Graduation Gift Guide

All around NYC mortar boards and robes of various colors are filling the streets as all the colleges and grad schools hold their graduation ceremonies. With high schools on deck, I thought it was time to share some favorite graduation gifts.

You're a wizard now Harry aka my law school graduation.

Monogrammed Luggage Tags & Dob Kit

While it might not be more than a car ride away, no doubt your grad has travel in her future. Monogrammed luggage tags and dob kits make the perfect gift to jazz up those suitcases and are practical yet not something anyone ever thinks to buy for themselves. I like to go leather for luggage tags and with dob kits look for something that has a plastic lining for easy wipe-down/spill situations. Depending on how well I know the recipient, I will either go ahead and have the gift monogrammed, or give a gift certificate for monogramming. If you need inspiration or want to order, check out one of my favorite monogram shops: Mrs. Monogram.

Amazon Gift Card

Gift cards get a bad rap. They're impersonal, the person can see how much you spent... I know, I know but if you don't know the grad super well or know that she has a lot of things to buy for her next venture, it's not a bad move. I love Amazon gift cards. From groceries to books to clothes, you can get anything (and I have ordered from all three aforementioned categories, drinks and costumes count no?) and have it all in your hot little hands within a matter of days. Plus, why not give a gift you know will 100% be used? 

College grad. My roommate Kim & I had just walked through the Van Wickle Gates. It's a magical & overwhelming moment. If you went to Brown you get it. If not, it probably sounds weird but it's incredible and you want to laugh and cry and all the things.

Sewing & Tool Kits

Is that a hammer in your pocket... So a sewing kit or screwdriver may not be the most glamorous but trust, everyone needs them and chances are, particularly for those going from high school to college, your grad doesn't have these. It may also be very likely that your grad doesn't know how to sew or hammer, but with that new degree, surely she can figure it out :) Even if not put to use right away, these are gifts that will be with your grad for years and she will be thankful to have them when that mini IKEA wrench decides it just can't anymore.

Work Bag

My guy friends rock everything from messenger bags to fancy backpacks to ironic, hipster briefcases for work. I have no idea how to decide when it comes to a guy but for the ladies, I have been gifted both of my work bags and they have proved to be fabulous gifts. I can only speak for myself but I like a dark colored, leather or non-cheap looking material bag with oodles of pockets for my things. While it might sound silly, my MZ Wallace Diaper Bag is still my go-to. I look nothing like a Mommy and instead have a spot for everything and then some. 

My mom was so mad that I wore Sky-His. All I know is that I needed height for the gown and I was not going to be the girl who fell during graduation - *cue Lizzie McGuire.* 

Jewelry Case

So you didn't splurge for the pearls, that's ok, leave that to Grandma, or maybe that's just my family. Either way, your grad needs somewhere to store the goods. Like with dob kits and luggage tags, jewelry cases (or boxes, rolls, whatever) are something we need but never think to get for ourselves. Here I also go leather and monogrammed/gift certificate for the monogramming. 

What are your go-to graduation gifts? What's the best grad gift you ever got?