11 Travel Graduation Gifts for the Wanderlusting Grad

by Gabby Beckford
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Congratulations, they did it!

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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Groupon Travel Packs Light

Buy this, click here.

2. DNA Ethnic Background Test

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.

Graduation Gift Amazon Shop AncestryDNA

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.

Gift Ideas for the Travel-Hungry College Grad! No. 3: Help them start up their website. Click To Tweet

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).

Graduation Gift Amazon Shop Dr Seuss Book

Buy this, click here.

5. Passport Cover

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.

[one_half]

  • Removable portable charger
  • RFID protectant to prevent information from being scanned and stolen
  • Folds for credit cards and cash, with zipper close
    Graduation Gift Amazon Shop Passport RFID Holder

Buy this, click here[/one_half]

[one_half_last]

  • Faux leather
  • RFID blocking ability
  • Flatter, less bulky
    Passport Holder Amazon Shop Graduation Gift

Buy this, click here.

[/one_half_last]

6. “Get Out of Your Comfort Zone” Travel Prompts

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.

Graduation Gifts Amazon Shop

Buy this, click here.

11 awesome gift ideas for the travel-hungry college graduate. Click To Tweet

7. Travel Between the Lines, Adult Coloring Book

“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. 

Travel Between The Lines Shop Amazon Book Graduation Gift

Buy this, click here.

8. Hidden Contents Gross Underwear Secret Stasher

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.

10/10, would recommend it.

[one_half]Amazon Hidden Underwear Gift[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Amazon Hidden Underwear Gift[/one_half_last]

Buy this, click here.

Gift Ideas for the Travel-Hungry College Grad! No. 8: Skid Marked Underwear Items Stasher. Gag gift, or genius invention? See here! Click To Tweet

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.

Travel Scratch Map Graduation Gift

Buy here, click here.

10. TSA PreCheck

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.

TSA PreCheck

Buy this, click here.

11. Noise Cancelling Headphones

Really any millennial travelers' ESSENTIAL item.

Why, you ask?

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.

Buy this, click here.


Any other travel gift ideas you would want as a new grad? Comment them below!

10 gift suggestions for a congratulate a soon-to-be college graduate who LOVES to travel! From $5 to $1000, these gifts are all meaningful and inspiring for new grads to see the world and look forward to their future!
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Gabby Beckford

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7 comments

Mirela Iepurela April 2, 2018 - 2:05 PM

These are some great ideas, not just for graduations, but also for birthdays of people who love travelling.

Reply
Brianna March 31, 2018 - 9:07 AM

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!

Reply
Kate March 30, 2018 - 9:18 PM

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!

Reply
Samantha March 30, 2018 - 9:02 PM

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.

Reply
Sami March 30, 2018 - 8:35 PM

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.

Reply
klaudia March 23, 2018 - 2:00 PM

Great gifts idea, Im’m graduating next year, hope to the one of these gifts 🙂

Reply
Karli Mullane March 23, 2018 - 12:22 AM

Great ideas! That hidden underwear things is wild, LOL. But I love how most of these are out of the box and awesome!

Reply

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