buzzfeed Press
38 Gift Ideas For Your Favorite New Grad
Images
We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Including a gorgeous pen set, a creamy keyboard, and a box of Levain cookies they'll be so glad to have on this next step of their journey. Graduation gifts are tough. I mean, graduating is a big deal, so the gift needs to match the occasion. Ideally, you want something that feels practical enough to be a useful gift, but still unique enough to feel personal and celebratory. From delicious sweet treats and caffeinated goodies to office must-haves and first apartment essentials, these gifts are perfect for your favorite new grad. A 39-piece tool set so they'll be ready to tackle all the complicated Ikea furniture in their very near future. They'll get a hammer, various screwdrivers, a tape measure, and basically anything they'll need for their DIY adventures. Promising review: "Gave this set to my 19-year-old grandson, and within two weeks he had them out using for something on his car. He so appreciated the gift! The set is excellent quality, and the case is very nice." —LuAnn Get it from Amazon for $20.69+ (available in 12 colors). A sparkling tennis bracelet — it will only cost you about $15, but will make them feel like a million bucks and level up all of their office 'fits. The 14-karat gold-plated bracelet comes in rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold. Promising review: "Very shiny and seems to be of good quality. My sister was so excited to receive this as a gift and has been wearing it daily since she received it." —Gabby Get it from Amazon for $17.95 (available in three colors, three sizes, and also available with 18-karat gold vermeil). A set of affordable highly popular wireless Bluetooth earbuds that have wowed thousands of reviewers so far, so whoever you gift them to will certainly be impressed. Several of those reviewers say these have sound quality that gives AirPods a run for their money, although these are more than $100 less!!! They're also water-resistant, so they can feel safe wearing these while getting their sweat on during a workout or rainy commute. These come with a wireless charging case that provides up to 45 hours of total playtime (with the earbuds able to play for 10+ hours on a single charge!). Promising review: "Best decision! These are the greatest headphones ever! I saw them on TikTok months ago and added them to my wish list. I got a new phone that doesn't have the headphone port, so I decided it was time to finally buy them. They are amazing, and I probably won't ever take them out of my ears! 😂" —Kate Arnold Get it from Amazon for $18.96+ (available in five colors). A set of fine-point pens that'll keep their notebooks expertly color-coordinated. The fine-point tips get rave reviews for their buttery smooth texture and minimal bleed-through. Your grad will be the first to volunteer to take notes in all their work meetings. Promising review: "I love these pens. I literally just ordered a second batch of them because I'm a medical student studying for Step 1 and am taking many handwritten pages of notes. The colors are great and don't bleed and the pens feel great in my hand! There's a fine enough point to them you can write incredibly small if you need to! I highly recommend." —henela A tote bag that's spacious enough to carry literally everything they could ever need for their first day on the job and comes in over 100 colors, so there's bound to be one that fits perfectly in their wardrobe. Promising review: "Great product for such a small cost. Was a gift for my daughter. She was happy & been rocking it for months now. No issues with the straps. It can carry what she needs & the color is perfect for everyday errands." —Fantabulous Kaye Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in over 100 colors). A clever neck reading light — it lasts for up to 80 hours on a single charge 😮. It also has six brightness settings, so they can crank it up when they're reading outside under the stars or turn it down when they're getting one last chapter in before bed. Promising review: "I don’t have the best lighting in this house or the best eyes, and that makes for a hard time cross-stitching. These are absolutely wonderful! I can see my patterns and do my cross-stitching which is so great during this quarantine. Be sure to charge every night after use, though. And they are so lightweight I forget I’m wearing them! Highly recommended!" —Nini Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors). A Smells Like You Just Leveled Up candle so the next step in their adventure will be appropriately scented. So what does leveling up smell like?? Actually, that's up to you! You can choose between Rose and Patchouli, Mimosa and Pineapple, White Tea and Jasmine, or Coconut and Orange. Or an unscented option is available if you're going for a ~quiet luxury~ vibe. James Wax is a small Etsy shop focused on unique candles. Get it from James Wax on Etsy for $16.95+ (available in five scents and with various optional gift boxes). A mason jar cold brew pitcher that reviewers say is so easy to use and clean — and will save them tons of money by eliminating their daily iced coffee run. They can now mentally transport themselves to their favorite cafe without ever leaving their favorite room in the house (you know, the kitchen!), and their wallet will be so grateful. Oh, and can we talk about how cute it is?!!! Pair it with a bag of cold brew coffee grounds so they can start caffeinating right away. County Line Kitchen is a small business specializing in mason jar–style cold brew makers, pitchers, and accessories. Promising review: "This has been a hit in my house. Makes the most delicious cold brew and is of great quality. I have saved a ton of money on going out and on pods I used to buy. I try to let it sit for 48 hours so I can dilute it with a little water to get it to last longer, and throw it in my dishwasher in between uses. Perfect!" —Jo Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two colors). A Lenox mug featuring the cover of the ultimate graduation classic, Dr. Seuss's Oh, The Places You'll Go! Whether their journey takes them to their first post-grad apartment or a new grad school dorm, they'll be properly caffeinated along the way. Get it from Lenox for $11.95 (originally $24). A chic coffee cup holder so their hands are never full due to their love of iced coffee. Their go-to order can swing safely at their side, and it'll basically look like the most delicious crossbody ever. Promising review: "This is perfect! I constantly have my hands full and now I can comfortably carry my coffee with me everywhere I go. I will be purchasing more!" —Erin VIS Paradise Goods is a Florida-based Etsy stop established in 2021 that specializes in personalized and sustainable goods. Get it from VIS Paradise Goods on Etsy for $17.54+ (available in various colors and designs). A comfy blanket that folds up to look like a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, so they can use it as cute decor during the spring and a cozy throw during the winter. Add a vase to really complete the experience. Promising review: "Absolutely beautiful!!!! The packaging alone is fabulous!!! They include a cardboard bag that has FLOWERS written on it so it looks like it’s from a flower shop!! Beautiful roses what a fantastic idea! I will be ordering more for birthdays and Valentines Day….. all the days!! Just beautiful!!!!!" —Anne B. Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in five styles). A newly released Graduation Barbie, which is the sweetest way to say, "I remember when you used to play Barbies, and now you're all grown up!!! 😭❤️" Barbie comes decked in her graduation cap, robe, sash, and has her diploma in hand. She has many careers to conquer, after all. Oh, and there's even a spot to personalize a message on the back of the box! A book journal for the bookworm who'd love a dedicated spot to keep track of and review all the books they devour throughout the year. The interior has plenty of space for writing down all of their thoughts (like their favorite plot points, quotes, what they thought of the characters, etc), and the exterior features a gorgeous embroidered cover with classics like Jane Eyre and Little Women. Oh, and there's even a spot where they can keep track of all the books they want to read next, which I'm sure they'll fill very quickly. Promising review: "Such a great journal! Has wonderful review pages with enough space to really get your thoughts about your reads down. I've only this year started keeping a reading journal, wanting to document all the books I read or listen to throughout the year. Looking for one that has enough space for my thoughts and notes while reading, as well as listing characters, was difficult, but Rifle Paper Co. clearly knew what readers want. I highly recommend this journal. It's wonderful quality!" —Amy Get it from Rifle Paper Co. (available in two designs) or Amazon for $34. A fancy Scriveiner London lacquer rollerball pen, which has racked up a jaw-dropping 14,000+ rave ratings. How does a pen garner that much hype? Well, first of all, the packaging is luxe — they'll feel like they're opening the Rolls-Royce of writing utensils. Second of all, reviewers say the ink "glides like butter" and feels great in the hand thanks to its substantial weight. Promising review: "A wonderful gift for a young man who is now out of college and in the working world. He was recently promoted, and he loved this pen. It looks as good or better than what you see in the picture, and it writes as smooth as silk. I'd buy it again." —BT Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in 14 colors; personalization options also available). You can also get a pack of four refills for $9.99. A college cityscape stemless wineglass so they can rep their alma mater every time they feel like winding down with their fave glass of pinot. It even features the college's logo at the bottom of the glass so they'll get a little surprise once they take their final sip. Promising review: "I ordered the FSU wineglasses for my daughter, and she loved them. Great design and quality. They arrived on time and were in perfect condition." —Nole Fan Get it from Uncommon Goods for $38 (available in various designs). A reusable Rocketbook notebook, which is basically like gifting them an endless notebook. They can use the Rocketbook app to save all of their "pages" and then erase them with the included wipe. Promising review: "I love using mine for note-taking for my college courses. It's nice being able to scan and organize them to my Google Drive and never lose them. And, of course, being able to use the notebook an infinite amount of time saves on so much paper! Win-win!" —Miranda Woodward Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four sizes and three colors). A retro-style portable Bluetooth keyboard they can connect to their phone or tablet (or laptop) to basically make any surface into a workspace. One reviewer confirmed that the keys are in fact "creamy," which everyone knows is the most elite keyboard style. Promising review: "I got this keyboard because of its aesthetic. The look did not disappoint. Love it! Super easy to connect to my iPhone and iPad. It makes my typing and note creation on my phone quicker and cuter. I will purchase another for an upcoming friend’s birthday. I know she’ll love it as well!" —NT Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in ten colors). A "Cup Cozy Pillow" with special spots for various beverages and a center caddy for remotes, coasters, and other random essentials. It's designed to stay in place and not topple over, so they can plop on the couch and worry less about spilling their soda everywhere. Check out a TikTok of the Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow in action. Promising review: "This thing is great! I’m home on maternity leave with my new baby and spend most of my time on the couch under a sleeping baby. This product makes it easy for me to keep my drinks, remote, etc close by even with dogs running around. It’s a little more expensive than I would have liked but it works and I love it so money well spent!" —Amber Cup Cozy Pillow is a small business that specializes in family-friendly snack and drink organizers. Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in nine colors). A pillow-shaking alarm clock that does exactly as it promises — there's a small shaker attachment they can put under their pillow that'll literally rock them awake in the morning! It also features an alarm so loud that they call it a "sonic bomb," so they're basically guaranteed to never oversleep again. Promising review: "This alarm is amazing. The pillow shaker does its job to perfection. The shaker shakes the pillow just right so you don’t wake up startled. The loud alarm is loud enough. I wear a hearing aid to hear everything, and the loud alarm is loud enough that I can hear it without my hearing aid. Must have for someone with hearing issues so you wake up on time every time." —Scott D. Sonic Alert is a small business that specializes in alarm clocks. Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in seven colors). A stylish blazer that works perfectly for both the office and post-work happy hour, so it'll definitely become a part of their rotation of go-to office 'fits. Reviewers say it fits true to size, though recommend sizing up if you want a little extra wiggle room for a more casual fit. Promising review: "I am blown away by the quality!!! This goes above and beyond the normal Amazon find. They are true to size. I’m currently a large, and a large fits perfectly.... I will most definitely be purchasing more colors!" —Natasha Get it from Amazon for $41.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 23 colors). A 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger so they'll have a super compact way to charge their phone, Apple Watch, and AirPods without having to deal with a ton of charging cables and power bricks. It features overcurrent protection, and the phone charging pad is magnetic to keep their phone securely in place. Promising review: "This is a great product for the night stand and traveling. It requires one plug and folds of small for traveling. I have bought several for gifts and everyone has loved them!" —dwess Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in six colors). A "Starry Night" puzzle so they'll have something fun to do during their much-deserved free time. The box includes a super helpful nine-compartment sorting tray to keep the pieces organized, and the completed puzzle looks so gorgeous that they might just be tempted to hang it on their wall. Actually, grab a puzzle frame while you're at it so this activity can double as decor. Promising review: "Beautifully boxed, high quality jig saw puzzle. Perfect gift for art-loving puzzle aficionados." —Stephen C. A set of Jane Austen novels to help kickstart their book collection and fill up their bookcase a little faster. The box features copies of Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility, each with gorgeous illustrated covers that are worthy of leaving out on the coffee table. And if they're an Austen super fan, they'll be bewitched by these matching notebooks, as well! Promising review: "These are the perfect addition to my library. They’re so beautiful! I can easily envision them being passed down and treasured for generations to come." —Kristy P. A "From NYC, With Love" gift set from the wildly popular bakery, Levain. Trust me, these cookies are 1,000% worth the hype. The set comes with four thick, gooey cookies that people regularly wait in long lines to buy, so consider this a VIP pass to deliciousness. It also comes with Literie’s “Afternoon in Central Park” candle (which smells like fresh grass and bergamot) and a cute tea towel with various NYC landmarks and icons. Get it from Levain for $90+ (available in six flavor assortments). A box of cupcakes from We Take The Cake bakery that look like stunning mini bouquets that are almost too pretty to eat. I said "almost" — reviewers say both the golden chocolate and golden butter flavors are fluffly and delicious (and they'll get four of each!). Promising review: "These cupcakes were just as beautiful and delicious as advertised and expected. We Take The Cake is my favorite bakery on Goldbelly and I will be ordering again! The order arrived when promised and was packaged well, with the cupcakes arriving cold and fresh." —Monica S. A "Worky" station, the on-the-go desk they never knew they needed. Once they unfold the suitcase-style design, they'll have plenty of space for their laptop and office supplies, and there are even USB ports to charge their devices. Perhaps best of all, the top portion (which also functions as a whiteboard!) has LED lights, so they'll be in perfect lighting for all of their Zoom meetings. This is truly the ultimate gift for the remote workers on your list. Check out a TikTok of the Worky station in action. Promising review: "I've had my Worky for three months now and have loved it. I love that everything is in one place, and then I can close it up and work disappears. The compartments are great for tucking away piles of paperwork, the different charging outlets are convenient, and the LED lights are helpful on Zoom calls when lighting in the room is not ideal. Everything in one place, simple and convenient. Just the way I like it." —Amy Worky is a small business that specializes in products to improve remote working experiences. A Lego flower bouquet you can buy *right now* and it'll still be fresh when they actually graduate, unlike real flowers. It's an arts-and-crafts gift and an adorable home decor gift all in one! Promising review: "My daughter had a great time putting these together and she has them proudly displayed on her makeup table. She said they weren’t difficult to do. The instructions were pretty clear and she’s already asking for more. Which of course I’ll be buying because it keeps her off her phone lol. I definitely would recommend as a gift just not for young kids. I know adults who would enjoy these." —Brielle Get it from Amazon for $54. And check out the entire Lego Botanicals collection here. A compact but jaw-droppingly spacious underseat roller bag, which is small enough to count as a personal item on most airlines. It has a padded laptop compartment and helpful pockets on the outside that are perfect for everything from AirPods to portable chargers, so this is about to become their travel BFF for any work trips. No more fighting for overhead space! Promising review: "This is a great carry-on bag! It has numerous pockets and storage areas to keep everything organized. I've taken it on three trips to Europe this year, as well as a few domestic trips, and it fits well under most airline seats (unless the seat has a footrest). In those cases, it's easy to fit it in the overhead compartment. On a couple of occasions when airlines requested that carry-on bags be checked at the gate, this bag was OK for me to carry onboard since it's not too large (yet it holds a lot). In an emergency, I was able to fit three days of clothes, sweaters, a jacket, toiletries, shoes, and electronics in this bag because it's so easy to organize it in numerous compartments. It wheels great, too. I've traveled a lot over the years, and this is the best carry-on bag I've found. I bought two of them!" —DM7233 Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in nine colors). Sugarfina's Graduation Bento Gift Box, because every adult entering the real world should be stocked up with an emergency sugar stash. This celebratory box comes with some adorably festive Champagne Bears Gummies and three other chewy, sugary delights that'll even their worst day feel a lil' bit sweeter. The box includes Confetti Caramels, Sugar Lips Gummies, Sparkling Stars, and Champagne Bears Gummies. A medium-firm Coop Home Goods pillow with adjustable memory foam filling so they can customize the size and shape to their exact needs! It's designed for side, back, and stomach sleepers (so, basically everyone), and reviewers say it's breathable and retains its shape all night. You're basically gifting them the best night of sleep they've ever had. Promising review: "I hardly ever write reviews but I have to for this. I saw this pillow on TikTok and it got me curious so I immediately came to Amazon. OMG, it’s such a game changer. I’m a side sleeper and this pillow is heaven. It’s some of the most comfortable sleep I have had in ages. I love it so much I bought a second one and have my eye on the body pillow. Obsessed! You need this in your bedroom." —MT Coop Sleep Goods is a small business specializing in pillows, pillowcases, and sleep products. Get it from Amazon for $89+ (available in queen and king sizes, and three shapes). A compact yet spacious Coach wallet with plenty of room for cards, cash, gift cards they get for graduation gifts, and there's even a zipper compartment for loose change and other small essentials. Promising review: "Love it! My husband got it for me to match my purse. It's perfect! Fits all the cards I need, cash, and coins, and fits in my purse." —RickJ Get it from Coach for $89 (available in 19 colors). A smart meat thermometer — it will basically be their very own personal electronic sous chef. It connects to the Meater app to help configure cooking times and tell them the temperature right on their phone. The days of continuously opening the oven door to check on their roasted meats will be far behind them. It works for meats cooked in the smoker, grill, rotisserie, oven, pan, and air fryer! Promising review: "The Meater works so well, you hardly have to do anything while you cook any sort of meat. Once it alerts you the meat is ready, you remove it from any heat, and when the app says you’re ready to dig in, there’s no second guessing whether or not your meat is fully cooked. No under/overcooking with this; it’s perfect EVERY time. Couldn’t be more happy with this product and app." —Pam Walter Get it from Amazon for $64.95+ (available in either plastic or bamboo). A Skylight digital calendar, which is guaranteed to elicit a *gasp* from any organization lovers on your list. This functions as both a digital calendar and a chore chart, so they can effortlessly keep track of their appointments and to-do list. Plus, they can mount it on the wall or use it as a tabletop organizer. It's compatible with Google Calendar, iCloud Calendar, Outlook Calendar, Cozi, and Yahoo, ensuring that all their important events are in one place. They can make changes on the device itself or use the free mobile app when it's more convenient. Promising review: "A game changer for organizing! It’s so much more than just a regular wall calendar — it’s visually appealing and really helps keep me organized. The large, clear layout makes it simple to use. It's helped my husband and I stay on the same page with our schedules. Can't recommend it enough!" —Always Meliss The Apple Watch Series 11 so their productivity will skyrocket — this new version features longer battery life (up to 24 hours on a single charge) and an even more durable screen that's twice as resistant to scratches. And, of course, it can monitor sleep and fitness activity — all they have to do is wear it! Oh, and it tells time, but you probably knew that. Promising review: "I love everything about this Apple Watch. The watch face size is perfect, and it is incredibly easy to use. It is comfortable enough to wear all day, and I love having so much information right at my fingertips. The band is great and very easy to change. It is also simple to hook and secure, which makes putting it on quick and hassle-free. I even love the charger. It is easy to use and works seamlessly. Overall, it feels intuitive, functional, and comfortable. I have zero complaints." —Jill C. Get it from Amazon for $299 (available in four colors, two sizes, and two connectivity options). The super sleek Oura ring, which connects to their smartphone to help monitor their sleep, heart rate, and various fitness goals. It's a bit more subtle than a smartwatch, so they won't mind keeping this on 24/7. Heads up: The brand recommends buying the Oura sizing kit for $10 first to figure out which size works best — so you might want to gift the kit now to figure out the sizing! Either way, you'll get a $10 credit back for the purchase of an Oura ring! Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE my Oura ring, it gives me great insight into my sleep and heart health as well as keeping track of my activity levels and stress levels, it warns me when it senses something wrong and notifies me, as well as giving me suggestions on how to improve those said things. All and all, I highly recommend getting one for yourself... It fits well, is comfortable, I only take it off to shower or when I'm doing hard work with hands like gardening to prevent it from getting damaged or scratching. The battery lasts a long time, it is very lightweight, pretty self-explanatory with setup." —Margo Get it from Amazon for $344+ (available in sizes 9–15, in ceramic or metallic styles, and six colors). A Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Maker, which I promise is at the top of the wish list for any caffeine aficionados in your life. This sleek model takes up very little space, so it's perfect for small apartments. Plus, it'll brew up a cafe-quality cup in mere seconds. Pair this with a variety pack of Nespresso pods to win the "Best Gift Giver" award in their coffee-loving heart. Promising review: "I am OBSESSED. I love this, the whole process is so much easier than an espresso machine with all the work. This is just top tier." —Katie Get it from Amazon for $125.99+ (available in three colors and in a bundle with a frother). A Samsonite two-piece luggage set for the grad who plans on jet-setting now that they're done with school. These sturdy hardshell suitcases have spinner wheels so they can easily whip their way through the crowded airport, a spacious interior with built-in compression straps, and a TSA-friendly lock to keep their items secure. Promising review: "I have always purchased cheap luggage. I figure it's going to get beat up anyway at the airport. But I finally splurged and purchased a set with a reputable name brand. Samsonite has been known to be quality since I can remember. This set did not disappoint. The wheels glide so smoothly that I can easily keep up with my family in the airport now. I love the lightweight and durable shell. Color is beautiful. It has zipper locks on both pieces, and there are some great features on the interior as well." –Jason W. Get it from Amazon for $259.99+ (available in nine colors). A 10-piece nonstick cookware set so you can help furnish their first non-dorm kitchen! These are made with a ceramic non-stick coating that's reinforced with 💎 diamonds 💎 to keep it super durable and ensure that food slides right off. The best part? Reviewers say they're lightweight and super easy to clean! Promising review: "The pots and pans are fantastic. The ceramic coating allows for easy clean up. There is even heating. Highly recommended." —D&JB * Wonderfully Practical Gifts If The Reaction You’re Going For Is, “Wow, I Actually Needed This” * Just 77 Of The Best Gifts To Buy On Amazon * Buying Gifts For Kids Can Be Hard, So Here Are 56 Parent-Approved Options To Help * Score Some Major Points With Your BFF When You Gift Them One Of These 27 Things * Anytime Gifts From Small Businesses You’ll Want To Bookmark For Later * Surely One Of These 47 Birthday Gifts Will Be Perfect For That Person Who’s Impossible To Shop For * Gifts Reviewers Said Their Giftees Were Totally "Obsessed" With * Gifts That Don't Cost A Lot But Will Absolutely Become One Of Their Favorites Plus, gifts for wedding anniversaries or baby showers, finds from Etsy and Uncommon Goods, and options for dogs, bookworms, practical jokers, pre-teens, weirdos, your parents, and newlyweds. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Daniel Boan is a Shopping Editor who uses his passion for hitting "add to cart" (and his 8+ years in media) to curate the best products on the web — he's particularly passionate about finding the best beauty products, which probably stems from his days of working at Lush Cosmetics, where he learned about effective skincare ingredients while getting covered in bath bomb dust every day. The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.