Graduation season is once again upon us and our soon-to-be graduates that have worked hard throughout a pandemic should be rewarded for their accomplishments!
From sentimental, practical, and fun gifts, we have curated a list of the best gifts for high school and college graduates.
Here are your 14 Sentimental, Practical, and Fun Graduation Gifts! 🎓
Price: Varies
A chic backpack for the high school-college transition! Urban Originals creates drop-dead gorgeous bags that are Uber practical, without using any animal leather. The brand is 100% cruelty-free and vegan. Urban Originals uses the finest quality vegan leathers and recycled materials where possible and works to very low chemical requirements. So when you buy Urban Originals, you can feel as good as you look.
Price: $60.00 – $119.00
For the eco-friendly grads, The Retro Bag reimagines classic styles into a timeless and stunning addition to your collection! The vintage, yet trendy, styles are a must-have for globe-trotting and gym days alike. The Retro Bag is also committed to sustainability. Every bag is made cruelty free with eco-friendly, water-resistant materials and vegan leather.
Price: $38
The secret to keeping your glow after those upcoming sleepless study nights! Ambered Ember is the ultimate support to your radiant self. Made entirely with only natural ingredients, the secret to Ambered Ember’s Plumping Serum is their key ingredients.
By using silica to bind degenerating tissue layers, Apricot oil to hydrate skin, and L-Arginine to boost circulation, their serum promotes immediate and long-term regeneration benefits. Ambered Ember knows that boosting your skin’s natural moisture and protective barrier is crucial to achieving that youthful glow. No more dry skin or dull faces looking back at you in the mirror.
Price: Varies
The perfect skincare line that fits perfectly in your shower caddy! A R Z É is the all-natural vegan skincare brand founded by Michelle Gilmore. Her journey into finding organic and non-toxic products began back in 2009 when there were a lot fewer options than today. A pregnancy and cancer diagnosis at the same time was her motivation to look into holistic and wellness remedies.
Today, A R Z É offers a collection of natural beauty and wellness products using pure luxe and cruelty-free botanical blends. The eco-friendly brand is sustainable using recyclable glass jars and bottles! I love their heavenly Facial Serum Gels, which sets them apart from most other brands.
Price: $4
Featuring professional photographer Amy K. Wright’s original photography, Tell It Well greeting cards are the perfect way to express your thoughts in a simple and meaningful way to both high school and college graduates regarding the new journey that they’re about to embark on. Each polaroid-sized card is blank on the inside, giving you plenty of room to write a heartfelt message. They are also printed on eco-friendly paper that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. By using beautiful photos not specific to any season, Tell It Well’s cards are versatile to be used for any occasion.
The simple photo embodies the story you want to tell without limiting you to a specific theme. Combined with the super affordable pricing, you have the perfect cards to stock up on and have at the ready for every event. Since launching in 2016, 10% of sales goes to providing small business micro-loans to women in poverty in the U.S. and globally, giving them the opportunity and tools to pursue their dreams.
Cedar and Cypress – One Little Bead Bracelet
Price: Varies
Gift graduates with purpose. Why not add to your collection with the elegant and chic pieces from Cedar & Cypress Designs. During her time in Haiti, founder Tara Thorn was inspired by the beauty of Haiti. She felt motivated to start a business that introduced the world to the beauty Haiti has to offer.
Working in partnership with local Haitian artisans, Cedar & Cypress employs artisans working in a variety of culturally relevant medians. Ethically sourced cow horn and bone is one of the main elements used, as well as mahogany wood, recycled aluminum and Haitian clay. Cedar & Cypress encourages consumers to ‘Purchase with a Purpose’. Not only in selecting jewelry that reflects your tastes and spirit, but in supporting small businesses, artisans and their families.
Price: Varies
Make your college dorm cozy and comfortable with Zoey Sleep’s Curve Pillow! Since we spend a third of our lives sleeping, Zoey Sleep makes it their goal to make it as pleasant as possible. Their curve pillow supports the head and neck for all sleeping types, their weighted blanket gives the sensation of being hugged or cuddled, and their mattress topper provides incredible support and creates a luxurious sleeping experience. Reimagine sleep with Zoey Sleep.
Available on ShareASale
Price: $39.99+
Add more adventure to your college experience with The Adventure Challenge! The Adventure Challenge is a mystery scratch-off book with 50 creative adventures…The catch? You don’t know what you’re doing until you scratch it off! Each adventure is designed to explore outside your habits, dive deeper into your relationship, and make meaningful memories. Once it’s scratched off, you HAVE to do it. It’s time to discover something new about yourself!
Price: Varies
Whether you’re attending a college football game or organizing a themed party, Tulip has you covered with a fun and creative way to customize your clothes! Tie-dye never goes out of style! Thank goodness Tulip Color Crafts has the premium products for us to create this timeless fashion trend for unique attire, art, and accessories. More than simply a ’70s vibe, tie-dye speaks to our need to feel carefree and get our hands busy crafting original patterns that are truly our own. People of all ages have been obsessed with tie-dying their clothes lately.
The brand is super fun for parties, everyday crafters, and family activities. Get bold, non-toxic color in every bottle with a simple one-step process. Just add water, shake, and apply for vibrant color that lasts wash after washing. No wonder the brand is voted America’s Favorite Tie-Dye! Whether you’re painting, drawing, or tie-dyeing, its extensive line handles all crafting needs. Let your creativity shine with Tulip for the artist in all of us.
Price: Varies
Personalize your grad’s gift with a locally made artisan gift that you can only find on Shop My Porch!
Consider a personalized, hand-made, locally purchased gift for your grad! Hunting for something in particular? Download the Shop My Porch app or visit https://www.shopmyporch.com and you could have it in your hands by the end of the day. Think of them as Etsy and Amazon Prime combined but everything is hyperlocal! It’s handmade in your neighborhood! On someone’s “porch!” Handmade items listed arrive just in time for you to do your worry-free shopping with ease (and no supply chain issues!).
It’s the avenue where convenience meets artisan-crafted goods. Shoppers can buy locally from artisans for handmade charcuterie boards, floral designs, cookies, custom furniture, and so much more. Founder Phyllis Hong is a self-described “maker,” a San Diego crafter recognized by her top-rated unique handmade acrylic puzzles on Etsy, featured prominently in major media outlets, such as Today and People. Although the Etsy recognition was terrific, the platform’s fees for selling her goods were too expensive. Then, the pandemic came along, which made shipping to consumers even more difficult and costly.
The talents of thousands of artisans were waiting to be discovered and the consumer need was definitely there. With many pivoting to a new way of doing business during this time, Phyllis saw a space for makers locally selling their goods for little to no fees. She initially started a free Facebook group for creators like herself that grew tremendously.
Then Shop My Porch was born! Plus, if you are searching for something specific, you can literally request it and a “maker” in your neighborhood will see it and potentially message you saying they can create that gift for you!
Price: $350
Sometimes the best gifts aren’t the latest and greatest inventions or designs. Sometimes it’s the things our parents pass down that has been in the family for generations. March Hare was founded on this love for vintage in an era of fast fashion and trends. When founder Mabel Maclean lost the beloved vintage watch her mom handed down to her, she tirelessly sought to find a replacement. Unable to find a watch that matches the style she wanted and in her price range, she set out to create a brand that solved this problem she and so many others face.
Reminiscent of a tied ribbon, the streamlined silhouettes of yesteryear gave inspiration for Kimsey and its romantic double-strap and rectangular frame. Modeled after vintage timepieces, this watch features a petite case and a genuine Italian black leather watch strap.
Splish Splash Handmade Products
Price: Varies
All those years of sleepless nights and studying deserve a long soak in the tub! Hammam traditions date back to ancient times, and this cleansing and the exfoliating ritual continues to find a place in spas around the world.
Now you don’t have to travel far to benefit from this self-care practice. Splish Splash Handmade Products brings that to you so you can turn your bathtub into a soothing and awe-inspiring Hammam experience. Founder Laila is the creative mind behind the brand. First introduced to a Hammam spa by her grandmother, it left an indelible mark on her from her Moroccan culture and was the influence behind her business.
Price: Varies
The perfect low-maintenance skincare solution for any new grad! Nandi feels that skin should complement any wardrobe with a healthy glow that makes you feel good all over. The confidence-building brand is all-natural and handmade, standing out for its pure and clean ingredients that are non-GMO vegan-friendly, and made with no artificial fragrances.
Consisting of African recipes passed down for generations, the Black-owned brand makes skincare products appropriate for the entire family and for every skin type and color. Nandi gives back by donating to nonprofits in Africa. Self-care is more important now more than ever. That’s why it’s vital to count on a brand that delivers with a combination of the right ingredients and philosophy that consumers can rely on.
Price: Varies
Gift the fun swimwear that she can wear on her graduation trip!
With individuality in mind, Bold Beach Swimwear swimsuits are stylish and designed to fit your body’s needs. Gone are the days when you try on a top and wish it was tighter on the straps. Or a bottom and wish it had more coverage. Every swimsuit is adjustable to give you your perfect and comfortable amount of support and coverage. Each item has an adjustable feature and ranges sizes from XS to 4XL.
So there you have it! Share the variety of this list filled with unique graduation gifts. Every parent and friend could always use inspiration.
