7+ Unique and Thoughtful Gifts to Wow Any Graduate
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…
They are only $15 each and very sturdy.
And my son’s basket below has a little stuffed bear, in addition to the treats.
MONEY CONTAINER:
https://www.nobiggie.net/graduation-gift-with-dollar-diplomas/
CANDY BOARD:
LOTS OF DOUGH FOR GRADS:
https://www.savingsmania.com/savings-tips/lots-of-dough-graduation-gift-idea
MORE IDEAS:
Magazines
Magazines
Recipes for favorite dishes
Leather wallet (don’t forget to put a $20,$50 or $100 inside!)
Extra cell phone charger
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.
CASH:
And of course the old standby, cash! Just combine with a thoughtful note and include in one of these money cards.