7+ Unique and Thoughtful Gifts to Wow Any Graduate

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From gift baskets to Amazon finds, I have lots of creative gift ideas to give your favorite grad!

SWEETS AND TREATS BASKETS:

For my son and his friends, I made the following baskets. I decided gift cards were just too impersonal. I included a combination of chips, a Bubly drink, trail mix and candy. They were a big hit!

The treats are from Costco and Target. The blue bins are from the Pillowfort collection at Target.

Medium Wire Stackable Kids' Storage Basket Navy - Pillowfort™

Shop Medium Wire Stackable Kids' Storage Basket Navy - Pillowfort™ at Target. Choose from Same Day Delivery…

www.target.com

They are only $15 each and very sturdy.

And my son’s basket below has a little stuffed bear, in addition to the treats.

LOTS OF DOUGH FOR GRADS:

https://www.savingsmania.com/savings-tips/lots-of-dough-graduation-gift-idea

MORE IDEAS:

  • Recipes for favorite dishes

  • Leather wallet (don’t forget to put a $20,$50 or $100 inside!)

  • Extra cell phone charger

  • Amazon Basics Color Pencil kit

  • Vinyl wall decals for decoration

  • A memento from each family member

  • Digital picture frame with photos from home

  • Movie gift certificates

  • headphones

Prepaid gift cards to help with:

  • Groceries: Help them stock their pantry with a prepaid grocery card.

  • Fast Food: For on the go students

  • Amazon: An Amazon gift card can really come in handy

  • Starbucks: Students love Starbucks!

  • Movie Theaters: Treat them to a night out

A Fun Gift Basket

These can be customized into whatever your grad is into!

  • Pantry Staples: Include dorm or apartment must-haves like ramen noodles, mac and cheese, instant oatmeal, and other non-perishable snacks.

  • Toy Hobby: Include fun board games and cards, and they’ll be the life of the party at their dorm.

  • Study Supplies: Add practical items like highlighters, Post Its, Notebooks and pens

  • Holiday Kit: Festive accessories are surprisingly welcome and uplifting for a kid away from home for the first time; this care package idea is also nice to send in anticipation of your kid coming home for the holidays. Think a mini Christmas tree, Easter baskets and more.

  • Self Care Necessities: Include toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, razors and more.

  • Household Necessities: Useful items always come in handy like washcloths, dish soap, sponges, and basic cleaning supplies to help them settle into their new space.

  • Personalized Laundry Kit: Include a supply of laundry detergent pods, stain treatment sticks or sprays, and dryer sheets.

  • Mini First Aid Kit:

  • Make a mini first-aid care package by filling a container with:

  • Band-aids

  • Antibiotic ointment

  • Advil

  • Gas X {dorm food makes this one essential}

  • Benadryl

  • Thermometer

  • Covid test kits

  • Instant ice pack

  • Pulse ox

  • Pepto

  • Throat lozenges

  • Cold medicine

  • Q-Tips

  • Nail clippers

  • Hydrogen Peroxide

  • An ace bandage

  • Cotton balls

  • Small pair scissors

  • Small pair of tweezers

New Apartment Kitchen Kit

New grad getting their first apartment? Equip them with all the cookware they will need.

  • Basic Cookware: Equip them with the basics like pots, pans, and baking sheets.

  • Mixing Bowls: A set of mixing bowls are essential meal prep and baking.

  • Kitchen Tools: Don’t forget essential utensils such as spatulas, wooden spoons, and tongs. A good set of knives and a cutting board are also must-haves.

  • Storage Solutions: Include some reusable containers for leftovers and meal prep.

  • Kitchen Towels: Protect their hands and keep their kitchen clean with oven mitts and a set of absorbent kitchen towels.Go ahead, it’s okay. When it comes to gifting a graduate, cash is never impersonal or inappropriate. I’m sure every grad reading this is thanking me for setting the record straight.