The Ultimate Guide to Graduation Gift Ideas for Friends
Do you bring gifts for your friends on the occasion of his/her graduation?
The short answer is Absolutely! Bringing a gift will act as a symbol of your support and congratulations while adding a layer of warmth and personal connection to the celebration. It's all about showing a gesture that says, I am so proud of you and wishing you a greater success ahead.
No matter it's something meaningful, practical or personal, a thoughtful gift can make a lasting impression and be a source of happiness in the years to come. As graduation approaches, if you are struggling to pick out a good gift, browse our list!
Here, we've compiled some of the best gifts that you can give to your friends.
15 best graduation gift ideas to celebrate your friend's hard work
So, what makes a good graduation gift? Our list of top picks covers everything from gift cards to travel essentials to accessories that we are confident graduates actually love.
1. Gift card
If you have no idea what to buy, gifting gift cards is always preferable. It is a practical and personal gift option for both the recipient and the giver. It offers flexibility alongside thoughtfulness.
Prioritise your friends' favourite restaurant, online platform or store so that they can choose anything they truly need or want. For example, you can purchase a gift card from Starbucks, Amazon, Target or Walmart and load an amount of money.
2. Personalised jewellery box
If your friend is female, and has a growing collection of jewelry and accessories, you can go for personalised jewelry boxes. Jewelry boxes are always a classic gift option that doesn't go out of style and carries a sentimental value. You can choose anything from handmade to machine made.
When you add their name, initials or a special date, the box becomes a keepsake while serving an everyday purpose. Most importantly, it will show that you have put enough effort and thought into selecting their gift.
3. Personal journal
It is a beautiful gift to remind your dear ones that the life they are living is worth recording. It provides a private space for the graduate to express their thoughts, set new goals or think about the future. This helps them to clarify their thoughts, process emotions and develop a deeper understanding.
Moreover, they can use this journal in a variety of ways, such as as a diary, memory book, or sketchbook. You can choose the handmade one to give someone a one-of-a-kind gift. To jazz up any journal, you can add pens with multiple colours or sparkly ink pens that click.
4. Houseplant
If you are looking to give something that is totally out of the box, trees are always a good option. No doubt it will be a thoughtful and eco-responsible gift. A houseplant symbolises growth, resilience and the nurturing of new opportunities. Unlike other gifts that can be used or outgrown very quickly, a houseplant can last for years when it gets proper care.
The receiver keeps it anywhere, whether it's a dorm room, office or apartment. And every time your friend waters or tends to the plant, they will be reminded of the special graduation time in their life. Also, as they take care of the plant, it will provide a sense of accomplishment as they know that they are keeping something alive and thriving.
5. Desk sign
Whether your friend is starting a new job, going abroad to study further or setting up a home office, a desk sign will be a unique and thoughtful gift. A nameplate desk sign is a classic choice, and you can add your friend's name, graduation year, or degree.
Or you can customise the desk sign with a motivational quote, whether a line from the graduate's favourite book, a custom message, or a dialogue from their favourite movie. Some desk signs even come with added functionality such as a small storage compartment, business card holder or pen holder.
6. Smartwatch
Smartwatches have become a fashion-forward accessory that everyone loves to style, whether in a professional setting or in a casual gathering. Features such as voice assistants, contactless payments or integration with other smart devices provide smart functionality that makes the smartwatch more practical and exciting as a gift.
Most smartwatches even offer built-in fitness tracking features that let the user monitor heart rate, track steps, and record workouts. So, this particular gift will help your friend maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle as well.
7. Graduation photo charm
Choose a charm that they can add to a bracelet, keychain or necklace to wear daily. Photo charms come in various designs and materials, from silver to gold. So, you can pick one that matches the graduate's taste.
Add a picture of them in their cap and gown or a candid shot of you two to turn this charm more than an accessory rather a tangible memory they can keep with them for a lifetime. Whenever they look at the charm, it will remind them of the special moment and the love they received along the way.
8. Instant print camera
In today's digital world, where we store most of our photos on phones or in the cloud, there is a touch of nostalgia in instant print cameras as they bring back the charm of old-school photography. So, you can gift this to your graduate friends to preserve their moment on the spot.
Your friend can use these instant prints to create personalised photo albums, scrapbooks or memory boards or share with their friends and family as thank-you notes or as mementos.
9. Customised mug or tumbler
Mugs or tumblers are something that people use every day, whether at college, at home or at the office. So, by gifting these, you eventually provide something that your friend will use all the time and think of you and their graduation milestone every time they see it.
To make the gift even more special, you can add the graduate's name, graduation year or even an inside joke between you and your friend. This will turn this ordinary gift into a unique keepsake that reflects their personality and the significance of their achievement.
10. Inspirational book
A book is a timeless and thoughtful gift option. From a classic piece of literature to a biography of any known individual, you can pick books of any type to mark the new beginning of your friend. Unlike other gifts, books are something that can be revisited for years to come and can be kept as a treasured keepsake.
Prioritise your friend's specific interest to make the gift more personal. Whether their interest lies in science, business or fiction, there's a book out there that aligns with their curiosity.
11. Personalised luggage tags or passport holders
A custom passport holder and an identifiable luggage tag will add a touch of style to your friends' travel essential. These are excellent gift options specially for those who have a passion for travel or planning to move to another place for higher studies.
It will symbolise the exciting journeys ahead, both literally and metaphorically. Every time they use these personalised gifts, they'll be reminded of the care and consideration that went into the gift.
12. Signature bear
This gift is more like a stuffed animal that captures the significance of graduation day. You can sign the bear with a personal message, congratulations and well-wishes to turn it into a sentimental piece.
Also, you can decorate the bear wearing a little graduation cap and gown with a personalised sash with the name and graduation year of the graduate. This signature bear also serves as a supportive gift as it represents everyone's love and encouragement.
13. Custom phone case
A phone case is what we use daily. There will be a wide range of customisation options in front of you. For example, you can combine multiple photos into a single design for a personalised collage or feature a quote that resonate with your friend.
Or, in general, you can go for floral designs, geometric patterns or abstract art. If your friend is minimalist, go for sleek design with clean lines and subtle colours for a modern look.
14. Graduation cake
A graduation cake is a great gift option for multiple reasons. It brings joy and festivity to an occasion and makes the celebration more memorable. You can customise it to fit your friend's personality, interests and academic achievements.
Decorate it with their school colours or add a fondant replica of the graduation cap and diploma to show that extra thought went into the gift. This will create a focal point for the celebration as all the friends and family can come together and cut the cake.
15. Custom t-shirt
A custom t-shirt that is fully tailored to your friend can be a highly meaningful gift. You can add elements like their name, graduation year and a favourite quote or an inside joke that only you two share.
Not just that, t-shirts are a practical gift, as your friend can use them as a daily wardrobe or occasionally keep them as a part of their workout attire.
Final words
If the final terms of the year are approaching, it is high time to start organising your graduation gifts for your friends. Remember, it's not just about the gift itself but the sentiment behind it—expressing your pride, joy, and best wishes for their future.
So, as you consider the options, let your friendship and shared experiences guide you in choosing something that will serve as a lasting reminder of this special time.
