If there is one group of people that's actually easy to shop for, it's soon-to-be college graduates, so we rounded up a few (read: 40) college graduation gifts that they'll not only love but actually use in the proverbial real world. After all, graduating from college doesn't just mean swapping classes for a job and dorms for an apartment. It also means living with a touch more responsibility than they may have over the last four years, so all of our top picks are goodies both luxurious and affordable that will make the transition from student to adult that much easier.
From an Echo Dot that basically doubles as a personal assistant to a leather-bound monogrammed refillable notebook, there are a lot of solid options ahead. We even threw in some fun ones, including a six-bottle set of ready-to-drink margaritas and a set of acrylic (also known as unbreakable) margarita glasses, a Lichtenstein-inspired banana-shaped flower vase, and a digital picture frame with a high-capacity memory card.
So with graduation season underway, now is the best time to score a few meaningful gifts to celebrate a serious accomplishment. Just don't wait too long because not only is graduation around the corner, but other people celebrating their own grads may snap up your coveted gift first. For those who tend to go for last-minute gifts, rest assured that plenty of ours are from Amazon, so they'll arrive just in the nick of time.
For the Stressed
Bright Cellars Day & Night Variety Margarita Bundle
For the Stressed
Bright Cellars Day & Night Variety Margarita Bundle
College kids may not understand the need for a good drink after a long day at work yet, but they will. This six-bottle set of pre-made margaritas will definitely make any stressful hours in-office a little lighter—both literally and figuratively. Plus, six bottles of vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and ready-to-drink cocktails for only $110? We'd call that a steal.
Of course, you can't enjoy a margarita in anything other than a classic glass designed for the namesake cocktail. These ones, which look like old sea glass, are actually made of incredibly durable acrylic, so feel free to use them outside and toss them in the dishwasher.
The Echo Dot may have come out a few years ago, but it's just as useful as ever—especially to any young adults about to start going to an office every morning. It's basically a speaker integrated with Alexa, which can do everything from set alarms to informing you about the weather. She's basically a personal assistant who can do just about anything.
Another high-tech gift that anyone moving into their first home will appreciate is a Google Nest Cam, which may seem a bit extreme, but we'll be the first to tell you that first apartments are hardly as safe as college dorms, so opting for an elevated security system is never a bad idea. The camera, which you can buy individually or in a set of two, is weather-proof, so feel free to use them indoors and out. It features built-in AI that can tell the difference between a person, animal, and vehicle, and it will send alerts directly through the Google Home app.
A doormat makes any space feel a little homier, so give your college grad a charming welcome to their space. This one is colorful but not overpowering, making it an ideal option in our opinion.
Graduating from college is a big achievement that should be celebrated long after the big day. There's no better way to do that than displaying the diploma in a floating document frame. It does take about three weeks to ship, but the diploma often takes even longer to mail out, so there's hardly any rush.
You can't go wrong with a bouquet of fresh blooms—especially peonies, which are in season for only a few weeks out of the year. Luckily, those weeks tend to coincide with most graduations. You can get this arrangement with 10, 20, 0r 30 stems and celebrate in style. Just don't forget the vase. Luckily, UrbanStems has plenty of beautiful options.
No matter what industry your college grad is about to enter, they'll need a notebook. Whether they use it to journal or write to-do lists, they'll be glad it's by their side. The best part? You can monogram it to make your gift feel extra personal.
Is there anything more luxurious than a silk pillowcase? We think not. And because they're so extravagant, they're likely not something someone with an entry-level job would get for themselves. That's where you come in. These Brooklinen silk pillowcases come in two sizes and seven colors, so you're bound to find something they'll love.
Some people basically live in bathrobes, and for them, a cheaply made one that falls apart after a few washes just won't cut it. Go for this stylish retro-inspired find from Brooklinen. The sleeves are a bit cropped, which looks great and keeps them from getting soaked when you're washing your face.
If you're not quite sure what to get, you can't go wrong with a beautiful waffled cotton throw blanket. This one from Serena & Lily is so lightweight and elegant, making it a great gift for someone who needs to dress up their space without doing too much.
A mattress may seem as odd as it is extravagant for a college graduation gift, but hear us out: This isn't something an aunt or neighbor would get. It's for parents who want to give their child an upgrade from dorm mattresses. This one is as big an upgrade as can be expected. It's made with ultra-premium five-pound memory foam and breathable gel-infused foam to keep them cool. You may even be tempted to snag one for yourself. After all, it is on sale!
Candles are like throw blankets: You don't necessarily need them, but once you have them, you realize what a big difference they make. This one, which is monogrammed and has a 71-hour burn time, smells like a mix of gardenia, salted guava, tonka, and musk.
For the Parfumerie
Maison Margiela REPLICA Beach Walk Eau de Toilette
For the Parfumerie
Maison Margiela REPLICA Beach Walk Eau de Toilette
A luxurious perfume is another great gift that will last a long time. This Margiela spritz is one of our favorites because it recalls soft sand beaches in Europe. Plus, it looks great on a nightstand.
For the Entertainer
MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Enamel Coasters, Set of 4
For the Entertainer
MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Enamel Coasters, Set of 4
If we had to pick MacKenzie-Childs's most recognizable print, it would be the courtly check. This set of coasters adds a little touch of personality to any home, whether your college grad uses them for her chilled water bottle during work hours or for their guests' glasses on wine night.
Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner is a big fan of these digital picture frames. "My siblings and I got one for our parents last year and they (and we) are obsessed with it. All you have to do is send your favorite pictures to the frame from your phone and they play on a slideshow," she says. There's room for thousands of images.
This sumptuously shaped vase, which comes in a milky beige and a soft black, is hand-made in India, where lots of small-batch goods from the Citizenry are crafted by expert artisans. Get one or both in a set for your college grad's first home.
Everyone has keys, so why not make them easier to find (and a bit more stylish) with a designer keyring? Plus, if they tend to lose their keys, they can clip this smiley face patch right onto their bag.
There are lots of luggage brands out there, but Paravel is the one we always come back to. Its pieces, including the carbon-neutral Aviator carry-on Plus, sustainably-sourced materials including recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum, and recycled vegan leather. There's nothing jet-setters love more than an environmentally friendly approach to travel, right?
For the Feminine
Williams Sonoma Famille Rose Square Dipping Bowls, Set of 4
For the Feminine
Williams Sonoma Famille Rose Square Dipping Bowls, Set of 4
Technically, these are dipping bowls, but unless your college grad is planning on hosting elaborate multi-course dinner parties in their new apartment, we'd suggest giving this adorable mix-and-match set as catch-all trays for jewelry, keys, and anything else too small to hide in a drawer.