As parents, we have a lot to celebrate during graduation week! Our love and support have paid off and our children are successfully moving on to the next chapter in their life!
This will be a huge change for your family, but parents can help prepare students for what is to come. A good graduation gift will show your child that you care and want to make this important transition less stressful.
Whether they choose to take a gap year, go to college, or jump-start their career, there are some great gifts that can help new graduates as they figure out their next steps. I’ve come up with a few ideas below for parents that need help finding a useful and memorable gift!
Best Graduation Gifts For The Class of 2023:
1. Money
I’ll admit that money might not be the most unique gift, but it’s definitely the most useful option. Graduates can always use money, especially if they are planning to enter the workforce right out of high school. A cash gift can help pay for rent, food, utilities, and other important bills and necessities.
Money can also be useful for students that plan on going to college. Textbooks, classes and other on-campus expenses add up fast. So, you really can’t go wrong with cash!
2. Laptop
A laptop is a little more personal and can help your graduate prepare for their new life. College-bound students will get a lot of use out of a laptop. They can complete classwork, finish assignments and even attend class digitally with a good computer.
However, students that are entering the workforce might also need a laptop. Having the right piece of technology can aid your student as they research jobs and create a resume. There are also a lot of affordable computer options and plenty of savings during graduation week!
3. A Personalized Gift
This next gift option is ideal if you want to give your graduate a gift that is memorable and truly special. Personalized gifts come in many forms. You can create mugs, bags, keychains, jewelry, posters, pillows, photo albums and even personalized scented candles for your child.
There are tons of ways to customize these items and you can even put their college on some of these gifts. I suggest looking on Shutterfly for more personalized graduation gifts and ideas!
4. Vacation Trip or Another Special Experience
Sometimes, a physical gift might not be enough to show your students just how much you care about them and their huge achievement! If you want to do something extra special for graduates, I suggest going all out with an experience they will never forget. Some options for this gift might include:
A vacation to somewhere they’ve always wanted to go.
Tickets to see their favorite band or concert.
Amusement park tickets for the whole family.
A huge graduation party with friends and family to celebrate.
These are only a few of the ways you can create a great graduation experience for your student. I suggest considering your budget especially if you plan a big vacation for the whole family. This gift can get expensive fast, but it’s definitely worth the cost!
5. Subscription to Streaming Services
A subscription to a streaming service can be another useful option for recent grads. Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms might not seem like a necessity, but they can help your child relax and take some time for themselves. There’s no denying that life can get stressful.
Whether they are working or going to college, grads will need something to help them de-stress. Consider paying for one of these subscriptions or you can get a pre-loaded gift card that will pay for a monthly streaming subscription.
6. Headphones
Headphones can go along great with some of the other gifts I mentioned on this list, especially a laptop and streaming services. This item can be used for leisure time, but it’s also useful for studying and commuting.
A good pair of noise-canceling headphones can help new graduates zone in when they study or do work. Headphones are also great for noisy commutes and walk around their city or town.
7. Basic Household Items
Finally, if you want to give your graduate a great gift and help them start off on the right foot, consider gifting them some essential household items. There are a lot of things your child won’t have, especially if they plan on moving out and getting their own place. You can supply them with things they actually need.
This could include a coffee maker, pans, pots, spatulas and other cookware. You can also give them cleaning supplies, laundry baskets, first aid kits and toilet paper. The options are pretty endless with this gift.
Getting basic household items isn’t the most extravagant or exciting gift for recent grads, but it's definitely one of the most useful ones. You will really be helping your student out as you give them things that they will definitely need as an adult!
Final Thoughts on Graduation Gifts
It can be a real challenge to find the perfect gift for recent graduates. You want to let your child know that you are still there to support them, but you also want to let them grow and make their own way in the world.
The gifts I’ve listed above should help recent graduates ease their way into adult life and higher education if they choose to take this step. Regardless of what your child chooses to do next though, you want to show them how much you love them during this exciting time in their life!