With graduation season right around the corner, friends and family members may be stumped on the perfect gift to celebrate their college senior’s achievements over the past four years and help them transition into the real world. For a variety of budgets, here are 8 graduation gift ideas that grads will be sure to use in post-collegiate life.
Personalized Stationary
Personalized stationary and a pen set can be extremely useful for grads to follow up with employers and clients, keep in touch with family and send out thank you notes for graduation gifts.
An Apartment/House Survival Item
Setting up a new house or apartment can take time, effort and money, and grads may not have all their bases covered just yet. Survival essentials like a pot and pan set, a tool kit or even a gift card to a home improvement store will be much appreciated when moving into their new digs. (REUTERS)
A Cookbook/Recipe Box
Students used to dining hall food for the past four years may need a push in the right direction when it comes to fending for themselves in the kitchen. Adding written notes and including family recipes can encourage grads to stay in and cook more and possibly beneficial to both their health and their wallets.
Location-Specific Resources
For grads relocating for a job or graduate school in a different city after undergrad, gifting maps, guidebooks/restaurant guides, or even a monthly subway pass can help them get settled and learn their new surroundings more quickly. (REUTERS)
Gift Cards or Cash
Adjusting to a post-collegiate budget and lifestyle can be a shock, especially with the need for a wardrobe upgrade. Giving gift cards or cash can help grads transition their closet from campus to a more professional look that’s business appropriate. (REUTERS)
Diploma Frame
After working hard for that piece of paper, grads can appreciate having their diploma professionally matted and framed, especially when customized with school colors or engravings of important dates or details. (REUTERS)
Tech Gadgets
A new tablet, e-reader, laptop or smartphone may be exactly what grads want and need for their professional career, especially if their gadget is on its last legs after four years in school. (Reuters)
Personal Finance Kit
It’s essential to start off on the right financial foot after college and managing student loan repayments and staying organized with bills can be made easier with a few essentials such as budgeting or tax software, filing supplies and a paper shredder.