College graduation gifts
Ah, the age-old question: What do you get for the person who’s just spent four years perfecting the art of eating ramen noodles at 3 a.m. and calling it a “study session”? College graduation gifts are tricky because, let’s face it, the graduate is probably still trying to figure out how to use a laundry machine without shrinking their favorite hoodie. But don’t worry, we’ve got some ideas that are way better than just handing over a crisp $20 bill (although, let’s be real, cash is always a solid choice).
1. The Swiss Army Knife of Adulting
Why not give them something they’ll actually use? A portable laundry detergent kit, a mini toolkit, or a cooking set that includes more than just a microwave. Bonus points if you throw in a guide on how to boil water—because let’s not assume they’ve mastered that yet. It’s like gifting them the ability to pretend they’re a functioning adult, even if they’re secretly eating cereal for dinner.
2. The Personalized “Get Out of One Free” Card
Create a custom card that offers the graduate one free pass on things like doing the dishes, paying rent on time, or waking up before noon. You could even frame it as a “Congratulations on Finally Becoming a Grown-Up (Sort Of)” certificate. It’s the perfect gift for someone who’s about to enter the real world but still thinks “networking” is just a fancy word for “forced small talk.”
3. The Care Package for the Soul
Put together a box filled with all the essentials for post-grad life: a planner (that they’ll probably use as a coaster), a set of nice pens (for signing job offers or unemployment forms), and a framed photo of their cat (to remind them of the good times when their biggest worry was whether they’d make it to their 8 a.m. lecture). Throw in a gift card to their favorite coffee shop, because caffeine is about to become their new best friend.
Remember, the best college graduation gifts are the ones that acknowledge the absurdity of entering adulthood while still being kind of useful. So go ahead, give them something they’ll laugh at, cry about, or maybe even use to pay off a small portion of their student loans.
