The best college graduation gifts for life in the real world
Hooray for a gift they'll actually use.
By
Nicole Cammorata
and
Nicole Cammorata
Director of Special Projects
As Director of Special Projects, Nicole Cammorata helps guide Mashable's editorial innovations, licensing programs, and specialty series. Previously, she was the site's Executive Editor and its very first Shopping Editor before that. Nicole is also Mashable's resident gifting expert and gets a thrill out of helping readers find the perfect present. She received a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University and an MFA in fiction writing from The New School. She lives in Maine with her husband, their three young children, and a backyard full of flowers.
Read Full Bio
Miller Kern
on
Miller Kern
Deputy Shopping Editor
Miller Kern is the Deputy Editor of Shopping and Reviews at Mashable, where she writes and edits reviews, roundups, deals, and news stories about tech products, including headphones, skincare devices, laptops, sex toys, e-readers, robot vacuums, and more. She's been covering all things shopping and tech, including shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday, for Mashable since 2019. Miller can tell you which products are actually worth your money. She also explores trends in the shopping sphere, such as dupes and viral TikTok moments.
Read Full Bio
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Graduation season means it's time to figure out what your favorite grad needs. One great idea is a practical gift that will help welcome them to post-college reality. Graduates are about to enter the often overwhelming (and sometimes terrifying) world we call adulthood, and you're tasked with giving them something to help ease the transition. The trick is to find that sweet spot between something your college grad will really need in life and something they'll actually want to use. New graduates might not even know what they need to survive post-grad life — but that's where you come in.
Opens in a new window
Credit: woman wearing black backpack
The North Face Backpack
Best for keeping it all together
Post-grad life can mean a new job, some travel, even the pursuit of new hobbies. No matter what your graduate is up to, a quality backpack like this one from The North Face is a great investment that will last them for years. With space inside for a 16-inch laptop and lots more, plus an ergnomic design to keep things comfortable, this is one of those practical gifts that anyone would love.
Opens in a new window
Credit: Ninja
Air fryer with portable containers
Best for speedy meals
A decent meal is often the first thing to be sacrificed on a hectic day. The Ninja Crispi is the best air fryer for grads adjusting to eating on the fly. All of the air frying, baking, and roasting happens directly in a grab-and-go glass container (just add a lid!). It can fit a single-serve meal or several batches of a crispy side dish for the week's packed lunches. Choose from 5+ cute colors.
Opens in a new window
Credit: Skylight
Skylight Calendar
Best for getting organized
One of the hardest parts about entering the real world is suddenly becoming in charge of all the things your parents used to handle for you. The Skylight is a digital touchscreen calendar and personal organizer that syncs with Google, iCloud, Outlook, Cozi, and Yahoo. It's a great way to stay on top of weekly tasks and can even help with meal planning.
Opens in a new window
Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
A sunrise alarm clock
Best for heavy sleepers
The option to hit snooze through an early morning class is gone. Gift your grad a less chaotic start to their day with the Hatch Restore 3. Instead of being jolted awake by a phone alarm, they'll be gently woken up by a gradual sunrise-like glow. Its sunset light patterns create just the right vibe for a consistent bedtime routine, and it doubles as a noise machine.
Opens in a new window
Credit: Ovalware
Cold Brew Coffee Maker Pitcher
Best for getting caffeinated at home
Keep more than 50 ounces of cold brew coffee on hand with this glass and stainless steel pitcher. Not only will this help your graduate save a bit of money by making their own at home, it will also look super cute when serving a crowd. Doubles as an iced tea maker too.
Opens in a new window
Credit: BOSE
Bose noise-canceling headphones
Best for when they need to focus
The Quiet Comfort 35 wireless headphones from Bose take full advantage of industry-leading noise-canceling technology to block out distractions. Whether your grad is on a plane or taking mass transit, they'll eliminate outside sound, or control precisely how much noise to let in.
Opens in a new window
Credit: Roborock
A nice robot vacuum
Best for delegating a chore
Any proper adult needs a proper vacuum. A robot vacuum could make the transition to a non-college cleaning routine a little less overwhelming. The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow is one that’ll fit into any lifestyle and living space — its chic dock is more compact than most. This model excels at soaking up spills and dusting hard floors. Plus, it knows to avoid cords, shoes, and laundry.
Opens in a new window
Credit: KODAK
Instant print camera
Best for capturing memories
New grads are about to enter a time where they'll likely be making new friends and new memories. Help them capture those times with this camera from Kodak. It takes photos and prints them automatically onto inkless photo paper that doubles as a sticker. Unlike some other instant print cameras, this one is small and ultra portable, so your graduate can take it anywhere.
Opens in a new window
Credit: UNCOMMONGOODS
Tool kit
Best for minor home fixes
When you live on your own, you have to start figuring out how to fix things yourself. That's where YouTube comes in. But repairs, both minor and major, call for the right tools. The contents of this vegan leather case can help your grad mend everything from the zipper on their favorite pair of jeans to the broken leg on their Craigslist-purchased furniture.
Opens in a new window
Credit: NEST BEDDING
Luxury sheets
Best for nesting
If your grad is moving out of the dorms, it's definitely time for a bed upgrade. A great place to start is with sheets. These Nest Bedding sheets are made from organic sateen, which will feel like a dream to sleep in. Bonus: The sheets are made responsibly and packaged with eco-friendly materials. Your grad will feel good hopping into bed and you can feel good about your purchase.
Opens in a new window
Credit: FARBERWARE
Nonstick cookware set
Best for a streamlined kitchen
If they've lived off-campus, new grads probably already have some cookware. But it doesn't hurt to get them a whole new set as they step into adulthood. This one from Farberware is 15 pieces including pots, pans, lids, a baking sheet, and kitchen utensils.
Opens in a new window
Credit: AMAZONBASICS
Jumper cables
Best for those who drive
Don't let your grad get stranded with a dead car battery. There comes a time where every driver should have their own pair of jumper cables. (OK, that time is the moment you get a car.) But, if you know a grad who is still operating a vehicle without jumper cables, this is the perfect excuse to gift them some.
Opens in a new window
Credit: Conair
Clothes steamer
Best for a good first impression
Showing up to an interview or work with wrinkled clothes is unprofessional and can lead to a bad first impression. This steamer will help grads get tough wrinkles out of their clothes, and it's more convenient than an iron — just run the steamer over clothes as they're hanging.
Opens in a new window
Credit: NAYAHOSE
Wooden cooking utensil set
Best for their new kitchen
This set of wooden cooking utensils includes six pieces they’ll use every day, like a spatula and a slotted spoon. And all the pieces are designed to be durable, so they won't break while they're trying to scrape burned rice off the bottom of a pan.
Opens in a new window
Credit: Nordic by Nature
Reusable sandwich bags
Best for packing lunches (again)
No one tells you that part of being an adult is having to make your own lunch again. Give them a sustainable way to pack and carry their meals with these reusable snack bags. They come in a variety of colors to suit every taste and can be thrown into the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
Opens in a new window
Credit: PHILIPS
Electric toothbrush
Best for keeping up hygiene
An electric toothbrush is a true sign of adulthood. The Philips Sonicare removes up to seven times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, but it's safe and gentle enough to use on sensitive areas, orthodontics, and dental work.
Opens in a new window
Credit: LEVOIT
LEVOIT Air Purifier
Best if they have a messy roommate
They may be outgrowing college habits, but that doesn’t mean the people they live with have done the same. This air purifier is a godsend for those early adulthood apartments that just always seem to smell, no matter how often you clean them.
Opens in a new window
Credit: Tile
Tile trackers
Best for keeping track of everything
Lost keys? Dog gone missing? Make the search infinitely easier with this 4-pack of Tile trackers. Each one can easily attach to a wide array of things (even pets!) and then it's just a matter of using the free smartphone app that triggers the tags to ring. It's the kind of practical gadget that every single person who uses it will love it.
Opens in a new window
Credit: GRADUATIONMALL
Diploma and tassel frame
Best for making a keepsake
They worked hard to earn that degree, so make sure they have a worthy place to display it for all to see. This cherry wood frame with gold detailing allows them to show off their diploma and tassel behind real glass. It’ll commemorate their achievement in a sophisticated and professional way, whether hung at home or in their future office.
Opens in a new window
Credit: OSTER
Electric wine opener
Best for wine lovers
Help your grad celebrate their achievement in sophisticated style with Oster's electric wine opener. Designed to fit practically all wine bottles, removing the cork involves almost zero effort. There's a foil cutter to remove the wine seal, a wine bottle opener to penetrate the cork, and a straightforward switch to remove the cork from the bottle automatically. Cheers.
Opens in a new window
Credit: SPREAD PIXIE DUST
Wall mount shower phone holder
Best if they *really* love their phone
They won’t put their phone down. Not even for a shower. This shower wall mount means they won’t have to. Whether they like listening to music, watching videos, or answering texts while in the shower, this clever contraption keeps their phone safe. It even has a flexible touch screen and an anti-fog window.
Opens in a new window
Credit: WAOWOO
Weighted blanket
Best for stressful days
The early days of adulthood can be incredibly overwhelming. Which is likely why sales of weighted blankets have skyrocketed over the past few years. Weighted blankets help combat insomnia and can help them fall asleep and stay asleep. So your grad can put off their worries until tomorrow.
Opens in a new window
Credit: Samsonite
Convenient carry-on
Best for travelers
This convenient carry-on with a padded laptop compartment fits under most airline seats for quick boarding and deplaning, making it the perfect sidekick for business trips and weekend getaways alike.
Opens in a new window
Credit: GOLDBELLY
Goldbelly gift card
Best for random food cravings
Opens in a new window
Credit: VISA
Visa gift card
Best for grads who need a little cash
Opens in a new window
Credit: BetterHelp
BetterHelp Gift Card
Best for mental health support
Opens in a new window
Credit: DoorDash
DoorDash gift card
Best for keeping them fed
Opens in a new window
Credit: Starbucks
Starbucks Gift Card
Best for keeping them caffeinated
As Director of Special Projects, Nicole Cammorata helps guide Mashable's editorial innovations, licensing programs, and specialty series. Previously, she was the site's Executive Editor and its very first Shopping Editor before that. Nicole is also Mashable's resident gifting expert and gets a thrill out of helping readers find the perfect present. She received a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University and an MFA in fiction writing from The New School. She lives in Maine with her husband, their three young children, and a backyard full of flowers.
Miller Kern is the Deputy Editor of Shopping and Reviews at Mashable, where she writes and edits reviews, roundups, deals, and news stories about tech products, including headphones, skincare devices, laptops, sex toys, e-readers, robot vacuums, and more. She's been covering all things shopping and tech, including shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday, for Mashable since 2019. Miller can tell you which products are actually worth your money. She also explores trends in the shopping sphere, such as dupes and viral TikTok moments.
