This post is all about college graduation gift basket ideas.
Sometimes it’s hard to decide on the perfect graduation gift, and that’s why putting together a gift basket is the perfect alternative! If you’re looking for the best college graduation gift basket ideas, here’s a list of unique gifts for any recent graduate.
What are the best items to put in a gift basket?
I LOVE putting together a good gift basket, because there are so many items you can put in a college graduation gift basket.
Here’s the easiest way to put together a GREAT graduation gift basket:
- Choose a “main” gift (this might be one thing that’s slightly more expensive or meaningful)
- Choose some “filler gifts” (think candy, snacks, affordable accessories like hair clips)
- Find a cute gift basket (bonus points if they can repurpose it as decor or storage!)
- Get some tissue paper or crinkle cut paper for the bottom of the basket (this makes it look more full and put-together!)
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The Defining Decade is a thoughtful gift to help any college student learn what's important to know in their 20s!
I always add a personalized toiletry bag to my lists of graduation gift ideas because toiletry bags are honestly so useful for anyone to have.
These jewelry organizers are the perfect gift for any girl! They give you a way to travel with your jewelry without risking it getting lost or mixed up with your other belongings.
This puffy heart necklace is such a cute piece to add to anyone's jewelry collection, which makes it one of the best graduation gifts!
A card holder is a must-have for any girl to keep track of all her most important cards. I love that this one has a wristlet!
My partner has this exact slim hold wallet and has had it for years, and it's still in great shape! This is a great item to add to a college graduation gift basket for guys.
This book by Tony Robbins teaches you a bunch of basics about finances! Recent college graduates need to know how to handle their money, especially if they'll be starting a new job soon. So, this is a great book to add to your gift basket.
You can never go wrong adding a sweet treat to a gift basket! These macaroons are a wonderful way to elevate your gift basket since they make it feel just a little more luxurious.
Having your own waffle maker means you can have a great, fresh brunch whenever you want. What young adults wouldn't want that?!
A journal is a great gift idea to add to any gift basket. It's a great gift for guys or girls! Plus, you can even write a heartfelt letter to stick inside the cover or use the first page to give this grad some encouragement.
If you want to add something a little more luxurious to your graduation gift box, try a travel cologne set! This set comes with perfume, body wash, and deodorant.
This travel perfume set is perfect for any girl you know graduating college. It comes with body oil, body cream, and a travel size perfume!
If the graduate you know is going on a graduation trip, a personalized passport cover is one of the best college graduation gifts you can get them! You can choose between 24 different colors and select which charms you want on it.
An initial necklace is the perfect way to commemorate a graduate's special day! It's something that they can keep all their lives to remind them of all the hard work they did.
All young adults need to have a good bluetooth speaker! This mini JBL speakers is one of the most popular ones on the market.
Who can say no to cozy slippers?! Cozy slippers are some of the best gifts for anyone, and these corduroy slippers are so soft and perfect for any guy.
These memory foam slippers look so comfy! These are one of the best college graduation gift basket ideas because they're affordable and easy to add to any gift basket.
If you want to give your gift basket somewhat of a "spa gift basket" theme, add some self-care items like this hand lotion.
These claw clips are GORGEOUS!! Any girl who likes wearing claw clips would really appreciate these.
Plus, I love putting claw clips in a college graduation gift basket because they're a great way to fill up empty space without spending too much money.
I LOVE these customized wine bottle labels! You can even upload a photo of the graduate and then put the label on their favorite bottle of wine.
This is one of those gifts that's both useful and sentimental.
Mugs are always the perfect addition to gift boxes. They add such a cozy feel!
Adding snacks to a gift basket is always a great idea. And, this snack pack comes with basically any snack you could possibly want!
Skinny scrunchies are such a helpful thing for girls to have on hand. You seriously can never have too many scrunchies.
If you're looking for a personal gift, you can add the graduate's name to this personalized flask!
Bath bombs are the perfect "filler" gift to fill empty space in your gift basket. They'll also make the gift basket feel more spa-like and luxurious!
Shower steamers are a great alternative to bath bombs! These shower steamers are lavender scented, which is so relaxing.
Can't go wrong with chocolate truffles for a celebration! Adding a box of chocolates to a gift basket will add a little sweetness to this significant milestone.
Nothing better than a cute and inspirational saying to help a recent grad decorate their first apartment or home post-grad!!
Get these graduation balloons, blow them up, and tie them to the gift basket if you want it to b a little extra celebratory. This is one of the best college graduation gift basket ideas to dress up your gift a little more!
You really can't go wrong with a comfy, soft throw blanket!! After all those late-night study sessions that got them through college, there's nothing better than having a cozy blanket to curl up with your favorite book or TV shows.
If the graduate you're shopping for is moving into their first post-grad apartment or home soon, a toolkit is a must-have! This small toolkit has all the essentials but it's still small enough to fit in a gift basket.
A candle is ALWAYS a great gift idea. This one is so cute and aesthetic, and you can choose between 3 different scents.
If this recent grad will be starting a new job soon, they NEED a good new coffee tumbler. It's always great to have a couple coffee tumblers on hand!
You can choose between 12+ different colors when you order this Simple Modern coffee tumbler.
Learning how to budget and manage your money after college is key! This budgeting planner is a great intro to budgeting that will guide a young adult through learning how to manage their money.
This custom book embosser is a great college graduation gift idea for any book-loving graduate! You can even customize it with their name.
A graduation year necklace is such a cute little memento for a graduate! You can add their graduation year, initial, and choose between gold or silver.
I've had a laptop sleeve from this company that I used all throughout college and it's seriously the BEST quality! Years later it's still in such good condition and I would recommend it to any college student or young professional.
A personalized phone case is another cute customized gift idea that would be easy to slide into a gift basket!
This crochet flower bouquet will make your gift basket feel even more homemade and personal.
The graduate can use this photo memory book to put together a scrapbook of all their favorite memories from college. Pair this with a handmade card and it's instantly such a sentimental college graduation gift basket!!
Other college graduation gift basket ideas:
If you have a little extra money to spend on this college graduation gift basket, another great option is to add a gift card! Recent grads would LOVE gift cards like:
- Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts
- Airbnb
- UberEats, DoorDash, Postmates
- Trader Joe’s or other local grocery store
- IKEA or Wayfair
- Amazon or Walmart
This post was all about college graduation gift basket ideas.
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