THE ONLY GRADUATION GIFT GUIDE YOU'LL NEED
Skip the BS; get them something that says you can balance creativity with utility.
Welcome to The Top Shelf: a shopping newsletter delivering bite-sized pieces on the most underrated beauty, skincare and style finds—plus a few of the fan faves—in your mailbox every week.
Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase the items below, I’ll make a small commission.
In a week, two of my best friends will graduate law school.
They’ve attended the same university, walked the same yard and likely had the same professors, yet they have vastly different interests, passions and personalities.
One is a type-A girl with a Bible verse to share at any moment and an innumerable amount of Sims 4 custom content. She’s by-the-book and a gaming-enthusiast. The other? A type-B guy with the music taste to rival any DJ’s crate. He’s also my point-of-contact for breaking down international affairs.
All that to say: getting both a card is simply not enough for me. It’s way too unimaginative.
Ahead of their hooding ceremony, I’ve put a lot of thought (maybe too much thought?) into what would be the best graduation gift for their current and promised life.
As the friend with the “cool fashion and shopping job”, I’ve spent hours researching grad gifts and what truly makes the perfect present stand out and stand the test of time.
The formula is simple: thought, creativity and utility.
Thought: Did you actually think about what they want or need?
Creativity: How unique is the gift?
Utility: Can they use it now or in the near future? Does it fill an unfulfilled need?
If you have these three things, then you’ve got a gift worth remembering.
Shop some of my favorite graduation gifts for every type of friend below.
A classic pen and paper are far more valuable to the Analog Lover than an iPad could ever be. With a stationery set to match Toni Morrison, quality materials are a main priority for their writing, researching and note taking. Your graduate is the typical type-A personality: a meticulous planner, competitive and extremely detail-oriented. The perfect gift for them must keep up with their lifestyle.
Uniball Jetstream 101 Ballpoint Pens, 12 Pack — $23
Okay, pens as a gift is a bit trite, but here’s the thought: classic gel pens and classic oil pens serve different purposes. While gel pens may be good for everyday writing, oil-based pens are for those who write faster than their thoughts.
I love gel pens for journaling, but oil-based pens like the Uniball brand are smear-proof, ideal for translucent notes, sticky tabs and highlighting handwritten notes. No smudges, no messy notes.
Cloth & Paper Notepad Folio — $25
Whether your graduate is a future architect or a prodding journalist-to-be, a notebook is a staple for handwritten notes and sketches. Both durable and neutral enough to pair with any stationery set, Cloth & Paper’s notepad folio can fit in both a backpack (for post-grad students) and a tote bag (for working-class people). It’s a gift worth every cent.
Also known as your unemployed friend who somehow is in Barcelona on a random Tuesday. For the graduate who loves to travel, get them something both practical and useful for their spontaneous trips. Think beyond neck pillows or eye masks and look at the pain points many travelers have. That’s where the most underrated presents lie.
Think Roylin Travel Trio Organizational Pouches — $78
Make airport trips fun with a statement pouch that doubles as an on-the-go clutch. There’s something unique about multifunctional travel wear. On Tuesday, you could be in Barcelona with cash, mints and lipgloss in your pouch and on Thursday, you could be back at the airport with your passport, ID and boarding pass. The pouch operates as a home for both.
Uber Gift Card — Price Varies
Arriving at the airport, sliding through TSA and finding your way to your gate is one thing, but getting a ride back to a hotel or home is another. Skip the headache of waving a taxi or looking for the cheapest lift and go for an Uber gift card instead. Though a simple gift, it’s one of those obvious treats that any traveling graduate will appreciate.
Whether your person has graduated from cosmetology school or they’re just a wiz at makeup, cosmetic gifts can be hard to shop for. Foundation shades are not created equally, skincare is a fluctuant gift for those with sensitive skin and the likelihood you know their undertone is slim. Keep things cute but creative with these ideas.
Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin — $30
Aucoin, the celebrity makeup-artist known for popularizing contouring, used makeup techniques that are still common today… 30 years ago. His skill has transcended decades, trends and even the social media age. If you’ve seen Janet Jackson, Naomi Campbell or Whitney Houston with a face sculpted and angled to a T, then you’ve seen his work.
The 1997 book “Making Faces” details just how you can recreate some of his most iconic looks. For the beauty aficionado, this is an essential beauty book. For the interior designer, this also makes a great coffee tablen staple.
Forvr Mood Travel Vanity Bag — $45
I’m a firm believer that every beauty product needs a home, especially for on-the-go runs and quick trips. Forvr Mood’s mini vanity bag holds your travel-sized makeup faves, like single-eyeshadow palettes, mini perfumes and a set of lashes. It’s quick, it’s cute, it’s a must have.
Everyone knows one. They’re always tracking their steps, counting their calories and focusing on how much protein they intake each day. Scouting for gifts for the wellness guru requires some thought. Luckily, it’s easier to scout gifts for them because they’re always focused on one major thing: being well.
Apple Watch SE 3 — $239
As someone who just purchased her first Apple Watch—and has three months free of Apple Fitness—I can say it’s a worthy buy. My health and wellness journey feels fun, interactive and compatible to my lifestyle. I finally look forward to working out.
For the wellness graduates, the Apple Watch is an essential purchase. You can fully detect your sleep patterns, heart rate and your workouts all in one device. My favorite feature is how my Apple watch automatically starts my workout playlist when I begin an exercise.
BlenderBottle Sport Shaker Cup — $30
Protein babes, rejoice! Making smoothies and shakes has gotten easier with the BlenderBottle Shaker Cup. For the graduate who loves eating healthy but hates the hassle of cleaning a blender, this bottle can hold just about any liquid without leaking and is easy to clean. Take it on a commute, to the park and anywhere where you can get your steps in.
