Graduation day is coming! Woohoo! It’s time to celebrate this exciting milestone for a loved one.
Graduates deserve significant praise from their family and friends for this achievement amid the pandemic. Indeed, they will have new challenges ahead, forking over money for college or an apartment, as they move closer to their career.
Graduation gifts remind them to savor this moment of seeing their accomplishments in the rearview mirror as they move forward.
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What Students Can’t Use On-Campus
Colleges restrict what students can have on campus, and the rooms are small. The average dorm size is 200-225 square feet for two roommates. Each college may differ, so check their website or Admissions office for their specific rules. Of course, when college students move off-campus, the list can be more expansive.
I am touring many campuses with student guides, and they are happy to tell us what first-year students should not bring into the dorms. They gave helpful advice, including:
- There are no furniture more considerable than a desk chair, so huge bean bags may be out.
- Avoid string lights, candles, or incense for fear of fire hazards.
- There should be limited electronics or appliances. Specifically, there should be no hot plates, instant pots, microwaves, large vacuums, toasters, or blenders as there is a community kitchen in the dorm and ample dining halls.
- Students don’t need pots, pans, or dish sets.
- There is no room for large luggage sets.
- Regarding air conditioners or space heaters, forget about it.
- Avoid throw pillows.
- Don’t bring irons or ironing board, but mini-steamers are fine.
- Avoid bringing expensive jewelry. (By the way, that doesn’t mean you can’t give beautiful jewelry to celebrate your special graduate!)
- Limited sports gear is fine, but dumbbells and hoverboards may be out.
- Echo Dots make great graduation gifts, but check our explanation for why they may not be appropriate for colleges.
That doesn’t mean you can’t give beautiful jewelry or other items above to celebrate your special graduate!
48 of The Best Graduation Gifts
We have a list of gifts you may like for your young graduate. Our focus here is on high school grads rising as first-year college students.
Graduation Gifts For The Dorm
Let’s start with the basics. It is daunting for high school grads to arrive at their chosen college and roam around to find their dorm room, bringing all they hoped they would need for this new journey. Most dorm rooms are for two people, though larger rooms may have four students.
College students may have a small space, but they will want to fill it with the comforts of home. There are many things your targeted grad may need and desire in their room. You can go to Dormify or buy from Amazon, which can ship directly to their room.
We have some ideas that can please any grad.
According to the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, drinking fluids of about 10-15 cups daily is essential. You may want this Brita water filter pitcher, which can likely fit into a small refrigerator in the dorm room or your apartment.
When you are on the go, running between classes and the library, remember to take your hydro flask, among the most popular among college students for its durability. It is hard to see a Gen Zer without some kind of water bottle.
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Top 10 Inspirational Graduation Gifts
Weighted blankets, sometimes called gravity or anxiety blankets, are desirable for college students. However, be aware there is a general rule for picking out the correct weight by getting one as close to 10% of your body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, then bring a 15-pound blanket.
Do you know someone who loves photography but doesn’t have the budget to do so? Consider the Criacr camera lens as a gift. The lens fits on your smartphone when you need a break from your studies to focus on photography and be in touch with nature.
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32. Etsy Wish Bracelets
Spending a lot of money doesn’t make the best gifts. Sometimes, giving a personal piece of art or jewelry can be so satisfying. Etsy has a large assortment of wish bracelets. There are many shops with terrific selections that are unique, often handmade, and very affordable. If you have the time, peruse around.
34. Gift Cards
Gift cards are a good idea if you would prefer to provide someone with the opportunity to get what they need or want. You may want to consider a graduation-style gift box rather than giving cash (which is never a bad idea, especially for those going off to college).
Visit Amazon.com Gift Card and look for the Graduation Style Gift Box where you can slip your gift car. They have various designs.
Gift cards are desirable gifts, especially from retailers, restaurants, or specialty stores near their college. For example:
- Starbucks
- Dunkin Donuts
- DoorDash
- Uber Eats
35. Subscription Boxes
Subscription boxes can be fun while providing a convenient service. This gift is nice to send to someone in your life who may have a tight schedule. College students qualify for sure! Try to get a box that fits the person’s personality.
- Tea
- Snacks
- Candy club
- Vegan snacks
- Clothing
For Health and Wellbeing
Staying healthy at college can challenge studying and socializing being higher priorities.
While most first-year students live on campus for at least the first year and are privy to the campus’s gym, they may find it challenging to get there. Instead, they may discover small exercise gear to be most beneficial. I’ll grant you that colleges have yoga mats for you to use, but some things are more personal. In a new environment with new demands and perhaps sleep deprivation, graduation gifts centered around self-care and health make worthy presents they will appreciate.
Bala has functional fitness equipment in all sizes, shapes, and colors, making a fun exercise gift that students can bring to the dorms. They began in 2018 and received funding from Mark Cuban and Maria Sharapova on Shark Tank, who helped fuel their expansion from Bala Bangles into exercise bars, rings, and on-the-go kits.
40. Skateboard vs. Bicycle: You Choose
This subject deserves consideration if you already enjoy skateboarding or biking. It depends where the grad is going to use these items. Classes, dining halls, and dorms are usually within 15 minutes and walkable as long as you have that time. Bicycles are more helpful to use on campus or in town and have brakes. There are bike racks everywhere, but we heard that theft does happen.
These grad gifts are excellent choices for those who ride and skate.
For Avid Readers
College students hitting the books for a rigorous program may want a reprieve by reading for fun and inspiring readers outside of their studies. For book lovers, reading extends far beyond the classroom. According to a survey, researchers discovered that 93% of college students genuinely enjoy reading. They don’t have a lot of free time or money.
- Kindle Paperwhite
- Unlimited Kindle Subscription
- Audible Subscription
- Amazon Prime membership is $69 for students!
- Amazon Gift Card
- The Defining Decade by Meg Jay PhD
- 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think By Brianna Wiest
- Goodnight Dorm Room: All The Advice I Wish I Got Before Going To College
Final Thoughts
Celebrating one’s graduation is a meaningful event for the family, friends, and colleagues and a significant milestone for the graduates. Recognize your graduate for the accomplishment, especially during the past few years. This post originally appeared on Savoteur.
About the author
Linda Meltzer
Linda is the founder ofThe Cents of Money, a personal finance blog, here to teach and inspire you about money, seek new ideas, and create greater comfort in your world about one of life’s significant stresses. Linda wants to use her financial skills honed by her professional experience to help others get on the path toward building wealth.