide dispensing slot that makes reusing plastic bags convenient and easy. No matter where it’s placed – inside the cabinet, under shelves or on the wall – its minimal design will blend in with the décor and provide clutter-free storage in their new apartment.
It’s one unique college graduation gift idea graduates will be thrilled about.
Savings Tip: Find AliExpress coupon codes for the best deal.
College Graduation Gift Buying Guide
Taking the time to consider a few things about the soon-to-be graduate can make shopping for the perfect graduation gift much easier. Whether they have no idea of what they’re doing next or have a post-grad life plan (and business cards) ready to go, this guide will help you celebrate new grads.
The Traveler
For the former college student with big plans to finally cash in those frequent flyer miles, there are plenty of great gifts that work well with their wanderlust.
One of the most obvious (and best) gifts is a nice carry-on that is durable, chic and comes with a ton of bonus features like a laundry bag or compression to aid in saving space. Other great gifts are slim backpacks for carrying essentials and scarves with zip pockets for easy access to money, credit cards and Bluetooth earpods.
The Working Graduate
They may or may not have a new job lined up, but these graduates are ready to take on the world. Help them out by buying grad gifts for their first job.
You can frame their diploma, a perfect gift piece of wall decor for those working in an office. Professional clothing is another necessity, especially for those graduates who will soon be interviewing – help upgrading their wardrobe from sweats will be much appreciated. Business cards, high-quality wallets, totes and messenger bags are also useful gifts for a graduate’s working life.
Celebrate Memories
Some of the best graduation gifts celebrate the good times and friendships of college life. Photo albums do a great job at capturing special moments, as well as unique photo frames that can be designed with a school’s logo.
There are lots of creative gifts that celebrate who the graduate was and who they are about to become, giving you a lot of space to really personalize these gifts.
Their First Apartment
Having their own place is exciting, but grads will soon find out that adulting is hard. Gifts that help them furnish their new apartment, whether it’s small appliances, bedding or a survival kit that includes hand soap and kitchen utensils, will be needed and make them feel grown-up.
Honor College Graduates!
Let the grads in your life know how proud you are! Finding the perfect college graduation gift can be difficult, but with these creative gift ideas you’re sure to find something graduates will appreciate.
For more inspiration, be sure to check out graduation gift ideas for nursing graduates, pharmacy school graduates, law school graduates, police school graduates, and pre-school graduates! We even have ideas for DIY Graduation Gifts, Graduation Gifts for Her and Graduation Gifts for Him. Happy Giving!