Unlike some gift-giving occasions and holidays, like one’s birthday or Christmas, graduation gifts are relatively easy to figure out. You could go the traditional route by getting them flowers and taking them out for a great meal, and/or give them something on their wishlist to mark their achievement. You could also get them something useful that’ll help them out in the next stage of their life, whether they’re going to college or entering the “real world.”
Although figuring out what to get graduates is easier than say, that family member who is hard to shop for during the holidays, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come at a cost, which, let’s be honest, may be harder for people to afford these days with tariff price hikes. To help you save some money while gift shopping for your beloved grad, we selected several thoughtful and useful graduation gifts, all of which are all on sale.
Save up to 56% off on graduation gifts ranging from dorm-approved cooking tools to clever reads that’ll inspire positivity as they enter adulthood. We’re certain you’ll find the perfect gift in here for your new grad. But if there’s any chance you don’t, head on over to our Amazon storefront, where you’ll find even more gift options and on-sale products to choose from, including chic spring fashion, trendy beauty finds, kitchen must-haves and much more.
“Carpe Every Diem: The Best Graduation Advice from More Than 100 Commencement Speeches” by Robie Rogge: 41% Off
Full of wit and wisdom, this collection of quotes from more than 100 commencement speeches serves to motivate new grads as they blossom into the world. Nuggets of inspiration come from the likes of Oprah, Abby Wambach, Spike Lee, Jimmy Buffett, Barack Obama and many more famous names who have served up thought-provoking advice for young adults over the years.
Price: $8.29 (orig. $13.99) at Amazon
Mark & Graham Martinique Cooler Tote Bag: 56% off
This fun insulated tote features the iconic Martinique banana leaf print, à la the Beverly Hills Hotel. They can take this along on beach days, hikes with friends, tailgating summer concerts or gearing up for an epic road trip. It has enough room inside to keep snacks and drinks chilled for the group, plus two bottle pockets and a zippered compartment on the exterior. (You can even make it special with a fun monogram for just $15 more!)
Price: $64.99 (orig. $149) at Mark & Graham
Nespresso VertuoPlus Single-Serve Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine by Breville: 30% off
Whether they’ve become accustomed to grabbing cup after cup (after cup) from the dining hall, or they practically live at Starbucks, one of the best lessons a grad can learn is the value of making their own cup of coffee. And in this economy, learning this skill is a quick and easy first step to responsible budgeting! Fortunately, Nespresso’s fan-favorite coffee and espresso maker is a perfect fit for dorms and small apartments. This chic and clean-looking version — a Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collaboration — is a Target exclusive.
And if you’re feeling unsure about forking over $100+ for a gift, even with the discount, know that one of our writers has this coffee maker and loves it. The coffee from this coffee maker is so great that it single-handedly kicked our writer’s habit of getting coffee out, something she did upwards of twice a day. Read her review here.
To get even more savings on this purchase, activate our 2% cash back offer while shopping at Target, which you can redeem as a RetailMeNot member. Not an account holder? It’s free to join! Plus, if you make a purchase using one of our cash back offers this month, you’ll be entered to win a $1,000 Mastercard gift card as apart of our Loyalty Giveaway. This giveaway is going on every week of May, so start shopping today for a chance to win!
Price: $118.99 (orig. $169.99) at Target
Apple Watch Series 10 with GPS, 42mm case: 25% off
Fitness trackers are great for inspiring healthy habits, but they’re even better with all of the added functionality of an Apple Watch — like sending texts, taking calls, listening to music and receiving notifications straight from their iPhone. The display on the Series 10 is bigger than previous models, but it’s an overall thinner and lighter smartwatch that won’t hold them back, whether they’re running a marathon or just running errands.
Price: $299 (orig. $399) at Amazon
Cooluli Mini Fridge: 35% off
If your grad is obsessed with skincare, this portable mini fridge is the perfect addition for their bedroom, bathroom or dorm. With enough capacity for six cans of soda, it has plenty of room to keep all those serums and creams cool and invigorating — plus a little space for a midnight snack or two.
Price: $39.20 (orig. $59.99) at Amazon
Mark & Graham Vegan Leather Work Bag: 44% off
Super chic and professional, this vegan leather work bag is the perfect accessory for your grad’s entrance into the working world. It has a ton of space inside, with lots of interior pockets for organizing essentials and a padded laptop slot, too. The buttery soft faux leather is made from recycled materials and comes in a color that’ll match with any outfit. Plus, you can personalize it with their monogram for just $15.
Price: $109.99 (orig. $199) at Mark & Graham
Samsung – Galaxy Tab A9+, 128GB: 26% off
Everything can be done on a tablet these days, and they can be particularly useful for high school grads heading off to college. This 11-inch tablet is easy to carry around all day and is great for taking notes, researching, attending online classes — and, of course, unwinding with some Netflix and light gaming, too. Amp up the productivity (and overall comfort) by pairing it with this keyboard case, which also happens to be on sale right now.
Price: $199.99 (orig. $269.99) at Amazon
“The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter — And How to Make the Most of Them Now” by Meg Jay, PhD: 38% off
What it means to be a twenty-something has evolved quite a bit in recent decades. Some might only see these post-college years as a sort of extended adolescence, but author and clinical psychologist Meg Jay urges young adults to grab the reins on the most transformative time of their lives. She aims to guide new grads through the life-defining choices of their twenties — from both a scientific and an anecdotal approach — and provides helpful tools to make the most of the years ahead.
Price: $12.40 (orig. $19.99) at Amazon
Shark SmoothStyle Heated Comb & Blow Dryer Brush: 30% off
Mornings are about to look a lot different if your grad is going from an easy-breezy class schedule to an in-office job. This 2-in-1 styler will make it way easier to not only get ready for the day, but look polished in a flash too. The blow dryer brush mode volumizes and dries damp hair, while the heated comb smooths the look. Remote workers can even keep it next to their at-home desk setup for a quick refresh before Zoom meetings!
To get an even better deal on this gift, log into your RetailMeNot account so that you can earn 5% cash back on your purchase. This cash back offer from Ulta is valid from now until May 31.
Price: $69.99 (orig. $99.99) at Ulta
MäksēLife Quarterly Undated Goal-Setting + Weekly Planner: 51% off
Transitioning from school to the real world can be a shock, so give them a little nudge in the right direction with this goal-setting planner. It functions as a regular undated planner so they can keep track of important dates and obligations — but it’s also so much more.
Powered by psychology-based principles and lots of field testing, the planner is designed to help them set intentions and achieve their goals, whatever they may be. It includes a compass assessment to gain perspective on eight different areas of their life, which may give them enough clarity to set clear goals for the person they want to be. It also helps them map out weekly and monthly goals, so they can reflect on their progress and work to stay on track throughout the year.
Price: $16.99 (orig. $35) at Amazon
Mark & Graham Terminal 1 Carry-On Rolling Duffle Bag: 33% off
Whether they’re taking some time off to travel or entering a job that will involve lots of business trips, this sturdy rolling duffle will serve them well. Made from high-quality recycled nylon, it has a big main compartment plus a dedicated side compartment for shoes or dirty laundry. It can be carried by the two top handles, or they can pull out the telescoping handle to roll it around. You can even make it that much easier for them to spot their luggage on the baggage carousel by adding an eye-catching monogram for $15.
Price: $179.99 (orig. $299) at Mark & Graham
Our Place Always Pan 2.0: 20% off
This compact, nonstick cookware system is perfect for new college grads, especially if they’re moving into an apartment with a tiny kitchen. The 10.5-inch ceramic pan comes with a modular lid, beechwood spatula and stainless steel colander that nests perfectly inside, so they can saute, fry, boil, steam, strain and more with this one set. It’s compatible with all cooktops — including induction — and is oven-safe up to 450°F, so they can also bake and roast without needing other kitchen gear. Best of all, it comes in lots of gorgeous colors that won’t “ruin their aesthetic.”
Price: $100 (orig. $125) at Amazon
“Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear: 47% off
It’s easy to fall into unproductive habits when making the switch from rigid school days to a more freeform schedule — especially for young adults entering the workforce remotely or making their way in the gig economy. This #1 New York Times bestseller from James Clear, a foremost expert on habit formation, details practical strategies for forming good habits (and breaking bad ones). With over 20 million copies sold, it’s a proven system that has been raved about since the book was published in 2018 — and there’s no better time to jump into it than right after you’ve graduated.
Price: $14.20 (orig. $27) at Amazon
Amazon Kindle Scribe: 19% off
Whether they’re headed to college or out into the real world, an Amazon Kindle Scribe is the perfect gift for recent grads. Not only can they load up all of their books for studying or leisure and import PDFs and other docs, they can also jot down handwritten notes, annotate texts, highlight pages or even just doodle. The glare-free display provides a paper-like feel while writing, and the Scribe comes with built-in AI notebook tools for maximizing productivity.
To get some money back on this splurge-worthy purchase, you’ll want to be signed into your RetailMeNot account. That way, you can redeem Amazon’s 10% cash back offer, available only on the brand’s devices. It’s important to note that this savings opportunity is only available from now until May 14, so don’t delay, shop today!
Price: $324.99 (orig. $399.99) at Amazon
The post Celebrate Your New Grad With These 14 Great Gifts — All of Which Are On Sale Right Now appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
