First-Class Gifts for Grads

Graduating high school or college is a huge accomplishment, but how can you make sure your grad feels extra appreciated on their special day? The top gifts for grads are thoughtful and useful. Get inspired by a few of our favorite graduation gift ideas below.

For the Tech Lover

Apple Watch SE

A watch might be a classic graduation gift, but the Apple Watch SE takes it to the next level. Grads will love the Apple Watch SE, which puts the functionality of an iPhone right on your wrist. You can accept and receive calls and texts, track your daily activity, measure your heart rate, sync your music and more. Comes in an array of different colors and band styles. Buy it here.

Bose Soundlink Micro Bluetooth Speaker

Portable and waterproof, the Bose Soundlink Micro Bluetooth Speaker brings perfect sound wherever you are. It comes with a tear-resistant strap that can be attached to a backpack, jacket or bike handlebars, and has a built-in speakerphone for phone calls, Siri or Google Assistant. Bluetooth easily pairs for up to six hours of audio within a range of approximately 30 feet. Available in three colors. Buy it here.

Apple Air Pods

Your grad can listen to their music and podcasts, answer calls or talk to Siri via their Air Pods. Apple Air Pods provide up to five hours of clear listening time with a single charge of 15 minutes, and come either with a charging case or with a wireless charging case, which is ideal if you have a wireless charging station. Buy it here.

Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera

Capturing memories is fun with the Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera with ZINK Zero Ink Printing Technology. This camera produces 2×3 inch images with adhesive backs, so they can be stuck onto any surface. Perfect for someone who wants to cherish every moment. Buy it here.

For the Newly Independent

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1

For new cooks and small kitchens with few pans/supplies, this pot provides a multitude of solutions for those just starting out. The Instant Pot has settings for pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing, cake making, rice cooking and more. It even has a timer so when your grad comes home hungry after work, dinner can be ready. Buy it here.

NUWAVE BRIO 6-Quart Digital Air Fryer

Introduce your grad to the wonderful world of air frying! The NUWAVE BRIO 6-Quart Digital Air Fryer offers six present menu selections, a removable basket divider for cooking different foods and digital temperature control for consistent cooking. All removable pieces of the air fryer are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. It also comes with over 80 quick and easy air fryer recipes. Buy it here.

Workpro Kitchen Drawer Tool Kit 100-Piece With Easy Carrying Pouch 

This useful kit provides all the essential tools necessary for basic household repairs and upgrades. A wrench, hammer, screwdriver with adjustable bits, pliers, and other tools each fit into their proper place in the durable pouch with zipper. Buy it here.

iRobot Roomba

Life gets busy after graduation and there isn’t always a lot of time for household chores. This little iRobot Roomba 692 Robot Vacuum roams the house on its own, finding and lifting dirt, dust and pet hair independently. After cleaning the floors as programmed it heads over and docks itself to charge up for the next job. The Roomba will map the house so it can easily navigate around furniture and clean all the floor space it can. Buy it here.

Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set

Stocking a kitchen with all the pots and pans you need can be difficult. Help a grad out with this Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set. This dishwasher-safe set is perfect for any home cook who’s just starting to get a handle on things in the kitchen. Buy it here.

For the Bookworm

“The Last Lecture”

Encourage your new grad to seize the day and get the most out of every moment with “The Last Lecture,” an inspirational work from the late Professor Randy Pausch. His final lecture, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” combined humor and wisdom to create his unique answer to the question, “What wisdom would you try to impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance?” Buy it here.

“How to Cook Everything”

For high school graduates moving away from mom’s home cooking for the first time, consider Mark Bittman’s masterpiece of basic culinary instruction. Using simple language, Bittman’s revised and expanded cookbook covers 2,000 recipes made from fresh, natural and healthy ingredients so your grad can cook for themselves and enjoy it. For a little variation, Bittman also penned “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian,” “How to Bake Everything,” “How to Grill Everything” and more. Buy it here.

“The Financial Diet”

When it comes to managing personal finance, help is on the way with Chelsea Fagan’s “The Financial Diet: A Total Beginner’s Guide to Getting Good with Money.” Readers can follow Fagan’s useful and practical advice to learn about budgeting, investing and smart lifestyle choices for the novice on Kindle, audiobook or paperback. Buy it here.

Amazon Gift Card in a Graduation Cap Box

Still can’t decide? Don’t fret – cash always works! If you prefer to give a gift card instead, the Amazon Gift Card in a Graduation Cap Box is a top seller. With no fees, no expiration date and free one-day shipping (where available), it’s a great gift for grads to use for anything they need on Amazon. Available in amounts from $25 to $2,000. Buy it here.

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What gifts are you getting for the graduates in your life? Let us know in the comments below!