Great Graduation Gifts for the Class of 2020

Great Graduation Gifts for the Class of 2020

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Great Graduation Gifts for the Quarantined Class of 2020

Thoughtful presents for high school and college grads upended by the pandemic

AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill The coronavirus outbreak has turned the world upside-down for the Class of 2020. Schools abruptly closed this spring for the remainder of the academic year, and there's uncertainty whether college campuses will reopen in the fall. Graduates entering the workforce face one of the bleakest job markets in generations. While 2020 grads will miss out on many of the traditional milestones, from crossing a stage to receive a diploma to donning gowns and tossing caps in the air, they don't need to miss out on great graduation gifts. Here are several ideas, drawn from gift-giving experts and veteran gift-givers, that run the gamut from practical to inspirational. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

Books

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ($19, amazon.com): For three decades, Stephen R. Covey's book has empowered and inspired readers to be successful in attaining their goals. An adaptation, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, might be right for a high school graduate. Siimon and Schuster College Survival Guide: Tips, Tricks & a Little Financial Aid ($13, hallmark.com): Not only does this book by Kara Goodier and Megan Langford provide real-world advice, it has plenty of fun pockets to stash cash, gift cards, stamps and more. “I have gifted this to my nieces and nephews and they have loved it. You can also give as much or little as you want,” says gifting expert .
How to Cook Everything ($33, barnesandnoble.com): If your grad will be living alone for the first time, either off-campus or in a first apartment, they will probably be cooking more out of necessity. This is one in a series of books by Mark Bittman that makes food and cooking accessible to even the greenest of kitchen novices. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > What Color Is Your Parachute? 2020 ($30, barnesandnoble.com): The latest edition of the Richard N. Bolles book is a classic for job seekers of all ages. Another book in the series, this one written by Carol Christen, is aimed at younger grads: What Color Is Your Parachute? For Teens.

Stuff for college

School-branded gear. Visit the virtual bookstore of your high school grad's soon-to-be college to surprise them with a little school spirit. Think supplies like pens, pencils and water bottles, as well as attire and accessories. “This idea is great for graduating seniors who had to cut visits short, shift to virtual visits or who will miss the orientations where they'd normally snag their swag,” says Shelley Hunter, gifting expert at . Toiletries. Fill an Ikea FRAKTA Storage Bag ($4.99, ikea.com) with toiletries and personal items that your favorite grad could use in their dorm. Include everything from hand sanitizer and detergent to a DIY mani/pedi kit. The sturdy, 20-gallon FRAKTA storage bag also doubles as a laundry bag. , favors the model with an adjustable calfskin band and black dial. Personalized Metal Graduation Tray (starting at $79, paper-anniverary.com): Trays can be engraved with a quote or college logo. “Super cute for a first apartment. Great place to store your phone, keys, etc., while holding a special memory,” says Kenney.
Tumi Tumi Alpha Bravo Backpack ($300, abt.com): This versatile backpack comes with plenty of pockets sized for laptops, tablets and other devices. The nylon fabric is durable, and the backpack is available in two colors: black or blue.

Tech gadgets

Fitbit Inc. Fitbit. The personalized fitness tracker is constantly coming up with new features and devices that should appeal to the active grad. Its Charge 4 ($150, fitbit.com) is the first tracker with built-in GPS and loaded with advanced sensors. Fitbit Premium, which provides personalized insights, wellness programs and workouts, is available for free for the first 90 days (then $10/month or $80/year). Headphones. A nice set of headphones is an indispensable accessory for today's youth. Depending on price and brand loyalty, Google ($179, store.google.com), Apple (starting at $159, apple.com) and Bose (starting at $250, bose.com) offer quality headphones your grad will surely appreciate. JBL Portable Speaker ($50, abt.com). This rechargeable speaker is available in different colors to suit everyone's needs. “It works great for an outdoor barbecue, indoor party or even to listen to music in your new cubicle (on low volume, of course),” says Prouty.

Subscription services

Headspace Destressing apps. Adulthood can be stressful. Mobile apps such as Headspace ($70/year or $13/month, headspace.com), Calm ($70/year, calm.com) and Insight Timer ($60/year, insighttimer.com) provide a variety of guided meditations and activities that promote mindfulness. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
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