College Graduation Gift Ideas
Practical and special gifts for a college graduate
Jan 28, 2007 Naomi Rockler-Gladen
It's too bad stores don't offer college graduation gift registries the way they offer wedding registries. New college graduates are starting off fresh in the world, and they need stuff! Unfortunately, college graduates probably don't have lots of extra pocket cash, so if you show up to the graduation party with a practical college graduation gift, it will be appreciated.
Most college graduates need two kinds of gifts. First, they need gifts to help them out in their new careers. Second, they need all kinds of things for their first post-college home, and would appreciate decent quality housewares.
Here are some ideas for college graduation gifts:
1) Career gifts. Starting a career fresh out of college is a daunting experience. Give your college graduate a boost of confidence with some quality professional gifts that will help in his or her new career. What better way to acknowledge the rite of passage of graduation than with a quintessentially grown-up gift? Some ideas:
- A great briefcase.
- A leather portfolio.
- An engraved pen.
- A personalized desk nameplate.
- A professional frame for the graduate's college diploma.
- A gift certificate to a store that sells professional clothing or shoes.
- An excellent business clothing accessory, such as a quality necktie or scarf.
- A Blackberry, Palm Pilot, or similar device.
- A professional cell phone.
- A leather wallet with a pocket for business cards.
- A professional datebook.
- A book about young people and success.
- A laptop computer.
- "Grown-up" software, like tax or money software.
2) Home gifts. Most college graduates are pretty sick of the college student lifestyle. They're tired of mismatched towels and dishes, and would like a few "grown-up" household items to make them feel like a real adult. College graduates don't have the money for a shopping spree at Bed, Bath & Beyond, so college graduation gifts for their home will be appreciated. One idea: think "matching". After years of living off of odds and ends from Mom and Dad's closets, matching sets of linens and dishes and such will be a welcome change. Some ideas for houseware gifts:
- A matching set of towels.
- A matching set of sheets.
- A coordinated bedding set, with blankets and throw pillows and such.
- Matching bathroom coordinates.
- A cookware set.
- A matching set of dishes.
- A matching set of glasses.
- Curtains.
- Silverware.
- A set of tools.
- A welcome mat.
- A toaster or toaster oven.
- A microwave oven.
- A coffee maker.
- A crock pot.
Do you have a suggeston? Please leave it in the discussion!
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