Whether someone is graduating from high school or college, there will always be a bit of excitement and apprehension for the graduate as one chapter of their life closes and the next begins. They might know exactly where they’re headed after graduation – to another school, their dream job, even another country – or they may have no clue about their next steps. No matter what they’re graduating from and where they’re headed, it’s common to want to celebrate this massive milestone with them. Graduation ceremonies typically take place in May, meaning they’re right around the corner, so if you have a graduate you want to honor with something meaningful, keep reading for the best Graduation Day gifts they’ll cherish.
Tablet and Tablet Cover
We live in a modern world, and while it was once common to see busy students and professionals working on their laptops and toting bulky laptop bags, today’s tablets offer all the benefits of a laptop computer without the bulk. Gift the grad in your life a new iPad they can use to work on for their new job or relax at the end of the day on any mindfulness app or streaming service. Include a tablet cover that suits their style, from leather to something indestructible, along with the gift.
Custom Jewelry
There is never a bad time to give jewelry as a gift, so graduation is no exception! Honor the graduate with a beautiful piece, but have it personalized. Not only is customized jewelry in trend, but these pieces also become special mementos to the recipients and jewelry they’ll wear for a lifetime. Whether you opt for a signet ring with their initials, a custom chain bracelet with their graduation date engraved, or a monogrammed name necklace, they will love the piece. Make sure you invest in fine jewelry made of gold or sterling silver so the pieces are something they never have to take off and can wear for life.
Tennis bracelets are another elegant option for graduation gifts. Their timeless design, featuring a continuous line of diamonds or gemstones, symbolizes both achievement and beauty. A graduate will cherish this stunning accessory, which can be worn on special occasions or every day, making it a versatile addition to any jewelry collection.
Framed Hometown Map
Graduation means setting out into the great unknown for many students, and while this is something they’re likely excited about, even the bravest hearts get homesick occasionally. The gift of a framed map of the graduate’s hometown is a beautiful present to help them keep a piece of home with them no matter where life takes them. If the soon-to-be former student you’re shopping for is moving to a new city, this is the perfect present; however, if they’re going to be traveling abroad, working and living as a digital nomad for a while or without a place to hang the art, skip this one and opt for another on the list.
Exquisite Bouquets
Not everyone loves a gift that will last a lifetime, so if the graduate in your life is a minimalist or someone who prefers nostalgic presents, a bouquet is a nod to customs of the past and a practical present. Don’t just run to the grocery store and pick a ready-made bouquet; source out a local flower shop specializing in high-end and artfully and thoughtfully curated bouquets. These arrangements speak for themselves in elegance and beauty and cost anywhere from $100 to $200. They’re so gorgeous that the recipient may hang and dry or press them as they wilt. But flowers are the perfect present for a new graduate who appreciates life’s beauty and finer things.
Cash is King
You may not think of cash as a “meaningful present,” but for a recent grad, it most certainly is. Firstly, cash is always the right color and goes with everything. It can also help the recent graduate furnish a new apartment, fund a graduation trip they’re taking with fellow students, or be the foundation for a nest egg they plan to grow as they start their new career. There is no doubt more to life than money, but Cash is King when it comes to graduation gifts.
Graduation Day is bittersweet for grads and their families, but you can make the day even more cheerful with one of the abovementioned gifts. You can even splurge and give them several on the list! As B.B. King said, “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” So, pass that along to the graduate and wish them Happy Trails!