WOOHOO!!! THEY DID IT!!!
…now what??
Whether you are a parent, family member, or friend, you are probably here because you want to love on your graduate! Maybe you need some ideas for gifts that are useful and won’t just take up space or be forgotten.
Well, you’re in luck! I’ve put together a list of 23 awesome gifts for your favorite 2023 graduate that they can actually use as they head off to college, start their summer jobs, or just take a gap year!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Please note that Amazon prices may change at any time.
1
LUGGAGE
Is your graduate heading out of town for college? If they are, they may not want to use the princess suitcase or Toy Story duffel bag they’ve had since elementary school. This sleek and simply carry-on sized suitcase has multiple features that will allow your graduate to travel with ease!
2
APPLE AIR TAG
This is a great gift for graduates who will be heading to work, internships, or college and will be overwhelmed with new things. It’s very easy for important things to be misplaced or go missing – enter the air tag! Simply attach it to their keys, wallet, or another important item and they can track it from their phone.
3
PORTABLE CHARGER
Your graduate will most likely find themselves in lecture halls or classes for endless hours of the day, and a lot of these rooms don’t have outlets at every seat. A simple portable charger is probably something they never even knew they needed, but they will love you forever when they realize they can’t live without it!
4
MATTRESS TOPPER
Dorm beds aren’t the most comfortable things in the world, and sleep is so important for a new college student. Adding a simple mattress pad or mattress topper to their bed can help transform a bed into a cloud and ensure a good night’s sleep!
5
FIRST AID KIT
Getting your grad a collection of meds and basic first aid items can come in handy anytime they have a study headache, annoying textbook papercut, etc. This kit is pretty compact and can fit easily in a backpack!
You can also toss in these individual packets of Ibuprofen for a quick on-the-go headache cure!
6
SHEET SET
New sheets in a college dorm are a must! This is a basic sheet set under $30 that comes with a fitted sheet, top sheet, and a pillow case. It also has 35 different colors to choose from so matching their chosen aesthetic or theme should be easy!
7
AMAZON GIFT CARD
This is sort of a catch-all gift, but a very useful one. Your graduate may not know exactly what they need until after move-in day, so this gives them the opportunity to get what they need later but still count it as a gift from you!
8
LAUNDRY BAG
Walking to the laundry room can seem sort of awkward, especially with transparent bags where all your things are on display. Problem solved! This drawstring bag can be carried as a backpack, and also has a pocket for detergent or dryer sheets. It comes in 13 different colors, and holds about 2-3 loads of laundry!
9
CLEANING SUPPLIES
These are items they may not necessarily think to buy for themselves. You can also create your own cleaning kit for them and add disinfectant wipes, room spray, magic erasers, and tons more!
10
MINI FRIDGE
This is a great little fridge that can be put anywhere – even on top of a dresser or nightstand! This allows your grad to keep fresh snacks and energy drinks on hand for those emergency study sessions!
11
POLAROID CAMERA
This gift is a little more expensive, but allows your grad to capture those little moments and have a record of memories long after college is over. This camera comes in six colors, and includes film!
12
SHOWER SHOES
If your graduate wants to minimize bathroom germs, these slides are a great option for wearing to and from the bathroom, and even inside the shower!
13
TRAVEL MUG
Coffee is essential for those early morning classes and late night study sessions, and this mug is perfect! It comes in 10 colors and has a loop handle for easy carrying or hooking onto a backpack.
14
WATER BOTTLE
Your grad is going to need to stay hydrated in order to stay focused and motivated! This stainless steel water bottle holds 17oz and has 32 different colors and combo options!
15
COLLEGE PLANNER
For your graduate who likes to make lists and keep schedules, this planner is perfect for outlining their daily class schedule, keeping track of professor contact info, and spreading their assignments out over the week.
16
BATHROOM CADDY
Your grad probably doesn’t want to take their book bag into the bathroom with them every day, so this bag/caddy really comes in handy!
17
TOWEL SET
This towel set has several options – you can decide how many bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths come in your set. With 14 color options, you can easily match your grad’s color theme!
18
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
These are great for loud roommate situations, studying in the library, or whenever your graduate may need to tune everything else out for a while!
19
PERSONAL SAFE
Even with the nicest and most trustworthy roommate, it’s still a good idea to lock up certain valuable items such as a passport, extra cash, expensive jewelry, etc. This safe is fireproof, waterproof, and has options to add a fireproof box, a larger safe, and a fire extinguisher.
This is another locked box/safe option but at a much lower price point and it looks a lot cooler!
20
STORAGE BINS
These stackable drawers can fit in small spaces, on top of a dresser, or inside a cabinet to give your grad just a little extra storage space! You can choose between black or white, and between several different sizes and quantities!
This option is perfect for under the bed storage! Your grad can use these for those items they won’t need every day, extra blanket storage, or extra shoe storage!
21
DOOR HANGER STORAGE
This door hanger gives just a little extra storage space while freeing up some drawer space. This shoe organizer also hangs from the back of a door and frees up floor space!
22
SINGLE CUP COFFEE MAKER
Most coffee shops charge $5-$10 for one cup of coffee – think of all the money your grad can save by making their coffee at home!
23
BLUE LIGHT GLASSES
If your grad is doing online classes, taking notes in class on a laptop, writing papers, or submitting assignments online, these glasses can offer a little extra protection for their eyes and prevent a few headaches! With 22 colors and patterns to choose from, you can easily find one to fit their style!
