Few moments are as momentous as the transition from college to adulthood. Graduating from college is a tremendous achievement, so show the college graduate in your life that they’re worth celebrating by giving them a gift to help them transition into adulthood. 

Here are 40 gift ideas to celebrate graduation from college. 

Technology

These tech gifts are useful in and out of the workplace.

Laptops

Dell XPS 15

The XPS 15 is Dell’s premium laptop and the best Windows laptop on the market. It provides exceptional performance and strong battery life. It can be configured with a discrete Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU for gaming performance or image and video editing. 

Macbook Pro 13”

The Macbook Pro 13” is the perfect laptop for most users. Built with Apple’s new M1 CPU and M1 GPU, the laptop promises speedy performance for work or gaming, and a full terabyte of storage. Whether the graduate in your life is pursuing a career in computer science, graphic design, or finance, the Macbook Pro is more than capable of handling their new professional needs.

Macbook Air

For those who don’t need the full processing power of a Macbook Pro, the Macbook Air offers a more than suitable alternative at a discounted price. Configured with Apples M1 chip, the Air provides powerful performance in a thin, lightweight laptop. It is even capable of running both Mac and iOS apps for iPhone and iPad, giving users access to mobile applications on their laptop. 

Tablets

Apple iPad Pro 11”

The iPad Pro is a perfect gift for a college graduate entering a creative field. Illustrators and design professionals will love the suite of design apps available on iPad, including the newly released Adobe Photoshop for iOS, launched in November 2019.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7

For Windows users, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is affordable and powerful. The Surface is a 2-1 laptop, offering the full functionality of a typical Windows laptop in tablet form. Capable of running the whole Adobe Suite smoothly and functionally, it easily meets the needs of creative professionals. Paired with the type cover keyboard, it functions well as a primary laptop.

Subscriptions and Memberships

These subscriptions and memberships will help them adjust to post-grad life.

Gym Membership

Anytime Fitness

Gym memberships can be a little pricey for the average college graduate, but many simply can’t live without it. Give a hand to your fitness-loving graduate with an Anytime Fitness membership. While some gym memberships offer more amenities, Anytime Fitness has over 4,000 locations worldwide and offers 24-7 access to its members, who can enter any of their gym locations themselves with their very own key fob.

Film and TV

Criterion Channel

Is the graduate in your life a true film buff? The kind of film buff who loves classic, experimental, and foreign films? If so, gift them a Criterion Channel subscription. With a carefully curated selection of over 2,000 movies, as well as exclusive series on directors, stars, and genres, the Criterion Channel is a film lover’s dream come true. 

Hulu with HBO Max

With thousands of TV shows and films, including iconic shows and movies from the past and present, a Hulu subscription is a great gift for any graduate. Throw in the HBO Max add-on, which provides access to HBOs entire streaming collection.

Newspaper and Magazine Subscriptions

The New York Times

The New York Times is often referred to as the paper of record. “The Grey Lady,” as it is often called, covers international, national, and local news, and has won 130 Pulitzer prizes since 1918.

The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal has the largest paid circulation of any newspaper in the U.S. The best source for business and financial news, the Wall Street Journal is the perfect gift for a graduating business major.

Time Magazine

If the New York Times is the paper of record, Time is the American magazine of record. From its annual Person of the Year selection to its ever-present red border, the weekly magazine is iconic. A subscription provides access to Time’s online and print editions.

Wired Magazine

In the 21st century, few magazines are as relevant as Wired. The magazine is focused primarily on developments in tech, but it also covers business, politics, and culture. A great gift for the techie graduate, but also for anyone interested in keeping up with current events.

Financial Tools

TD Ameritrade

The earlier you start investing the better, so give the graduate in your life a head start by setting them up with an investment account. TD Ameritrade is a full-service brokerage firm that offers commission-free trading, a wide host of analytical tools, personalized financial education, and a strong set of diversified ETFs. Throw in a bit of starting money to help them find their financial footing.

You Need A Budget (YNAB)

A budgeting and financial planning tool might not be the most exciting gift for a college grad, but don’t worry, they will thank you later. One of the hardest parts of transitioning to adulthood is learning how to properly manage and save money. You Need A Budget (YNAB) is perfect for college graduates because it provides specific and targeted guidance.

Meal Subscriptions

Blue Apron

Wean the graduate in your life off the meal plan by gifting them a meal subscription or a gift card to a meal subscription. Blue Apron sends ingredients directly to your house with recipes. Blue Apron users can choose from a variety of different meal kits, including vegetarian and health-focused options.

Grubhub+

Does your graduate have a habit of ordering in? Save them a bit of cash on their deliveries by buying them a Grubhub+ subscription. Grubhub+ gives users free delivery, exclusive perks, and deals with Grubhub+ restaurants. It may not seem like much, but if you order in at least once a week, the savings add up quickly.

Book Subscription

Book of the Month

The perfect gift for the bookworm in your life, Book of the Month is simple and straightforward. Each month, the Book of the Month team selects five new hardcover books spanning a variety of genres for subscribers to choose from. Pick one and have it shipped directly to you in the mail.

Music Subscriptions

Spotify Premium

One of the most popular streaming services available, Spotify Premium hosts a massive music library, fantastic features for discovering new music, and social features that enable you to follow what your friends are listening to. If a music-loving graduate in your life doesn’t already subscribe to a streaming service, they will surely love Spotify.

Vinyl Moon

Vinyl Moon is a unique subscription service that sends its members a brand-new curated “mixtape” vinyl record every month. For each new record, Vinyl Moon chooses their favorite new songs from a variety of genres, including indie rock, electronic, and more, and presses them onto a unique colored vinyl with specially-made album artwork from international illustrators.

Kitchenware

These kitchen utilities will help them ease off the dining hall.

Pans 

Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 14” Skillet With Helper Handle

While a 14” pan might not be suitable for daily use, it can come in handy for cooking up large stir-fry dishes for roommates, guests, or for leftovers for the week. Cuisinart’s Chef’s Classic Stainless 14” Skillet features an aluminum base and a stainless steel cooking surface that’s suitable for induction cooking and safe to use in the dishwasher. It also comes with a lifetime warranty!

Tramontina 12” Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Fry Pan

Every kitchen needs a basic, quality stainless steel pan. Tramontina’s 12” Tri-Ply Clad pan is made of 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum core. Dishwasher- and oven-safe (up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit), this pan is durable, versatile, and easy to clean.

Personal Blender

Nutribullet 600W Personal Blender

A personal blender capable of making delicious and healthy smoothies on-demand is an excellent gift for the health-conscious graduate. The Nutribullet 600W is affordable, easy to use, and easily packs enough power to create creamy smoothies in just minutes.

Electric Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart

Instant pots are multifunctional electric pressure cookers that enable home cooks to make a full meal in record time. Perfect for home cooked soups, curries, chili, stews, and roasts, the Instant Pot is a valuable addition to any kitchen arsenal, and a perfect gift for the recent graduate just learning to live on their own.

Drinking Glasses

Duralex USA Picardie 18-Piece Set

Every home needs glassware, and all graduates could use a set of quality glassware for their post-graduate apartment. Duralex’s Picardie glassware is beautifully-crafted and made from tempered glass, making them shock resistant and suitable for hot and cold liquids.

Dinnerware Set

Fiesta 12-Piece Bistro Dinnerware Set

Every graduate needs a dinnerware set for their first post-college kitchen. Bed Bath and Beyond’s Fiesta dinnerware is sturdy and colorful. The 12-piece set comes with four salad plates, four dinner plates, and four bistro bowls, all made from chip-resistant ceramic.

IKEA 365+ 18-Piece Dinnerware Set

IKEA’s 365+ series dinnerware is simple and affordable. The 18-piece set, which costs a modest $39.99, comes with six salad plates, six dinner plates, and six bowls made from durable Feldspar porcelain.

Accessories

These backpacks, briefcases, watches and wallets will help them look like a professional.

Backpack

Tortuga Setout Divide Backpack

The Tortuga Setout Divide Backpack is a versatile backpack that is suitable for daily use, travel, and outdoor activities. The backpack features storage for a laptop and an expandable design that opens up the available storage space from 24L to 34L. Large enough to be used for carry-on luggage and compact enough for the daily office commute, it is a great all-purpose backpack for any graduate.

Briefcase

Fossil Haskell Double Zip Workbag

A briefcase is the perfect gift for a student entering the workplace. The Fossil Haskell Double Zip Workbag is an affordable leather briefcase with a classic design with storage compartments for all the needs of the modern office worker, including a padded laptop pocket, an interior zipper pocket, two interior slide pockets, and four elastic loops.

Passport Case

Cuyana Classic Passport Case

The Cuyana Classic Passport Case is a sleek, handmade, and sustainably-sourced leather passport case and travel wallet. Measuring 9” x 4”, it is longer than the average passport case, and capable of storing a boarding pass in addition to a passport, credit cards, and paper money.

Smartwatch

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE is Apple’s mid-level smartwatch product. The Apple Watch SE is an updated version of the Series 3, with a faster chip, more advanced health and safety features, and available with LTE functionality. An all-in-one fitness tracker, wallet, and phone, it’s the perfect smartwatch for a graduating Apple user.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is the best available smartwatch for Android users. With a classic, elegant design, the Galaxy Watch 3 has a strong 2-day battery life, music storage space, contactless payments, and fitness features. 

Tote Bag

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote

The L.L. Bean Boat and Tote is a heavy-duty cotton canvas tote bag notable for its durability and versatility. Affordable and built to last for decades, this simple canvas tote can easily handle 50+ pounds. Perfect for grocery shopping, the beach, or for picnics in the park.

Men’s Wallet

Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet

The Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet is a classic bifold wallet with six card slots, a bill compartment and two interior pockets. The wallet is available in three different leather materials: signature leather ($65), RFID blocking leather ($75), and premium leather ($95). Overall, it is a high-quality, simple, and functional wallet that any graduate will love.

Women’s Wallet

Cuyana Classic Flap Wallet

The Cuyana Classic Flap Wallet is a minimalist Italian leather wallet built with sustainable practices. The wallet has a simple but attractive design, with a spacious interior with an interior coin purse, inserts for cards, and ample space for bills.

Watch

Orient Bambino Collection

While watches are no longer universally worn, they still function as a useful and stylish accessory for men and women alike. Watchmaker Orient’s Bambino Collection offers a variety of high-quality watches with classic designs, perfect for the post-grad workplace or for casual wear.

Online Courses

Just because their college career is over doesn’t mean their education has to end.

A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment

Finding happiness may not seem like a skill, but it is! Offer this course to a graduate to help them develop a philosophy of life that will help them achieve their goals.

Interviewing and Resume Writing in English Specialization 

Finding a job isn’t always so simple. Help the graduate in your life build their career skills with this interview and resume course.

Graphic Design Specialization

Graphic design skills are increasingly advantageous in a career landscape dominated by multimedia and social media. Gift this course to a marketing professional, video editor, or design major in your life.

HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers

Everyone should know a little bit about programming websites, no matter what field they are in. This web development course from Coursera is designed to teach the basics of programming to people who have no experience.

Everyday Excel, Part I

Excel skills are crucial in business careers but also useful in daily life for organization and personal accounting. Gift this course to a graduate to help them bolster their resume.

For more online courses to gift, check here.