100 Gift Ideas for Grads

Gift ideas for graduates big and small

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It’s that season again…graduation parties galore! What is the hot grad gift these days? You can never go wrong with cash. But sometimes it’s nice to get more creative. Here are some gifts grads might like.

Gift cards are always popular. If you feel “uncreative” giving one, jazz it up with an item from that store, flowers, or a sweet treat. Here is a list of gift card ideas:

  • Amazon
  • art class
  • book store
  • clothing store
  • coffee house (Here are some in Lake County.)
  • college bookstore
  • cooking class
  • ebook app
  • Etsy
  • fancy restaurant (See our favorite Italian and Vegan and Vegetarian restaurants)
  • fast-food restaurant
  • gas station
  • grocery store
  • ice cream/fro-yo
  • movies
  • music (iTunes, Spotify)
  • office supply store
  • public transportation
  • Target/Walmart
  • TV/movie streaming service (Netflix, Hulu)
  • yoga studio
graduation gift ideas

Other gift ideas:

graduation gift ideas

There are a lot of great books for grads: some are inspirational; some are informational, and some are just for fun.

If heading to the college dorm in the fall

  • adult coloring book and colored pencils/fine-line markers
  • blanket/throw
  • book light
  • college paraphernalia—a sweatshirt or t-shirt to the college he or she will be attending
  • cozy socks or slippers
  • earplugs
  • electric tea kettle
  • a framed picture with best buddies
  • fun pens
  • a gift card to college-town establishments: spa, hair cutters, pizza place
  • journal
  • laundry bag
  • luggage
  • mobile charger
  • mug painted by a little sibling/little cousin/child he or she used to babysit
  • noise-canceling headphones
  • other-climate gear (mittens and a hat if heading somewhere cold)
  • phone accessories (speaker, headphones)
  • public transportation card
  • quarters for the laundry room
  • sleep mask
graduation gift ideas

If graduating and getting their own place…

  • baking set (measuring cups and spoons, cupcake tin, whisk)
  • binder of family-favorite recipes (include a batch of Grandma’s famous cookies in a cookie jar!)
  • blender
  • coffeemaker
  • cooking set (meat thermometer, spatula, cast-iron pan)
  • house plant
  • tea kettle
  • tool kit (include supplies to hang pics)
graduation gift ideas

And let’s not forget the little ones! Here are some gifts for preschool grads:

What’s your favorite gift to give a grad?


Disclosure: Some links in this story are affiliate links. Little Lake County will earn a portion of sales made through these links and use it to cover the cost of running the site. Thank you for clicking!

100 Gift Ideas for Grads
About Natalie Rompella 37 Articles
Natalie is the mom of two humans and one nonhuman. She is the author of more than forty books and resources for kids, was a teacher and a museum educator, and will always be a Lake County native. Natalie enjoys insects, sled dog racing (observing!), crafting/experimenting with her kids, and forming a world safe from peanuts. Find out more about her and her books at www.natalierompella.com.

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