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Best gifts for college grads, according to a recent college graduate

A collage of gifts, including an espresso machine, air fryer, watch, wallet and Amazon eGift card.

If you’ve got a soon-to-be college grad in your life, then you probably agree: some major congratulations are in order. As you get ready to watch your grad cross that stage, you’re also probably thinking about how best to celebrate their accomplishments. Grad parties are always a good option in our humble opinion (we’re party people, what can we say?), but another great choice? A graduation gift!

We can hear the frantic questions already: What makes a good gift? Where do I look for a good gift? How do I choose the right gift? How do I find a gift that communicates the vastness of my pride in all the hard work they’ve completed? These are all fair questions.

Luckily, we spoke with a recent college grad to get the inside scoop on all things gifting, and she gave us this curated list of grad-worthy gifts, covering everything from the sentimental to the practical to the just plain cool. So, take a deep breath, take out a pen and paper and get ready to take on the gift search with ease.

The top 25 gifts for college grads

1

IMUSA Espresso Machine

$

$

29.99

$

Give your grad the gift of caffeinated mornings without the countertop constraints posed by a bulkier machine.

2

Intelligent Change The Five Minute Journal

$

$

28.99

$

Graduating is a pretty big life transition. This journal is a great mindfulness tool to support them through all the changes.

3

Women’s Open-Front Blazer

$

$

57.99

$

A chic addition to their work wardrobe—and it comes in 24 colors!

4

Eco Leather Tote Bag

$

$

28.05

$

The perfect everyday tote for work. Pro tip: Pair this one with gift #3 to really give your grad the new job starter pack.

5

16 Oz Urban Map Glass

$

$

16.99

$

A cute, nostalgic keepsake for their first post-college apartment. Choose their hometown, the city they went to college in or the place they’re moving to post-grad.

6

Custom University Campus Illustration

$

$

30.00

$

For the grad who loved being on campus, this custom illustration is a sweet reminder of their home away from home.

7

Amazon eGift Card

$

$

$

Starting at $5

An Amazon eGift card is a great way to help them get exactly what they need for this new chapter of their life.

8

Target eGift Card

$

$

$

Starting at $5

Ditto for this one. Getting settled into adulthood is HARD, but having a Target eGift card certainly makes it easier.

9

Crate & Barrel eGift Card

$

$

$

Starting at $5

They’re probs hoping to swap their old dorm decor for some more grown-up items, so a Crate & Barrel eGift card is a total no-brainer!

10

Personalized Initial Jewelry Box

$

$

13.59

$

The perfect travel jewelry box for the on-the-go grad. Plus, it can be personalized with their initials.

11

Watch Box with Drawer

$

$

19.98

$

Because you know you’ve reached a new level of grown-up when you have your own watch box.

12

Casio Men's A158WA-1DF Digital Watch

$

$

20.51

$

To help them stay on top of all those work meetings!

13

Embossed Card Holder

$

$

34.23

$

If they’re still using a silicone phone wallet they got during freshman orientation, this pebbled-leather card holder is a sturdier option while still retaining that low-profile look.

14

Hatch Restore 2 Alarm Clock

$

$

199.99

$

The trending alarm clock that makes a great night’s sleep super achievable.

15

Sound Machine Sunrise Alarm Clock

$

$

30.59

$

A dupe of the uber-popular Hatch Restore, this budget-friendly option makes waking up a breeze.

16

35-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set

$

$

42.99

$

Check some items off their apartment shopping list with this set of 35 kitchen tools and utensils.

17

12-Piece Cookware Set

$

$

99.99

$

Help them skip that phase where they’re barely scraping by with just a single whisk as the entirety of their cookware collection.

18

Standing Desk

$

$

125.22

$

If they’re WFH-ing, a standing desk is a MUST. Help them avoid premature back problems by encouraging them to stretch those legs.

19

Travel Duffel with USB Port

$

$

28.99

$

The perfect everything bag. From the gym, to work, to weekend trips, this one does it all (while also keeping their devices charged).

20

Cosori 4-in-1 Mini Air Fryer

$

$

59.99

$

Oh, the air fryer. A true friend in this big, vast world. Ease your grad’s evenings with the comfort of this quick-cooking wonder.

21

McCook 15-Piece Knife Set

$

$

47.98

$

For chopping all the veggies they’ll be putting into that air fryer!

22

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

$

$

39.99

$

A speaker, alarm clock and personal assistant all bundled into one.

23

Record Player

$

$

49.99

$

With built-in speakers and Bluetooth functionality, this record player will absolutely amp up their sound system—no pun intended.

24

Custom Scrapbook

$

$

45.00

$

As they move forward in their journey, give them something that’ll help them reminisce about all the college mems.

25

Scratch the World® Map Poster

$

$

14.99

$

An interactive and aesthetically pleasing way for them to track all the places they’ll go.

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All of the products we feature are hand-selected by our editors! You see only what we love and what we think you'll love too. If you buy something through links on our site, Evite may earn a commission. Prices are subject to change.

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