Class of 2025 - Gifts for Grads
- Keira Shein
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Graduation season is here, and it’s time to celebrate those late-night study sessions, caffeine-fueled cramming, and every hard-earned “A” (and survived “C”) along the way. Whether it’s high school, college, or grad school, your favorite overachiever deserves more than a generic card and a pat on the back. This guide is packed with thoughtful, stylish, and actually-useful gifts that say, “I’m proud of you” and “You’ve totally got this.” From sentimental keepsakes to practical essentials for the next chapter, we’ve curated picks for every type of grad. Whether they’re heading to college, starting a new job, or figuring it all out one coffee at a time, there’s something here that’ll make the moment extra special. Let’s find the perfect gift to help them celebrate—and step confidently into what’s next.
Gifts Under $50
Oh the places they will go - and travel! For the traveler who is always struggling to balance a tote on top of a wheeled suitcase, travel just got easier. The Rydir Band secures a tote, backpack or any bag to handle of a roller bag, making it easier to carry multiple items while traveling. Rydir also protects the bag from dirt & water, while doubling as a quick-access spot for travel essentials. It is lightweight and machine washable and comes in 9 colors.
College Photo Frame
Celebrate their school spirit by showcasing their favorite memories in an officially branded collegiate photo frame. Each frame features a unique design including vibrant colors, raised patterns and added dimension to licensed school seal, mascots, and wordmarks.
Celebrate your graduate’s milestone with a thoughtful gift that feels personal and fun. With Sugarwish, they get to choose their favorite treats—from gourmet popcorn and artisanal cookies to relaxing teas and spa items. You send a charming eGift, and they curate their perfect box, delivered beautifully to their door. It’s a meaningful way to honor their hard work and sweeten their next chapter.
This personal care emergency kit from Anne Cate includes all the essential items you need but never can find. The kits come in either the Skyline mini wallet pouch, featuring iconic skylines from more than 130 cities around the world or a compact mini bag keychain with the city abbreviation code. The kits are filled with individually packaged essential items for him or her. Celebrate a home town, new city or college campus.
Celebrate her “college era” with CANDIER DORMABLES™ Wickless Candles. A flameless, wickless wax melt made with natural soy wax and fragranced with Candier Clean-Scents. Safe for the dorm, it is perfect for scented wax warmers or just sittin’ pretty on her desk.
The Bedsure Shaggy Sherpa Blanket Hoodie is incredibly soft, warm, and cozy—perfect for lounging on chilly days. Its oversized design offers full coverage and comfort without feeling bulky. The quality of the sherpa and shaggy fleece is excellent, holding up well after multiple washes. It’s a must-have for anyone who loves staying warm in style.
Celebrate your college grad’s academic achievement with personalized artwork from Ry Memories. This custom artwork showcases a map of the university’s location, making it a unique and meaningful way to commemorate their accomplishment. Customize the school name, degree, map style and color. It is available as a digital download, or printed on hush-quality paper as a framed or unframed poster. Use GRADS15 for 15% off
The Initial Bubble Letter necklace from L’Héritage Fine Jewelry makes a stunning and meaningful graduation gift. Its playful yet elegant design adds a personal touch, perfect for layering and for celebrating a major milestone. Available in Silver, golf plate or 14K, it’s well-priced and feels substantial.
Gifts From $50-$150
Help her stay organized with a beautifully designed vertical weekly planner from Laurel Denise for the planner who loves structure and clarity. With monthly and weekly layouts visible at the same time, and vertical daily columns perfect for time-blocking, this layout helps to stay organized hour-by-hour without ever losing sight of the big picture. The covers are beautiful, making it eIt's a dream for routine-lovers, schedule stackers, and anyone juggling a lot (with style).
Celebrate their big achievement with a burst of color and creativity! The SAKURA Gelly Roll Gel Pens Gift Set includes 74 smooth, vibrant pens perfect for journaling, note-taking, or doodling dreams into reality. With a mix of metallic, glitter, and classic ink styles, it's a fun and inspiring gift for grads heading into their next chapter. Because every new beginning deserves a little sparkle.
Fur Slipper
She’ll be ready for dorm life with these comfy backless slippers from Minnetonka. The Chesney Scuff is lined with plush pile, they will keep her feet cozy and warm all year round. Plus they have a thick but flexible sole so they can be worn outside as well. They come in a number of different color combos too.
Graduating means adulting—and that means wrinkle-free clothes! The Nori Press makes looking polished ridiculously easy, ironing both sides of your outfit at once (no board needed!). With fabric-specific settings and built-in steam, it’s basically the cheat code for crisp, interview-ready looks in minutes. Sleek, compact, and travel-friendly—it’s the glow-up your grad didn’t know they needed.
Every grad needs a great weekender bag and the Avalon Drop-Bottom Weekender Duffel is the perfect travel buddy. Made out of environmentally conscious rPET recycled plastic, this bag is also good for the environment and perfect for the first business trip or a weekend away. We loved the green color but it also comes in black or blue. Bonus - it is part of the Avalon collection so matching pieces are available should they want to build a set.
Splurge Gifts $150+
She will need a backpack for college and the Dagne Dover Medium Dakota Backpack will carry all her gear to class. With its minimalist aesthetic and comfortable, adjustable straps, this backpack offers both style and comfort to get her to class or for a quick weekend away. Made from durable, water-resistant neoprene, it features a padded laptop sleeve, multiple interior pockets, and a convenient luggage sleeve for seamless organization.
Perfect for the adventurer, the Käydä Infinite Travel System™ is a versatile, expertly-designed backpack with a detachable 5L travel kit. Created by seasoned adventurers, this 40L carry-on effortlessly adapts from everyday journeys and weekend escapes to specialized ski and snowboard trips, ensuring your gear stays secure and organized. Featuring innovative touches like an external helmet and jacket sling, magnetic water bottle holder, and luggage pass-through straps, it quickly transforms into the ideal companion for any adventure.
Church Hill Classics offers a number of custom licensed diploma frames perfect for showcasing any diploma. They offer a variety of designs to customize the frame, including licensed university branding and logos, layouts to incorporate multiple diplomas and tassels or even campus photos. Pick a style that is as unique as your grad.
No matter where their next steps lead—into lecture halls, office cubicles, passport stamps, or much-needed naps—your graduate deserves to feel celebrated. The right gift doesn’t just mark the occasion; it acknowledges the journey and cheers them on toward what’s next.
Whether you’re working with a modest budget or going all out, these picks were curated with care to honor their hard work, reflect their personality, and support their big leap forward. So go ahead—wrap it up, add a heartfelt note, and raise a glass (or a latte) to the future. They’ve earned it.
For more inspiration, check out our other gift guides.