Will the class of 2021 please stand up. Graduation is a time of reflection and celebration for securing that degree and moving onto the next big step in your life. Whether that’s taking a year off to travel or getting right into work, it’s an incredibly exciting time that each student is lucky to be a part of. 

Your graduation may look a little different this year with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic postponing most major in-person events like commencement ceremonies, but no matter if your graduation is carrying on as usual or happening via Zoom, graduating is a major accomplishment that should be celebrated properly. That means gifts! Every grad deserves a present that celebrates their success while also preparing them to take on the world that they’re about to enter in any way necessary. 

Maybe you feel like the first day of freshman orientation just happened yesterday or you’re ready to put the days of college behind you, either way this is your big step into the real world. Here are some of the best gifts a girl could want on her graduation day. 

Although our list of gifts ranges from fun to practical, you can be sure to find something your grad will love and actually use now that she’s living the post-grad life. 

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The gift of poppin’ bottles! 

Nothing says celebration like a little bit of liquid courage. You’ve spent several years studying and working towards this amazing accomplishment, you deserve a drink or two to celebrate your post-grad status! 

With most bars currently closed due to the pandemic, a special bottle of champagne or liquor is a great way to help your grad feel like they aren’t missing out on the celebration. All they need are a few friends. 

You can’t go wrong with the classic celebratory bottle of bubbly. But, if your grad is into harder choice of drink, any top shelf liquor will make them feel like an adult already. 

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A book about after college

Graduation is an exciting time in a woman’s life, but it can also feel slightly overwhelming with the endless possibilities.

 There’s a lot to learn about the real world once you leave the college bubble, a book that explains everything you need to know about post-grad life from the job search, to interview etiquette, to how to find a roommate in a new city is a great gift to take the anxiety out of making the big choices that come next. 

There are so many different books to choose from, but our favorite is Life After College by Jenny Blake because she doesn’t beat around the bush when talking about how hard it can be to adjust after leaving a place you’ve come to known for 4 years, while also providing helpful ways to make the transition easier. 

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A stylish work bag 

You can’t start your new big-girl job without a go to tote bag for all of your essentials. 

A spacious and stylish work tote is a must-have for post-grad women who are about to start their first real-world job. 

This is a gift she’ll continue to use for years, so make sure you choose one that has room for all the essentials like an umbrella, extra tampons, hand sanitizer, deodorant, a travel-sized brush, a phone charger, and whatever else you’ll need to feel prepared for a full day. 

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Commemorative License Plate Frame

Give the gift that will leave your grad with a piece of their school they’ll have with them wherever they go! A license plate frame from their beloved college will never go out of style and remind them of all of the good times they once had. 

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Subscription boxes

Leaving college can feel a bit sad at first for your favorite grad. They just went from 4 years of friends and fun, to a lull of uncertainty and continuous job interviews that’ll have them wishing they were starting freshman orientation all over again. Having anything to look forward to is helpful during this period of transition. 

Subscription boxes are a great way to break up your repetitive days and bring a little joy and excitement to your life each month. There are so many different kinds to choose from, but you can’t go wrong with any of these suggestions: 

Meal Subscription box

Now that your grad doesn’t have the convenience of a dining hall at their fingertips anymore, it’s time to start cooking for real. 

Meal subscription boxes like Blue Apron or Hellofresh are the perfect gift for the graduate that loves to cook, or one who has never touched a stove in her life. 

Each box comes with easy-to-follow directions and all of the ingredients you need to create an amazing meal in a short amount of time. They have portion options for the grad who wants to share with all of her friends or for a person who lives alone.

Scentbird

Help your grad find their new signature perfume through Scentbird’s subscription service. They’ll be able to take a personalized quiz that matches them with scents they love. 

For the Coffee Lover

Trade Coffee offers more than 400 types of coffee to rotate through within their subscription boxes so your grad will never get bored with the selection. Trade also has lifetime free shipping! 

Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s a cosmetic subscription box? 

Ipsy is a fun cosmetic based subscription box that will let your grad customize the types of products she’s interested in. There’s a quick quiz that let’s Ipsy’s curators pick out the perfect shades and products that your grad will love. 

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A 2021-2022 planner

You have no idea how important a planner is until life starts hitting you with multiple weekly meetings, doctors appointments, job interviews, and other obligations that you can’t afford to miss. 

The year after graduation is especially busy for those post-graduates who are starting a new job or knee deep in the job search. 

Don’t let your hectic schedule get the best of your graduate. A planner is a practical gift that will help them keep track of all of their responsibilities no matter how big or small. 

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Spa/massage gift card

Although college gets the reputation for being four years filled with fun, there is a lot more stress packed into the day to day schedule of a college student. Their days are filled with tests, papers, and so much studying that the library is basically a second home. 

Help your grad unwind with a massage or spa gift card so they can release 4 years of tension and prepare for the world ahead of them. 

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Gift card to a fitness studio near her

Is your graduate totally into fitness? Or maybe now that they have a steady schedule, they want to focus on getting in shape? 

There are countless fitness studios in every city that offer gift cards for possible new members. Best thing is most fitness studios also have new member deals that give you the first week free. 

If you aren’t sure what type of fitness studio would be the best fit, Classpass gift cards are available to and give users the option to try a variety of fitness studios in the area through the classpass app. 

She’ll be able to see if she loves spinning classes, HIIT, boxing, pilates, and so much more without the extra expenses of signing up for each class individually. We know post-grad’s are trying to save money wherever they can. 

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Business card case

For the graduate who already has a job lined up. Nothing is more thoughtful than a gift that supports their future endeavors, like a high-quality business card case. 

If they don’t already have business cards made up, you can fill the case with new ones or get them a gift card to Moo to design and buy their own. 

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Subscription to a magazine or newspaper

It sounds a little old fashioned, but just like the subscription boxes, it’s nice to have something to look forward to every month. Magazines are still full of amazing resources and information that every adult could afford to use. 

Some great post-grad approved options are The New Yorker, Rolling Stones, Vanity Fair, and TIME

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Blazer 

Every professional woman needs at least one blazer in her closet for work, interviews, career fairs, or any professional gathering. 

Take it from us, blazers are the professional woman’s fashion statement of choice. There are so many different styles and designs to choose from for your grad, but if you want to play it safe, you can never go wrong with a plain black fitted blazer. 

It turns an outfit from simple to chic and professional in a snap. Your grad will be thanking you after countless job interviews. 

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Cold hard cash

The class of 2021 is graduating in very uncertain times, so gifts are difficult to pick out when there’s a limited amount of activities you can do and places you can go. 

Giving your grad a check or plain cash is the easiest and best gift of all because they can spend it on something they really want or save it for the trip they’re planning on taking once travel restrictions are lifted. 

Either way, you can’t go wrong with money. 

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For the girl who is taking a year off after graduation  

Passport case

Taking some time away from college after graduation is a smart choice for those graduates who aren’t completely sure of what they want to do. It’s a great way to take a breather after 4 years of studying your butt off for that diploma. 

A personalized passport case is the perfect gift for your world traveler and all the amazing places she’ll visit in her travels. 

Camera

All that traveling means they’re going to have a lot of pictures. Make sure they aren’t blurry or bad quality by getting your grad a camera that will capture the true essence of the places she is bound to explore. 

New luggage 

Nothing says real-world like matching luggage. So, whether they’re planning on applying to the peace corps or just trying to see the world before they settle into a new career path, a matching luggage set can really inspire the need for travel and exploring.

So as you step into the “real world” and leave behind the days of frat parties and rushing to your Friday morning 8 AM recitation, remember fondly the moments that made college a once in a lifetime experience and take with you- wherever you may end up- the wisdom you’ve gathered along the way. Congratulations to the class of 2021!