The snow is melting, the clocks have sprung forward, and that can only mean one thing – college graduation is almost upon us. Finding the perfect graduation gift can be difficult – after all, after those graduation caps hit the ground, life can take your former student in countless different directions. And finding the perfect gift can be even more difficult if you find yourself finishing up your shopping at the very last minute
Not to worry – we’ve put together a list of last-minute graduation gifts that are sure to impress even if two-day shipping would take too long at this point. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s on our list:
- Graduation gifts that will help them upgrade their wardrobe from preppy to professional
- Graduation gifts that will help their new apartment feel like home
- And graduation gifts that will help them invest in themselves + their future adventures
Image Credit: PeopleImages/istockphoto.
1 – Amazon
Everything They Need for Post-Graduation Life, All in One Place
Amazon hardly needs an introduction, but I’ll do my best. If you’re looking for a graduation gift that the soon-to-be-former student in your live is sure to love, Amazon is a safe bet. With convenient two-day shipping and a wide variety of products to choose from, your student can pick whatever it is they need to get their post-college life started on the right track. Whether it’s some fancy K-beauty sheet masks for a little extra self care, a zen sunrise clock to make sure they get out the door to work on time, or a functional but affordable sofa for their first off-campus apartment, they can have it delivered right to their door when they cash in this thoughtful gift.
Image Credit: Julie Clopper / istockphoto.
2 – Dunkin
America Runs on Dunkin’, and That Means Graduates Too!
Hot coffee is the morning beverage of choice for countless Americans, and we can assume that your student is no different. After all, they’ve probably been relying on bean juice to get them through all-nighters, marathon essay-writing sessions, and the stress of finals week for the last four years. Hopefully their post-graduation caffeine intake stabilizes a little bit, but either way, a Dunkin’ gift card is sure to keep them running toward whatever goal it is that they’re chasing next.
Image Credit: Marina113/istockphoto.
3 – Stitch Fix
Help them Upgrade Their Wardrobe in Just a Couple Clicks
In college, the dress code is pretty lax, if it exists at all. So how do you go from rolling out of bed for lectures in the same sweats you slept in to polishing your appearance for a 9-to-5? Are crop tops still cool after you put away the cap and gown? Needless to say, navigating the world of fashion after college can be a lot.
That’s where Stitch Fix comes in. Stitch Fix will match your student with a personal stylist. After surveying a quick survey that helps Stitch Fix get to know their style, lifestyle, and budget, the service will ship them a box of hand-selected clothing items to review. They keep and pay for what they love and send the rest back. Rinse, and repeat every month until their post-college wardrobe is *chefs kiss*.
Image Credit: stitchfix.
4 – Target
The one-stop-shop for home goods, grocery runs, and maybe a new pair of shoes!
Moving out comes with a lot of new responsibilities and it can lead you to realizing you need a lot more supplies than you originally thought. Think about when you’re making spaghetti and when you go to drain the water and realize you don’t have a spaghetti strainer! All those little moments can stack up to a lot but don’t worry cause with a Target gift card you’ll be able to get your shopping list checked off in no time.
Target has kitchen supplies, home essentials, decor options, clothes, jewelry, accessories, bags, self-care and beauty products, groceries, games, books, electronics, toys, and much more. Your student will be able to get what they need at prices that won’t break their bank account.
Image Credit: JHVEPhoto/istockphoto.
5 – Barnes & Noble
For Unwinding After Work or Learning How to Survive the Adult World
Text a Barnes & Noble gift card
Life looks very different after college. Even after you have a degree in hand, you still have a lot of learning to do. For many former college students, the first few months after graduation can be full of big choices and big changes. That makes self-help books for recent grads a popular gift… but if you aren’t quite sure yet what life will throw at them (and who is?), a Barnes & Noble gift card will give them the option to find the resource that will help them weather whatever storm is on their horizon.
On the flip side, after the textbooks have been shelved, many former students find themselves with something they haven’t had in years – time to read for fun. A B&N gift card also gives them the option to relax a little with a casual read… maybe the first one they’ve gotten to enjoy since heading off to school!
Image Credit: Joe Hendrickson/istockphoto.
6 – Sheetz
Fuel for All of Their Adventures
We’ll settle the Sheetz vs. Wawa debate once and for all with a vote for Sheetz. Your graduate will love that they can get all the fuel they need for their next adventure – from gas for their car to a wide range of fresh, tasty food – in one place. Plus, we love that Sheetz has a reputation for treating its employees well. It seems like an important value to look for when picking out a gift card for someone who will be heading into the workforce themself.
Image Credit: Sheetz.
7 – Nordstrom
Upgrade their Home Goods and Wardrobe at the Fanciest of All Department Stores
For folks graduating this year, the phrase “department store” might conjure up images of warehouse-like stores tucked away at the edge of the mall, and childhood back-to-school shopping trips there with moms and grandmas during the early aughts. Nordstrom offers a more elevated experience, with sleek stores, luxury clothing brands, and plenty of high-end home goods to help transform your former-student’s college set up to something that feels a bit more sophisticated.
Image Credit: Aziz Shamuratov /istockphoto.
8 – DoorDash
Because Deciding What to Cook Every Night Gets Old Fast
Cooking for yourself is a big undertaking, especially when you’re first starting out. For their entire life, your favorite grad has been able to rely on someone else to put meals on the table. Whether it was a parent, guardian, or the campus dining hall, someone else had to deal with buying groceries and figuring out what to put on the table every night.
A DoorDash gift card is the perfect graduation gift because it gives them the freedom to relax in the evening after a long day of work. Instead of worrying because they forgot to get something out of the freezer to thaw or didn’t pile ingredients into the slow cooker before work, they can simply sit back, relax, and wait for their favorite comfort food to be delivered to their doorstep. Plus DoorDash delivers grocery orders and convenient store essentials for those extra busy weeks.
Image Credit: hapabapa/istockphoto.
9 – Dogtopia
Doggy Daycare, Boarding, and Spa for Their Four-Legged Companion
This one is for the young dog moms and dads out there. Most universities don’t allow pets in the dorm, so getting a four-legged friend of their very own is high on the post-graduation to-do list for many college students. And while adopting a furry friend can fill their life with wagging tails and wet puppy kisses, it also comes with plenty of responsibility. What happens next time they have to head home for the holidays? Or want to book a vacation to see their friends in the cities they’ve scattered to?
That’s where Dogtopia comes in. It’s everything an aspiring pet parent could need to care for their dog, all in one place. With spa services to pamper their pooch, daycare to keep them entertained while mom or dad is at work, and boarding to keep Fido safe during longer trips away, a Dogtopia gift card is perfect for any aspiring dog owner.
Image Credit: Althom/istockphoto.
10 – Gamestop
Help them Unwind from Work + Stay Connected with College Friends
Technology is a blessing and a curse. Studies show again and again that social media has a negative impact on a person’s ability to connect with their peers and their mental health in general – but with video games, it’s a different story. Research actually shows that video games can be an important social space – especially when gamers don’t have the option of seeing their loved ones in person.
For young adults leaving their school days behind and heading out into the real world, that ability to connect is essential. Through the marathon of big changes they’ll be facing – choosing a job, finding a place to live, possibly moving far away – it’s important to maintain a support network. And sometimes staying in touch with the people they played Smash Brothers with on the weekends or planning an online COD night is just what the doctor ordered.
GameStop is a great option if you’re looking for a graduation gift for a gamer. With online and brick and mortar shopping options, your soon-to-be former student can pick up the latest title or upgrade their controller from wherever post-college life takes them.
Image Credit: Melissa Kopka/istockphoto.
Haven’t found it yet? Try a custom Visa gift card instead.
Build a custom last-minute gift card
If none of these ideas have quite fit the bill, consider creating your own custom Visa gift card. It’s easy to do – in just a few clicks, you can personalize your present with your graduate’s name, a message, and even a photo. Visa gift cards can be used anywhere that accepts Visa credit cards, so your soon-to-be-former student can use it practically anywhere they want.
There you have it, some of the best last-minute gifts for graduation.
This article originally appeared on Blog.giftya.com.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
Image Credit: FinkAvenue/istockphoto.
More from MediaFeed
11 Gifts Even Your “Quirky” Friend Will Love
Image Credit: Giulio_Fornasar / iStock.
