- Graduation gives friends and family the opportunity to both celebrate and ease the transition of their graduate from student to adult.
- Below are 38 gifts – most practical, and some strictly fun – that he’ll appreciate.
- Need more gift ideas? We have gift guides for college graduation gifts for him, for her, and graduation gifts under $100. You can also check out our Class of 2020 gift ideas hub here.
Editor’s note: Graduation ceremonies across the country are being canceled and postponed due to coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean students aren’t still preparing to move on to the next phase of their lives. We hope this list provides some guidance for how to help them celebrate their accomplishments and smoothly transition to whatever form their next chapter may take.
Graduation season is fast approaching, and with it comes the season of giving.
Recent college graduates are heading into a new and exciting period of life – as well as one that will introduce more responsibilities and needs than they may have the budget for at the moment. As a recent graduate myself, I know that the most thoughtful and practical gifts I received made a much appreciated and tangible difference in my post-grad life, and I still haven’t forgotten the people who made that possible.
The best graduation gifts range from a thoughtful commemoration of his hard work and fond memories to practical luxuries he can't quite afford yet for himself. With that in mind, I've rounded up 38 thoughtful and practical graduation gifts for him.
If you're looking for more graduation gift ideas, we have you covered:
- College graduation gifts for her
- High school graduation gifts for her
- High school graduation gifts for him
- Graduation gifts under $100
- Amazon Prime-eligible graduation gifts under $100
- Travel-themed gifts for recent grads
Computer glasses
Gift Felix Gray computer glasses, from $95 for non-prescription
Even if he has 20/20 vision, a pair of computer glasses are an extremely useful gift. Felix Gray's blue-light blocking lenses protect eyes from the harsh effects of blue light emitted from computer screens, TVs, and smartphones. With a pair, he'll be able to work long hours at his job or internship, or even binge-watch his favorite shows without damaging his eyes.
Read our full review on Flex Gray computer glasses here.
A Bonobos gift card
Bonobos Gift Card, from $25
No matter what he has in store for life after graduation, he'll surely want to upgrade his wardrobe. Bonobos is a high-quality menswear brand that sells everything from chinos, button-ups, and suits for the office to casual styles like jeans, polo, and T-shirts to wear on the weekends.
A backpack for the office
Stuart & Lau Capstone Backpack, $295
Most guys prefer to carry a backpack over a messenger bag or briefcase, but his old backpack from high school and college probably isn't meant for his new office. Named the best backpack for work, The Stuart & Lau Capstone Backpack features premium leather accents, durable waterproof nylon, and tons of usable storage for commuting.
A Disney Plus subscription
Sign up for Disney Plus, $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year ($5.83/month)
Graduating from college usually marks the beginning of "adulting," but he'll eventually need a break from being a grownup. With everything from classic Disney movies and shows from his childhood to Star Wars and Marvel movies, a Disney Plus subscription is a sure way to stay entertained. Learn more about Disney Plus here.
Stylish button-up dress shirts
The Tie Bar Dress Shirts, from $55 each or $140 for three
While graphic T-shirts and hoodies are perfectly fine for wearing every day in high school, a new graduate is going to need some fresh button-up shirts. The Tie Bar makes it very affordable to stock up on different colors and styles - and you'll find troves of other office-ready accessories for him, too.
A nice watch
Gift a MVMT Watch, from $95
Traditional watches can be expensive, but startups are changing that. MVMT is probably the best-known watch industry disruptor. If you'd like to read more about the company, we've covered them in-depth here.
You can get the sort of classic, work-appropriate accessory that makes outfits look a bit more competent and established for as little as $105, and he'll be happy he didn't have to shell out for this small but meaningful luxury himself.
A Brooklinen gift card for really nice new sheets for an adult apartment
Gift a Brooklinen Gift Card, from $50
Graduates will be moving from dorms to a new place that they'll likely take a bit more pride and ownership in, and that calls for an upgrade in bedding. They'll probably want to pick it out for themselves, but a gift card is a perfect way to give them a luxury they'll be extremely happy to have but maybe couldn't justify just yet for themselves.
Brooklinen has quickly become a standard-bearer for startups offering premium bedding at affordable prices. Their sheets look great, feel even better, and can genuinely offer you a better night's sleep. They're also our pick for the best luxury sheets you can buy.
You can get a Queen sheet set (flat sheet, fitted sheet and 2 standard pillowcases) for as little as $129 altogether.
A tracker for his keys and phone
Gift the Tile Mate with Replaceable Battery, 4-Pack, $42.89
You can't go wrong with a tracker for his keys, wallet, or phone. The Tile Mate is compact, thoughtful, and useful for pretty much everyone, especially if their new apartment charges $50 every time they forget their key.
A nice new wallet he can keep forever
Gift the Bellroy Note Sleeve Wallet, from $89
Bellroy wallets last forever, which is one reason why they take the top spot in the Insider Reviews buying guide to the best men's wallets. This Note Sleeve is the company's best seller. It's compact but big enough for 4-11 cards - the most important cards go in the easy-access slots and the rest can be stored in a pull-tab.
A Birchbox subscription
Gift a Birchbox Subscription, from $30
In general, subscriptions are some of the best gifts that you can give. A monthly treat, especially on a tight budget, can be a really nice thing to look forward to. And every time their subscription is delivered, your giftee has a nice reminder that you care.
Birchbox is one of the best subscription services out there, and one uniquely well-suited for graduates. It combines monthly deliveries of small personalized samples and an easy-to-use e-commerce shop. His box will have four grooming samples (like nice aftershave, body wash, or even cologne), plus a stylish accessory or gadget each time.
You can gift a grooming subscription for 3 months for $30, 6 months for $60, or a full 12 months for $110.
An Alexa-enabled car charger
Gift the ROAV Viva Pro Alexa-Enabled USB Car Charger, $69.99
Give his car a smart upgrade with the Alexa-enabled Roav Viva. Not only can the device charge his smartphone, it can also answer questions about the weather or traffic, play music, and even tell him the news - all without him having to take his eyes off the road or hands from the steering wheel.
Coasters made out of reclaimed classic records
Gift the Upcycled Record Coasters, $18
Gift him the first truly cool home decoration he brings to his new place post-college with these coasters made out of labels cut from actual vinyl records.
Comfortable dress shoes
Wolf & Shepherd Closer Cap Toe, $295
Although he's probably got some old dress shoes lying around, it's never a bad idea to go into the real world with a new pair of dress shoes. Wolf & Shepherd makes dress shoes with sneaker-like comfort at reasonable prices. There are plenty of styles to choose from, but the Closer Cap Toe is the safest bet for a first (or second) pair of dress shoes. Read my full review here.
A media streaming stick
Gift the Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote, $49.99
The Fire TV Stick is Alexa-enabled, so grads can leisurely control content like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, STARZ, SHOWTIME, or CBS All Access using only their voice. They can also stream Pluto TV, IMDb Freedive, and others services for free.
A book of all the funny wrong answers provided for test questions in the past
Gift "F in Exams", $8.12
Thankfully, college tests are now presumably behind him, the good and the bad. This hilarious book celebrates the best of failure with 250 actual responses to common test questions from grade school through high school. Celebrate the fact that none of these answers kept him from a diploma, and make sure he sees the humor in the next inevitable blunder in life.
An Echo Dot
Gift an Echo Dot, $49.99
The Echo Dot is a small, unobtrusive personal helper that can set timers while you cook, report the weather and traffic to you from the comfort of your bed in the morning, and perform many, many more helpful tasks without taking up much room at all. The Dot is also really easy to use, and it's a big plus that it will work with any Amazon device purchases he makes in the future, since they'll be in the same tech ecosystem.
A funny and unique card
Gift the 'Kinda a Big Dill' Card, from $4.50
You could pick up a card from the CVS down the street, but you'll get a better range of options on Etsy.
An Instant Pot
Gift an Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart, $79
Just in case the idea of tossing tons of vegetables, meat, and a couple of other ingredients into a pot in the morning and coming home to a nicely cooked (and affordable, and potentially healthy) meal appeals to him, the Instant Pot is every recent graduate's best friend.
Ultimately, if you spend most of your day at work or commuting, the last thing most people want to do is come home to devote two of their three free hours to make a lavish dinner for one. Plus, it cuts down on how many dishes he'll have to wash.
An Amazon Prime membership
Gift a year of Amazon Prime, $119
An annual Amazon Prime membership is one of those things that immediately makes life easier and ultimately better. If you decide to gift one, the recipient will enjoy free two-day shipping; access to the Prime Now app, which provides free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items; Prime Video, Amazon's streaming video service; Prime Music; the Kindle Lending Library; Prime Reading; Prime Audible Channels; unlimited photo storage, and more.
If you want to see how Amazon Prime ($119 for the year) actually gives you a lot more than free shipping, you can read our overview of the service here.
A monogrammed planner
Gift a Monogrammed Moleskine Planner, $4.95-$29.95
Life is busy in college, and it doesn't stop being busy after graduation. Having a professional-looking, organized way to start off the year like a monogrammed Moleskine planner is one thoughtful way to help.
Books that every young adult should read
Gift "The Happiness Advantage", $13.64
Graduates are bound to be excited about the end of classes, but learning can actually be a lot of fun when it's self-directed and at their leisure. They might realize a few months out of school that they're actually a little starved for something new to think about, or they've just noticed that most people in the office continue to read (for pleasure and for advancing their career opportunities).
If you want a list to start your thinking, here are 10 books that famous CEOs loved reading.
A made-to-measure suit
Gift an Indochino Gift Card, from $50
Suits - especially the nice ones - are a large yet ultimately necessary expense for most men, even if it's only for special occasions rather than his everyday job. This is one gift he'll likely use for years to come, will inspire confidence and gratitude every time he puts it on, and is something he will likely need before he has the budget to afford it.
Indochino is one place where you can get a made-to-measure suit for as little as $349. We've actually even tried out the service ourselves and loved it.
An instant coffee maker
Gift a Keurig Coffee Maker, $79
Coffee is something many of us rely on daily and don't want to spend a lot of time making. In the morning or in a rush, instant gratification is best. Which is why fast coffee makers that take the hassle out of the equation are so popular. If you think they won't mind some extra steps - or they're a big coffee aficionado - check out our Buying Guide to the best coffee makers you can buy.
A popular suitcase
Gift an Away Carry-On Suitcase, from $225
An Away suitcase is a particularly thoughtful gift for grads living far from home. The cult-favorite luggage has an ejectable external battery that charges devices easily on the go, 360-degree wheels for no-hassle travel, and weighs only 7.6 pounds. He'll even get to use it when the time comes time to travel for work or for fun.
A nice messenger bag
Gift the Leatherology Henderson Laptop Brief Bag, from $300
This Leatherology bag is an option that inspires a bit more confidence than a JanSport. The startup makes great leather accessories for much less than you'd expect to pay, like a $300 messenger bag. You'll find a few more budget-friendly options at Herschel Supply.
A really nice business-card holder
Gift the VITT Personalized Card Holder, from $28.99
While his company will likely give him business cards, he's not likely to already have a business-card holder he can feel good about pulling out of his pocket. A business-card holder like this monogrammable option from Etsy looks competent and thoughtful.
A fitness tracker
Gift the Fitbit Charge 3, $99.99
Give him a fitness wearable that will serve both as a tracker and a motivator to work out (and store up on endorphins, along with other health benefits). This one lets you choose from more than 15 exercise modes, records sleep quality, and is swim-proof and water-resistant to 50m.
A great weekend bag
Gift the large Dagne Dover Landon Carryall, $95
Dagne Dover has earned a spot as one of our default recommendations for great bags. Their weekender/carry-on Landon Carryall is made out of a cool neoprene material and has ample organization. It has an internal laptop sleeve, an exterior phone pocket, and a detachable key leash, plus a few other helpful design features.
Really nice headphones for the long nights and commutes ahead
Gift a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II, $299
Whether it's on his commute, gym time, weekend trips, or just at the office, you can be sure he'll get a lot of use out of these fan-favorite headphones, and they'll be something he holds onto for years to come.
A tablet for Netflix and surfing the web when not at the office
Gift an Apple iPad, $399.99
On average, a laptop has a lifespan of about four years. If you've just attended a four-year institution, your own laptop may be on its last legs. Since most companies give their employees work computers, it's not totally necessary to go get another. But for streaming Netflix or surfing the web at home, an iPad can be a budget-friendly alternative that better suits their lifestyle. I bought one for myself as a senior in college, and it's basically all I use at home now almost a year after graduation.
A cool cocktail recipe and records book
Gift "Booze & Vinyl", $17.99
If he's interested in records and nice drinks, "Booze & Vinyl" is a unique and thoughtful gift. It's a collection of cocktail recipes, plus a record that pairs perfectly with each drink. It also has photos, lyrics, and games like connecting the drink to the artist. Pick it up on Amazon.
Unique socks to spice up professional clothes
Gift the Happy Socks Mix Gift Box, $48
One of the easiest ways to personalize a suit is with a pair of bright, unique socks. Pick up a set of four to add some fun to the monotony.
A grooming gift set
Gift the Refresh Dopp Kit, $55
Bespoke Post's Refresh gift set includes everything he'll need for a great morning routine: a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, soap, toothpaste, facial cleanser, and the Blue Co. Dopp Kit - which we ranked as the best overall Dopp kit you can buy in our buying guide. It has a thick and rugged wax canvas exterior, a waterproof and spill-resistant ballistic nylon lining, and a full-grain leather carrying handle.
A foundational cookbook he will actually use
Gift "How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food", $32.49
A lot of graduates are coming out of school with little knowledge of cuisine or the human palette as it pertains to tastes not including mac and cheese or $1 pizza (yes, it exists). A cookbook is a nice way to make sure they can get off on the right foot post-graduation, maybe eating some vegetables and enjoying the activity itself rather than relying on the same cheap eats out of habit or lack of know-how.
A small, powerful speaker that's Amazon Alexa enabled
Gift a Sonos One (Gen 2) wireless speaker, $198.49
Sonos makes some pretty great speakers for recent grads. They work well, can be used as a sound system, have useful features like a morning alarm that may sound more pleasant than their phone, and are not so expensive that they can't possibly build upon their collection. If he's planning on entertaining friends, the newest Sonos One is a great option, especially since it now connects with Amazon Alexa. You can read our full review here.
A Kindle for post-grad reading
Gift a Kindle Paperwhite, $129.99
Gifting a Kindle will complete a similar task to gifting graduates some of the books every young adult should read. Learning is an ongoing process, and graduation shouldn't be the end of it. Giving them a Kindle means they'll have the tools to keep being curious in their lives by having both the device that makes it an easy and affordable process and the reminder.
If they've already got a Kindle or they read on their phone or iPad, you might look into gifting them a Scribd membership. It's lesser-known than apps like Audible, but it's a better deal and will give them access to hundreds of thousands of books and audiobooks.
An Amazon gift card
Give an Amazon Gift Card
If what you really want to do is just give cash but are looking for a nicer equivalent, an Amazon Gift Card is a subtle way to accomplish the same freedom and utility. Amazon has virtually everything a new grad could desire (really, there is everything), so you know that no matter what they'll be getting something they genuinely want - which, in a lot of cases, is best since they know what they need better than anyone.
A toolkit, which they will undoubtedly need in "real life"
Gift a Cartman 148-Piece Tool Kit, $27.99
After graduation, you enter the "real world" and the real world will include putting together furniture, Googling how to fix leaky faucets when your landlord avoids your calls, and enticing your friends to help you mount your living room TV with pizza. It's not the most strictly "fun" gift, but it will absolutely be necessary. He'll be glad he has the tools to handle whatever life throws at him confidently, and this is one gift he may not immediately buy for himself, but which you really want to have before the very second you need it. Thoughtful and useful.
