
Gift Ideas for Grad
School's done, the cap-and-gown ceremony is over, and it’s time to party! Graduation is one of the first of many lifetime achievements, and it deserves a major celebration with a major gift. Whether you’re looking for practical-but-stylish gifts for your favorite graduate or some comforting “love-from-home" fare, here are some great ideas for grad-gifting.
Dorm Basics
One of the most exciting things about graduating from high school is getting to outfit that new dorm room or apartment at college. Help decorate your grad's new space –
and keep clutter at bay – with some basics! Gift large storage boxes for under-the-bed storage – perfect for small spaces like dorm rooms – or storage baskets that will keep a room looking neat and stylish. Put together a back-to-school study gift set complete with paper organizers, binders, clipboards, pens, pencils and highlighters…everything your grad needs to excel in his or her new classes.
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Kitchen Fixin's
Stocking a brand new kitchen can get expensive, especially for students living on a budget. Pick up basic pots and pans, kettles, toasters, cutlery, dishes and other kitchen essentials for a kitchen care package. You can also get food storage containers for on-the-go meals and leftovers. Remember cooking staples like olive oil, salt, pepper, salad dressing, ketchup and mustard – practical essentials that’ll cut down on the cost of that first away-from-home grocery shopping trip.
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Study Snacks
Serious studying requires serious snacking, and gifting a customized “snack pack” helps ensure that your grad is eating right at school. Shop for their favorite comfort foods, like flavored instant oatmeal, plus healthy on-the-go snacks like granola bars, whole-grain cookies and almonds. Popcorn, instant rice and canned pasta also make for good study snacks that only require a microwave to prepare. Add a personal touch by sending them off with cookies, breads and other favorite fresh homemade treats!
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School Chic
Dorms and first apartments are typically short on space and furnished on a small budget, so gifting basic decor staples can easily take a space from “standard” to “stylish.” Give your grad a pair of throw pillows in an eye-catching hue like teal, pink or chartreuse to add a pop of color to an all-beige room. Add in a soft textured throw or blanket for cozy studying. Look for plants that grow under low-light conditions and require very little maintenance. As a bonus, they’ll naturally freshen stale dorm air! A reed diffuser in a fresh, airy scent like lemongrass, sandalwood or coconut will also add a sense of atmosphere to a dorm room or apartment – and won’t violate most dorms’ fire codes like candles do.