Great Gifts for that Special Graduate

With graduation right around the corner, you may be scouring to find a gift for your graduate that shows how proud you are of this important accomplishment in their lives. If you are tired of the old standby of gift cards, there are several more personal options that are great alternatives.

See below for some great ideas of what to get someone who is moving into adulthood that won’t break your budget, but will keep them smiling for years to come.

Nice decor for their new home. If you have a grad who has been eyeing a gorgeous oval wall mirror or that antique picture frame that would be perfect for their new place, now is the time to make that purchase for them as a way of telling them that you are pushing them into adulthood and furthering their independence. Furnishing a dorm room or an apartment can be pricey depending on the area, so your gift will be well taken care of for years to come.

Upgraded dish and glassware. If your grad knows his or her way around the kitchen and loves to entertain, then a great set of dishware or glassware for their new home is a great gift. Something cool yet sophisticated that can be quickly cleaned but not easily broken is a perfect choice for someone in between paper plates and fine china. Likewise, for an older grad, monogrammed tumblers or stemware will make them feel like you get their sense of style.

A nice coffee maker. For those late nights studying or just hanging with friends, a great cup of coffee can make all the difference. Don’t let your grad be stuck searching for an open coffee house or drinking the community sludge from the vending machine. A great coffee maker is essential to helping them survive those all-nighters.

A nice weekend bag or garment bags. Now is the time in their lives when short bursts of travel are going to become much more frequent. Whether it’s a road trip to visit their best friend at across the country at school or a long-saved for trip to a foreign land, a great weekend bag or garment bag is essential to keep their wardrobe and toiletries clean and secure. Choose one that is built to last, and stands out in a crowd so it can be easily spotted on a luggage belt at an airport.

A gorgeous new watch. Even if your grad insists that they can just use their cell phones to keep the time, a nice watch will not only look professional when applying for internships or post-grad jobs but will help them never be late for a class or an interview again. Have it engraved with a special message to remind them that no matter what, they can always count on you.