We’ve written an earlier post with twenty-five suggestions for gifts for your college grad.  We think that list is quite comprehensive and even a bit creative.  If you’re looking for ideas for graduation, don’t miss looking at that list.  However, there are always more ideas that float to the surface.  Here are a few more ideas to get you started.

As with our previous list of gift suggestions, as well as our annual holiday suggestions, we know how personal gifts should be.  These gift suggestions are intended to be starting points for your own thinking.  Some will be out of range for you financially and some will seem silly to you.  Take them for what they are and add the spin of how well you know the personality, needs, and interests of your graduate.

Have fun imagining and growing your own ideas.

1. A gift certificate or membership for cooking classes — If your graduate will be living on his own, it may be helpful for him to know how to do more than boil water.  Even if your student already has the basics down, now that he will be cooking regularly, he may enjoy being able to be creative in the kitchen.  Consider specialty classes such as Asian cooking, Italian cooking, vegetarian cooking.

2. A GPS — Your graduate may need to find her way to interviews or new job locations.  Perhaps she’ll have a job that involves travel and time on the road.  She’ll appreciate a GPS to help her find her way.

3. Apartment furnishings — Many college graduates will be moving back home — but many others may be setting up their own household for the first time.  Many of today’s young people are less interested in your hand-me-downs or the gleanings of your attic or basement.  Help your student get started by offering to purchase a large item such as a sofa, TV, dining table or bed.  Or give a gift certificate to somewhere like IKEA and let your student choose what he most needs.

4. Grown up luggage — Perhaps your student has already traveled extensively — maybe even studied abroad.  He may already have luggage, but it’s possible that his current luggage is looking worn or just too ”student.”  If your soon-to-be graduate may be travelling for business, it may be especially important that he have some luggage that looks polished and functions more professionally.

5. Apple TV — This is a small device that connects to your student’s TV and allows her to view content she currently watches or listens to on her computer — iTunes, Netflix, HuluPlus, sports, Youtube — on her TV.  With AirPlay, your student can play content from her iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch on her TV.

6. Books — Although your student is probably looking forward to a break from studying, the right books will still be welcome.  Consider something fun such as Dr. Seuss’s The Places You’ll Go or something more practical such as Life After College by Jenny Blake. (Find more book suggestions in our Amazon store.)

7. Four legged roommate — You’ll want to think carefully about this one, but if your student has always wanted a pet, and is willing to take on the responsibility, and will be living somewhere which allows pets, this may be just the thing.  Be sure to talk this over with your student first and think through all of the implications — unless you’re willing to adopt the pet if your student can’t keep it.

8. Something profession specific — Perhaps there is an item that is specific to the profession your student is entering which would mark the occasion.  A stethoscope for medical personnel, leather briefcase for a lawyer or business student, art supplies, hardhat, drafting table.

9. Investment portfolio — If you have an investment advisor you trust, or if you handle your own investments, put together a small portfolio to get your student started.  Or arrange an appointment for your student to meet with a financial advisor to get started planning a financial future.  Even if your student can’t add to the investments right away, she’ll feel as though she’s getting started.

10. Tickets — Buy your graduate season tickets to something she enjoys. Whether it is the symphony, sports team, or Broadway theater, your student may not be able to afford something such as this during her first years out of college.

We hope these suggestions, as well as the suggestions in our earlier gift post will serve to get your imagination started.  Once you begin thinking — sometimes outside-of-the-box — you’ll be surprised at how many ideas you have.

Note: Some links in our post are for affiliate products. If you use our links, College Parent Central receives a small percentage of your purchase price. This does not change the cost to you.  We think it’s only fair to let you know that.