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GQ Recommends
Post-grad academia, that swanky new job, or just a cramped dorm room.
By Lori Keong
The best graduation gift ideas for every kind of graduate are nice enough to help usher them into their next phase of life, realistic to their needs, and ideally something slightly beyond the grasp of a cash-strapped student’s budget. Amazon or Ikea gift cards and wads of cash will never cease to be great gifts for the new grad you don’t want to shoehorn with personalized jewelry or a tie. And yet, it never hurts to turn up to a graduation party with something physical that you’ve thought out.
For grad gifts, now’s the time to shell out for an elevated version of something they need, like new linens and tech accessories, or some high-quality life investment that they may never have considered, like a souped-up steamer or charging device that they can pack up and carry from place to place. Celebratory niceties and life-enhancing subscriptions are also well-deserved for any graduate, especially if they’ve been footing the bill for student loans.
Here, we’ve assembled some of the best graduation gift ideas for everyone on your list, whether they’re leaving the nest after their high school graduation, a recent college grad who’s heading into the real world or back into school, or perhaps just toiled their way through a secondary degree—from travel essentials for post-grad gap years to useful home and cooking tools that can upgrade any dorm room or sad first sublet.
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All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
1/51
HAY tavern glass set of six
An absurdly good deal on one set of chunky, durable glasses that even the most hamfisted college students (or recent grads) can use to serve beers, wine, or mixed drinks.
3/51
'Cooking at Home: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Recipes (And Love My Microwave),' by David Chang and Priya Krishna
Even big time chefs like David Chang embrace the microwave lifestyle. With this, they'll know how to actually use it to their best advantage without getting scurvy by the end of the first semester.
4/51
Clear 6-month gift subscription
It's less anxiety for everyone involved that has to drop them off at the airport dangerously close to their boarding time.
5/51
Aesop "Resurrection Aromatique" hand wash
Nothing screams "I'm an adult now" more than your first bottle of fancy hand wash.
6/51
Rooted Chinese money plant
It symbolizes good luck and fortune, while being extremely low-maintenance for youths who are unaccustomed to taking care of things.
7/51
Appointed For the Graduate Set
Pop a monogram on it so they'll know it's not just another planner.
8/51
Baloo 20-pound weighted comforter
You can't give them a hug in person all the time, but you certainly can gift them the sensation of one.
9/51
Poketo Art Hat
Mazel tov to your incoming liberal arts student. May their impending student loans never keep them down!
10/51
Material The Iconics Set
So they can upgrade all their mismatched utensils in one fell swoop and become the roommate that everyone else in the house is beholden to.
11/51
Monos Metro Folio
The handsomest of mini tech kits that'll come in handy long after their school days are over.
12/51
Google Nest WiFi Pro
High-speed internet for the recent grad who would perish (spiritually, at least) without WiFi access.
13/51
Craighill Discerning Gift Box
A three-parter gift that polishes up a desk or entryway, plus provides them with some important (and sleek) survival tools. So many layers!!
14/51
GQ annual print and web subscription
Keep their minds sharp and their fits even sharper.
15/51
Miansai leather folder
It certainly adds some polish where a basic manila folder fails. Just, uh, make sure that they're not handing this over willy-nilly to hiring managers when they present their resume.
16/51
Bern F-1 libre bike helmet
Subtext: "Protect your noggin, we are paying so much for your tuition!!"
17/51
Filson Dryden ballistic nylon briefcase
Anyone can look the part of the trusted TA, after all, with our favorite laptop bag. An early life lesson: Fake it 'til you make it.
18/51
Brooklinen classic move-in bundle
Upgrade their dodgy linens with one luxe sateen bundle.
19/51
Our Place home cook duo
A cookware twofer that handles most of the cooking needs you could conceivably have in a tiny apartment.
20/51
Artifox large desk stand
In theory, ergonomic desk enhancements will come in handy from their dorm room to their first desk job, or even just their new WFH situation.
21/51
Character essential toolbox set
For setting up (or disassembling) that clunky futon, hanging up the heady new wave film posters, and measuring out for a new shelf in their first apartment without getting mom and pop involved.
22/51
Knickerbocker horse shoe ring
"Wishing you the best of luck on whatever's next," is the fine print on this gift.
23/51
Braindead x Modernica Leomi Sadler fiberglass shell chair
The coolest dorm room desk chair, hand's down. Now, the biggest issue will be figuring out where to store that ugly pre-issued version for the remainder of the term.
24/51
Leatherology deluxe bookmark
Something quick, easy, and embellished with a tassel (!) to throw them as a physical token (with a monogram, perhaps?), as you send them along with a digital gift card or some cash into their next few years of academia.
25/51
A24 desk tray set
The perfect gift for the kid you're putting through film school, once you throw in a Mubi or Criterion subscription.
27/51
Apple Air Pods Pro Max
Upgrade their old crusty earbuds to this noise-cancelling audio powerhouse.
28/51
Beast blender & hydration system
The best smoothie, we've always maintained, is the one you make at home. Beast's blender can do it all—its compact build takes up less counter space than its competitors, it's powerful enough to chop any food ingredients you throw its way, and it boasts a portable bottle to take the finished product on the go. Oh, and the super photogenic design doesn't hurt either.
29/51
Ninja AF101 air fryer
Air fryers are super convenient, affordable, and can cook most foods—from chicken to salmon to veggies—in no time. In other words: they're perfect for your already-harried graduate.
30/51
Ember Mug 2
Ember's miracle-working mug controls the temperature of their cup of joe, giving them one less thing to worry about in the morning.
32/51
Sunnei yellow BBPR candle
A sentimental keepsake to slip them as you drop them off at the airport for their big New York City job, or move them into their downtown dorm.
33/51
Blue Apron subscription
The culinary subscription gift that lovingly says, "You can't rely on our own cooking anymore. You're on your own now," then gives you the tools to master the kitchen.
34/51
Bose portable home Bluetooth speaker
Now that they're out of the house, they can play their music as loud as they want to.
35/51
Porter-Yoshida & Co. Boston bag
The high-quality duffel you'd never think to get them, but that they actually really want.
36/51
Cuyana tech carryall
The polished graduation present they need to tote their tech into the real world.
37/51
Oculus Quest
2 VR Headset
The right time to gift your kid a VR gaming system is after their studies are over. It's a gesture that says “Congratulations for all the hard work, you deserve to blow off some steam.”
38/51
Trade Coffee subscription
For those last minute deadlines and adrenaline-fueled days, they'll always need more coffee. This subscription of the good stuff ensures that their bean supplies are always topped up.
39/51
My Form Design desk storage
Useful whether they're tacking it onto their first cubicle, or adding space to a tiny dorm room desk.
40/51
Baron Fig squire stainless steel pen
A check-signing, smooth gliding roller pen for the recent grad who just landed their first big time job.
41/51
Smythson passport cover
For all of the stamps they'll rack up on their post-grad adventures.
42/51
Momof*cku noodle variety pack
Dorm room instant noodles, but not the ones your college student is used to.
43/51
State Bicycle Co. pigeon bike
A set of wheels (maybe not the ones they've envisioned) to get them to class or the new job on time.
44/51
Artifact Uprising everyday photo book
If you're going the sentimental route, Artifact Uprising makes some of the best-looking scrapbooks for stuffing with all the school photos and memorabilia.
45/51
Apple Airpods Pro wireless earbuds
Noise-cancelling to block out noisy roommates, with Bluetooth connectivity for easy pairing, and small and slim for transport.
46/51
Arlo Skye zipper carry-on
The blacked-out carry-on they'll have for years after their gap year is over.
47/51
East Fork "you're all set" 7-piece set
All of the sleek ceramics that a person wants to pad out their dorm or first sublet.
48/51
Steamery
Off-White Cirrus No. 3 Iron Steamer
The lazy person's alternative to ironing lets them steam wrinkles into submission, without taking up too much real estate in the closet (and transfers into an iron when needed).
49/51
JWDA table lamp
A sustainable way to burn the midnight oil, that's fully transportable, dimmable, and rechargeable.
50/51
'Atomic Habits,' by James Clear
Some would say it's life-changing for getting your sh*t together.
51/51
Shinola power supply 5-port dual USB
The perfect balance of practical and "a helluva lot better looking than standard power strips" that a new apartment needs. For easy charger options, it also comes with a built-in USB slot for lightning cables.
Lori Keong is a freelance writer and editor who's been contributing at GQ since 2021. She's previously worked on staff at The Cut, The Strategist, SELF, and Marie Claire. Elsewhere, her writing on design, style, wellness, and beauty has appeared in Architectural Digest, Dwell, Allure, ELLE, PAPER, and beyond.
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