Graduation Gifts
Grads are heading somewhere new, whether that's a dorm, a first job or a trip. Gifts that help with the move or the new routine get the most use.
How to pick
- Travel gear, like packing cubes or a neck pillow, suits grads who are on the move.
- Good headphones help in shared dorms and open offices alike.
- A thoughtful book makes a nice pairing with a practical gift.
18 gift ideas
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Kindle Paperwhite
A glare-free e-reader with weeks of battery, for the reader who has everything else.
- Best for
- Readers who travel or read in bed at night
- Skip if
- They love the feel of paper books
Typical price: $100+
Check price on Amazon for Kindle Paperwhite (opens in a new tab) -
Leatherman Rev Multi-Tool
A pocket-size multi-tool with a knife, screwdrivers and a package opener. Useful every day.
- Best for
- Everyday fixes, opening boxes and small jobs
- Skip if
- They need pliers, since the Rev doesn't have them
Typical price: $25 to $50
Check price on Amazon for Leatherman Rev Multi-Tool (opens in a new tab) -
Bellroy Tech Kit Compact
A neat zip pouch for chargers, cables and a mouse, so his bag stops being a tangle.
- Best for
- Commuters and travelers with a tangle of cables
- Skip if
- They only carry a phone and one charger
Typical price: $50 to $100
Check price on Amazon for Bellroy Tech Kit Compact (opens in a new tab) -
Anker Zolo 20,000mAh Power Bank
A portable charger with a built-in cable that can charge a phone several times.
- Best for
- Travelers and heavy phone users who run out of battery
- Skip if
- They want something that fits in a pocket
Typical price: $25 to $50
Check price on Amazon for Anker Zolo 20,000mAh Power Bank (opens in a new tab) -
JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth Speaker
A loud, waterproof speaker that goes from the pool to the backyard.
- Best for
- Pool days, beach trips and backyard music
- Skip if
- They want room-filling sound for a big party
Typical price: $100+
Check price on Amazon for JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth Speaker (opens in a new tab) -
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera
Prints credit-card-size photos in seconds, with automatic exposure so shots come out right.
- Best for
- Teens and party-goers who love printed photos
- Skip if
- You'd rather not keep buying film, since each print costs money
Typical price: $50 to $100
Check price on Amazon for Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera (opens in a new tab) -
Apple AirPods 4
Apple's open-fit earbuds with easy iPhone pairing and a USB-C case.
- Best for
- iPhone users who want easy, comfortable earbuds
- Skip if
- They use Android, or want sealed-in noise blocking
Typical price: $100+
Check price on Amazon for Apple AirPods 4 (opens in a new tab) -
Apple AirTag 4-Pack
Keeps keys, bags and luggage easy to find from an iPhone.
- Best for
- iPhone users who lose keys, bags or luggage
- Skip if
- They use Android
Typical price: $50 to $100
Check price on Amazon for Apple AirTag 4-Pack (opens in a new tab) -
The Five Minute Journal
A guided gratitude journal that takes just a few minutes each morning and night.
- Best for
- People who want an easy gratitude habit
- Skip if
- They don't enjoy writing every day
Typical price: $25 to $50
Check price on Amazon for The Five Minute Journal (opens in a new tab) -
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The best-selling guide to small habits that add up to big changes.
- Best for
- Anyone starting fresh, like a grad or a new year
- Skip if
- They've already read it
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Atomic Habits by James Clear (opens in a new tab) -
Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones
Top-rated noise canceling headphones for flights, commutes and focus time.
- Best for
- Frequent flyers and commuters who want quiet
- Skip if
- They want small earbuds or are on a budget
Typical price: $100+
Check price on Amazon for Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones (opens in a new tab) -
Timex Weekender 38mm Watch
A clean, easy-to-read everyday watch with a strap that's easy to swap.
- Best for
- Anyone who wants a simple, classic watch
- Skip if
- They want smartwatch features
Typical price: $25 to $50
Check price on Amazon for Timex Weekender 38mm Watch (opens in a new tab) -
Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse
A comfortable, quiet mouse with a fast scroll wheel that works across computers.
- Best for
- People who work at a computer all day
- Skip if
- They're left-handed, since it's shaped for the right hand
Typical price: $50 to $100
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Moleskine Classic Hardcover Notebook
A sturdy notebook with an elastic closure for lists, ideas and sketches.
- Best for
- Writers, planners and list makers
- Skip if
- They use fountain pens, which can show through the pages
Typical price: Under $25
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Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow
A memory foam neck pillow that keeps your head from tipping on flights.
- Best for
- Frequent flyers and long road trips
- Skip if
- They rarely travel
Typical price: $25 to $50
Check price on Amazon for Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow (opens in a new tab) -
BAGAIL Packing Cubes, 8-Piece Set
Zip cubes in several sizes that keep a suitcase neat.
- Best for
- Anyone who travels with a suitcase
- Skip if
- They only travel with a small backpack
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for BAGAIL Packing Cubes, 8-Piece Set (opens in a new tab) -
Bose SoundLink Flex Speaker (2nd Gen)
A rugged, waterproof speaker with surprisingly full sound for its size.
- Best for
- Hikes, beach days and the bathroom shower
- Skip if
- They want big bass to fill a room
Typical price: $100+
Check price on Amazon for Bose SoundLink Flex Speaker (2nd Gen) (opens in a new tab) -
Hydro Flask 32 oz Wide Mouth Bottle
Keeps water cold all day, with a flexible cap that's easy to carry.
- Best for
- Hikers and people who drink a lot of water
- Skip if
- They need it to fit in a car cup holder
Typical price: $25 to $50
Check price on Amazon for Hydro Flask 32 oz Wide Mouth Bottle (opens in a new tab)