I can’t believe that the end of the school year is rapidly approaching! My kids gleefully report in with the final school day count on a weekly basis. 24 days to go! Whether it’s a preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, grad school or colleague leaving for a new job, there seem to be endless occasions for graduation gifts.
Here’s my list with different price points, with of course, always a picture book to celebrate the achievement!
Great Gifts for Young Graduates: Books
Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Celebrate your graduation with Dr. Seuss! Designed by Seussian experts, this collection of novelty items based on OH THE PLACES YOU WILL GO will have everyone looking forward to graduation day! Before your little graduate moves mountains, take a moment to celebrate their achievements with a graduate banner, an official Dr. Seuss diploma, magnets, a graduation photo frame, and more!
I really like this set for high school or college grads but it works equally well for much younger kids and even adults!
The Sky is the Limit: A Celebration of All the Things You Can Do by Lisa Swerling & Ralph Lazar
This graduation picture book works for preschoolers as well as older students. It’s a celebration of childhood as well as the wonderful things to look forward to! [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Let’s Go Europe 2020
From Portugal to Hungary, from Great Britain down to Greece, Europe is a lot to take on. Luckily, the student adventurers behind Let’s Go Europe 2012 think you can handle it—with a little help. Whether you’re whipping through London, Barcelona, and Prague in five days or spending a leisurely year abroad, you’ll get all the info you need from us. Our wit and irreverence can brighten even the drabbest Renaissance museum—if you didn’t take our advice to skip it. From German beer halls to Roman ruins, Let’s Go Europe 2012 is your ticket to adventure.
Let’s Go publishes the world’s favorite student travel guides, written entirely by Harvard undergraduates. Armed with pens, notebooks, and a few changes of underwear stuffed in their backpacks, our student researchers go across continents, through time zones, and above expectations to seek out invaluable travel experiences for our readers. Let’s Go has been on the road for 50 years and counting: We’re on a mission to provide our readers with sharp, fresh coverage packed with socially responsible opportunities to go beyond tourism.
Freshman Survival Guide
High School 101: Freshman Survival Guide
Written by sophomores at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, Georgia, this book is a MUST READ for kids leaving middle school, high-school freshmen, and parents of today’s high schoolers. Chock full of humorous tips, practical advice, and serious anecdotes about subjects as diverse as depression, dating, and study habits, this “view from the inside” can prepare the rising high school student for today’s challenges in a way no other book can. Perfect for middle school graduation or back-to-school gift!
Great Gifts for Young Graduates: Gift Certificates
Gift Certificate to Ikea
Even if the graduate is going to a dorm rather than an apartment, an Ikea gift certificate will come in handy whether for bedding, comfortable furniture, or a desk lamp.
Gift Certificate to Nordstrom
A new path will require a new wardrobe, especially if there is a new job or internship on the horizon.
Membership or Gift Certificate to Gym
Your college grad no longer has free access to a well-equipped gym.
Gift Certificate to Target
A great one-stop shopping location to get everything a new grad would need from bedding, food to household kitchen items.
Gift Certificate to Resume Writing Service
Great Gifts for Young Graduates: Gadgets
Compact Refrigerator for Dorm
Great Gifts for Young Graduates: Briefcase
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Parenting Village on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
These are all such thoughtful gift ideas! I don’t have anyone graduating but still this post made me a little misty thinking nostalgically about these transitions in life and how before you know it it will be my kids.
Hi Ann,
I guess some people also give graduation gifts for milestones like graduating from preschool or elementary school too. Yes, it’s that graduation time of year again!
Target stores are coping with the recession just like other retailers and consumers. So how can they afford to give away gift cards? Simple: Target and other retailers want to entice customers to come to the stores and shop.
Hi Crystal,
Yes, giveaways are popular and retailers hope that you buy more just by being dazzled in their stores. Good strategy I think!
You are good. I love the luggage idea, gift cards of course are always welcome, and the fridge is a must-have for college.
Hi Artchoo,
Yes, I would have loved these when I graduated from college though cash is king, too, of course!
Great ideas! We are giving my nephew a few gift cards (in a handmade card) and one of these books – Invest in Your-SELF: Six Secrets to a Rich Life http://amzn.to/KsRFct or I Will Teach You to be Rich http://amzn.to/KY7dd4.
Love to see these wonderful ideas about gifting specially a parker pen set in a good range. i would like to choose these paker pens in my friends wedding so thanks for giving such a great ideas!!!
Hi Pawan,
Parker pens make great gifts for pen aficianados!