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The class of 2020 got seriously snubbed this year.
The outbreak of Covid-19 caused college campuses across the world to shut down and forced many students to quickly pack up and go home — prematurely ending their college careers and valuable time with friends they may never see again. Many had internships canceled, job offers rescinded and graduations virtualized. Not to mention the not-so-stellar job market they’re about graduate into.
And let’s not forget high school students, either, who missed out on unforgettable senior activities like prom, and now have to deal with the possibility that their first semesters of college will be online.
How do I know all of this? Well because I read the news, for one. But also because I am a 2020 graduate who was supposed to have walked across the stage to receive her diploma today. But while mine and many others’ plans didn’t unfold as predicted, most of us understand how important it is for us to stay home and comply with social distancing guidelines — even if it means sacrificing one of the most momentous occasions of our lives.
So what can you do to make this all suck a little less? Buy us something thoughtful and expensive, duh.
Below are some 2020 graduate-approved gifts for the graduate in your life — ranging from adulting essentials, decor for their apartments, and fun, nice shit they can’t afford themselves. Money and booze are also highly appreciated.
For Him
College Town Drinkware
This Etsy shop personalizes whiskey, wine and beer glasses with maps of college towns across the country, which makes for a useful but super sentimental keepsake. I recently bought a set for a friend and he said it was, and I quote, “The best gift I’ve ever received,” so there’s your 5-star review.
Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler
Yeti recently updated its classic Roadie 20 cooler with some sweet improvements. The cooler now holds 20 cans of beer, it’s 10 percent lighter and 30 percent better at keeping your cans of choice cold — and fits a bottle of wine, for when they’re feelin’ fancy.
Birkenstock Arizona
Not only are Birkenstocks on our list of appropriate shoes for wearing around the house, but they have also been proven to be a great pair of sandals outside the home. The contoured cork footbed conforms to the shape of the wearers for ultimate comfort and support.
Latitude Sunglasses
Hand cut from gold metal and black Acetate, and polished for 72 hours, these sunglasses from Osprey offer maximum UVA/UVB protection and a cool, retro look for the modern day.
Loveland Bar Cabinet
A neat, handsome Mid-Century Modern style, Walnut finished bar cabinet. It will keep his liquor organized and seamlessly fit with the rest of his decor. And his friends will be shocked he owns one.
Whiskey Set
We no longer chug Captain Morgan straight from the bottle — we chug it straight from Italian lead-free crystallized glasses like adults.
Dryden Ballistic Nylon Briefcase
Time to dump the Jansport backpack for a briefcase or a messenger bag or both! What’s great about this Filson briefcase is constructed from durable, repellent high-quality fabric and perfect for commuting, traveling and general everyday use.
Avora Natural Wood Paddle Tennis Set
Not only will this handsome, well-crafted, water-resistant paddle board set serve him for future beach days and park days, but it will currently make for a solid quarantine distraction. The set includes two sleek, ergonomic paddles, a custom-fit neoprene case for easy travels and two balls — one hard for intense play and one soft for a more “chill” game.
Greenflex Desert Boot
He needs a nice pair of boots, and these chukka style desert boots are handmade in Northern Italy and feature eco-friendly construction, 100% natural rubber soles for cloud-like comfort and are simply, sexy as hell.
The Carter
The Carter is a pretty advanced everyday carry knife. Featuring a slide-lock technology for secure, easy, one-handed use and a Japanese-made VG-10 stainless steel blade, the Carter is primed for your daily slicing needs.
Brooklinen E-Gift Card
Give the gift of clean, sleek, comfortable Brooklinen sheets because you know whatever he’s been sleeping on is gross as hell.
Complete Home Bar Set
A complete home bar set with stainless steel tools wrapped up in a gorgeous cherry wood box for easy keeping and successful entertaining.
Bellroy Note Sleeve Wallet
On the list of essential adulting items, a quality, good-looking wallet is like number two. This slim wallet from Bellroy is crafted with premium, eco-friendly leather and easily stores cash, coins and up to eleven cards.
Le Creuset Signature Le Creuset 7.25-QT Dutch Oven
Le Creuset’s classic Dutch oven is one of the best on the market. They’ll have this thing for ages and it’ll soften the blow when you inform them they have to figure out how to feed themselves for the rest of their life.
The Complete Clean Set
Harry’s complete clean set features all most important grooming essentials: shampoo & conditioner that leaves in essential oils, a body wash that keeps skin feeling smooth and a face wash because, yes, men need to wash their faces too.
For Her
Candice Earrings
Simple, elegant drop earrings with a quartz crystal suspended from a 18k gold plate hoop.
Isabella Sunglasses
Handmade in Italy, these exaggerated cat-eye frames give off a retro look with a modern twist and will be a pair she sports all summer long.
Fizz Glass Set
Listen, a cute set of glasses doesn’t have to break the bank, and this vintage-inspired set of wide cylindrical fizz glasses from Bormioli Rocco will have her cheap wine and champagne looking hella elegant. Plus you won’t have to get mad at her when she inevitably gets drunk and breaks one.
Ashton Mango Wood Mirror
Big-ass mirrors are all the rage right now. I have a big-ass mirror. My sister has a big-ass mirror. Every influencer I follow has a big-ass mirror. Get her a big-ass mirror with a nice natural mango wood frame. Seriously.
The Glove Mule in ReKnit
A mule that will have her feet saying thanks, bitch. Everlane’s Glove Mule is made from the brand’s breathable ReKnit fabric, and constructed for a hold her in fit for more all-day comfort and less slippery, sweaty feet.
Quincy Composite Agate Cheese Board
Everyone knows the first sign of adulthood is becoming obsessed with making drop-dead gorgeous charcuterie boards. One vital step in accomplishing a drop-dead gorgeous charcuterie board? Having a drop-dead gorgeous board, and this dazzling plate cut from pieces of natural agate is sure to help achieve that.
Shanklin Metal and Glass 2-Tier Bar Cart
A stylish, unique bar cart that easily rolls to accommodate the party’s setting.
Wood and Marble Bar Tool Set
An essential, and quite good-looking, wood and marble bar tool set that includes sleek, stainless steel tools for crafting tasty cocktails and opening bottles.
Cozette Genuine Shearling Slide
An insanely comfy pair of super cute UGG slippers crafted from plush shearling and UGGpure wool she’ll lounge around all quarantine in.
Winc Gift Card
Four bottles of delicious wine tailored to their taste and shipped right to their door every month? Sounds exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Makeup Set
This set includes three of Glossier’s best-selling makeup essentials: the beloved Boy Brow, a seamless gel-cream blush and a standard, everyday mascara.
Multi-Pocket Canvas Market Tote
The farmers’ market shopping game has been changed. With six pockets, this stylish canvas tote has a pocket for everything: a secure holder for wine, a sleeve for eggs, a belt for flowers and more. Grocery shopping sucks, this will make it slightly better.
Tarot Strength Necklace
We could all use a little extra strength right now. And without getting outright corny with a necklace that has a cursive “strength” on it, this dainty pendant serves as a unique, chic symbol.
The Sill
The Sill, an online shop for all things plants and pots, will deliver the perfect house plant right to their door. Lasts longer than flowers and doubles as a nice piece of decor.
Gucci Small Ophidia Flora Shoulder Bag
Because she worked her ass off and deserves some Gucci.
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself or for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.
