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Cue the Vitamin C “Graduation” song—your friend is graduating! If your BFF is days away from earning their diploma or degree—shout-out to the class of 2022!—it calls for a celebration. After all, graduations are a milestone and it’s important to show your pals just how proud you are. Wondering how? With an absolutely awesome graduation gift, of course.
Keep reading for 30 graduation gifts for friends.
The Ray-Ban Stories shades are more than just sunglasses—they’re smart glasses. These glasses allow you to take photos and videos, share them to your IG or Facebook (Meta) Stories, listen to music and podcasts, and even send messages on Messenger. Now, that’s a special gift that says, “Well done, graduate!” Ray-Ban Stories, $299 at Ray-Ban
For the techie grad who’s always looking for new ways to stay connected, the Meta Portal Go is a meaningful present—especially if your grad is college-bound. Video calls are enabled through Messenger, WhatsApp, and Zoom and it even moonlights as a speaker system (compatible with Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio). Meta Portal Go, $199 at Facebook
Graduates now have a whole new world to explore, but you can also give them the gift of exploring virtual worlds, too, with the Oculus Quest 2 VR Headset. It’s an all-in-one wireless VR headset that connects the user to all kinds of games, opportunities, and places. Board the International Space Station, visit far-away places with Wander, and get your fitness on with apps like FitXR, Guided Tai Chi, or TRIPP. Oculus Quest 2 VR Headset, $299 at Best Buy
For a graduation gift that’s perfectly on-the-nose, this book from author Katherine Schwarzenegger offers plenty of real-world life advice that’s never more relevant than it is post-graduation day Just Graduated … Now What? Book, $10.99 at Amazon
Because your graduate will undoubtedly work hard and go far, this Dr. Seuss tumbler is just the thing to go with them. Dr. Seuss ‘Oh! The Places You’ll Go’ Stainless Steel Tumbler, $32.99 at Tervis
Related: The Best Father’s Day Gifts for New Dads
Customizable to the grad’s school colors or even their birthstone, the Solstice Ladies’ Class Ring from Kay Jewelers is a thoughtful gift that will stand the test of time. Solstice Ladies’ Class Ring, $279.99 at Kay Jewelers
Welcome them to a life of adulting with this hilarious mug that’s kinda-sorta a gag gift—but not really.
Nothing says “graduation party” like a gumball machine full of M&M’s with your graduate’s face on them. Personalizable M&M’S Class of 2022 Gift Jar in White Gift Tube, $29.99 at MMs.com
Feeling sentimental? Use Artifact Uprising to make a photo book out of your kid’s graduation pictures or better yet, upload photos ranging from when they were small until now. Hardcover Milestone Photo Book, $72 at Artifact Uprising
Whether they’re going off to college, staying home, or still figuring things out, any recent graduate could use a healthy dose of wisdom and guidance. For both, this stone set from PATET features fluorite, amethyst, and hematite crystals. Wisdom and Guidance Stone Set, $21 at PATET
Help your recent grad skip the ramen noodle phase by gifting them a year’s worth of cooking lessons. The kitchen skills they learn in this course will come in handy for years—if not decades—to come. YesChef: Cooking Classes from the World’s Greatest Chefs Annual All-Access Pass, $15/monthly at YesChef.Me
Focused, fearless, and favored! The F, Yes Candle Trio Set from Spoken Flames is the ultimate vibe check for new grads. And not just because of its scent or artwork—each candle is augmented reality-enabled meaning that it offers an audible spoken word poem or affirmation. It’s not a candle; it’s an experience! F, Yes Candle Trio Set, $98 at Spoken Flames
A photoshoot session—shot locally in a city near you—with Shoott is totally free. All you pay for is the photos you actually like and each pic can be as well-priced as $15 each. Shoott 30 Minute Photoshoot Session, $15 or less per photo at Shoott
The Crystal Pen from PATET—available in clear, amethyst, blush, grey, and opal is meant to declutter the mind and declare strong, creative energy when put to paper. Who wouldn’t want to take notes or sign important documents with a pen-like this?! Crystal Pen, $7 at PATET
No matter where they just graduated from, they’re about to have the summer of a lifetime. Make it easy AF for them to print out their favorite moments from Instagram or from their phone’s camera roll. KODAK Step Wireless Mobile Photo Mini Printer, $69.37 at Amazon
These stand-out preserved, black-and-gold roses will remind them of their biggest accomplishment to date until, well, another big accomplishment comes along. 1-Dozen Magnificent Roses Preserved Gold Kissed Black Roses, $175 from 1-800-Flowers
Sometimes a smartphone just doesn’t cut it when it comes to photography. (No offense, Apple and Android!) If you’ve got a curious art-maker on your hands or just someone who loves to snap pics, introduce them to film with the Leica D-Lux 7 Silver Camera. Leica D-Lux 7 Silver Camera, $1,395 at Leica Camera USA
Available in green, pink, silver, sky blue, or space gray, Apple AirPods Max are the perfect gift for the recent grad who loves listening to music or editing audio/video clips. Apple AirPods Max, $479 at Amazon
Designed for the yogi on the go, B Yoga’s The City Tote can be used for just about anything—including school, the gym, and the yoga studio. A minimalist carryall made of neoprene, it even comes with a detached and zippered sweat bag and features convenient magnetic top and slide closures. B Yoga The City Tote, $79.97 at Sport Chek
Who would ever say no to a sustainable haircare routine? The Better Bundle from TO112 is just the thing to get them more excited about their hygiene (and haircare). Featuring a bamboo hair wrap and natural wheat straw shampoo brush, using both post-shower results in shinier, healthier, frizz-free hair. Perfect for the dorm or at home! Better Bundle, $54 at TO112
For the plant-lover who’s just starting out, Bloomscape’s Easy Peasy Collection includes a trio of plants that’s almost impossible to kill. Easy Peasy Collection, $69 at Bloomscape
A comfy, cozy blanket is always a nice gift idea, but the Premium Woven Blanket from Big Blanket Co. is a must-have for long car rides, picnics in the park, or outdoor movie nights. Premium Woven Blanket, $180 at Big Blanket Co.
Go class of 2022! The Star Graduate Dipped Strawberries from 1-800-Flowers are a deliciously sweet way to show your pride for the newly graduated. Graduate Dipped Strawberries, $44.99 at 1-800-Flowers
Related: 53 Father’s Day Gifts Dads Will Actually Want
A full HD digital photo frame that’s freestanding and with a weighted base, the Carver Luxe Smart HD Frame displays all their favorite memories from the past four years so that as they go on… they remember… all the times… they had together. Carver Luxe Smart HD Frame, $179 at Aura
Graduation day feels like the perfect moment to upgrade your friend to their own mini-fridge—whether they’re heading to a dorm room or first apartment. Galanz Retro Mini Fridge with Dual Door True Freezer, $245.92 at Home Depot
E-bikes are one of the hottest gifts of the year and the RadRover 6 Plus from Rad Power Bikes has just about every amenity any rider could want. Plus, it’s totally customizable. It’s ideal for zipping around campus at lightning speed, so they’ll never be late to class! RadRover 6 Plus, $2,196 at Rad Power Bikes
If your recent HS graduate is an SUP enthusiast (that’s stand-up paddleboarding), then their recently-acquired diploma is good reason to get them their own board. Extra-wide for improved balance, the inflatable Pioneer 2.0 comes in coral, palm, seafoam, aqua, and peach colorways. Pioneer 2.0 Inflatable Paddle Board Package, $795 at Isle
For the graduate who prefers smaller, sleeker ‘Pods, the Apple AirPods Pro are it.
Real roses from Venus Et Fleur last up to a year but that gorgeous, earthy vase? It’ll last a lifetime. Terre Earth Vase, $689 at Venus Et Fleur
A Hydro Flask is always a good gift idea (IMHO). This standard mouth bottle size with a convenient flex cap is great for everyday water-drinking and to take to the gym, hiking, and more. Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Cap, $33.71
Next up, the best gifts for kindergarten graduates.
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