Graduation Gifts

It’s that time of year; time for pomp and circumstance and graduations galore. While I am sure most grads (or any human) would love the gift of cold, hard cash, here are some ideas if you want to put a little more effort into your gift.

Gifts For High School Graduates

Team Spirit – If you are buying for a high school graduate headed off to college, than how about some apparel, car decals, car flags, schwag of any kind to let them show of their team spirit for their new school.

Dorm Room Essentials – Who doesn’t love organizational supplies!? Grab a shower caddy and fill it with essential items or a space-saving multi-purpose organizer from The Container Store (it’s advertised for Jewelry, but I have used it to store desk supplies back before I had a desk with drawers, craft supplies, bathroom items etc).

Journal – If I have one regret in life, it’s that I don’t document things more (school years, memories from raising kids, etc). And if I have two regrets in life, it’s that I don’t own enough Moleskine Journals. Gift your grad with a set of Moleskine Journals for them to document their great college memories.

Gifts for College Graduates

Attache Case – or you may call it a briefcase, but attache is much more fun to say. It’s a classic college graduation gift for a reason. Everyone heading out into the workforce needs a great bag for work – whether it’s an attache case, briefcase or laptop bag – the graduate will appreciate a really nice bag they might not have invested in themselves.

Inspirational Book – A great book is one of my go-to gifts for any occasion. Consider something that will further fuel their inspiration like Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson or The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.

Jewelry – I love this necklace from Uncommon Goods with the inscription, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” or for a male graduate a timeless watch (with an inspirational quote engraved on the back) will never fail to impress.

Monogrammed Gifts – Send the graduate out into the workforce in style with a Monogrammed Business Card Holder or a Monogrammed Leather Tablet Case.

If all else fails you could just stuff an envelope full of cash, but these thoughtful gifts will last a lot longer.