We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates  Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a  means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated  sites.” You can read my full disclosure by clicking on the disclosure policy in the menu above.

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”

It is that time of year again when the Pomp and Circumstance brings Graduates out of the school days, and into the worklife. I love purchasing graduation gifts. It is a great way of helping graduates get started on a right path in life. Giving a Gift to Grads sends a positive message to the graduate, and helps the graduate to truly move to the next level of their life in a very successful manner. I have picked out 10 of my favorite gifts to give graduates, and I have made it easy by using links to products available on Amazon, most are Amazon prime. If you see something that you would like, errh, uh, for your graduate, click on the product pictures below to direct link to Amazon for easy shopping!

10 Perfect Gifts for Grads

Lifestyle Gifts

1 -Fitbit Alta

Most students participate in PE courses and sports teams well up into college which helps them to stay active. Often once they hit the work world, depending on their job, life can become quite sedentary. A Fitbit can help your new graduate to track their food, water, activity, and even their sleep! If you want to give a companion gift to the Fitbit, give Tom Rath’s book, Eat, Move, Sleep. It is a wealth of knowledge for anyone, but especially someone setting up their new life.

2- A Good Blender

Nope, I am not recommending a blender for the new graduate to have Margarita Monday. A great and affordable way to keep healthy after graduation is to have lots of fruits and veggies. A good blender will help your grad make loads of healthy smoothies to start the day, or after a workout (measured on the fit bit of course!). Having a freezer filled with frozen veggies and fruits will be a great start to ensuring that, wherever the new graduate’s path takes them , they will have plenty of the nutrients needed to have a successful life!

Good Reads for Grads

10 Perfect Gifts for Grads

3- A 5 year Q & A – Building a Legacy

The Q & A a Day – 5 Year Journal is an amazing gift for someone facing a life change. My Sister gave this to my oldest daughter when she turned 18. It has helped my daughter to journal so many feelings and experiences over the last few years. She said that she loves looking back to see where she was at during, different times on her journey through college and into adulthood. I loved the idea of it so much, I gave it to my son’s girlfriend for Christmas. As the book is completed, it not only becomes a great tool for reflection, but also will one day become a legacy piece as it is passed on to the next generation. If you want more convincing, check out the reviews on Amazon, as they are very good!

4- The Last Lecture Randy Pausch

I read the Last Lecture years ago, watched the video, and cried. It is such an awesome representation of the author’s thoughts about life. Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who had been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. His insight into life, reflections on various subjects, and final thoughts change the perspective of the reader. It is a quick and easy book to read. The Last lecture is a great starting point for a graduate who is starting out in life. It helps you look at the reflections of someone who is close to the end of their life. It is totally worth the read.

10 Perfect Gifts for Grads

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”

5- A Book about Money

Winning with money is crucial to life success. I have found the books by Dave Ramsey’s daughter Rachel Cruze, and the entire Ramsey organization to be a terrific guide to learning how you can control your money, instead of your money controlling you. These books are filled with financial guidance that not only teaches the skills needed to manage money, but the reasons behind getting off track with money and into debt.

6- A Bible

A Bible is a perfect gift for someone starting out in life, for several reasons. First, the Bible is a great work of literature. Even for those who might not read it for spiritual reasons, the Bible is the most widely sold book in the world, and is quoted often in other literature as well! Finally, the Bible is filled with a lot of wisdom. The book of Proverbs is filled with wise sayings, direction for life, and the book of Psalms is filled with comfort. The other books of the Bible are filled with leadership advice, great love stories, and scandalous battles. It is truly a captivating read.

All Dressed Up and Ready for the World

7 -A Proper Suit

There is a huge difference between the suit, either male or female, that you wear in college or high school, and the suit you wear to job interviews, and job presentations. Having a proper suit and contemporary professional wardrobe will give a new graduate confidence to go into the job market with strength.

8- A Good Watch

When you look around the board room at any great company, or truly any level of management, you see a lot of great watches. A good watch is a status symbol. It sends a message that the wearer has thought of all the details, is prepared, and leaves nothing to chance.

10 Perfect Gifts for Grads

9- A Matching Set of Luggage

Often throughout childhood, High School, and College a student gathers random pieces of luggage. A hardshell here, a duffle there. But often a person does not graduate having a matching set of luggage. I have traveled a lot, and spent numerous hours in airports. I am always amazed at how few people have a set of quality matching luggage. With that in mind, I wanted to give my oldest daughter Victoria a beautiful set of luggage, all matching, when she graduated from College. I searched but had a difficult time finding the perfect luggage for her to carry into the next faze of life.

The Perfect Gift for a Graduate

Once I found the perfect set that I felt reflected her personality and goals, I wanted to personalize the gift. I gave her a 3 piece soft sided travel set. The small cosmetic case I filled with memories from her early childhood. Such as a little pony to remind her of horseback riding, a pair of ice skates to remind her of time at the ice rink.  I also enclosed a note sharing how I felt about being her Momma and how I needed to guide her as she was so young.

Next I filled the medium sized suitcase with memories from her High School and College. I included artifacts from her life, as well as a license plate cover from her new alma mater. I enclosed a note sharing how proud I was of her for all of her accomplishments, and how hard it had been for me to let her grow and leave the nest from time to time.

One of my favorite pictures of Victoria at graduation.

And Finally…..

Finally, in the large suitcase I only put a note. I left all the rest of the suitcase empty. In the note I shared that she could always come home, I would always be ready with a hug, but that this empty suit case was empty for a reason. I had left the largest suitcase empty for her to fill with her travels, dreams, and future. I knew that she was ready to face the world.

As I have shared before, I am not great at gift giving. You can read more about it in my Mother’s Day post on the Five Love Languages here. But, in general, giving gifts is hard for me. I really have to focus. I am so glad that I did really think about this gift for my daughter. She recently told me it was her favorite gift that I have given her. I am glad. The moment meant a lot, and she deserved a wonderful gift filled with memories and hope for a wonderful future.

Help They Didn’t Know They Needed

10- Coupon book

I have 4 kids, well almost all grown, but I have received a lot of coupon books over the years. If you are a parent or grandparent, you have probably received these as well. You know the kind that you can redeem for hugs, an extra chore completed, or a breakfast in bed. Well, this is the opposite. Out of everything you could possibly give your grad, this is probably the most important. Afterall, High School and College can be difficult, but life is usually the most challenging task your graduate will face. So, a coupon book for free tax advice, a hug when needed, or laundry service can be a very special gift that keeps on giving.

Coupons for Graduates

Follow on social

Remember to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, and subscribe to receive updates on my giving life.

Read more about my thoughts on graduation, here.