The 26 best graduation gifts to celebrate the class of 2025

Apple's AirTag is one of the best trackers you can get as an iPhone user. Simply connect it to your phone and use it to keep track of what matters — luggage, a purse, an expensive bike, your pet. You can also activate Lost Mode, which makes it play a loud sound. Grab one while it's on sale for its lowest price ever, and toss it in your suitcase the next time you travel.

"I've been using AirTags for about nine months now and I can't tell you how many times these have saved me from looking around the house for my keys or wallet," said one Amazon shopper. "For someone who forgets things a lot, these are a true game changer!"

"Got this after my wife lost her keys for several days. Wish we'd done this years ago," shared another. "She doesn't like to use apps, but still found this very easy to use. It was super easy to set up. Kicking myself for not buying one of these years ago."

"Our son is headed to Europe in a few weeks so we opted to get him this AirTag in case he runs into any issues with his luggage," added another fan. "Set up for the AirTag is really easy. I had this AirTag paired to my phone within a couple minutes. Turn on the Bluetooth on your phone, open the Find My app, and then give your AirTag a name. After that, it shows up in the "items" section of the Find My app... As hectic as travel can be, these AirTags offer a little peace of mind."

Candles set the vibe, but they're strictly off-limits in dorms and on-campus apartments. Enter this top-rated warming lamp, which slowly and evenly melts candle wax so they can bask in its aroma without any flames, soot or smoke. And if they're heading to their first apartment in the real world, this little lamp is still a good call since it has a built-in timer. "I bought this for my daughter's dorm room. It's pretty and isn't too large at the base for small desktop spaces," one happy parent raved.

When they need some encouragement, they can flip through the pages of this book for practical advice from some of the greats, including Maya Angelou and Jerry Seinfeld. Personalize their copy by writing an inspiring message on the inside cover.

Already added the candle warmer to your cart? Then you might as well pair it with this cleverly named candle made just for the occasion. Choose from four floral-forward scents (including rose and patchouli), or stick with an unscented version if they light candles purely for the vibes. 

What is it with kids and their water bottles? I'm not going to knock it because, well, hydration. Lean into the hype by picking up this newer Stanley release, which has a flip straw lid to prevent spills and leaks — yep, even if it's rolling around willy-nilly in their backpack. 

Your grad has a lot fun ahead of them, and this little doodad will help them relish in it all. Customize photos straight from a smartphone or iPad with a funky assortment of frames, stickers, text and emojis, then print 2" x 3" versions and stick 'em on binders, journals, water bottles, the list goes on. Just make sure they have enough photo paper to carry them through the first semester — 50 sheets should do the trick.

A little Birdie (get it?) told me that you're eyeing something that'll give both of you some peace of mind. If she ever feels uneasy while walking out and about, she can simply pull the top pin on this keychain to activate an ear-piercing alarm and flashing LED light. "My daughter just moved to a big city so I got her this," one parent penned. "It makes her feel safe when walking out to her car by herself and gives her security while jogging."

Take a walk down memory lane in the days leading up to her birthday. Jot down everything you'd want to tell her, then use the prompts in this book to guide your story. Each page has the perfect mix of humor and warmth — kind of like your gal, wouldn't ya say? 

Because graduation is a front-page worthy headline. Wrap up a bouquet — either picked from your garden or professionally arranged — in this personalized paper, complete with pictures of your grad and details about their next steps. Once you make your purchase, you'll get an editable Canva template, which can be printed at home or a local store.

Give her a timeless jewelry piece that's packed with heart. Plug in her former address — whether it's her childhood home or the apartment she lived in during her college years — and Brook & York will spit out the right coordinates, which will later be engraved on the gold-plated bar. "I purchased this bracelet for my daughter, who will be leaving for college in the fall. It has the coordinates of our house, so she will always know where home is," one parent wrote. 

Maybe they just left home for the first time. Or maybe they're already missing the place that formed their college years. Either way, turn a photo of the one that matters most into a hand-drawn print to remind them of yesteryear. Get this 10" x 12" print framed for an additional $36 or give it to them as-is.

College merch can be a bit tacky and overdone — sorry, but you know it's true. This shell trinket dish (which comes from the waters of Cape Cod) is arguably more elevated than what you'd find in the school bookstore. Let her school's logo take the spotlight, or add her name or graduation year for an additional $4.

A quality night's sleep makes all the difference — but it's nearly impossible to get when they have noisy neighbors and a night-owl roommate. NodPod is like a weighted blanket for the eyes, blocking out all the light and applying a gentle pressure that helps just about anyone catch those Zzzs. "This thing makes falling asleep more of a relaxing experience than it was to begin with, and absolutely perfect for napping purposes," one well-rested reviewer raved, adding that they "would rebuy 100 times over."

Lanyards are so ... last decade. These days, college students stick their ID and most-used cards on the back of their phone in one of these MagSafe-compatible wallets. Casely's style fits up to three cards (only the essentials!), has RFID-blocking technology and a nifty push-up notch for easy access. It comes in tons of eye-catching colors and patterns, from this powdery pink to a bevy of bows. 

Color-changing lights are an easy and affordable way to deck out even the smallest of apartments. Mount the lights (two 50-foot rolls) with the removable adhesive, then control them with the remote or via the app. "I got these for my dorm and recently transferred them to a new room. They stick and work just as great," one student wrote.

Tired of looking at the rat's nest of power cords and charging cables under someone's desk? Spare your retinas and help them streamline with this sleek Anker. It's Yahoo's best MagSafe charging station for good reason: "This thing is the whole power package, able to supply juice to up to eight (!) items at once," writes Broida. The star of the show is a MagSafe phone mount that'll keep their cell easily accessible.

Sometimes, they'll just want to tune out their roommates and watch their show in peace. Or study in the library without a single peep. Noise-cancelling headphones are a godsend: Broida has tested all the major players on the market and argues that "the Ultras were better at blocking noise than any other headphones." Sold? Thought so. 

Business trips are a new concept to them, so it's up to you to show them the ropes. Wrinkled suits and dresses are a major no-no, but luckily this duffel has a hanging compartment to keep their workwear in tip-top shape. They'll also be able to pack enough clothes for at least three days of travel, plus a pair of shoes in the designated pockets. 

She could always throw her lunch in a plastic bag and call it day, but I think we can all agree that this drawstring bag is way more professional. Plus, it has an insulated, water-resistant interior, which is key if she has long, potentially bumpy commutes ahead of her. The ditsy daisy design is a winner in my eyes, but you can always go for a more classic color if you think she'd want to steer clear of anything too cutesy. 

The dorm-size coffee maker could use an upgrade. This Nespresso model took the top spot in our list of best single-serve coffee makers, with Yahoo Home Lead Jessica Dodell-Feder gushing that it looks sleek on any countertop, requires minimal upkeep and delivers "tasty, high-quality cups of drip coffee and espresso" with the push of a button. Spring for the machine and frother combo, so they can make lattes and cappuccinos for a fraction of the price of the coffee shop. 

Clinical psychologist Meg Jay has spent her career guiding 20-somethings through the ups and downs of early adulthood, and she's compiled all of her biggest findings in this bestseller. Everything's rooted in science and personal experience, so your grad will be compelled to listen (since, ya know, they won't always hear you out). 

"As a 28-year-old, this book would have been even more helpful to me 5+ years ago, but alas, such is life. This has provided a lot of perspective for me on some of the mistakes I probably could have avoided with love and work, but it's also helped to pinpoint those mistakes, learn from them and use them as fuel to move forward in the best way possible," one reader raved.

A self-heating mug is the ultimate luxury, especially if they'll be spending their days running from one meeting to the next. Broida has tested a bunch and Ember is his all-time favorite because it's "arguably the best — at least for anyone seeking ultra-precise temperature controls and total automation." That's right, they can make their cup of coffee or tea in the morning, set their ideal drinking temperature and keep sipping on it all day (as long as it's on the charging coaster). 

Dress up a bottle of celebratory champagne with this burlap bag, featuring a short (but sweet) congratulatory message. Talk about simple but effective.

At first glance, you might miss the sweet and subtle nod to her chosen profession, but that's all part of this necklace's charm. A stethoscope disguised as a bow and gilded in gold? Now, that's the perfect graduation gift for nurses, physician assistants or just about anyone else working in the medical field. 

The world awaits — and this leather passport case will be the perfect companion for whatever lies ahead. It has three additional slots to store their ID, cards and cash, plus there's a spot for them to slide in an AirTag for easy tracking. And if they don't have a trip on the books just yet, maybe this will be the inspiration they need. 

Book of the Month is arguably the most unique way to give someone a new read (or in this case, six). Each month, they can choose from up to seven hardcovers and audiobooks, all handpicked by avid readers. I've been a subscriber on and off over the years and in that time, I've read titles from big names like Emily Henry and Kristin Hannah to newcomers like Bonnie Garmus.