The 36 Best Gift Ideas for the New Grad in Your Life
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Securing a degree is always worth celebrating, but the past few graduating classes have overcome more than the standard all-nighters and strict professors. After dealing with an ongoing pandemic, remote learning, and the rising prices of everything from food to fuel, the graduates of 2024 have succeeded against all odds.
It may feel tough to find a gift that perfectly summarizes how proud of them you are, but we've compiled a list that might help. There are gifts for their first grown-up job, a move to a new city, or some well-deserved summer relaxation as they plot their next adventure. Don't see anything here you like? Check out our other buying guides, like the Best Laptop Backpacks, Best Electric Scooters, Best Electric Bikes, and Best Cheap Headphones.
Updated May 2024: We added the newest versions of all our favorite recommendations.
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- Photograph: GiftCast
A Cash Gift
GiftcastThere was nothing I needed more than cash after spending every dime on college textbooks and food for four years, with a lifetime of student loans to look forward to. If you aren't in the same place to be able to physically hand cash or a check to the new grads in your life, consider GiftCast. It's a simple app that lets you virtually gift-wrap your cash with a heartfelt video message and a promise to see them in person as soon as you can. WIRED reviewers have also used and liked services such as Givingli.
★ Gift cards are great, too: A gift card to somewhere like Amazon or Target lets them pick exactly what they want or need for the next phase in life. Other useful options include Grubhub for easy dinners, or a membership to a big box store like Costco.
- Photograph: Cuyana
A Great Leather Purse
Cuyana System ToteWhether your college grad is starting a job in the big city or their local school system, they need a bag that functions as well as it looks and will actually last. Cuyana's System Tote is our favorite laptop tote. It has a simple but elegant design and works with a system of add-ons that snap in for customized organization, like a laptop sleeve, organizational insert, or zippered pouch.
Cuyana has a bunch of other designs, but all are quite pricey. For a little bit less, Longchamp's Le Pliage is a classic that's durable and spacious, and also zips shut. Our favorite one is made from recycled canvas. See our full guide on laptop totes and purses for even more designs and styles.
- Photograph: Rains
Or an All-Purpose Backpack
Rains Backpack MiniRains' Backpack Mini is the most stylish pick in our Best Laptop Backpacks guide. It's available in a wide range of colors, and the 8.5-liter capacity offers enough room to stash a laptop in addition to accessories, chargers, and other odds and ends. The elegant design will ensure your college grad won't look like a kid when they commute to their new grown-up job—or that your high school grad won't look like a kid when they head to college classes. (There's also a large version if they tend to pack a lot.)
- Photograph: Nanoleaf
Ambient Lighting for Their New Home
Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Smarter KitSmart light panels are great for setting the vibe in a new dorm room. Our top pick, the Nanoleaf Triangles, can be rearranged to create all sorts of shapes. There are tons of color combinations and modes—for example, a party-friendly setting that'll pulse the lights to the beat of music, or a daylight setting to get grads through short winter days. Nanoleaf has tons of other designs we like, like the Nanoleaf Lines. Don't forget to check out our guide to the Best Smart Lighting for more options.
- Photograph: Horti
A Plant Subscription Box
Horti Plant SubscriptionFlowers are a nice thought for events and milestones, but plants can potentially last years, as grads go from first apartment to second, and from entry-entry level job to executive office. Horti sends a plant and pot in each box, as well as other accessories occasionally. You can choose between pet-friendly or beginner plants or opt for Horti's pick. A subscription starts at $28 a month with a plain terracotta pot, or more if you want a painted pot. There are a few subscription options you can choose from if you'd rather pay upfront instead of month-to-month.
Subscription boxes make great gifts because it's literally the gift that keeps giving, with a new surprise every month you’re signed up for. We have a bunch of recommendations for all types of personalities.
- Photograph: Jaina Grey
For the Artist
Wacom One 13 TouchIs your recent grad a photo editor, graphic designer, or digital artist who would really benefit from a dedicated drawing tablet? The Wacom One 13 Touch (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite for most situations. It has a bright 13-inch screen for accurate colors, and the stylus precision rivals that of more expensive drawing tablets. It's not wireless, though, and needs to be plugged in to a computer via USB-C cable.
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- Photograph: Alanna Kilkeary
A Luxury Hair Tool
Dyson Airwrap i.d. multi-styler and dryerGiving the gift of good hair means your new college graduate can start all meetings, appointments, and dates on the right foot. Dyson's Airwrap is coveted for its luxury and multiple uses—you can dry your hair, blow it out, or curl it (or do all three!). But that luxury also comes with the Dyson price tag, which is why it'd be a great gift to receive.
- Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Literally Everything
Amazon PrimeTwo things are genuine markers of adulthood these days: getting your own Netflix account and getting your own Amazon Prime subscription. The benefits of Amazon Prime are legion, from free shipping and access to Prime Video to exclusive savings on Prime-only products. Your recent graduate's student discount may be disappearing, but you can save the day by gifting them another year. This is the graduation gift that keeps on giving. They will likely save the money several times over.
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- Photograph: Astrohaus
A Modern-Day Typewriter
Freewrite TravelerWriting is hard. Writing when you're barraged by distracting notifications is even harder. If your graduate will be writing for a living, the Freewrite Traveler (8/10, WIRED Recommends) might make an excellent gift. It serves a simple purpose, offering users a blank text field and a keyboard. The recipient will be able to work on their novel or type up a cover letter, free from tempting web links or distracting advertisements. Unlike on typewriters of the past, drafts can be uploaded to services like Google Docs or Evernote with a simple keystroke. Another key difference is that the Freewrite Traveler doesn't weigh a gajillion pounds—the entire device folds down flat and weighs less than 2 pounds.
- Photograph: Leatherman
A Great Multi-Tool
Leatherman Wave+Multi-tools aren't just for outdoorsy folks or handymen. They open up the world of ease to the rest of us, and Leatherman makes the best. The Wave Plus has two stainless steel knives and 16 other handy tools like a file, scissors, bottle and can openers, and an 8-inch ruler. With its 25-year warranty, the company will repair it too.
- Photograph: Sony
Luxury Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5The WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have long been a favorite of ours. They have some of the best sound quality we've heard, with 30 hours of battery life and the ability to automatically pause the music if they sense you talking.
If you're gifting to an Apple fanatic and you can stomach the cost, the Apple AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends) deliver great sound and style. But don't worry, we have plenty of cheap picks too.
- Photograph: Adrienne So
A Pair of Smart Glasses
Ray-Ban Meta Smart GlassesWe admit that our first review of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses was skeptical (6/10, WIRED Review). However, several WIRED staff members have since purchased both the sunglasses and the clear prescription versions and love being able to take calls and listen to audio without having to put on yet another pair of earbuds or headphones. The glasses also now come in a wider variety of styles, can be ordered in a clear prescription version, and weigh (and cost) only a fraction more than than regular specs.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
For Automated Cleaning
TP-Link Tapo RV30C PlusA vacuum is not the most exciting gift, but hear us out. It's likely that a new graduate will be moving into an apartment or house, and they'll probably be busy with a new adult job. In that case, a robot vacuum can pick up the cleaning slack.
Using the app, you can control the Tapo RV30C to start cleaning even if you aren't home, choose which room, or set schedules so it does a sweep each day. It returns to its base to automatically empty the dustbin. It's one of the prettiest new robot vacuums we've seen, too.
- Photograph: Trek
An Electric Bike
Trek FX+ 2An electric bike or scooter can make a big difference to a recent high school graduate who has to figure out how to move around a new campus or city. The Trek FX+ 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our pick for most people. It doesn't really look like an e-bike, thanks to the cables, battery, and motor hidden inside the frame, but it will get you through a commute without constant recharges. There's some fun extras like lights and a bell, too. It's not the lightest bike we've tried, but at 40 pounds, it also isn't heavy.
- Photograph: Unagi Scooters
An Electric Scooter
Unagi Model One VoyagerIf your recent graduate doesn't know how to bike, we also love electric scooters. The Unagi Model One Voyager (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our lightweight pick. It's just 30 pounds, but you can still cruise at 15 miles per hour. Riders will likely get a bit more than 10 miles out of a charge, but since it's not too heavy and folds up, it's easily paired with public transportation if necessary. Make sure you get them a helmet, too.
- Photograph: MìLà
For Easy Meals
MìLà Soup DumplingsSometimes cooking is exhausting. MìLà's soup dumplings are noodles are delicious and take precisely zero cooking skills to perfect. The founders of MìLà have a restaurant in Washington, and they ship their already popular soup dumplings, flash-freezing them while raw to keep the authentic taste. The quality is obvious. If you can, sending the full experience box allows your recent grad to try one bag of pork dumplings, a noodle variety box, three dipping sauces, a bamboo steamer, and rose lychee ice cream.
- Photograph: Logitech
A Racing Setup
Logitech G Pro Racing WheelThis is a lot of money to drop on gaming accessories (and it's even more expensive than when we first reviewed it). But if you can afford it and your giftee loves sim racing, then they'll very much love this. They can decompress after work by feeling like they're actually racing alongside their favorite F1 driver. You can use the wheels and pedals alone as long as they have a desk that the wheel can clamp onto, but adding the seat gives it more of a real-world feel.
- Photograph: KitchenAid
A Coffee Upgrade
KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso MachineIf your grad loves their cup of joe, give them a coffee upgrade. KitchenAid's Semi Automatic Espresso Machine is one of our favorites. The grinder is whisper quiet, and the machine makes great espresso with perfectly frothed milk. It looks great too, especially in white, and has extra features like wheels for moving it out of the way when you aren't using it.
- Photograph: Tyler Shane
If They Prefer a French Press
Fellow ClaraAn espresso machine is luxurious if your giftee will use it, but a French press is easy, low-maintenance, and hard to mess up. It takes up less room and doesn't even need to be plugged in. We love the Clara because of its minimalist modern design that's shatter-resistant. It also comes with one more filter than most French presses. One pushes the grind down and the other catches any stray sediment. Our morning coffee tasted smoother, with not a hint of bitterness.
- Photograph: Amazon
A Forever Suitcase
Briggs & Riley Baseline CXSet your new graduate up for a lifetime of travel with this suitcase that's lasted us well over 20 years. It's made from water-repellent and abrasion-resistant ballistic nylon, and the low-profile wheels and handles are still going strong. There's a lifetime warranty, so should anything go wrong, they can visit a Briggs & Riley–approved dealership for free fixes. It's heavy, though, at 9.3 pounds.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
A Smartwatch for iPhone Users
Apple Watch Series 9At one time, fancy analog watches would have been a top graduation gift. They still can be for the right person, but your giftee might prefer the usefulness of a smartwatch. The Series 9 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite for Apple fans. It has wonderful health tracking features and a spate of safety tools, like fall detection and the option for automated emergency calls. This one also can quickly process Siri requests on the device. Read more about it in our Best Apple Watches guide.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
A Smartwatch for Android Users
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 ClassicThe Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic (7/10, WIRED Recommends) will work for any Android user, but they're best paired with Samsungs, since certain health data only works with those phones. They look more like a traditional watch than Apple Watches do, and the Classic has a rotating bezel for scrolling through menus—it has the same satisfaction of putting in your school locker combination (without having to remember numbers).
For other Android users, we like the Google Pixel Watch 2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which is beautiful, comfortable, and has a speedy processor to crunch all their fitness data.
- Photograph: Jura Watches
Or a Mechanical Watch
Hamilton Khaki Field AutomaticSmartwatches do tend to be more popular, but an analog watch is a classic gift—even if it's just for the occasional dressing up. We like this watch for its military look with a stealthy black coating. It's water resistant up to 100 meters and it gets an impressive 80-hour power reserve.
- Photograph: Amazon
If They Work From Home
Keychron Q1 ProWhen you work in an office, you're generally provided with monitors and keyboards, but if you work from home, you shouldn't have to suffer. The Keychron Q1 Pro mechanical keyboard is our gift recommendation for those who work from home. It has satisfying clickety-clackety switches for long typing sessions, and there's a programmable knob that your giftee can set for volume control, zooming in and out of projects, plus other options.
- Photograph: Herman Miller
An Aesthetic Office Chair
Herman Miller ZephThe Herman Miller Zeph is an aesthetically-pleasing office chair upgrade, whether your giftee is working from home full time or needs a place to sit while they write their novel. The Zeph is shaped to mold around your body, so despite its lack of adjustability, both our 6'4 and 5'1 testers found it comfortable. We recommend adding the arms and seat pad for the most comfort, but that does raise the price.
- Photograph: Medea Giordano
Distraction-Free Reading
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Generation)Bookish grads will appreciate the Kindle Paperwhite, which is the Best Kindle for most people. The e-reader interface is simple and straightforward. With no intrusive vibrations, notifications, or inane newsfeeds to scroll through, Kindle enthusiasts find these devices to be a much better option than phones for distraction-free reading. Analog books are still a thing, of course, but you can't carry 1,000 of them around in your pocket. The Paperwhite is waterproof for reading beside the pool or in the tub and the Signature edition gets adjustable warm light to ensure maximum visibility at night. There are many free or cheap ebooks available online, but if your grad is a particularly voracious reader, you may want to consider including an ebook or audiobook subscription.
Do they enjoy jotting down notes all the time? Consider the newer Kindle Scribe (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which is much more expensive but it doubles as a notepad and comes with a stylus. The Kobo Libra Colour (8/10, WIRED Recommends) also has note-taking abilities with a great color E Ink screen.
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
For Digital Notes
reMarkable 2If they need more digital notebook than e-reader, the ReMarkable 2 is our favorite option. The matte screen feels like paper, there's little lag while writing on it, and the battery lasts for several weeks. On the device, you can organize your work into notebooks and sort them all with tags and folders and then export them to Google Drive or Dropbox. There's also a keyboard attachment that we haven't tried, but it will help during particularly heavy note-taking sessions.
- Photograph: Lamy
A Keepsake Pen
Lamy 2000A good fountain pen is a classic graduation gift, and the Lamy 2000 is one of our favorites. Whether your giftee likes to hand write poems and journal entries, or keeps track of all their new daily tasks with a paper planner, they can do so with the luxurious 14-carat gold nib that surfs effortlessly across the page. Pair it with our favorite ink for a truly satisfying experience.
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
A Setup for Success
The Happy PlannerEveryone can benefit from a good paper planner, but that's especially true for young adults entering the workforce. The Happy Planner is one of our favorites. It's affordable, customizable, and suitable for beginners as well as experts. Whether they're keeping track of deadlines, interviews, monthly payments, or their five-year plan, graduates will be able to stay on top of life's endless to-do lists.
- Photograph: Suga
A Recycled Workout Mat
Suga SugaMatEstablishing a new workout routine after graduating from high school or college doesn't have to be difficult. It can be as easy as a few pushups in the morning or a 15-minute walk around the block. Cassey Ho, from the wildly popular Blogilates fitness platform, recommends starting with a simple yoga mat to anchor your new grad's working-out-at-home routine. It will also dampen the sound of their footfalls for any downstairs neighbors.
- Photograph: Cameron Books
A Simple Cookbook
By Amanda HaasHelp your new college graduate embark on the next phase of their adult life by giving them a jumpstart in the kitchen with an easy, simple cookbook. Some days you just feel uninspired in the kitchen, and other day, you only have so much time. This collection of recipes has delicious, varied recipes that don't require much effort, and it includes estimated prep times as well as cook times.
- Photograph: Rumpl
A Picnic Blanket
Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy BlanketIs your new grad planning a big trip for the summer? I own two of these, and they're particularly versatile and useful gifts. These unbelievably soft, warm blankets are made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester material with a durable water-repellent finish to fend off dirt and prevent stains. I've used mine for everything from impromptu picnics and warming up on the couch to an emergency layer after the car broke down on a snowy day. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu used it as a blanket on his road trip in Iceland. They pack down into a small compression sack for easy storage.
- Photograph: Bearaby
An On-Demand Hug
Bearaby Tree NapperNothing signals adulthood like random existential crises. Weighted blankets can help squish away bad feelings. There are tons of good choices available, but this is our absolute favorite. It's satisfyingly heavy, cooling, and one of the prettiest weighted blankets around. Read our Best Weighted Blankets guide for other options, as well as advice on what weight works best. While they can help with some symptoms, remember that weighted blankets are not a substitute for medical treatment.
- Photograph: Dash
A Compact Countertop Appliance
Dash Mini Waffle MakerWe love waffle makers. So will your grad. They've likely seen a tiny model from Dash already, since it went viral on TikTok, but even newcomers will have a blast making single-serve waffles with this gadget. For something a bit more robust, this Black and Decker Waffle Maker may suffice. Neither will take up too much space on compact counters, and both are capable of making magical creations out of everything from potatoes to pie. Pair the maker with this cookbook for an easy, surprisingly useful gift.
- Photograph: Mistobox
A Coffee Subscription
Mistobox Coffee SubscriptionNickel and dime expenses like a daily café run can add up—especially for a grad living on an entry-level salary. A coffee subscription, like Mistobox, can make a difference. There are more than 500 coffee options to choose from, so even the most discerning drinkers will be able to enjoy this gift. Check out our Best Coffee Subscription Services guide for more.
- Photograph: Mau
Fancy Furniture for Their Cat
Mau Cento Cat TreeCat parents might tell you that they wouldn't have gotten through those late-night study sessions and term papers without their felines by their side. Perhaps they too deserve a fancy graduation present. Mau's Cento cat tree is pricey, but it's one of the best cat trees we've tried. Not only is it very pretty—and when you live in a small space, everything's design matters—but it's well made, with replaceable parts. Our cats loved lounging on it.
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