10 Gift Ideas For College Graduates

Need 10 gift ideas for college graduates? Graduation season is a time to celebrate, but trying to find the perfect gift for college graduates can be a daunting task. If you cannot think of any, here is a little list of a few ideas to get you going.

1. Gift card to a home goods store. After living in student housing, there is a really good chance that the graduate does not have much furniture or other home items to bring to their new adult apartment. Unless they are getting married and registering for gifts, there is little chance that a graduate will receive cookware, home decor or home appliances. Giving them a gift card will help them pay for all the necessary items to make their new place a home.
2. Entertainment vouchers. These vouchers are a wonderful gift and can be used whenever the graduate has time. If the vouchers feel a bit impersonal, then giving tickets to a performance or sporting event that the graduate is sure to enjoy is a wonderful idea. Season tickets will only sweeten the deal so if you can, go big!
3. A cookbook. Yes, a cookbook. Most college students' diets consist of pizza, Chinese food and Easy Mac. Now that they are in the real world, they will probably want to eat real food and probably have no idea how to make something. An easy intro to cooking book will be fun for a recent college graduate since they will probably have a little time on their hands while they figure out what to do. Cooking is a great way to stay busy, active, and motivated right after college.
4. A bottle of champagne or some other expensive liquor. Graduation season is a time of celebration, and what better way to do that than with a bottle of bubbly. This gift may not last long, but it is sure to be appreciated.
5. A new laptop. A laptop or some other sweet electronic device is an infallible graduation gift for a recent college graduate. A laptop is something they will use on a daily basis. Chances are their old computer is about to bite the dust as it is probably jam-packed. An added bonus is that they will think of you every time they turn it on.
6. An exotic vacation. If you are able to send your college graduate on an all-expense paid vacation, then do it! What better way to say, "We appreciate all your hard work!", than by sending them away to enjoy sand, surf and sun.
7. A new car. College is the land of clunkers. A sweet ride is usually a 10-year-old Honda with a nice paint job. To help quell some of the anxiety about their new job, give your college graduate a new car. At least they will know that they will be able to get to work without a problem. Also, giving them a car helps make sure they visit you. With a new car your college graduate won't have any excuses about not being able to visit you. So this is really a gift for both of you.
8. Clothes. This may seem like a weird gift, but most students live in jeans, sweat pants and tee-shirts. As comfortable of a wardrobe as this may be, it is in no way suitable for a young professional. Suits are expensive but necessary for job searching and for the jobs themselves. 
9. A framed picture. This may seem lame, but it really is a wonderful gift for a graduate. This simple gift is the most sentimental of gifts. College is a four-year marathon that goes by faster than most realize. When it is over, the memories are all that are left. Nostalgic gifts, like a framed picture, are gifts that the graduate will be able to keep for years to come. 
10. Money, the most wonderful gift of all. Sure it seems impersonal, but it really is the greatest gift. Most students do not spend their college careers thinking about saving money. In fact, most of them barely have enough money to enjoy themselves during college. With the cost of books, school supplies and paying for extracurricular activities the cost of school is a heavy burden. Giving graduates money allows them a freedom to buy the things they really need.