Graduation is a wonderful time in a person’s life to start fresh and make the important choices to propel their life in the right direction. And although graduation in 2021 looks different than it did in the past, it’s only prepared this year’s grads for the unexpected twists and turns the real world is bound to throw at them. 

Post-grad plans are unique to each person, which is why each grad deserves a gift unique to their college experience to remind them of the amazing moments they had, while also preparing them for even more exciting moments to come in the future. 

Here are some of the most unique graduation gifts to inspire your grad as they take on the world. 

Grad, put your records on

Record players have made a comeback over the past couple years and we couldn’t be more excited. What used to be your dad’s old-fashioned way of listening to his favorite Rolling Stones’ album, is now a vintage and chic way to enjoy your favorite artists. 

You can personalize your gift by getting your grad records from their favorite artists or buying them a colorful and funky record player that’s both functional and fashionable.  Also, no matter what artist they listen to, there are vinyls out for almost any album you could be looking for, so it’s time to help them start their own record collection full of music they actually like. 

Some of the brands of records we recommend are: 

Victrola

Victrola Records offer some of the best options around. They have built-in stereo speakers as well as bluetooth capability so you can listen to your favorite records right on your bluetooth speakers or headphones. 

Crosley

Crosley has a wide variety of records to choose from and a wide range of colors! They have records that come in a suitcase-style shell for easy portability, an aux output, and headphone jack. 

 A reminder of their college city  

If your graduate is moving to a new city after graduation, these Engraved City Glasses from Uncommon Goods are a creative way to remind them of the city they spent the last 4 years making memories in. The glass etching is accurate enough for your grad to find the exact street they lived on with a little searching. 

If you’re buying a gift for someone who prefers wine, Uncommon Goods also offers Skyline Wine Glasses with various cityscapes etched into the glass. 

Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are a fun and exciting way to give your grad a gift that keeps on giving. Who doesn’t want to get presents every month? 

There are so many options to choose from when it comes to subscriptions, but here are just a couple we love. 

Ipsy

Ipsy is a cosmetic subscription service that lets the subscriber take a personalized quiz to give the Ipsy curators the perfect idea of what to include within your monthly box of fun and fresh cosmetics. 

Each box comes with 5-7 beauty product picks that are personalized for the subscriber. It’s a great way to try out beauty products you’ve always been curious about without the commitment of purchasing the full size at your local beauty store. You can receive everything from mascara and bronzer to face masks and nail polish.  

Finders Seekers

This is the subscription box made for the person who loves a good riddle. Every month Finders Seekers will send a package full of riddles and cryptic messages that need to be completed in order to solve the mystery.

It’s almost like bringing the escape room right to your front door. Try it out on your own or invite a group of friends over for a mystery-filled friday night. You can even win money if you channel your inner Sherlock Holmes and figure the puzzle out! 

The Sill 

The sill is a subscription service that delivers a starter plant to your front door every month so you can become the plant mom or dad you’ve always wanted to be. 

Cheese Board Essentials 

Cheese Boards are the hottest snack plate around. Formally known as Charcuterie Boards, there is just something that feels so fancy and fun about a plate covered in 15 different cheeses and meats. 

OCM offers personalized commemorative slate boards that are the perfect base for an instagram-worthy cheese board. They’re etched with various college logos and OCM carries just about every school you could think of. 

Read your way into the real world 

School can take the fun out of reading for some people, but once you enter the real-world the option of reading books as a hobby comes back into the mix with all the free time you have on your hands.

If you’re someone who runs the other way when you see a self-help book, give these options a chance. They aren’t preachy like other books in that genre and they offer extremely helpful advice for anyone experiencing a transition like a post-grad. 

Untamed- Glennon Doyle 

In this incredible book about finding yourself, Glennon Doyle reaches out to women young and old urging them to lose the preconceived ideas of what women are told to be like in this world dominated by men. It’s especially helpful for people who feel that they’ve lost their way. Glennon finds a way to make life’s uncertainties make sense while motivating each reader to stay true to themselves no matter what stands in the way. 

You are a Badass - Jen Sincero

Jen Sincero takes her readers on a journey for greatness with her illuminating book about the ways in which people get in their own way of success and happiness. 

Each chapter focuses on some of the main reasons people have a problem reaching for the stars and offers ways to fix this self-sabotaging behavior and start reaping the rewards of thriving in your awesomeness. 

This no BS take on self-help makes Sincero’s book the perfect choice for people who hate self-help, but still need a little guidance here and there. 

A classy way to keep notes

Is your grad known for keeping a journal or just a fan of writing by hand? Upgrade their hobby with this Engraved Ultra Suede Notebook from OCM. The college engraved suede gives them a piece of their school to remember while working on their most inspired ideas. The chic and rustic look will make their writing feel so much more than a daily entry.

Writing daily in a journal is a great way to organize your thoughts and it’s good for your mental and physical health. So, your grad will thank you for increasing the quality of their journal and the quality of their life.

Decor that brings back memories 

It’s nice to have little things around your house to remind you of your college or hometown, especially when homesickness starts to kick in. If your grad is planning on making a big move once they graduate, giving them decor will help them christen their new place while bringing back old memories.

This Stainless Steel Cut Map is the perfect modern touch for a new apartment or home. The creator offers maps for most major cities, but if you’re looking for a city that isn’t available on their website, you can email them requesting a specialized piece. 

MasterClass Gift Card

A MasterClass gift card is the perfect gift for the graduate who wants to keep educating themselves past their college days.

Your grad may have spent the past 4 years learning, but with a skillful and wonderful world around them, there’s always more to discover.

For some students, the knowledge you take away from college just isn't enough. With MasterClass, it doesn't have to be. MasterClass, offers a wide range of classes based on various topics from cooking, to film making all taught by industry professionals, so your grad will be able to learn new skills from the best. 

Our current preferred MasterClass of the moment Apollonia Teaches Bread Making is inspired by everyone’s favorite quarantine activity. Apollonia will take you step by step through the bread-making process and give you tips and tricks along the way to help you become a master bread maker by the end of the course.POILÂN

Give their closet a glow up

Post-grad life for most people involves the need for an assortment of business casual clothes to choose from. Help your grad round out their work-wardrobe without the stress of shopping for themselves with StitchFix! 

After taking a personalized style quiz, StitchFix matches users with their own personal stylist to help them dress for success. Depending on the subscription chosen, users will get several pieces of clothing to try. They keep the pieces they like and send back the ones they don’t. It’s that simple. 

Warm up your post-grad’s adventures 

Graduation is a great time to see new places before you have to settle into a new career. 

Although the craziness of this year might make traveling difficult, socially distanced activities like camping and hiking can be just as fun as hanging out on a beach somewhere. 

The most essential item to any camping trip is of course the campfire. If you’re like us and building a fire isn’t really your thing, you’re in luck. This Portable Campfire from Uncommon Goods takes the difficulty out of making the perfect campfire. You’ll be roasting smores and making memories that last a lifetime. 

Congratulations to the class of 2021! We hope these unique options make the perfect gift to send your grad into the real world!