13 Thoughtful and Practical Graduation Gifts

Graduation is a significant milestone in a young person’s life. Whether they’re graduating from high school or college, they’re about to write the next chapter in their story. Marking the occasion with a graduation gift isn’t just about acknowledging their educational achievement, it’s also a great way to set them up for success.

Many people think graduation presents start and end in cold, hard cash. While cash is the easy and convenient option (and of course they’ll get use out of it), it’s essentially meaningless. It communicates no message, no emotion, and there’s nothing memorable about it.

For a truly meaningful present, think outside the box with your graduation gifts. If you’re not sure what to get the graduate in your life, check out this list of graduation gift ideas. Our guide has options that’ll make great gifts now, as well as gifts that will pay dividends well into the future.

Why Graduation Gifts Matter

It’s easy to compare graduation to a birthday or Christmas. Buy a friend or family member something nice and move on, right? Wrong.

Birthdays and Christmas come around every year. A graduation only happens once. This is a time in their life that they’ll always remember, signifying when a young person takes that step into adulthood.

This is also when graduates start to realize that they’re not kids anymore. While this transition is exciting, it can also be frightening for a young person. Graduation gifts can help prepare them for the future and show them that your love and support will continue into adulthood.

So if you’re debating whether you should get someone a graduation gift, the answer is yes. Whether you need high school or college graduation gift ideas, we’ve got you covered. Before we get into gift ideas, let’s go over a few basics that can help you secure the perfect present.

How to Find the Perfect Graduation Gift

So how do you find the perfect graduation gift ideas for her and him?

First, think about utility. Buying them a new laptop or tickets to the big game is one thing, but what will stick with them for years to come? Get out of the habit of giving cash or buying gift cards to a retail store, chances are they’ll get lots of those.

Great high school and college graduation gifts are wrapped in meaning. They send an unspoken message of love and support that will live with your graduate for the rest of their lives. Consider where they’re going, what they’ll need, and what you want to say.

Gifts for graduation are highly personal, and it’s well worth spending the time to weigh up your options. So where do you start when shopping for Class of 2022 gifts? It can be tough to put your heart into one single gift. To help you get started on graduation present ideas, here are a few ideas to get you inspired.

8 Meaningful Graduation Gift Ideas

1. Travel Gear

Your graduate is making big moves. Whether they’re moving out or going on a backpacking trip to explore the world, a travel set is a meaningful gift that sends them on their way in style. Investing in a luxury travel set means it will last and will stay with them for decades. Pro-tip: Opt for a high-quality leather set engraved with their initials.

2. Vanity Box

A vanity box is an excellent gift to help them preserve everything from their jewelry, to photos of fond memories, to their graduation tassels. Vanity boxes come in all manner of materials and price points. Consider a marble vanity box with a customized message for a truly unique gift. You can even slip a gift card from their favorite store inside as a bonus to put a smile on their face.

3. Planner

The transition from student life to adult life can be tough, and recent graduates often struggle with staying organized. Yearly planners are the perfect graduation gifts for men and women because anyone can benefit from a little organization. This gift is practical, can be customized to their style, and represents a turning point in their life. For an extra touch, engrave a personalized message or leave a gift card inside.

4. Rastaclat Bracelets

Graduation jewelry is a time-honored tradition for the American graduate. Young men and women have long received a form of jewelry to welcome them into adulthood. Get a Gradclat bracelet to commemorate the biggest day of their lives. These stylish and elegant pieces pair with any outfit and are suitable for any occasion. This bracelet can serve as a permanent source of pride and a reminder of how far they’ve come.

5. Home Tool Set

One of the most practical gifts you can get a recent graduate is a 140-piece tool set. While it might not be the most exciting gift in the world, there’s no denying its functionality. Moving into their first apartment means dealing with all those little headaches that come with renting or buying a first home. Make a new memory and take the time to show them how to use their new tools. While it may not be the sexiest gift out there, it’s one that’s sure to get lots of use over the years.

6. Wireless Charging Mat

Anyone who has a smartphone or tablet knows how difficult it can be to untangle cables constantly. Wireless charging mats are excellent for keeping desks clean and organized. The phone simply needs to be placed on the mat, and it will charge for as long as it remains in contact with the surface. For late nights studying or finishing up work presentations, this gift is sure to be a hit.

7. High-Quality Bluetooth Headphones

Does your graduate enjoy an early morning run? Do they have a long commute to school or work? Or perhaps they just really love podcasts? A pair of high-quality Bluetooth headphones are an excellent gift to help them immerse themselves in their favorite tunes or podcasts. Rather than opting for budget headphones, invest in a reputable brand. You don’t want them to have to replace your gift within the next year, and paying a little extra means their headphones will last them for years to come.

8. Tailored Suit

If you want to splash some cash, get your graduate ready for their first college or job interview with a tailored suit. A high-quality, custom-made suit can last for years without any alterations or repairs. So spend the day together and bring your graduate to a local tailor to get them all measured up (try to get recommendations first or go to a tailor you trust, you want to make sure your money is well-spent). Help them put their best foot forward into adulthood and their professional lives with a stylish, professional suit.

5 Unique Graduation Gift Ideas Worth the Investment

Most college graduation gifts focus on the here and now. However, many people want their graduation gift to continue to hold meaning for years to come. If you have a larger budget, there are some unique graduation gift ideas that can enormously impact a young person’s life.

Try these graduation gifts if you want to really set your graduate up for success.

1. Investments

The importance of investments in your long-term future cannot be understated, as building a nest egg for your retirement is essential. Start your graduate off right by putting money into an investment portfolio, bonds, or even precious metals. With so many young people not able to save for their futures, this is a thoughtful gift that will stay with them for decades. You can either give your graduate complete control over their investments or hand them over to a custodian who can manage everything on their behalf.

2. Real Estate

Parents who are willing to spend a pretty chunk of money may want to consider real estate. It could be a small apartment for a graduate or a place where they can generate some short-term rental income and long-term capital gains. Believe it or not, you can find some fantastic deals on real estate. Foreclosure auctions are a great place to find real estate on a budget.

For parents who cannot afford to buy real estate outright for their graduates, gifting a down payment on a house when they secure their first job is a financial gift that will help them build a better future.

3. Art

Money is only one aspect of life. Help a graduate appreciate the finer things in life by purchasing them a valuable piece of artwork. Artwork is not just a prized possession but one that can gain value if purchased from a prominent name within the art world. You can even own iconic pieces, such as an Andy Warhol or a Claude Monet, by purchasing shares in these heavyweights. It works in much the same way as the ordinary stock market, just with far more volatility.

If you’re thinking about buying a piece of art, think about what matters most. Is it about the monetary value or simply a beautiful piece that they will appreciate in the years to come? Like real estate, investing in artwork shouldn’t be taken lightly and it’s best to speak with an expert to make sure you’re making a smart investment.

4. Further Education

Postgraduate and doctoral courses can give young people an edge over the competition when seeking high-paying jobs. Financial support typically isn’t as widely available for further education as it is for undergraduate study. Postgraduate study at private institutions can easily cost five figures on the low end, hence why most postgraduates study alongside their jobs. If your graduate is thinking about furthering their education in the years to come, consider providing the funding they need to focus on their studies.

5. Overseas Investments

Overseas investments can be incredibly lucrative, and most developed countries allow non-citizens to invest without ever setting foot in the country. Residential land, forestry, foreign stock markets, and more are all options for ambitious families who want to diversify their graduate’s interests.

You’ll need to perform a considerable amount of legwork before you can make an overseas investment a reality. Typically, you’ll need to engage a local investment expert who can advise on profitable investments, plus a lawyer who understands all the rules and regulations, including tax reporting obligations.

Investing overseas is not for the fainthearted, but it can lead to massive gains in the future, depending on where you invest and what you invest in. If you’re interested in giving the gift of an overseas investment, make sure you start preparing months in advance. It can and will take longer than you think to set the wheels in motion.

Give the Gift of Positivity with Rastaclat

There’s a graduation gift for every budget. Some parents have the means to set up their graduates for life, whereas others want to give a heartfelt message that will remind them of where they came from.

One thing you can’t put a price on is the value of positivity. Give the gift of good vibes with a Rastaclat graduation bracelet. With our mindfulness bracelets, you can spread the power of positive thinking. We believe in giving back while providing young people with the tools they need to tackle the challenges of adulthood. Send them off into the world with love, support and positivity!