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It’s that time of year, folks. Just as the daffodils and tulips are spreading their petals and coming into full bloom, so too are new grads blossoming into their new adult lives. Graduation season means students donning robes and square caps while their friends and family watch in pride (and usually, a tiny bit of boredom). If you have any of these ceremonies to attend, you’re also in the market for something great to give the grad, but you don’t want to give them a gift that they’ll get duplicates of or want to throw in the trash because space is limited in their tiny apartment.
While everyone — especially postgrads about to enter the real world where nothing comes free — is always happy to get a card and a check, if you’re interested in branching out, we’ve got you covered. The gift ideas ahead will definitely not be returned, regifted or groaned over. Not only are they high-quality and classy, they’re also super-useful.
An Apple Watch
A watch is a pretty classic graduation gift, but a modern spin on this present is gifting a smartwatch instead of something analog. This Apple Watch has a starlight aluminum case and sports loop, and comes with features like a fitness tracker, sleep tracker, car crash detection, and more.
A Work Tote
Backpacks may have been fine in class, but if your grad is entering the corporate or office world, they might want something sleeker to lug around their laptop each day. You can’t go wrong with Madewell’s leather Zip Top Essential Tote, in true black, warm cinnamon, or burnt olive.
Smart luggage
This carry-on fits everything and charges smartphones during flight delays. Even better? It comes in 11 different colors, to suit any grad’s style.
Wireless Ear Buds
Whether they need to kill time on their commute listening to podcasts or just want to decompress after a long day at work by listening to some music (or sweat it out at the gym), new grads will love the gift of a new pair of wireless ear buds, especially some with a long battery life.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Getting ready for work in the morning can be a chore, and getting professional blow-outs on a regular basis usually isn’t in the budget for new grads. Treat them to the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, and not only will doing hair in the morning be a lot easier, but your new grad will also get a confidence boost from looking their best.
A Cold Brew Maker
Buying coffee every day adds up, but in the working world, caffeine is a must. Help your new grad get their coffee fix without breaking the bank with the convenience of this refrigerator cold brew maker.
A ClassPass Membership
It can be a shock to the system when new grads realize just how expensive everything is in the real world, even things like going to the gym, taking fitness classes, or going to the salon. That’s where a Classpass membership comes in. Each membership includes monthly credits that members can use for gym visits, fitness classes, and more, at thousands of locations across the country.
A Cookware Set
Many new grads will be moving into their own off-campus housing for the first time, and won’t be able to rely on the dining hall anymore. Help them get a head start in the kitchen with a set of hardcore nonstick cookware from HexClad, which has a lifetime warranty. This set includes a 12″, 10″ and 8″ fry pan, all of which come with their own lid.
A Fire Tablet
Just because they’ve graduated doesn’t mean their days of reading are over. A Kindle Fire is the perfect gift for grads who love to read, and the Fire tablet is also ideal if they want to read magazines and comics in full color along with traditional e-books (or watch videos). It’s sleek enough to fit in a backpack, briefcase, or work tote, and is more affordable than other tablets on the market.
Brooklinen Pure Wool Throw Blanket
A chic, grown-up throw that will make their Ikea couch look like a million bucks is a cozy gift for grads who like the finer things in life, like this pure wool throw from Brooklinen.
Meal Delivery Service
Give a grad everything they need to make restaurant-quality meals from their tiny kitchen with a Hello Fresh gift card. They’ll save money on take-out, and learn the cooking skills they need now that the dining hall isn’t an option.
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