Looking for a meaningful and practical college graduation gift for a new graduate? Consider putting together a personalized gift basket of useful items. College graduates inevitable need quite a few smaller things as they start off their new lives – for their careers, their new apartments, and so forth – so a basket full of some of these items can serve as a helpful treasure chest.
Here are a few of the many small items that can be put in a personalized gift basket for a college graduate.
Career Gifts for College Graduation Gift Baskets
Most recent college graduates have career goals on their minds, and either have a job lined up or a trying hard to get one. Filling up a basket with items that will come in handy during a job search or during a first job can be very helpful. Obviously, a briefcase or a laptop computer isn't going to fit into a basket, but here are some other helpful ideas to include:
- Personalized desk accessories engraved with the graduate's name, like a desk plate or a pen
- A professional looking cell phone case (with a cell phone, if budget permits)
- A business card holder
- Small career advice books or software
- Office supplies
- A gift certificate to an office supply store
- A coffee mug (perhaps one that reads "Class of 20xx")
Interview and Office Attire Gifts for College Graduation Gift Baskets
For a college graduate who is looking for a job or starting their first one, one of the biggest expenses may be the purchase of appropriate clothing for interviews or for an office. While an interview suit isn't going to fit into a gift basket, plenty of useful accessories will. Here are a few ideas (gender depending) to include in the basket to help the graduate dress the part of a professional:
- A necktie
- A tie clip
- Cuff links
- A dressy scarf
- Professional looking earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry
- A great watch
- Trouser socks
- A small book that offers advice about dressing in for an interview or in an office environment
- A gift certificate to a store that sells career wear
Household Gifts for College Graduation Gift Baskets
In addition to starting a new career, a college graduate may be in the process of setting up his or her first "grown up" household – or at least one that's a little nicer than his or her college digs. This means lots of small purchases are going to need to be made, and that can add up – so a gift basket can help. Here are some of the many everyday household items that can go into a graduation gift basket:
- Small household tools
- A small cookbook
- Measuring spoons and cups
- An all purpose kitchen paring knife
- A can opener
- Spices
- Bathroom accessories, like a matching toothbrush holder and soap dish
- Picture frames
- A starter sewing kit
- A gift certificate to a kitchen, bath, or home store
Creative Ideas for Graduation Gift Baskets
College graduation is one time when gift recipients need practical "start-up" items, so a basket full of useful items for career and household can be the perfect gift. Use a little creativity to think of small, everyday items that someone who is just starting out will need.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
