Unique Gifts for College Grads Who Are Tough to Impress

Every class of college graduates faces their own challenges, but it's safe to say that graduation celebrations for the Class of 2022 will be like none other because of the coronavirus pandemic. You may not be able to watch your favorite grad cross the stage or celebrate with them in person, but you can still send a meaningful gift that will help them take that first step into the real world.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: Gifts for High School Grads That They'll Actually Like

$69-$99 from NoteCube

Shop Now

The NoteCube is a wonderful personalized gift to recognize how hard your graduate has worked. The concept is simple: You tell NoteCube about your recipient, and use the site's tools to edit and add notes (typically between 40-60 but NoteCube recommends at least 20). Finally, add some photos and choose a style of NoteCube. When everything is just how you want it, you finalize and pay for your order and it gets shipped. 

Related: Photo Tile Face-Off: Mixtiles vs. Shutterfly vs. Mixpix

For a Brush With Fame

Price varies from Cameo

Shop Now

Give a graduation gift they will never forget: a personal video message from their favorite actor, athlete, musician, reality TV personality, or other celeb — which can then be shared on their social media platform of choice. There are literally thousands of famous (and not-so-famous) people to choose from on Cameo, and prices vary accordingly. A custom video from Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys will cost $450, while one from TikTok sensation Jon Dretto will set you back just $20. 

Related: Gifts for Teen Boys Who Are Tough to Impress

For a Bright Future
$9 from Amazon
Shop Now

Dr. Seuss' words of wisdom ring true for people of any age, but this book — the last to be published in his lifetime — is particularly meaningful for a young person who is getting ready to begin the next chapter of their lives. ("And will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed!")

Related: Clever and Creative Gifts for Book Lovers

For Pictures Worth 1,000 Words
$80 from Amazon
Shop Now

In this digital world of ours, there's still something to be said for an instant photo you can hold in your hand. This Fuji Instax camera comes with two 10-exposure film packs for creating mementos of this crazy time.

Related: Gifts for Photographers

For Mealtime Without Tears
$60 and up from Amazon
Shop Now 

Why are Instant Pots so popular? Maybe because you can use them to prepare a day's worth of meals without dirtying every pot and pan in the kitchen. They also take the guesswork out of cooking, making the Instant Pot a great gift for a recent grad who's still mastering the basics of daily meal prep.

Related: 50 Simple, Cheap, and Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

For more great gift guides and shopping tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.

For School Pride

$22 from Amazon
Shop Now

Everyone loves to support their alma mater, and this cozy blanket is the perfect gift to do so. Choose from 38 teams.

Related: Clever Gifts for Your Favorite Couch Potato

For a Place of Pride
$38 from Amazon
Shop Now

They can display that hard-earned diploma at home or at the office with this shadow box frame, which also has a space for their tassel.

Related: 19 Billionaires Who Didn't Go to College

For a Reminder of Where They Come From
$60 and up from Maya Brenner
Shop Now 

Best graduation advice ever: Don't forget where you come from. With this necklace (also available as a charm), they can wear their home state pride for all to see. Available in sterling silver or 14-karat yellow gold.

Related: Gifts to Showcase Your State Pride

For a New Wardrobe
$25 and up from Stitch Fix
Shop Now

College student attire probably won't cut it at most workplaces (except all those hoodie-wearing tech firms), but building a wardrobe of work-ready clothing takes time and money — two things a hard-working recent grad may not have. Give 'em a head start in the fashion department with a subscription to this clothing-delivery service. 

Related: Pajamas, Sweats, and Leisure Wear Perfect for Working at Home

For Coffee With Class
$100 from Amazon
Shop Now

Make sure they pour themselves the best cup of ambition they can brew with this Cuisinart 14-cup coffee maker. It's been a favorite of professional reviewers and consumers alike for years.

Related: Perk 'Em Up with These Great Gifts for Coffee Lovers

For Messages From Afar
$130 and up from Boombox
Shop Now

Friends and family from across the miles can all contribute to a Boombox. Choose the box design, then invite people to contribute photos and best wishes. Your grad will receive a professionally designed gift box full of memories — up to 150 typeset cards — from loved ones who may not be able to wish them a happy graduation in person.

Related: Thoughtful Gifts for Love and Friendship Across the Miles

For Something That Sparkles
$358 from JCPenney
Shop Now 

Give a gift that she can wear for years. These stud earrings feature half-carat round-cut diamonds set in 10-karat white gold. They are frequently marked down with a promo code, making them an even better bargain, so keep an eye on the price.

Related: Where to Relocate If You’re Working Remote Full-Time

For a Delicious Dinner (or Three)
$8.99 per serving from HelloFresh
Shop Now 

Worried that they aren't eating well on their own? A subscription to the meal-kit service HelloFresh means your favorite grad will never go hungry — and may just learn how to cook for themselves. A basic subscription provides three meals per week, each of which serves two, including step-by-step instructions and all the ingredients you need.

Related: 19 Meal Kits and Delivery Services to Get You Out of Your Dinner Rut

For Luxurious Bed Linens
$399 and up from Amazon
Shop Now

Lumpy twin beds and futons were fine for college life, but it's time to graduate to grown-up sheets. Nothing feels quite as luxurious as linen, which keeps the bed feeling cool and comfy. This American-made sheet set is available in sizes from full to California king and comes in 10 color choices. 

Related: 76 Gifts That Are Made in America

For a Fully Equipped Kitchen
$115 from Amazon
Shop Now

This cookware set gets the thumbs-up from Good Housekeeping, whose testers know a bargain when they see one. Reviewed.com's editors are also keen on this nonstick T-fal cookware, which is oven-safe up to 350 degrees and dishwasher-ready for easy cleaning.

For a Comfy Place to Sit
$184 from Amazon
Shop Now

Cheapism readers and Amazon shoppers alike love this office chair. Many owners say it's easy to assemble and comfortable enough for hours of desk work, and the faux-leather upholstery (available in three colors) is easy to clean.

Related: 15 Stylish Office Chairs That Won't Break the Bank (or Your Back)

For a Gentle Good Morning
$160 from Amazon
Shop Now

It's one thing to sleep in and miss class. It's quite another to oversleep and be late for work. This Philips therapy lamp starts with a gentle glow that slowly builds in intensity, just like the sunshine, for a gentle good morning that no cheap, buzzy alarm clock can offer.

For Their Next Trip (Whenever It May Be)
$72 from Amazon
Shop Now

Sooner or later, they're going to need to travel for a job interview or a work trip or even a vacation. This 21-inch spinner suitcase meets federal carry-on size requirements and comes in a choice of four colors. Larger sizes are also for sale.

Related: The Best Cheap Luggage 

For a Memento of Their Alma Mater
$192 and up from Uncommon Goods
Shop Now

Wanna give 'em something to remember their college days by? Toss one of these embroidered pillows their way. Available for more than 50 colleges and universities from Arizona State to Yale.

For a Reliable Laptop
$871 from Amazon
Shop Now

That sticker-covered laptop they've been lugging around since freshman year still may be functional, but odds are it's seen better days. This Surface Pro laptop has a speedy eighth-generation Intel Core processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 128 GB hard drive. Also, it's got a touch screen and can be converted into a tablet by removing the keyboard.

For Knives That Will Last
$149 from Amazon
Shop Now 

You don't need to be a master chef to appreciate the utility of a good knife set. This Mercer high-carbon steel knife set contains all the essentials — paring, chef's, bread, and utility blades among them — without useless extras like a set of cheap steak knives no one will ever use.

Related: Practical and Purposeful Kitchen Gifts They'll Actually Use

For a Splash of Geek Chic
$15 from Amazon
Shop Now

This clever glass mug will appeal to any coffee drinker, but especially science nerds. They can pour a precise amount of their favorite brew and contemplate the chemical composition of the caffeine molecule.

For the Gift of Time
$429 from Amazon
Shop Now

A fancy wristwatch is a time-honored graduation gift (pun intended). Continue that tradition with the gift of a decidedly 21st-century version that can also be used for listening to music, chatting with friends, monitoring fitness levels ... even telling the time.

For a Hot (and Cool) Cup
$23 and up from Etsy
Shop Now 

This insulated 20-ounce tumbler comes with a travel lid to keep their favorite hot or cold beverage at just the right temperature. Choose from Yeti and Polar Camel brands in a variety of colors, then have your grad's name laser-engraved.

For Some Good Advice
$10 from Amazon
Shop Now

With a name like Real Simple, you know the editors of this magazine know what they're talking about when it comes to life hacks. Adulting 101 begins now. Available in paperback or Kindle ebook format.

For a Place to Put All Their Stuff
$4 from Target
Shop Now

Sooner or later, everyone needs a place to stash odds and ends. A fabric cube bin like this one adds a pop of color to any room where they need more places for all their stuff.

For a Clean Sweep
$150 from Amazon
Shop Now

A vacuum may not seem like a very exciting graduation gift, but it is one of the few appliances that darn near everyone needs and uses. This robotic vacuum can run for up to 100 minutes on a full charge and is suitable for tile, hardwood and laminate flooring, and low-pile carpeting and area rugs.