One of the most important days in a collegiette’s life is her graduation day. It’s the culmination of every paper, midterm, and problem set; it’s the depressing end of frat parties, college town bars, and being surrounded by your best friends.
There is really only one way to reward her for her hard work, while at the same time, easing the pain of going to the scariest place she can go: the real world.
If you’re at a loss for what perfect gift accomplishes this difficult goal, never fear – HC has got you covered. Whether you want to get her something sentimental, practical, or tech-y – we’ve got the gift for you (to give).
Tech-y Gifts
New laptop
After 4 years of all-nighters, drinking coffee and eating bagels in the library, and carrying her laptop around campus, it’s about time she got herself a new one. She’ll flip for an Intel-inspired Ultrabook. Starting at $599
Charging Cell Phone Case
When your collegiette is in the real world — getting work emails and making work calls on top of her snapchats, texts, and calling you — she’ll see how quickly her phone will die. Keep her safe, happy, and in contact with you by gifting her with a BoostCase. The case comes in a bright color, and when your phone is dying, you can snap on the matching BoostCase to nearly double your battery. $80
Tablet
Perfect for the newly commuting collegiette, this Samsung Galaxy Tablet is great for her to be able to read, watch shows/movies, and listen to music while she takes the train or bus. $500
Headphones
If your graduate is going to be traveling a lot or often needs to tune out the world, it’s a worthwhile investment to get her Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling headphones. $299
Alarm Clock
If getting that grad out of bed is a challenge, you must be worried about how she’ll survive waking up for her new job… Ease both of your fears by giving her this fun iLuv Vibro II Alarm Clock which gives you the option of waking up with music, buzzer and/or ‘shaker.’ She won’t oversleep with this on her nightstand. $80
TV
While your graduate is surely well-versed in watching TV without a TV at college, surely she will want a TV like this 32-inch one from Vizio in her new apartment! $250
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Sentimental Gifts
Scrapbook
Time to get crafty for your collegiette! Either secretly collect her photos, ticket stubs, etc. or ask her for them, and then make it all look beautiful by using a Graduation Scrapbook Kit that has everything you need to create an amazing book. $50
Personalized Wine
Toast your graduate – literally with a personalized bottle of wine. The bottles are personalized with your message and hand-painted, which creates a one-of-a-kind gift. $75
Quilt
Put all those tees she acquired in her 4 years to good use with a college quilt. She won’t have time post-grad to wear them as much, so this is a much better use for them! Starting at $129
Campus Photo
Capture her daily view on campus, by taking (or finding) a high-quality picture of her school and then printing it beautifully on a canvas. It’s a nice way to nod to her beloved school in her new home. Starting at $59
Frame
Capture one of her favorite college memories by printing (!) the photo (from Facebook, natch) and having it engraved with something meaningful. The silver frame is a classic that she can display for years to come! $22
Ornament
Holidays without a true holiday break – it’s going to be a bummer for your graduate, right? Give her something for her first Christmas tree (if she’ll have one) – a college ornament, like this one from Cornell University. $20
Necklace
Combine the personalization of a monogram and a favorite photo from college with this Engraved “Spinner” Photo Charm necklace from Planet Jill. The long necklace is the perfect combo of sentimental and trendy. $185
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Real-World Gifts
Business Card Holder
Send her off into the real world with a little flair with this Kate Spade new york business card holder. It will put a little sparkle in her workday. $20
Book of Advice
She learned a lot in college… but she also has many things she’ll learn in her first year in the real world. Give her a head start with What They Don’t Teach You in College: A Graduate’s Guide to Life on Your Own. Anyone who ever got frustrated with their new hire paperwork or first real lease will realize the value in getting tips on these post-grad struggles. $10
Cookbook
If your graduate can only microwave popcorn, consider forcing her to learn to cook with How to Cook Everything. It’s a win-win for everyone, as now when you visit her she can make you more than grilled cheese. $20
Luggage
She’ll look like a pro with brand new carry-on luggage for her first business trip or post-grad vacay with a carry-on bag like this one from LeSportsac. $250
Home Essentials
If your graduate is just days away from moving into her new apartment, surprise her by sending her a New Home Care Package which includes things like a first aid kit, a flashlight, cleaning products, and even a mini plant kit! $60
New Purse
Wanna splurge on your girl? Make her feel like a fancy professional with this Lauren Merkin tote bag. It’ll fit everything she needs for a day in her new home city. $425
The Trip of a Lifetime
Want to treat your graduate before she buckles down with her new job, apartment, and responsibilities that go along with it? Give her the gift of travel with a Contiki trip to anywhere in the world this summer. With tons of trip options to choose from, there is sure to be one she’ll love. Prices vary