New Grad Gift Guide
Graduation season is upon us very soon, and many loved ones are in full celebration mode planning the perfect send-offs for their high school senior or college grad. With parties come delicious food, fun games, moments of reflection to honor academic achievements, and, of course, a gift or two! If you are scratching your head wondering what your new grad would want, or need, as they embark on their new journey – look no further! Our team of dietitians has put their brains together to create a list of wellness-related new grad gifts to spark some ideas!
Nutrition and Food-Related
Local Grocery Store Gift Cards
- One great way to support your new grad may be to send a grocery gift card their way! With increasing grocery costs and many high school grads, rising college freshman, or new college grads needing to be mindful of their finances, this gift is bound to meet a need! National chains like Walmart and Target are a safe bet or, alternatively, if you know where they will be living next, search the area to see which stores are close by!
- Perfect for: all high school or college grads
- Where to purchase: in-person at the grocery store
Portable Snacks and Pantry Essentials
- College students are constantly on the go, and backpack snacks are often a lifesaver when running to and from class. Show your new grad that you care by sending them a gift basket full of portable, shelf-stable snacks or even pantry essentials to store away in their dorm room for when hunger strikes! Some easy ideas:
- Single-serve trail mix packets
- Protein bars
- Dried fruit leather
- Individual nut butter packets
- Individual microwavable soups
- Microwave or air-popped popcorn
- Granola
- Oatmeal packets
- Tuna packets
- Perfect for: college-bound high school grads
- Where to purchase: your local grocery store
Reusable Water Bottle
- Hydration is key, and a reusable water bottle is a great way to encourage your new grad water throughout the day. There are many options on the shelves, but we have linked some of our team’s favorites at various price points below!
- Perfect for: all high school or college grads
- Where to purchase: Amazon, Target, Walmart, sporting goods stores
- Links:
- Under $20 – Luxfuel 32 oz Motivational Water Bottle with Time Marker
- $20-$30 – Iron Flask Sports Water Bottle 40 oz
- Up to $50 – Hydro Flask with Wide Mouth Straw Lid
Travel Coffee Thermos
- Eight AM comes early on a college campus or for a new grad on their way to work! Help your graduate save some money on coffee or tea and gift them a way to take their favorite warm beverage on the go with an insulated thermos. There are many options on the market, but we have linked a few favorites below for easy shopping!
- Perfect for: all high school or college grads
- Where to purchase: Amazon, Target, Walmart, sporting goods stores
- Link:
Microwavable Veggie Steamer
- Most dorm rooms are equipped with a mini fridge and microwave, allowing for simple meal prep. This microwavable veggie steamer is compact enough for small places and may encourage your new grad to include some fiber and micronutrient-rich veggies in their day.
- Perfect for: college-bound high school grads
- Where to purchase: Amazon
- Link:
Collapsible Dish Drying Rack
- With minimal space in many dorm rooms, this dish-drying rack is the perfect, practical gift that can be tucked away when not in use.
- Perfect for: college-bound high school grads
- Where to purchase: Amazon
- Link:
Glass Food Storage Containers
- A small set of food storage containers may come in handy to store fruit, leftovers, veggies, and snacks. The key to this gift is finding a set without too many pieces to accommodate small spaces. There are many options on the market, but we have linked one below for easy shopping!
- Perfect for: any high school or college grad
- Where to purchase: Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Bed Bath and Beyond
- Link:
All-in-One Cutting Board Set
- This compact kitchen gadget is the perfect set for a dorm room and contains a cutting board, colander, two knives, and multiple interchangeable grading blades to shred, slice, or mash produce.
- Perfect for: college-bound high school grads
- Where to purchase: Amazon
- Link:
General Health and Wellness
Portable Sound Machine
- Dorm rooms, apartment buildings, or shared houses can get quite noisy, potentially disrupting precious sleep. A small, portable sound machine can help block out loud neighbors and help your new grad get the rest they need.
- Perfect for: high school or college grads
- Where to purchase: Amazon, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond
- Link:
First Aid Kit
- Bumps, bruises, bug bites, and scrapes – prepare your new grad for any unexpected accidents with a portable first aid kit. Compact kits are perfect for keeping in the car or sliding into tight spaces in their dorm or apartment!
- Perfect for: high school or college grads
- Where to purchase: Amazon, Walmart, Target
- Link:
As with all gift-giving, we often don’t know what people already have on hand or how personal preferences will come into play. Remember to send a gift receipt for easy exchanges when purchasing online and shipping directly. It’s always helpful to send a note so the recipient knows who to thank for the kind gesture!