For any high school or college student who is about to graduate, it’s safe to assume they had an interesting senior year. They spent so many of their classes, extra curricular activities, and traditional milestones either virtual or masked up and spread apart. This is not the year to gift them a coffee mug with “Congrats, Grad!” splashed across the side. This year’s graduates deserve something a bit more creative, a nod to what they’re just been through.
Gift them an experience
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Do you know what students who are graduating haven’t had much of this year? Experiences outside of their home. I’m always a fan of an experience gift because these are the gifts that both take up no space and create happy memories. If your graduate is fully vaccinated (or is planning to be soon), this is the summer they’ll be able to do things again.
You could go big by splurging for them to take a weekend trip with friends—or keep it local with tickets to an amusement park, sporting event, outdoor concert, or other activity. They will appreciate having moments to look forward to again.
Give the gift of self care
If we learned anything throughout the pandemic, it’s that we need to take care of ourselves. These graduates are coming out of one of the most stressful years of their young lives, but there is also plenty of change ahead of them, whether that be heading off to college or starting their career. Now isn’t the time to ease off the self care—it’s the time to lean into it.
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If you know they struggle with anxiety, you might consider gifting them a weighted blanket. (As the recent recipient of such a gift, they are the most amazing things for someone who needs to relax.) I also think you can’t go wrong with things like a foot spa or back massager. If you want to combine the “experience” idea with the “self care” idea, get them a gift certificate for a professional massage or a particularly indulgent pedicure.
Give them a surprise video gift
If all your friends and family can’t yet gather in person for the big graduation party (and even if they can), nothing says “congratulations on surviving the 2020-21 school year” like a compilation of video messages from everyone who loves them.
I’ve personally used VidHug, which allows users to request, collect, and compile videos from friends and family to create a special, personalized montage of love and joy. (There are other similar services, too, like Tribute.co and VidDay.) Encourage loved ones to share funny memories or offer advice and support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Of course, when in doubt, you can never go wrong with a gift of money—they’re sure to appreciate that, pandemic or not.