10 Travel Gifts to Help Recent Grads Explore the Real World
From new luggage to national park passes, these gifts will help them graduate from student to globetrotter.
As the recent grad in your life begins their journey into the wider world, chances are, they will want to see as much of it as possible. Be it a cross-country road trip, a trans-Atlantic backpacking excursion, or a move to a different city to start their career, grads everywhere will be embarking on new adventures. Whatever the expedition, there are a few practical (but not boring) gifts that can help them on their journey. From the always-appreciated noise-canceling headphones to the less glamorous (but just as useful) gas station gift card, here are 10 travel gifts guaranteed to help your new degree holder be the best traveler they could be.
Let’s face it, traveling is expensive. And if you’re fresh out of school, chances are, you want to see the world but can’t afford to do so. Help a recent grad get out there by putting them on a plane to wherever excites them most.
No matter where life takes them, your recent grad is going to need a suitcase. This two-piece set from Monos comes with a carryon, a medium bag to check, and a lifetime warranty—so no matter what the future has in store for them, they will always have a bag to pack for the journey.
Whether they’re going from dorm to the open road or just being initiated into the joys of commuting, your recent grad could probably use a gas station gift card. It’s not glamorous, but, boy, will they be excited to not have to pay exorbitant gas prices as they drive as far away from their stressful student life as possible.
Just like frat row on a Friday night, the real world can be loud. Any grad can use a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones that will help them drown out crying babies on airplanes as well as every anxiety-inducing question about their five-year plan. These ones from Sony will do just that for up to 30 hours at a time on a single charge.
There’s nothing more frustrating than returning home after globetrotting and being faced with an hours-long customs line. Global Entry with PreCheck will prevent your recent grad from being faced with this real world annoyance. Pay for their membership and while you’re at it, you could drive them to the airport for their interview too.
As they enter the real world for the first time, get them something to help them document it. The Canon Rebel series are great starter cameras for those who want to show off the skills they picked up in that one college photography class.
After four years of being confined to libraries and classrooms, any grad could use some time in nature. With the America The Beautiful pass, former students can spend a year doing just that at any national park in the country.
The worn-out sneakers that protected them from spilled beer will no longer cut it as they embark into the real world. A pair of sensible—but still fashionable—shoes that will bring them from the commencement stage to the jetbridge are a must. Adidas Sambas are equal parts comfortable and stylish. They’re also a trendy favorite amongst college students everywhere, meaning your grad will walk away with something that reminds them of the best four years of their life.
If it wasn’t their mind during finals seasons, your grad has probably lost something important at some point in school. Get them a tool that’ll help them keep track of all of their belongings now that they no longer have an RA to aid in the search.
It’s time for your grad to trade all-nighters in the library for sleeping (or trying to, at least) on long-haul flights. A good, light-blocking sleep mask will make this swap just a bit easier. Unlike most flat eye masks, the MZOO Sleep Eye Mask has molded eye cups, which means no pressure on the eyes. The strap is also adjustable to fit even the biggest brains.