The 30 best graduation gifts of 2023

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Every year, a new class of graduates says goodbye to homework and hello to adulthood with a diploma in hand. Figuring out what's next can be an overwhelming task for many graduates, as so much of the future is unknown. That said, we've compiled plenty of great gifts that will help new grads with that whole "adulting" thing.

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To help new college grads commemorate this time and adjust to life after school, consider sending a gift they will actually use (now or in the future). Here are the 30 best gift ideas for graduates this year that will make the transition from plucky student to dutiful worker a little easier.

When you graduate from college and realize life no longer revolves around the school year, it might be time for a new watch to stay on task. The Apple Watch Series 7 is one of our favorite smartwatches, with a large, always-on display, tons of health and fitness features and quick-charging capabilities. It's a great gift, especially for a recent grad who's got a lot of new responsibilities to juggle.

A good pressure cooker is essential for new graduates who don't have hours to fix dinner on a daily basis. The Chef IQ Smart Pressure Cooker is our favorite pressure cooker for the money, even though it's one seriously flashy number. It's got a full-color LCD touch screen, a companion app with countless recipes and even a built-in scale for precision cooking when it comes to everything from sushi rice to chickpeas.

A laptop goes through a lot during the college years. With the amount of wear and tear put on a computer during college, it might be time for a new computer upon graduation. If you're looking to splurge on a graduation gift, help them out with a new laptop. Our experts suggest going with the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420 (2022) for its portability, power and dependability.

If they love their college memories, give them a gift that will help them cherish the good times as they head into the real world. These collages on Minted are perfect for grads moving into new apartments or even those still in their childhood bedrooms. Wall art is always appreciated, especially when it's customized with special memories. You can fill the collage with photos of the graduate over the years or add in a couple of pictures with friends.

It's no secret that students can get a little doughy right before walking down the aisle with their diplomas. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is great for any graduate looking to turn those extra pounds into muscle. They're easy to use, easier to store, and can be used in the comfort of a bedroom or home office which is why they're our favorite set of adjustable dumbbells.

When it comes to graduation gifts, jewelry is usually a pretty solid option. When it marks a momentous event such as college graduation, it's even better. Monica Rich Kosann is known for its elegant, timeless jewelry and this "Go Your Own Way" medallion, which represents independence and a bright future, is certainly no exception. The sterling silver medallion is available with or without a chain, and can be worn alone or layered with other charms.

When your grad isn't on the job hunt or putting in extra hours at their new job, they deserve to relax in front of a big, beautiful screen. The Hisense 55U8H QLED 4K Google Smart TV is our pick for the best value TV for the money because it packs plenty of features of a much pricier screen. It's got excellent color and contrast, a fantastic user-friendly UI and it's even great for hardcore gaming.

These cute tumblers can be customized with several different skin, hair and hood colors in addition to the graduates' name and quote options to choose from. The skinny size is convenient for taking on the road, and the stainless steel, double-wall insulated cups are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bottles and cups.

Air fryers inspire an almost cult-like devotion because they can make food golden brown and crispy with little to no added fat. The Gourmia Digital French Door Air Fryer is an excellent way to crisp up french fries, mozzarella sticks, and plenty of other snacks from the freezer, but it's large enough to do some serious cooking. It's ease of use, versatility, and attractive French doors make it one of our favorite air fryer toaster ovens.

Once someone graduates from college, their drinking habits might change from beer-chugging to wine-sipping. Noble Vines is a well-balanced, affordable line of California wines perfect for the sophisticated graduate interested in swirling, sniffing and sipping a variety of vino, from a full-bodied cabernet to a dry and bright rosé.

New responsibilities are difficult at full power, but near impossible if your grad doesn't get their 40 winks. The Renpho Eyeris 2 is more than just a simple face mask that helps promote sleep. It also applies heat while massaging the area around the eyes for an unfathomable level of stress relief. It's great for using right before bed, or as part of a fresh-from-work decompression session. For a limited time, you can save an additional $20 at checkout using a coupon.

For many, coffee is an essential part of getting through the day. To help the graduate in your life avoid picking up the costly habit of daily coffee shop trips, introduce them to a great coffee maker. At $340, the retro-looking Moccamaster is our top coffee maker and would be a fabulous investment they could use for years to come. If you're looking to spend less, the Nespresso VertuoPlus by Breville is our best single-serve pod coffee maker and also a fantastic purchase for someone in their 20s.

Home Chef is our favorite meal delivery service at Reviewed, and it would make a fantastic gift for the college graduate that could use some help adjusting to life after the dining hall. With Home Chef, they'll have to cook, but with easy instructions and high-quality ingredients shipped to their door, it makes the learning process simple. There's also an option to have low or no prep meals shipped if the graduate you're shopping for would prefer that.

Whether your grad is busy burning the midnight oil working or enjoying an extended weekend gaming session, they may occasionally forget to eat. The Snactiv Lite snacking tool can be used to pick up treats without full use of their digits, to keep snack dust off of mice, keyboards and gamepads. It's one of those "How did I ever live without this?" kind of gifts. This pack comes with four Snactiv Lites, so you can keep a couple for yourself.

While you might not be able to find a candle specific to their college or college town, you can likely find a candle close to it. Whether the candle is scented with the sweet smell of the state or city they spent four or more years in, a Homesick candle would make a great gift for anyone leaving their college state or city to start a new life.

Adult life is sadly an onslaught of paperwork. A good at-home printer like the HP Envy 6055e is great for any emergency documents that your grad may need to fill out, from resumes to 1040s and everything in between. It's also a great printer for a home office because it handles any and all basic print jobs quickly and easily, which is why it's one of our favorite printers on the market right now.

Simple but sweet, this adorable little box of candy is a perfect little something to send to someone who has just graduated from college. With a combo of gummies and chocolate, you get the best of both worlds. I am a huge fan of Sugarfina candy boxes and have gotten them as gifts for friends and family on multiple occasions.

If your graduate is looking to travel a bit before entering the workforce, it's a great time to update that old backpack and upgrade to an awesome, new suitcase. Away's Bigger Carry-On is a sleek, hard-shell suitcase that's big enough for a long trip but still compact enough to fit in most overhead compartments. It's also great to toss in a trunk for road trips, and comes in a variety of colors to suit anyone's style.

This gamepad is perfect for the graduate that will soon have to start repaying their student loans because it can work across many different systems and platforms. While the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is built with the Nintendo Switch and PC in mind, it's compatible with just about any console with built-in Bluetooth including Android, iOS, Steam Deck, and even Mac. Its attractive dock not only ensures they'll never run out of battery life, but it looks great perched on a desktop or gaming rig.

Apple's cult-favorite AirPods Pro are the best true wireless earbuds for iPhones our experts tested this year. If you’re shopping for a lover of all things Apple, they will adore a pair of these. For traveling, commuting, working out and even listening to podcasts while loading and unloading the dishwasher, AirPods are a gift that can be used during every busy and mundane moment of adulthood.

Made from solid wood and real glass, this diploma and tassel shadow box with a double mat is a beautiful way to show off that hard-earned diploma. The sturdy frame with three hangers can be displayed horizontally or vertically and makes a great addition to a new office or workspace.

If your grad has a hard time staying active, a good pair of running shoes may inspire them to get their steps in every day. The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 are among our favorite running shoes because they add a little bounce into every step. These snug and cozy shoes are available in women's and men's sizes.

Just because there's no more required reading after school ends, doesn't mean one should stop getting lost in a good book. The only issue is that books can get expensive, unless, of course, you have unlimited access to e-books. Kindle Unlimited gives you just that, and therefore, is a perfect graduation gift for bookworms. You don't even need an e-reader to access the books. Everything is available to read right on your smartphone.

While we recommend Kindle Unlimited for those who love reading, we still think physical books are excellent gifts—especially for college grads. After all, adjusting to life after college is hard, and there are plenty of books out there to help them acclimate to the real world. We recommend "The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter And How To Make The Most Of Them Now", "Becoming" by Michelle Obama, and "What Next?: Your Five-Year Plan for Life after College by Elana Lyn Gross."

The Our Place Home Cook Duo is an excellent cookware set for recent grads who have to share a kitchen with roommates. This set comes with the Always Pan and the Perfect Pot, which can accomplish all manner of tasks, from steaming to stir-frying, with a reliable non-stick surface that's as easy to cook on as it is to clean. They're even available in eight charming colors including Sage, Azul and Rosa.

A cast iron skillet is a kitchen staple for adults. If you're shopping for a former student who cooked their way through class, give them a cookware upgrade for their new adult life: a cast iron skillet. The best one we've tested at Reviewed is the Lodge Chef Collection Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet. It's affordable, lightweight, and will last them years to come.

We love Baked by Melissa cupcakes at Reviewed, and chances are, the graduate you're shopping for will too. If you're not sure what they'll like, cupcakes are something you really can't go wrong with. This "Congratulations" themed box holds 25 adorable mini cupcakes that are ready to be devoured.

If you're shopping for someone who is always carrying around a bag, consider getting a handbag as a gift. Not everyone loves handbags (Nora Ephron once wrote an essay titled "I Hate My Purse"), but if they have items they'll need to carry around out there in the world, chances are they will appreciate this luxurious adulthood staple. The Madewell tote bag is a great everyday bag, weekend bag, and work bag for when they start going into the office.

After years of school, finally, new graduates can relax. Because of this, a gift that helps them do so would be a huge hit. Weighted blankets can help you relax, and our favorite—the Gravity Blanket—is loved by people for this very reason. When we tested weighted blankets, the Gravity Blanket outdid the competition. Their marketing copy claims the blanket is like wearing a hug, and as a proud owner, I can confirm this is true.

Recent grads are likely to become someone else's assistants, so give them the gift of their own (digital) assistant slash smart display. Not only can they ask Alexa anything, but they can also view all the information they're looking for on the screen. Great for video calls, cooking along to recipes, and more, the Amazon Echo Show 10 would make a great gift and is our top pick.

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