Almost every day this spring, I’ve thought back to what I was doing a year ago, remembering those last few treasured—and terrifying—weeks of my college journey. I’ve traversed the memories of senior activities, dances, late-night life conversations with friends, and counting down assignments while marking off calendar squares to fight senioritis. I still recall all the cherished “lasts”: performances and papers, soaking in the sunshine after my final class ever, sipping my last chai latte with extra cinnamon dusting the foam. Then, suddenly, everything was over, and cap tosses, handshakes, and armloads of flowers ushered in that long-awaited “future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Last summer, my fellow Blessed is She writer Claire Couche shared a fun Instagram reel with graduation gift suggestions. Inspired by Claire’s insights, I soon had a list of my own based on some of the thoughtful gifts I received or ideas that struck me as purposeful for this milestone.
Graduation Gift Ideas
Perhaps, like me, gifting is not natural for you. It can be hard enough to find gift options for recurring occasions—birthdays and Christmas—let alone unique life events like graduations. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, for even a handwritten note or spiritual bouquet with a sweet message is meaningful! But gifts are a wonderful way to express love in a manner that recognizes the uniqueness of the individual person and a beautiful celebratory gesture for a graduate close to you. It goes without saying that a monetary present or gift card is always appreciated, but if you know a graduate (or many) this year and wish to celebrate them creatively and memorably, here’s a range of ideas!
(Nota bene: some of the suggestions below are for women, but be sure to check out the brief section specifically “for him” at the bottom!)
Presents for the Person of Letters
With my degree in the liberal arts, I’m a bibliophile who never has her fill of Jane Austen- and C.S. Lewis-themed gifts. Know someone like this? Try these suggestions!
- A fun item with a literary theme! Consider Pemberley scented candles, book-shaped vases, Shakespearean stickers, and the endless array of Lord of the Rings merch.
- A gift card to a bookstore is an incentive to snag some fun reads now that the whirl of assignments has flurried to a rest.
- Lovely paper goods keep written correspondence from lapsing into a lost art. I love Catholic Stationery’s religious note-sheets, but for greeting card designs see Just Love Prints or the BIS-writer-owned January Jane Shop. (A wax stamp kit makes an elegant, old-fashioned sign-off!)
Gift an Experience
. . . a.k.a. a reason to do something fun! Tickets to a pottery or cooking class, a seasonal pass to a local attraction, or . . .
- LEGO sets bring out one’s child-at-heart and offer a refreshing chance to decompress and play. They now make sets targeting adults, such as flowers and plants!
- Instant print film cameras! The “polaroid" has made a strong comeback recently; it’s fun for documenting travel and friendship memories or for a graduation party photo booth where guests can take and paste photos into a scrapbook for the graduate!
- Shopping for a tea or coffee aficionado? Make it warm and cozy with an electric kettle or milk frother for the study corner, paired with a mug.
Professional Presents
Are they the classy, snazzy, business-casual wearing type? The world awaits their talent and ambition. Give a gift that matches their style.
- Fine pens are a great pick—whether the keepsake luxury sort, a fountain pen, or just something aesthetically pleasing like the smooth-writing Pure In Heart pens in the Blessed is She shop!
- A diploma frame (a great group gift) allows the graduate to preserve, elevate, and display the piece of paper earned by so much work!
- A desktop book stand is excellent if their future will take them into scholarly work or anything that entails books and papers galore!
- Consider gifting the female graduate a planner that will set her up for a successful and organized new adventure.
Personalized Picks
Pope Saint John Paul II emphasized that “the human being is single, unique, and unrepeatable, someone thought of and chosen from eternity, someone called and identified by name (source).” A gift tailored specifically to the person brings home this beautiful truth!
- Delight them with their favorite flowers—a sweet picture prop on graduation day, too!
- A monogram makes it special, whether a journal, stationery set, or pair of hand towels are marked with this personalized touch.
- A gift pertaining to their patron or favorite Saint, or to their alma mater, also fits in this category!
Thinking Practically
Home or apartment items come in clutch if there is a move ahead. The list, beyond this, could honestly be endless . . .
- An umbrella, especially one sporting a classy design, comes in handy if they are headed for an area that gets substantial rain any time beyond August.
- Journals encourage prayer and processing through tough seasons. For prayer journals, BIS has you covered, from hard-bound journals that inspire to spiral journals that bring a pop of colorful joy. For something a bit more artsy and whimsical, I love the embossed designs of Flame Tree Notebooks.
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Provide a Catholic cupful of grace for those moments that require some power-through or a pick-me-up. Depending on the recipient’s preferred caffeine level, there’s Catholic Coffee or Sacred Heart Tea!
Gifts for the Adventure of Faith
With these Blessed is She items, the female graduate can stay grounded in her faith.
- With a beautiful rosary to keep in pocket, purse, or backpack, accessible for daily prayer, your graduate can keep her hand in the Blessed Mother’s every step of the way.
- A scriptural drinking tumbler serves as a reminder of who truly slakes our thirst along the way, while wall prints offer prayerful reminders amid the hills and valleys of life.
- She can wear her Catholic faith beautifully with Miraculous Medal earrings, gold cross studs, or a Crucifix necklace in gold or silver for a dainty, classy, faith-filled touch to any outfit.
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Faith-filled and free of dirt: these two important qualities now go hand-in-hand with Blessed is She’s new saintly soaps in three refreshing scents!
For Him
Specifically! (I won’t begin to list practical gifts for men; an entire category of their own––see more ideas in a related post here!)
Our own Blessed is She shop has a handful of excellent gift options for the gentleman graduate:
- Wall prints offer holy motivation from Saint Joseph, Saint Michael the Archangel, and the Holy Spirit.
- A travel mug that will inspire him to “Do Something Great!”
- Consecrate and elevate prayer, work, and leisure with a wall Crucifix in different wood options.
Are you looking for aftershave named after Aquinas’s Summa? Yes, it exists, courtesy of the family-owned small business, Glory+Shine. Their shaving soaps and balms feature refreshing scents. As for whether they are infused with some of the angelic doctor’s theological knowledge . . . maybe the gentlemen can let us know?
Congratulations, graduating class of 2025! What a wonderful time to joyfully move forward, in this Jubilee Year of Hope, toward new choice blessings from the Lord.
Leila Joy Castillo calls Florida home but left her heart in hill country long ago. An alumna of Ave Maria University, she freelances in Catholic communications and is a published writer, primarily on Blessed is She and Ascension. When not dabbling in the multitudinous Google docs of her articles, Leila delights in music, personalist philosophy, quality time with her younger siblings, and her literary trifecta: Austen, Lewis, and Dante. You can find her on Instagram @leila_joyinthejourney or follow her personal site here.
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