Graduation season is creeping up on us and that can mean only one thing: it's time to figure out what to give your favorite grad to welcome them to post-college reality.

Graduates are about to enter the often overwhelming (and sometimes terrifying) world we call adulthood, and you're tasked with giving them something to help ease the transition. Ultimately, your gift should stand as a token to reassure them that emerging from their safe, fun college cocoon isn't all that bad.

The trick to giving the perfect graduation gift is to find that sweet spot between something your college grad will really need in life and something they'll actually want to use. New graduates might not even know what they need to survive post-grad life — but that's where you can swoop in with practical gifts to help make their newfound adulthood easier.

Below, you'll find a selection of gifts that are both beneficial and fun for fresh college grads. These are the essentials young people need for the "real world" — plus some cool splurges they might not want to buy for themselves just yet. (After all, the student debt struggle is very real.)

Here are our picks:

A person using the HyperChiller to pour coffee.

Credit: HYPERCHILLER

HyperChiller (opens in a new tab)

Best for iced coffee lovers

The HyperChiller can chill any liquid, from coffee to wine, in under a minute. No need to go to Starbucks. To use, just pour water in the cup and freeze it. Once the HyperChiller is frozen, add any liquid, then wait 60 seconds. Your grad is gonna be so pumped when they realize they can have iced coffee whenever they want.

Buying Options

$24.99 from HYPERCHILLER

Person wearing Bose noise-canceling headphones.

Credit: BOSE

Bose noise-canceling headphones (opens in a new tab)

Best for when they need to focus

The Quiet Comfort 35 wireless headphones from Bose take full advantage of industry-leading noise-canceling technology to block out distractions. Whether your grad is on a plane or taking mass transit, they'll eliminate outside sound, or control precisely how much noise to let in.

Buying Options

$344.99 from Amazon

UNCOMMONGOODS tool kit on a white background.

Credit: UNCOMMONGOODS

Tool kit (opens in a new tab)

Best for minor home fixes

When you live on your own, you have to start figuring out how to fix things yourself. That's where YouTube comes in. But repairs, both minor and major, call for the right tools. The contents of this vegan leather case can help your grad mend everything from the zipper on their favorite pair of jeans to the broken leg on their Craigslist-purchased furniture.

Buying Options

$30 from Uncommon Goods

Instant print camera on a white background.

Credit: KODAK

Instant print camera (opens in a new tab)

Best for capturing memories

New grads are about to enter a time where they'll likely be making new friends and new memories. Help them capture those times with this camera from Kodak. It takes photos and prints them automatically onto inkless photo paper that doubles as a sticker. Unlike some other instant print cameras, this one is small and ultra portable, so your graduate can take it anywhere.

Buying Options

$79.99 from Amazon

Credit: AMAZON

Amazon gift card (opens in a new tab)

Best for broke grads

Gift cards might seem like a cop-out gift, but trust us when we say a new grad will greatly appreciate one to Amazon. They can use the gift card to treat themselves to something on their wishlist or to buy apartment necessities. You can choose how much money to put on the gift card, then then have it delivered electronically.

Buying Options

See Details

Illustration of two people holding an Amazon Prime package.

Credit: AMAZON

Amazon Prime membership (opens in a new tab)

Best for a gift that keeps on giving

Amazon Prime may be a step up from an Amazon gift card. With Prime, your grad can get free two-day shipping on over 100 million items. There's also access to thousands of movies and TV shows, free Kindle ebooks, unlimited photo storage and millions of songs. What better way to enter the "real world" than by having access to all that?

Buying Options

$139 from Amazon

Credit: IROBOT

A Roomba (opens in a new tab)

Best for delegating a chore

What if they just... didn't have to vacuum? With a Roomba, that dream can become a reality. The Roomba 694 is an especially impressive pick: It's self-charging, compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, and really good for pet hair. (If they just adopted their first pet, they'll be extra grateful.)

Buying Options

$274 from AMAZON

Oster electric wine opener on a white background.

Credit: OSTER

Electric wine opener (opens in a new tab)

Best for wine lovers

Help your grad celebrate their achievement in sophisticated style with Oster's electric wine opener. Designed to fit practically all wine bottles, removing the cork involves almost zero effort. There's a foil cutter to remove the wine seal, a wine bottle opener to penetrate the cork, and a straightforward switch to remove the cork from the bottle automatically. Cheers.

Buying Options

$29.99 from Amazon

Weights and a ClassPass membership card on a blue background.

Credit: CLASSPASS

ClassPass membership (opens in a new tab)

Best for active grads

Help your grad stay active by gifting them a subscription to ClassPass, an all-access membership to a global network of 8,500 fitness studios in more than 49 cities worldwide. ClassPass gives you access to strength training, kickboxing, yoga, and practically everything in between.

Buying Options

See Details

Sous vide precision cooker in a kitchen.

Credit: ANOVA CULINARY

Sous vide precision cooker (opens in a new tab)

Best for making cooking easy

This sous vide precision cooker will help grads make meals that come out moist, tender, and all the other gross words that describe delicious food. To use, attach the sous vide to a pot, fill the pot with water, drop food in a sealed bag, and start cooking. There are controls both on the device and within its mobile app.

Buying Options

$219.99 from Best Buy

Credit: NEST BEDDING

Luxury sheets (opens in a new tab)

Best for nesting

If your grad is moving out of the dorms, it's definitely time for a bed upgrade. A great place to start is with sheets. These Nest Bedding sheets are made from organic sateen, which will feel like a dream to sleep in. Bonus: The sheets are made responsibly and packaged with eco-friendly materials. Your grad will feel good hopping into bed and you can feel good about your purchase.

Buying Options

$124 from Nest Bedding

Person opening the BOTTLEKEEPER bottle insulator.

Credit: BOTTLEKEEPER

Bottle insulator (opens in a new tab)

Best for keeping drinks cold

College grads have likely spent the last four years consuming an ungodly amount of booze. Give them a classier way to keep their beer cold than a free koozie they got from their college bar. BottleKeeper is an insulated covering for standard 12-ounce bottles. It keeps beverages cold and sealed, and the lid has a built-in bottle opener.

Buying Options

$34.99 from BottleKeeper

Cover of the cookbook by Lisa Grant with the title, "Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners".

Credit: LISA GRANT

A cookbook for beginners (opens in a new tab)

Best for beginner chefs

After spending four years surviving on dining hall meals, cooking might be a bit of a challenge. Luckily, there are cookbooks like this one that provide simple recipes that involve just a few ingredients. Along with recipes, this book also includes pages dedicated to basic cooking skills and kitchen tips.

Buying Options

$15.99 from Barnes & Noble

Black and red jumper cables on a white background.

Credit: AMAZONBASICS

Jumper cables (opens in a new tab)

Best for those who drive

Don't let your grad get stranded with a dead car battery. There comes a time where every driver should have their own pair of jumper cables. (OK, that time is the moment you get a car.) But, if you know a grad who is still operating a vehicle without jumper cables, this is the perfect excuse to gift them some.

Buying Options

$30.06 from Amazon

Stitch Fix subscription and tools on a table.

Credit: STITCH FIX

Stitch Fix subscription (opens in a new tab)

Best for improving their wardrobe

Stitch Fix will pair your grad with a stylist to help pick wardrobe pieces based on their style, size, and budget. The clothes are delivered to their doorstep and they're able to purchase items they like or send back ones they don't. It's a great service for women and men, and you can get them started with a gift card at an amount of your choosing.

Buying Options

See Details

Set of four blue geometric print reusable sandwich bags

Credit: Nordic by Nature

Reusable sandwich bags (opens in a new tab)

Best for packing lunches (again)

No one tells you that part of being an adult is having to make your own lunch again. Give them a sustainable way to pack and carry their meals with these reusable snack bags. They come in a variety of colors to suit every taste and can be thrown into the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

Buying Options

$18.99 from Amazon

Three Apple laptops on a white background.

Credit: APPLE

A new laptop (opens in a new tab)

Best for becoming a professional

Laptops tend to degrade a bit after four years of use, so a college graduation is a great time to get a new one. Recent grads might be looking to upgrade their computer as they enter the workforce, so check with them to see what kind of model they might be looking for.

Buying Options

$999.99 from Apple

Set of red Farberware nonstick cookware on a white background.

Credit: FARBERWARE

Nonstick cookware set (opens in a new tab)

Best for a streamlined kitchen

If they've lived off-campus, new grads probably already have some cookware. But it doesn't hurt to get them a whole new set as they step into adulthood. This one from Farberware is 15 pieces including pots, pans, lids, a baking sheet, and kitchen utensils.

Buying Options

$79.99 from Amazon

Credit: JALL

Sunrise alarm clock (opens in a new tab)

Best for heavy sleepers

Their best friend is the “snooze” button and they can never press it enough times. To give your new grad a more peaceful start to their day, gift them this gentle alarm clock. It wakes them up slowly by mimicking the sunrise in their bedroom and seven different sounds of nature.

Buying Options

$39.98 from Amazon

Credit: VISA

Visa gift card (opens in a new tab)

Best for grads who ask for money

Cold, hard cash is what most new graduates want, even if they won't come right out and say it. Visa gift cards can be used in stores and online (unlike cash), and you can preload them with whatever amount you want. You can even customize the card or send one virtually, and the recipient can keep refilling the card if they want to.

Buying Options

See Details

Boombox custom keepsake box on a white background.

Credit: BOOMBOX

Boombox custom keepsake box (opens in a new tab)

Best for a sentimental gift

Sometimes sentimental, personalized gifts are the best. Boombox is a service that allows you to create a keepsake box for a recipient. There are different styles of boxes to choose from, and you can either invite collaborators or go it alone to write letters and upload photos. Everything you want to include is put together within the box and ready to be presented to the grad of the hour.

Buying Options

$130 from BOOMBOX

Credit: SHINE

Shine app (opens in a new tab)

Best for managing post-grad stress

Being thrown out into the real world can be scary and lonely. Shine is an app designed to help people learn how to treat themselves as a friend, boost confidence, and increase daily happiness. It does this through motivational messages, audio meditations, and daily check-ins. This gift will help your favorite graduate manage the stress of post-college life.

Buying Options

$64.99 from Shine

Person holding the Philips electric toothbrush over a sink.

Credit: PHILIPS

Electric toothbrush (opens in a new tab)

Best for keeping up hygiene

An electric toothbrush is a true sign of adulthood. The Philips Sonicare removes up to seven times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, but it's safe and gentle enough to use on sensitive areas, orthodontics, and dental work.

Buying Options

$69.99 from Amazon

Credit: GOLDBELLY

Goldbelly gift card (opens in a new tab)

Best for random food cravings

You don't have to be a local to enjoy local food anymore. Goldbelly allows us to order famous foods from around the United States and have them shipped anywhere nationwide. So if your friend is really craving Magnolia's bread pudding from New York or some Crave Cupcakes from Texas, send them their way with a giftcard. No matter where they are, they'll have the graduation snacks that they actually want.

Buying Options

See Details

Credit: DREAMFARM

Dreamfarm Clongs (opens in a new tab)

Best for the messy chef

Cooking dinner for yourself is a majorly important skill. Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget about the “cleaning up” aspect that happens once the meal has been made. Make messes a bit less stressful with these tongs that keep their tips off the countertop.

Buying Options

$24.95 from AMAZON

Credit: Conair

Clothes steamer (opens in a new tab)

Best for a good first impression

Showing up to an interview or work with wrinkled clothes is unprofessional and can lead to a bad first impression. This steamer will help grads get tough wrinkles out of their clothes, and it's more convenient than an iron — just run the steamer over clothes as they're hanging.

Buying Options

$24.99 from Amazon

Artificial ivy garland on a white background.

Credit: DEARHOUSE

Artificial ivy garland (opens in a new tab)

Best for the forgetful plant lover

When you’re fresh out of college, you have more important things to remember than watering your plants every week. But greenery adds a touch of charm to any space. Give them the best of both worlds with artificial plants that never need to be cared for.

Buying Options

$13.48 from Amazon

LEVOIT Air Purifier on a white background.

Credit: LEVOIT

LEVOIT Air Purifier (opens in a new tab)

Best if they have a messy roommate

They may be outgrowing college habits, but that doesn’t mean the people they live with have done the same. This air purifier is a godsend for those early adulthood apartments that just always seem to smell, no matter how often you clean them.

Buying Options

$99.92 from Amazon

NILLKIN laptop sleeve and stand on a white background.

Credit: NILLKIN

Laptop sleeve and stand (opens in a new tab)

Best for the future freelancer

If they’re entering a career that may require a lot of working in coffee shops or libraries, they’ll love this clever laptop carrying case. Not only does it protect their computer while they’re in transit, but it also doubles as a computer stand (with mousepad) for when they’re working long hours.

Buying Options

$34.99 from Amazon

NAYAHOSE wooden cooking utensil set on a dark counter top.

Credit: NAYAHOSE

Wooden cooking utensil set (opens in a new tab)

Best for their new kitchen

This set of wooden cooking utensils includes six pieces they’ll use every day, like a spatula and a slotted spoon. And all the pieces are designed to be durable, so they won't break while they're trying to scrape burned rice off the bottom of a pan.

Buying Options

$25.79 from Amazon

SPREAD PIXIE DUST wall mount shower phone holder on a white background.

Credit: SPREAD PIXIE DUST

Wall mount shower phone holder (opens in a new tab)

Best if they really love their phone

They won’t put their phone down. Not even for a shower. This shower wall mount means they won’t have to. Whether they like listening to music, watching videos, or answering texts while in the shower, this clever contraption keeps their phone safe. It even has a flexible touch screen and an anti-fog window.

Buying Options

$12.99 from Amazon

Person using the WAOWOO weighted balanket on a bed.

Credit: WAOWOO

Weighted blanket (opens in a new tab)

Best for stressful days

The early days of adulthood can be incredibly overwhelming. Which is likely why sales of weighted blankets have skyrocketed over the past few years. Weighted blankets help combat insomnia and can help them fall asleep and stay asleep. So your grad can put off their worries until tomorrow.

Buying Options

$54.99 from Amazon

Credit: Meg Jay

The Defining Decade (opens in a new tab)

Best for guidance

The idea of being a "twenty-something" has evolved so rapidly that it can be hard to focus on what truly matters in this pivotal post-grad period. Clinical psychologist Meg Jay seeks to guide young folks through life-defining choices and discoveries — from both a scientific and anecdotal approach — and provides the tools necessary to help them make the most of their transformative twenties.

Buying Options

$17.99 from Amazon

Credit: Samsonite

Convenient carry-on (opens in a new tab)

Best for travelers

They're probably more than ready to spread their wings and fly — whether that means moving to a new city for their dream job opportunity or taking some time to explore the world before they settle down. This convenient carry-on with a padded laptop compartment fits under most airline seats for quick boarding and deplaning, making it the perfect sidekick for business trips and weekend getaways alike.

Buying Options

$145 from Amazon

Credit: GRADUATIONMALL

Diploma and tassel frame (opens in a new tab)

Best for making a keepsake

They worked hard to earn that degree, so make sure they have a worthy place to display it for all to see. This cherry wood frame with gold detailing allows them to show off their diploma and tassel behind real glass. It’ll commemorate their achievement in a sophisticated and professional way, whether hung at home or in their future office.

Buying Options

$39.99 from Amazon

Colorful mindfulness cards on a white table

Credit: Rohan Gunatillake

A deck of mindful moments (opens in a new tab)

Best for daily gratitude

Becoming a full-fledged adult can be a bit overwhelming at times, so it's important for young people to keep themselves grounded. Whether it's a tough day at work or strained relationships, this deck of more than 50 prompts makes mindfulness and gratitude an accessible practice that'll help to empower them and encourage daily positivity and calm.

Buying Options

$16.95 from Amazon

Book cover reading "oh, the meetings you'll go to!"

Credit: Dr. Suits

A parody of the workplace (opens in a new tab)

Best for a laugh

While Dr. Seuss' classic "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" is a popular grad gift meant to inspire adventures ahead, this parody from Dr. Suits brings a healthy dose of realism. Through clever verse and Seuss-ian illustrations, they'll uncover the post-grad struggles that await them — but with an uplifting tone that'll leave them ready to tackle the workforce.

Buying Options

$22 from Amazon

Miller Kern

Assistant Reviews Editor

Miller Kern is the Assistant Reviews Editor at Mashable, where she's been covering products and shopping since 2019. If there's a hot new product or a trend going viral on TikTok, Miller's ready to put it through the wringer to see if it's worth the hype.