The Best Graduation Gifts to Set Her Up for an Exciting New Chapter (2024)

Is your grad off to a new office job? Send them to work in style with this tote. Not only will the removable insert keep all their essentials like laptops, notebooks, and chargers organized, it's also cute as hell. Plus, thanks to the trolley passthrough at the back, it also doubles as a great carryon for travel. (This one's also great for incoming freshmen.)

Not everyone loves fragrance, but it's always a good idea to have a bottle of perfume on hand for emergencies. The Casablanca Eau de Parfum from Brown Girl Jane is perfect for fragrance newbies, with delicious top notes of cardamom, marshmallow, and incense over base notes of glowing amber, soft musks, and sandalwood. The scent is sweet without feeling juvenile. Plus, the bottle looks great on any vanity or desk.

Never underestimate the power of a good tumbler. This one from Waterdrop isn't just cute, it keeps hot drinks warm for 6 hours and comes with a leak-proof lid. Perfect for anyone running across campus to catch their next class or riding the train to work.

Graduating is exciting, yes, but it's also super stressful, which is where this gorgeous self-care coloring book by Sarina Mantle comes in. The book features affirmations paired with coloring pages, as well as self-care exercises to relieve stress and encourage self-love.

Coffee is an essential part of every graduate's daily life. This coffee maker is compatible with K-Cup pods and ground coffee, is safe to brew hot or pour-over ice coffee, and has the technology to save your coffee brewing preferences with three programmable favorites.

Every adult deserves to have a good piece of high-quality jewelry, like this customized necklace from BYCHARI, a brand known for making fine jewelry that is simple, yet gorgeous (see: Michelle Obama's iconic "VOTE" necklace). This zodiac necklace comes in 14K yellow gold, 14K rose gold, or 14K white gold. Plus, there's three different length options available, ranging from 14"-20". (Price ranges from $280-330 depending on length.)

Every woman needs a good red lip. And no one does a red lip quite like Rihanna, who rocked her own Fenty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in M.V.P. to perform at the Super Bowl. If your new grad isn't quite ready to go as bright as RiRi, try the shade H.B.I.C., which is a darker, slightly more muted red that will go with any outfit.

Grads need to learn how to take care of themselves, and what better way to do that than to take care of something else? The Money Tree plant is a great, low-pressure starter plant that requires minimal care. And! As a bonus, they're meant to bring good look. Plus, it's cute enough to add character to any Zoom background.

Encourage daily reflections and check-ins with this wellness journal from Papier. The journal features daily prompts to help with goal-setting and reflection. It's not dated, giving it a kind of "go at your own pace" feel, and it's a hardcover, so it can blend easily into a bookshelf.

Anytime someone enters a new phase in their life, self-care can become an afterthought. Make sure that doesn't happen with Crate Joy's Her-Mine self-care subscription box. What's great about this box is that it features 5-8 full-size self-care products, with an emphasis on women-owned businesses. Make it a one-time or monthly gift — whatever works best for your wallet!

How cute is this cactus candle from ZOETSTUDIO? It pulls double duty as a decorative, yet functional piece, and is small enough for your grad to take with them wherever they're going next. The candle is customizable with two color ways and five scenes to choose from, and an unscented option for those with sensitive noses.

If you're the kind of person who likes to give silly gifts, you can't go wrong with the Things They Don't Teach You in School trivia game. Not only will this teach every graduate cultural knowledge they might not already know, it'll also keep them and their friends occupied on grad night. Win-win.

For the grad who is moving onto a new home or dorm situation, they're going to need some kitchen essentials. Oven mitts are the kind of things everyone needs, but no one who doesn't cook regularly remembers, which is why it makes for the perfect gift.

This may look like your average luggage set, but what if I told you it's actually a subliminal message telling your graduate to visit you? This duo comes with one 22" carry-on and one 26" expandable suitcase, which means it will set someone up for short and long trips, like a weekend home or family reunion.

A grad might not think to buy a tool kit for themselves, so it's up to you to remember instead. This one may look compact, but it's complete with a claw hammer, pliers, a screwdriver with multiple attachments, scissors, and a measuring tape—just enough for any new apartment or dorm.

If there's one thing a recent graduate never says no to, it's free food. The Universal Yums snack boxes feature treats like cheesecake flavored wafers from Vienna or wine-flavored chips from Spain. And the boxes come in three tiers, so you can decide how many snacks to send per month.

As much as it pains me to admit, cooking and adulting often go hand in hand. Give a graduate a leg up with this cute recipe binder from Riffle Paper Co. The binder has many sections, like guest lists for dinner parties and recipes to try, but can really be filled with whatever you like. Make it personal by adding one of your favorite recipes before you gift.

Alyssa Brantley's The "I Don't Want to Cook" Book is all about making quick, easy meals with minimal effort. With 100 recipes including a Maple Vanilla Microwave Mug Cake and a Fried Egg and Greens Breakfast Sandwich, this one is the ultimate cookbook for beginners.

There's a reason you've seen this pan all over your IG: it's not only aesthetically pleasing, but it's also a cooking game changer. If there's one thing every adult human needs in their kitchen, it's a nonstick pan. And why not give them the best of the best? Bet you they'll treasure it for years to come.

It can be so tempting to live off of plastic plates and cutlery as a way to save money, but nothing can replace a real dinnerware set. This one from Target is microwave and dishwasher safe, which makes it easy to use and clean.