• Cart
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Chronicles
    • The Lovely Archives
    • Family
    • Ina
    • Journals
    • Hurley House
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Cart
  • Hospitality
    • Cooking
    • Hosting
    • Household Management
    • Celebrate
    • Basics
  • Lovely Living
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Favorites
    • Hobbies
    • Parenting
    • Personal Care
    • Reflections
  • Recipes
    • Appetizer
    • Main Dish
    • Sides
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast
    • Beverage
  • Chronicles
    • The Lovely Archives
    • Family
    • Hurley House
    • Ina
    • Journals
  • Shop
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Closet
    • Cookbooks
    • Gifts
    • Home
    • Kitchen
    • Library
    • Needlepoint
    • Organization
    • Party
    • Table
  • Learn
  • Blog
  • About
  • Events
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

  • Hospitality
    • Hosting
    • Household Management
    • Cooking
    • Basics
    • Celebrate
  • Lovely Living
    • Fashion
    • Favorites
    • Hobbies
    • Parenting
    • Beauty
    • Personal Care
    • Reflections
  • Recipes
    • Appetizer
    • Main Dish
    • Sides
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast
    • Beverage
  • Events
  • Learn
  • Shop
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Closet
    • Cookbooks
    • Gifts
    • Home
    • Kitchen
    • Library
    • Needlepoint
    • Organization
    • Party
    • Table
  • About

Great Grad Gifts

April 26, 2023 · In: Gifting, Lovely Living

I wanted to title this post Rad Grad Gifts, but I chickened out at the last minute, worried it might sound a bit hokey. But you and I both know I can be pretty hokey…so I had to mention it. Moving on.

Today’s post is all about great grad gifts. Instead of coming up with these gifts out of my own head, I asked Annie and Jake (my oldest two children) to share with me their favorite, most useful, stand-out graduation gifts. Annie graduated in 2021, and Jake followed in 2022. They both had instant responses with strong feelings, and I collected them for today’s post.

Let’s begin with the girl gifts…

COLLEGE SCARF.
Depending on which college the graduate will be attending, Honey + Hank makes an adorable collection of college-specific bandana-style scarves. The cutest part is how the mascot image is made up of tiny tiles of the state where the college is located. So, for example, the pigs in the University of Arkansas scarf pictured above are made up of lots of tiny Arkansas tiles. For extra flair, the scarf can be customized with an embroidered name or slogan (Woo Pig!).

SCRIPTURE JOURNAL SET.
This set of scripture journals is a lovely gift to tuck away for any gift-giving opportunity. Each book in the set is a book of the Bible, and each page of scripture has a page for writing or drawing across from it. It comes in a beautiful array of ombre colors with gilded details on the cover.

TRAVEL LIGHTED MIRROR.
Dorm room lighting can be abysmal, and space is certainly tight. Enter the slim, rechargeable, lighted make-up mirror! This mirror makes easy work of putting your best face forward! Even after Freshman year, this mirror will come in handy for travel.

CLEAR STADIUM BAG
Obviously we are going to be attending a lot of games, and obviously we want to follow all the rules (that’s what college is about, right?), and obviously we want to look cute and stylish. Enter the Mark & Graham customizable stadium bag. Bonus points for a monogram!

TOWELS
Annie cared a lot about things like sheets and towels and pillows. Jake, not so much. I would argue that high-quality towels make a great graduation gift for girls. This can include bath towels and hand towels, but can also include towel wraps, terrycloth robes, and hair wrap turbans made from that fabric that helps dry hair quickly.

HYDROFLASK
Walking to class can make a girl thirsty, and it’s so important to stay hydrated. A new Hydroflask is the perfect accessory for ladies who learn.

CASH.
I know sometimes we think cash is an impersonal gift, but I would argue that graduation is the exception to that rule. Cash is an entirely appropriate graduation gift, and gives the graduate freedom to use that money in a number of different ways. Even after receiving lots of thoughtful, helpful graduation gifts, there were still small items Annie needed before move in, and her graduation cash came in handy. Ditto for Amazon and Target gift cards. Such an easy, useful gift.

PERSONALIZED BOAT TOTE.
I love these totes, and so do my children. They come in handy in so many situations, and wouldn’t it be fun to choose one in their college colors? Adding a clever monogram is a fun touch too.

ROLLING SUITCASE
I’m not sure how it happened, but when Annie graduated, we realized she had not a single piece of luggage. She had lots of duffles and totes, but she lacked a real piece of travel luggage. When you move away from home, it helps to have at least one good rolling bag to serve you well for the long haul. After move-in, Annie realized she could use her suitcase to store off-season shoes and other random items and then stash the case under her bed.

Now for the boy gifts…

CASH.
Without a doubt, Jake’s favorite gift was either cash or Amazon gift cards. He used the cash towards purchasing a new trombone (he is a music education major), and the Amazon gift cards were put to use purchasing dorm essentials. Never hesitate to give a graduate cash. Every dollar helps.

AIRPODS.
Jake received a pair of Airpods when he was in high school, but after heavy use, they had seen better days. Technology is such a vital tool for college students, and a new snazzy pair of Airpods were a welcome gift.

SCHOOL HOODIE.
Who doesn’t love to wear college swag? A thoughtful hoodie was right up his alley, and it made him feel like a “real” college kid even before he stepped foot on campus.

GIANT DUFFLE BAG.
Not only did this bag come in handy for packing up his clothes for move-in, it also will serve him in the long run for future travels. As I mentioned above for in the girl gifts, a quality piece of travel luggage is an ideal graduation gift.

LEATHER DOB KIT.
Something about this gift seemed to be a right of passage for Jake. A leather dob kit is a grown-up gift, and instead of throwing his toiletries into a random zip bag, he enjoys having a classy option that will be with him for the long haul. He brings this home with him when he visits, and it is ample enough to carry everything he needs.

LEATHER KEY TRAY.
In our house, the key bowl is a thing. It’s where we put our keys when we arrive home, and when it’s time to leave again, you know exactly where to find them. This leather key bowl was the final element Jake added to his dorm room, and when he set it on his desk he said, “Now it feels like home.” Not only does a key tray create a designated space for his keys, phone, and wallet, it looks good too.

COLLEGE TUMBLER.
The perfect accompaniment to a gift card or cash, a college tumbler is a fun way to celebrate the graduate’s next adventure.

CUSTOMIZED PENNANT.
An old-school pennant is a great way to add personalized flair to dorm walls. I love the idea of having a last name added or a favorite cheer (Woo-Pig!), or even a nickname. This is a unique and memorable gift for any graduate.

GIRL GRAD GIFTS

BOY GRAD GIFTS

By: Katherine Sasser · In: Gifting, Lovely Living

you’ll also love

Better Basics
What Has Hurley House Meant To You?
Homemade Vanilla Extract

Join the List

Stay up to date & receive the latest posts in your inbox.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Next Post >

The Secret To A Great Graduation Party

Primary Sidebar

Search

Featured Posts

Pantry Refresh

Hurley House Favorites

Amazon Finds, Volume 1

Latest on Instagram

katherinesasser

katherinesasser


Walking in heels is not for the faint of heart. W
Walking in heels is not for the faint of heart.  Wobbling ankles, pinched toes, and a hobbling gait tend to make us look less than elegant when we don our favorite pair.​​​​​​​​​
Today on the blog I am talking about how to walk in heels, as well as a strategy I use to make the process easier, a true marker of success, and an amazing product I have recently discovered that makes it as comfortable as possible.

If you are purchasing a wedding gift for someone,
If you are purchasing a wedding gift for someone, the best practice is to choose something from their registry.​​​​​​​​​
However, if you're looking for a little extra something to add, or if you've already selected an item from their registry and want to do more, tender wedding gifts are the way to go.

Tender wedding gifts are sentimental items infused with meaning and future rewards, and today on the blog I am sharing a few of my favorite ideas.

Looking for a no-big-deal way to instantly feel re
Looking for a no-big-deal way to instantly feel refreshed and ready for a new season? I’ve got three projects that you can tackle in an afternoon. Big results. Minimal effort.

If you are a bride or know someone who is, today's
If you are a bride or know someone who is, today's post on how to register is for you! ​​​​​​​​​
This post isn't a generic guide or a list of suggested items.  Instead, I am sharing my very strong opinions on how to approach registering so that you serve the needs of  your wedding guests while also filling your home with items you want.

When I find a brand I love, I tell everyone I know
When I find a brand I love, I tell everyone I know about it, and Summersalt is one of those brands. ​​​​​​​​​
I have owned the one-shoulder swimsuit and the striped maxi dress for over a year, and they are still performing well and exceeding my expectations.

And if you're looking for a body-positive brand that highlights the beauty of real people...check out their catalog.  It's inspiring.

Today on the blog, a cute lineup of a few of my Summersalt favorites!

Add this dish to your summer snack-meal rotations.
Add this dish to your summer snack-meal rotations.  Barely a recipe and more a list of ingredients in suggested proportions, Cucumber Feta Salsa is cold, crunchy, fresh, salty, and sharp while being a cinch to throw together.  It satisfies in a way that makes me want to add it to every menu.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The recipe (if we're calling it that) is on the blog!


Load More...



Follow on Instagram


Browse by Category

Hi, I'm Katherine

Hi, I'm Katherine
hello!

I share lifestyle content through the lens of hospitality. If you are interested in learning about the beauty that creating space can bring, you've come to the right place!

Read More

Connect

Recent Posts

How To Walk In Heels

Tender Wedding Gifts

Archives

Follow Along

@katherinesasser

Walking in heels is not for the faint of heart. W Walking in heels is not for the faint of heart.  Wobbling ankles, pinched toes, and a hobbling gait tend to make us look less than elegant when we don our favorite pair.​​​​​​​​​
Today on the blog I am talking about how to walk in heels, as well as a strategy I use to make the process easier, a true marker of success, and an amazing product I have recently discovered that makes it as comfortable as possible.
If you are purchasing a wedding gift for someone, If you are purchasing a wedding gift for someone, the best practice is to choose something from their registry.​​​​​​​​​
However, if you're looking for a little extra something to add, or if you've already selected an item from their registry and want to do more, tender wedding gifts are the way to go.

Tender wedding gifts are sentimental items infused with meaning and future rewards, and today on the blog I am sharing a few of my favorite ideas.
Looking for a no-big-deal way to instantly feel re Looking for a no-big-deal way to instantly feel refreshed and ready for a new season? I’ve got three projects that you can tackle in an afternoon. Big results. Minimal effort.
If you are a bride or know someone who is, today's If you are a bride or know someone who is, today's post on how to register is for you! ​​​​​​​​​
This post isn't a generic guide or a list of suggested items.  Instead, I am sharing my very strong opinions on how to approach registering so that you serve the needs of  your wedding guests while also filling your home with items you want.
When I find a brand I love, I tell everyone I know When I find a brand I love, I tell everyone I know about it, and Summersalt is one of those brands. ​​​​​​​​​
I have owned the one-shoulder swimsuit and the striped maxi dress for over a year, and they are still performing well and exceeding my expectations.

And if you're looking for a body-positive brand that highlights the beauty of real people...check out their catalog.  It's inspiring.

Today on the blog, a cute lineup of a few of my Summersalt favorites!
Add this dish to your summer snack-meal rotations. Add this dish to your summer snack-meal rotations.  Barely a recipe and more a list of ingredients in suggested proportions, Cucumber Feta Salsa is cold, crunchy, fresh, salty, and sharp while being a cinch to throw together.  It satisfies in a way that makes me want to add it to every menu.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The recipe (if we're calling it that) is on the blog!
Today I am sharing the books I have read lately... Today I am sharing the books I have read lately...and they span the genres from personal memoir, beach fiction, serious fiction, and non-fiction. ​​​​​​​​​
My favorite from this batch?  The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab.  Seriously amazing.
I recently hosted my staff for dinner in my home, I recently hosted my staff for dinner in my home, and my number one goal was to do as little cooking as possible so that I could be fully present.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Today on the blog I am sharing my (mostly) store-bought menu, and if you're hosting a crowd this season, I hope you can find some inspiration for your table!

Copyright © 2023 ·