Siblings’ relationships are interesting to say the least -- and many of them share a similar experience. From a young age, you start out disliking each other, spend 15 years constantly fighting, and then all of a sudden, once you become adults, you actually start to be friends! This isn’t every sibling experience, but many can relate to feeling this way. 

This is particularly why giving a gift to a sibling can be a difficult task. Maybe you don’t know them well enough to pick out an amazing gift -- you might select one, but still have that doubt in the back of your mind. 

Fortunately, the positive thing about graduation is that most students are in the same boat. Their undergraduate degrees are finished, which means it’s time to embark on a new journey -- adulthood. Even if they choose to continue their education, many will get jobs and work while earning their master’s degree or even doctorate degree. 

Graduating comes with a new set of responsibilities and priorities. So, while you might be tempted to get them a commemorative crew neck with ‘alumni’ written in bold letters across the front -- keep in mind your other options. This next chapter will require lots of practical clothes and equipment, like for example, cookware, if they will be moving into a new apartment. 

It’s important to find a middle ground between a commemorative gift and one with functionality that they can take into adulthood. We’ve put together a list of gifts for newly minted graduates that will be perfect for your brother -- and we can ensure he will actually use what you buy him!

• Toolkit 
• Office Backpack
• Watch 
• Business Card Holder
• Protective Computer Glasses
• Streaming Stick 
• Cooking Appliances 
• Cookbook 
• Book Every Young Adult Should Read 
• New Sheets 
• Dress Clothes or Gift Card 
• Wallet 

Toolkit 

Why is a toolkit the first on our list? No particular reason -- but this makes one of the best gifts for graduates who plan on hightailing it out of their parents house as quickly as possible. Moving into an apartment or house requires a range of new responsibilities, and one of them will be fixing issues as they arise. 

Need to remove a screw to access something underneath? A toolkit will help. Want to hang wall art? A hammer will sure come in handy. A toolkit usually has all of these components. 

This is one of those things that you wouldn’t think to buy until you need it. But we can promise that at some point they will need it, and they will be thankful to have it on hand when that day comes. 

Office Backpack

You might be asking yourself -- is it unprofessional to carry a backpack to work? The answer is no if it’s done properly. A briefcase or messenger bag can become bulky and annoying, especially if your brother is the type of person who wants to have his hands free. 

Many men opt for a backpack because of the ease of transportation and hands free capabilities. So, if he would like to carry a backpack to the office then ditch the high school, sports backpack and bring in one that is sleek, sophisticated, and professional. No more mesh compartments or athletic logo in bold letters across the front -- one that looks as put together as his future wardrobe.  

Watch 

A watch with rubber watch straps is a traditional graduation gift many people, not just siblings, opt to get the newly minted graduates. They are professional and functional -- not to mention they will help upgrade any work wardrobe to a higher level of class. 

If you’re stuck on what to get -- go with a watch because it serves dual purposes. It can be worn in the work setting, but also comes with their school logo. This provides functionality with commemorative flare -- they will love being able to wear a reflection of their alma mater. 

Business Card Holder 

This is a more specialized graduation gift that would best fit someone who is joining a new company -- and one that will have business cards to hand out to clients. 

You never know where you will meet a potential client, or under what circumstances -- so having a sleek and classy business card holder will serve its purpose when they need to hand over a card to someone in the middle of the subway station. 

Protective Computer Glasses

In today’s society, many jobs require the use of an office computer or laptop and even call for extra hours of work outside the office. On top of that, many functions of our world have become digitized, so there’s a good chance they are looking at a number of screens all day long. 

Prolonged exposure to blue light can cause certain health related issues like eye strain, blurred vision, headaches, and trouble sleeping at night. A pair of protective eyeglasses can help reduce exposure to blue light and its potential side effects. Even if they don’t wear prescription contacts or eyeglasses -- these can still be purchased with a non-prescription lens.   

Streaming Stick 

After a long day of working, studying, or whatever they plan to do after graduation -- everyone wants to come home and unwind. Cable bills are expensive and many Americans are now turning to streaming services over live TV. This could potentially save them a few hundred dollars each year -- and as a young adult, who wouldn’t want that? 

Sitting down with their streaming device allows them to relax, get in that much needed entertainment, and not have to worry about high cable bills.  

Cooking Appliances

We’ve made it to the cookware section part of this list! This is an essential graduation gift for your brother, sister, best friend, cousin, boyfriend, girlfriend, anyone who plans on cooking for themselves in their new apartment or house. 

Sure, eating out is great, but the cost accumulates quickly -- and at some point we’re sure they will turn to their own kitchen to start saving money. Cookware and appliances are the only way to prepare meals, unless they plan to eat frozen TV dinners on the regular. 

By ‘cookware,’ we’re really referring to a broad category of any and all cooking necessities and it’s up to you to determine the best one for their lifestyle. This can be a set of pots and pans, knife block, coffee maker, air fryer, Instantpot, slow cooker, grill, baking equipment. The possibilities with this gift are endless, but they will absolutely need some type of cooking accessories in the future. 

Cookbook 

And if your brother isn’t Gordon Ramsey then he’ll need a cookbook to prepare meals with his new equipment. Most young adults aren’t yet rockstars in the kitchen, and we all need a little help sometimes. 

Following a recipe is always a better option than adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that until disaster strikes. Trust the professionals, they know what they’re doing! 

The best thing about cookbooks is the broad range of options. You can find a cookbook for any type of cuisine in the world -- so, if they have a favorite then choose it. Or if you think they need an all encompassing book of basic recipes, that might be your winner. 

Book Every Young Adult Should Read 

Reading is fundamental -- so while we’re on the reading train, we think a self help book is a great gift for new graduates. The end of undergrad marks a crucial point in life -- it’s the closing of a chapter where they were only partially responsible for themselves and entering a new phase in life where adulthood brings an entirely new idea of responsibility and challenges. It’s very common for new graduates to feel lost and unsure of themselves in this new chapter. 

That is precisely why we suggest a self help book, or one that gives advice, or a memoir about someone who overcame significant obstacles as a young adult. These will all help guide them through the beginning of this chapter and hopefully make them feel more at ease. 

New Sheets 

This one speaks for itself -- if he’s moving into a new apartment then he’s most likely purchasing a new mattress. 

Dress Clothes or Gift Card 

Sure, every college student has a few go-to business casual outfits for award ceremonies and important events -- but these are overworn and time to be hung up for good. If they are already hired at a new job, they’ll need to dress the part, so wardrobe shopping is in store! 

If you want to pick up a few basic dress shirts or a jacket, then great -- they will definitely appreciate not having this extra expense. Otherwise, if you don’t feel comfortable shopping for him, a gift card to a professional store is perfectly adequate. 

Wallet

Lastly, we can assume he’s probably still using the beat up wallet from his high school days. As a new adult, it’s time to throw out the old and bring in the new. 

This commemorative wallet has the perfect balance of school spirit and sophistication. It’s functional, yet still reminds them of their alma mater and the memories that came with their undergraduate career. 

Your brother is sure to love any of the gifts on our list. They are perfect for new adults, yet commemorate their college experience.