Innovative Gift Ideas For Any Graduate

Ideas That Will Complement Anyone's Budget

By: Emily Abbate

Posted: 4/22/08

With graduation around the corner, UConn students are remembering some of their best times here at UConn. As the big day approaches, family members and friends are pressured to try and find the right gift in order to commemorate the amazing accomplishment.

"While selecting the graduation present one should always keep in mind certain important things like the graduating person's likes and dislikes, how special you want the particular day to be for the person, and last but not the least, the use of the graduation gift for the person concerned," according to giftzing.com.

There's a gift for every occasion, and graduation is no exception. Not sure what to get your favorite grad for the big day? Here are some suggestions to make a momentous occasion even more meaningful.

For The Person

With Heavy Pockets

For the person where price is no object, there are a variety of gift possibilities in store for you. After four years of exams, late nights, 10-page papers and endless study hours, a vacation is an ideal graduation gift. The time away from the normal could serve as a breath of fresh air for your graduate.

"I would definitely want money for a vacation with all of my friends," said Kaitlin McNeil, a 4th-semester communications major. "That way I could relax and have a good time before I enter the real world."

Other possibly more expensive ideas include stocks, a laptop computer, or furniture if they are moving in to their own apartment after leaving college.

For The Average Spender

Gift cards are an excellent gift for any graduate. Ranging form stores like WalMart - where grads can buy furniture for a new apartment, their favorite DVDs or CDs and groceries among a number of other items - to American Express gift cards, which can be used to purchase anything where American Express credit cards are taken.

"American Express gift cards are my favorite gift, so I can imagine that people graduating would like them too," said Erin Scanlon, a 4th-semester communications major. "It's always nice just because I can buy whatever I want with them, especially gas for my car. I don't have to let driving around drain my pockets."

Other suggestions include a digital camera, portable DVD player, a TV, microwave, watch or bracelet.

Any engraved item is an outstanding graduation gift. Try purchasing two-toned banded flask from Things Remembered ($20 plus engraving price, up to $12), or gunmetal multi-tool money clip, complete with all the elements of a Swiss Army knife ($20 plus engraving price, up to $10).

Gifts Under $50

Students have just conquered a long journey, and after learning all about a particular field of study, there are loads of special interest books and items out there to suit every specialty. If your grad studied journalism, a specialized pen or reporters' notebook is both thoughtful and practical. For the education major, a bag to carry their supplies to-and-from the classroom, or making a gift basket of school supplies is both creative and extremely useful.

Other gift suggestions include inspirational books, such as the classic graduation gift "Oh! The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss, and writing a personal message on the inside cover for your grad to share or a picture frame, complete with engraving of the graduate's university and graduation date, as well as their name.

Contact Emily Abbate at

Emily.Abbate@UConn.edu.