15 Best College Graduation Gifts From Parents

Published on January 10, 2017 at 9:09 am by Amber Hewitt in Lists

Looking for the best college graduation gifts from parents? Great, you’ve come to the right page, as we are going to explore some great ideas!

Graduating college is exciting and nerve-wracking, for both the graduate and the family and friends of the graduate. The family and friends have the stress of picking out the perfect gift that the graduate will love and enjoy without the uncomfortable fake joy that comes from opening presents from a great aunt on Christmas.

These are the 15 best college graduation gifts from parents that are sure to put a smile on any graduate’s face. If you’re looking for ideas, look no further because this is comprehensive and spans a variety of categories. Leave the stress to the graduate, who no doubt is panicking about how to file taxes, answer interview questions, or pay their phone bill. These gifts won’t ensure the graduate lands a dream job or become financially stable in an instant, but you’ll look like a hero when you help them along their way.

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The average person shells out around $103 for two graduates, according to NRF’s Graduation Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. Spending reached an all-time survey high in 2015 at $4.77 billion. Adults aged 45-54 will spend a little extra on graduates at an average of around $127, probably because they have a bit more money and life experience in their pocket to share.

It’s important to give the right kind of gift. It should make the graduate happy but also push them in a direction to improve and grow as an individual. The best college graduation gifts should be fun, yet pragmatic for someone who is entering the world without the cushion of being a student for the first time. This is a difficult adjustment to make, and the right gift can help tremendously.

For other occasions that you may need to buy a present for, you should check out our 10 Cool Tech Gifts and Gadgets to Buy on Amazon Under 100 Dollars.

And, now, click on Next to start with this list of best college graduation gifts for your children!

15. Powerbank

These are both functional and practical considering you have probably never seen a college-aged person without a phone in their hand. Make sure they keep it charged up all day with something portable and efficient.

14. Job Interview Wardrobe

You can’t send your college grad off to an interview in the sweatpants they wore to their 8 a.m. class every Wednesday. Help them look their best in professional, appropriate clothes and you’ll end up giving one of the best college graduation gifts when they land a job.

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13. New Furniture

No, you can’t take the furniture from the dorm room to your new apartment. You’d be surprised how much furniture it takes to put a room together. College graduates need something other than an old futon they’ve had since freshman year. Set them up with something as small as a vanity mirror or grand as a bed.

12. Gas Gift Cards

These days filling up a car with gas is expensive. This type of gift is extremely practical and sure to be appreciated. College graduation might even mean travel for some, so this could help tremendously.

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11. Action Camera

Even after college there are memories to be made. Let your college grad capture each moment with an incredible camera they can cherish.

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10. Coffee/Coffee Maker

After graduation, it’s time to switch from the middle of the night Red Bull during a cram session to a nice cup of coffee in the morning before a professional job. Nothing fuels productivity like a hot cup of gourmet coffee. This can be one of the best college graduation gifts from parents solely because it’s something that can be used every single morning.

9. Latest Gadget

There’s always something new and shiny being released that college-aged individuals have to have. Be the one to help them show it off to their friends, no matter what might be the fad that year. This is sure to be something memorable.

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8. Gym Membership

The days of using the campus recreation center for free are over. If your college graduate is a fitness buff, get them a membership to a gym near them and maybe even throw in some workout gear.

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7. Laptop

After high school, it’s likely this graduate got a computer for college. Four years later, however, it’s outdated and run down from hours of research papers, Netflix, and looking up exam reviews. Get them something new that they can use for work now with a fresh hard drive and battery.

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6. Gift Cards

Maybe your graduate has interests that make no sense to you. If that’s the case, a gift card can be one of the best college graduation gifts from parents to their kids. It still shows you understand they have the niche interest and want to be part of it without the fear of buying the wrong thing. These gift cards can be for anything, whether it be practical or something fun to enjoy before they’re off to an office job.

5. Engraved Jewelry

Jewelry is something people keep forever. A personalized accessory is something that definitely shows you care and it makes a great addition to a professional wardrobe. It’s simple, yet unique to the graduate.

4. Luggage

Chances are, your graduate will end up traveling, moving to a new apartment, or in need of some fancy storage. Luggage is useful for years and is a valuable investment.

3. Travel

College is stressful, especially after the last round of finals. A break from the world before heading off into the professional workforce will be well appreciated and enjoyed, especially considering most people lose out on travel opportunities due to job constraints.

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2. Car

This is a little on the pricey side, but after years of driving the 1984 Toyota Corolla they got in high school, it could be nice to have a bit of an upgrade before heading off to work. Something with good gas mileage would be one of the best gifts for a college graduate, as it would save tons of money in the long run.

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1. Money

For most, college means loans, debt, and paying for Taco Bell in loose change. Treat your graduate with some cash to make them feel like a high roller for a little while. They can use this money as they wish and not feel stressed out about it, making this the best college graduation gifts from parents on this list.

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