Experiences and Non-Physical Gifts

Can we stop pretending anyone wants three planners or another mug? Experiential gifts are everywhere now. Someone asks, “What did you get?” and I’ll just say “bread-baking course.” That’s normal now. Apparently, there’s data proving experiences stick with you longer than gadgets (Cornell researchers swear by it).

Workshops and Skill Building

Book someone a coding bootcamp or a self-defense class—those are way more meaningful than a fancy pen. Watched a friend trade a kitchen gadget for a cooking class, and now she makes her own dumplings. Takeout can’t compete. Learning by doing comes up in every gift survey; the 2024 Deloitte holiday report even says people want gifts that build skills, not dust.

And resume-building doesn’t have to be boring. Improv, Python, whatever—those skills actually help when job interviews start. The best coaches I know say to pick something practical and fun, not just another certificate. Credentials are fine, but real skills last.

Unique Celebration Ideas

Graduation parties used to mean sheet cake. Now? Someone sent me on a city-wide escape room challenge after I graduated. I didn’t solve half the clues, but the photos last longer than the diploma. Non-physical celebrations—culinary scavenger hunts, private museum tours, surprise hikes—stick with you.

I asked some of the people who run these events—small business owners, artists, event planners. They all say guests forget monogrammed blankets, but remember the weird moments. The stuff that makes you laugh or cringe lasts way longer than any speech. Half the time, people don’t believe you did goat yoga unless you show them the bruises. Experiences are the only gifts that keep going after the wrapping paper’s trashed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every time I blink, someone’s already asking about Venmo cash, personalized water bottles, or if a laptop sleeve is better than a spa voucher for “real world” prep. Honestly, if new grads want fiber-rich snacks or gadget subscriptions, maybe their first paycheck should be the gift. But whatever. Here goes.

What kind of practical graduation gifts are trending this year?

Why are monogrammed tote bags and noise-canceling headphones everywhere? I’ve seen three cousins get portable phone chargers at different parties. Tech gadgets, custom business card sets, digital planners—all of them show up, probably because people lose their real planners and need reminders to be adults.

Smart luggage tags, meal kit subscriptions, stainless steel tumblers (my dentist says sugar-free tea is “essential adult hydration,” but who’s giving up lattes?). People keep saying “it’s the thought that counts,” but mostly when the thought is a Target gift card.

How much money is considered appropriate to give as a graduation gift?

Did everyone just forget that twenty bucks used to buy something? Numbers are all over the place. The “average” is $25 for an acquaintance, up to $100 or $200 if you’re a generous aunt. A recent etiquette guide says the feeling matters more than the amount, but when one cousin gets a check and another gets an iPad, it’s chaos.

Don’t think inflation gets you off the hook. My neighbor claims $50 in a card is still fine for most, but she tracks every gift in a spreadsheet. Never trust a spreadsheet for gift guilt. Ever.

What are some innovative yet practical graduation gift ideas?

Why doesn’t anyone mention JOB BOARDS as a gift? Not kidding. Digital portfolios or online course subscriptions barely get a mention. Someone gave a fancy coffee maker with filter subscriptions—either genius or just a plea to fight post-grad burnout.

Personalized keepsakes like engraved pens? Some people care (mine disappeared before my first temp job ended). If you want something useful and a little fun, custom photo books of awkward graduation caps are a hit at family dinners.

How do you decide whether to give a traditional or practical graduation gift?

I always think it’s obvious—until someone expects pearls and you bring Apple AirTags. Grandparents go traditional: watches, “wisdom” books (that get regifted). Most grads just want stuff they’ll use now—bye, plaques; hi, digital subscriptions.

If you’re stuck, ask yourself what’ll get left behind during dorm move-out. My old Latin teacher gave me fountain pens. Lost all of them. The $10 MetroCard? Lasted weeks.

Are there any risks in giving a practical gift as opposed to a more sentimental one for graduation?

Got into a fight once because someone gave socks (“for interviews!”) instead of a scrapbook. Some people get offended if there’s no nostalgia. Forgetting the sentiment can backfire if the person wants tradition or personalization, even with all the hype around practical gifts from advice sites.

But too much practicality is bland. No one likes two identical backpacks, even if they’re waterproof. Sometimes “useful” just means “boring with a receipt.”

What are the benefits of giving a practical gift over a more luxury-oriented one for graduation?

Okay, so my chiropractor claims every chiropractor out there is obsessed with ergonomic desk chairs. Like, sure, but has any 22-year-old ever texted, “Please, I just want lumbar support for graduation”? I mean, maybe one. But let’s be real: nobody’s ever bragged about their mesh backrest at a party. Meanwhile, I’ve seen people actually use external hard drives and those weirdly satisfying multi-device charging docks, even after they’ve bounced through three apartments and four jobs. Luxury handbags? I swear they just end up shoved behind winter boots in a closet that’s already too small.

And, look, you hand someone a practical thing, you’re way less likely to get that awkward, “Uh…thanks?” face. I read somewhere—here, if you’re curious—that functional gifts keep people semi-organized, kinda empowered, and maybe even not totally broke after a month. Does that mean practicality is actually more fun in the long run? I doubt it, but hey, at least it doesn’t collect dust.