Someone is approaching their graduation, and you're looking for meaningful yet not bank-breaking gifts to inspire them for the next phase of their life. If that person is even moderately adventurous, soul searching, and wanderlusty, you are in the right place.
The following ten suggestions are unisex and chosen for new grads to help them reflect inward, adventure onward, and just congratulate them for reaching this milestone in their life. Each gift is guaranteed to encourage, entertain, and inspire wanderlust.
Some of the links below are affiliate. They do not at all affect the price you pay for your item, but they do kick me a lil' sumsum for suggesting the items to you. By purchasing off of this post you're giving me an internet ‘thank you', and helping negate a tiny portion of the costs to keep this blog running! xo
1. A once in a lifetime adventure!
The most expensive gift on this list but also probably the most valuable, for a few reasons.
A trip abroad could be just what the doctor ordered for a recent college grad. They've spent years working to reach this accomplishment and can feel a bit overwhelmed by the world at this point. Not only is a trip abroad relaxing and congratulatory, but it gives them the perspective they need to guide them in the near future.
The getaways I've linked below offer a ton of amenities from a variety of different dates, to daily meals, and airfare inclusive—all at an unbelievable price. You and a few family members could split the price for this and truly give a gift that lasts a lifetime.
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A unique, multipurpose gift to help your recent grad find out more about their identity—something they're likely questioning a lot at the moment.
And once they get some clues to “who they are”, they can plan a trip to some of the global regions that they're “from”.Buy this, click here.
3. Sponsor their blog/website.
One of my favorite ideas. A blog or website is a great way for them to stay productive, hone their passions, and it's just fun!
It's also a great asset for job hunting, which they likely be doing a lot of at this point. They can host their resume, reference, and portfolio of work on their website. It goes a long way in an interview, I guarantee it.
You can pay to host their website with companies like Big Scoots for 1, 3 or even 5 years. You pay cheap costs to have a domain name like mine, www.packslight.com. Once you have a web host, I suggest your grad use WordPress to design and launch their site.
4. Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Suess
Maybe the most popular/cliche graduation gift, but a wonderful one none the less. And, it's very travel related! Oh, literally, the places you will go!
Make this a truly heartwarming gift by having each family member and friend write a personalized notes in the blank pages at the beginning and end of the book. It's much easier to keep a heartwarming card when it's a book (and they're definitely less likely to accidentally throw it away).
Assuming your grad has a passport (if they don't, that's the best gift! Help them order one for $135), a passport cover can be a wonderful gift. They can inspire your grad to put that passport to use, and also be very useful for protecting their information and not keeping their travel documents.
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Removable portable charger
RFID protectant to prevent information from being scanned and stolen
Folds for credit cards and cash, with zipper close
I am in LOVE with this, mine just arrived in the mail and I am beyond excited to use it.
It has 75 prompt cards such as “Ask the next person you meet where his/her favorite street is. Go there” and “Write down what you like about this city on a small piece of paper. Leave it where someone else will find it later”.
It's a challenge to be present, and get out of your comfort zone! It's great to use abroad, but it can also be a great way to explore your hometown. Half of the suggestions may be a little cheesy—so take it with a grain of salt—but it's a fun and inspiring gift nonetheless.
“47 travel illustrations for globetrotters and daydreamers” says enough about this meditative gift.
A gift to inspire and relax your recent grad. What clears your mind better than coloring in a stunning landscape of Lisbon, or a tropical scene in St. Lucia? Practically nothing.
I am in LOVE with this, seriously!!! First of all, it's hilarious—but it's really functional too.
Imagine: your new grad is at the beach and wants to get into the water. However, they don't want to leave their cellphone and just laying on their towel, and also doesn't want to leave GramGram alone there in the sun.
THIS IS THE SOLUTION. I've heard of “clean diaper”, fake water bottles, and fake hairbrush tricks to stash your items, but all of those items can be thrown away or easily lost.
I promise you no one is going to try to help them dispose of their stinky drawers, and no one will ever think to go through them. It's sort of a hilarious gag gift for them to open up, but it may also be the most ingenious invention of our generation.
[bctt tweet=”Gift Ideas for the Travel-Hungry College Grad! No. 8: Skid Marked Underwear Items Stasher. Gag gift, or genius invention? See here!” username=”packslight”]
9. Scratch Off World Map
Get them the gift of visual encouragement, and inspire them to get to scratchin'.
Also if they just graduated and are moving out of mom and dad's house, this is a great inspirational piece to fill up those new empty walls. It's a great way to kick off their new, independent life.
The gift of skipping long airport security lines and not taking off your shoes is truly one of the most magical gifts one can give.
This $85 gift is valid for 5 years, and if you travel at least once a year internationally I think it's worth it! Also, having TSA precheck is just another incentive for your college grad to put it to use and go somewhere amazing. I would definitely shed a tear if someone got this for me.
In crowded, 16-person hostel rooms, when you're in the middle seat of two crying babies on a 14-hour flight (don't ask me how), when you're trying to sleep and didn't realize your Airbnb was situated next door to a dubstep dance hall… you will realize why.
This is a great list! When I graduated my parents got me a beautify framed world map and pins to mark where I have traveled. Seeing the world so visually every day has inspired me to get more and more pins on it!
My college graduation trip from my parents was a three week trip to Hawaii with my then boyfriend (now husband) – they’d been planning on buying me a car, but thought I’d enjoy this more and sure enough, the memories from that trip have lasted way longer than a car would have. It’s a pricey gift, but it’s a great one! Also, I’ve never heard of number 8 but oh my goodness, I need someone in my life to buy those for!!! Great list!
Gabby is a multi-awardwinning creator. She is a full-time travel influencer, Gen Z travel marketing expert, and public speaker. You'll find her featured in the likes of Good Morning America, National Geographic, CNNTravel, Forbes, Travel+Leisure, and even the TEDx stage.
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7 comments
These are some great ideas, not just for graduations, but also for birthdays of people who love travelling.
This is a great list! When I graduated my parents got me a beautify framed world map and pins to mark where I have traveled. Seeing the world so visually every day has inspired me to get more and more pins on it!
My college graduation trip from my parents was a three week trip to Hawaii with my then boyfriend (now husband) – they’d been planning on buying me a car, but thought I’d enjoy this more and sure enough, the memories from that trip have lasted way longer than a car would have. It’s a pricey gift, but it’s a great one! Also, I’ve never heard of number 8 but oh my goodness, I need someone in my life to buy those for!!! Great list!
I wish my parents had gotten any of these when I graduated lol! They were not exactly and still aren’t with my wanderlusting nature.
I have already graduated but can someone get me these items? I really want either the gifted trip or the underwear. Definitely a toss up.
Great gifts idea, Im’m graduating next year, hope to the one of these gifts 🙂
Great ideas! That hidden underwear things is wild, LOL. But I love how most of these are out of the box and awesome!