Unique Graduation Gift Ideas

As we enter into June, the graduation party invitations will start pouring in. Obviously, if you’re going to attend, it’s only right to bring a gift. While a thoughtful card and a big check may be standard, it can get a little boring. Follow this guide to finding the perfect graduation gift that will actually get used.

Unique Graduation Gift Ideas

A “Going Away to College” Basket:

For the high school grad who’s just about to enter the big leagues, help lead the way by filling a basket with some college essentials. Use your imagination to decide which items are absolutely necessary. Consider rolls of quarters for dorm laundry, nonperishable meals for late night snacking, or ping pong balls and solo cups for a little recreational fun. Write up a cute list detailing the contents of the basket and tie it together with a fun bow.

A Solar Charger will help your grad stay connected.

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Solar Charger:

Everyone these days is dependent on technology, but no one more so than a busy college student. However, odds are good that your graduate will spend more time making new friends than worrying about properly charging their devices. Make sure that they stay connected with loved ones by giving them a solar charger. Since the charging unit works off solar power rather than electricity, they’ll be able to get the boost they need wherever they are.

A Slow Cooker is great for any new cook.

Image Via: Williams Sonoma

A Slow Cooker:

This gift is perfect for anyone new to living alone, who may or may not have developed cooking skills as yet. Slow cookers allow them to just throw whatever ingredients they have on hand into the pot and forget about it for the rest of the day. It’s a great way to introduce a new cook into using real ingredients rather than prepared meals, while taking away the fear of messing up a recipe. Best of all, since they come with a wide variety of features, slow cookers are a gift that will fit nearly any budget.

Help them build their cocktail repertoire with some Bar Cart Essentials.

Image Via: Sabi Style  

Bar Cart Essentials:

While this is a slightly similar idea to the “Going Away to College” gift basket, it’s meant for someone who is ready to enter the adult world. One of the finer points of growing up is the ability to craft a decent cocktail. However, most of the time, those require more ingredients than a college grad has readily at hand. Start their collection for them by filling an ice bucket with bar cart tools such as a shaker, a small set of glasses, and tongs. If there’s room, feel free to add specialty cocktail ingredients like bitters and liquors.

When searching for the perfect graduation gift, aim for something useful that will set you apart from the crowd of well-meaning-but-impersonal cards. Take stock of your graduate’s interests and go from there. But, this list of unique graduation gifts will give you a place to start.

Do you have a useful graduation gift idea? Share it with us in the comments below.