Grads After Graduation: Some Gifts to Bolster Morale and Keep Them Moving Forward

A special note or care package can cheer a young graduate in the short term and give him or her memories that may last a lifetime.

Homemade treats give a well-needed taste of home, and even store-bought goodies will show graduates that you care for them. Biba Kayewich

Over the next month or so, millions of young Americans will dress in robes and mortarboards with tassels, march across a stage, and receive a diploma signifying graduation from high school or college. Many millions more—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends—will proudly applaud their accomplishments.

Retailers and online marketers have geared up for these special occasions by offering all sorts of commencement gifts for graduates, from engraved portfolios to laptops to gift cards. Sales of Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” spike every year at this time, while practical gifts such as luggage, fleece blankets, and kitchen appliances also remain popular.