It’s officially Graduation season! Get your biggest smiles and loudest cheers ready as this year’s batch of graduates marches their way to unlock a new paths.

Celebrating a Life Changing Phase with Great Grad Gift

Indeed, graduation is undeniably the highlight of every student’s life cycle. From taking their first step into their dorm room, to meeting new friends and building relationships with them, to moving forward into a new chapter, graduating students long for this final stage in their student life.

It is a life changing phase in everyone’s academic life.

Like how a famous saying goes, “A college diploma (or any kind of diploma) is one of the best investments there is.” After years of hard work and perseverance, countless sleepless nights, and rims of marked papers, one of these days, the candidates for graduation can finally get to say- it’s over, and I made it!

Aside from the graduates’ success, those around them, their families, and friends are eager to share this special day by finding ways to make their achievements and accomplishments extra special.

Graduation Gift Ideas for Newly Grads

Whether for a high school graduation or for the college graduates, here are some great grad Gift ideas for that perfect gift you might want to consider.

Often, people get graduation gifts, write letters, and give flowers to graduates to congratulate them on stepping on another milestone. Regardless of if it is a preschool graduation, high school grad, or college graduation, getting new grads the best Graduation Gift – whether a practical present or something that suits their interests and passion — is an excellent way of raising a toast to their hard work and congratulatiing them on the next chapter of their lives.

Hence, this article lists some of the best graduation gift ideas for your new grad.

Graduation Traditions Through Time

Regarding graduation, two things come to mind: the cap and the gown. And although we have seen this as something that is just out of a custom that has existed ever since the beginning of time, everything that completes the puzzle of traditional graduation rites can be traced back in history.

From the wearing of the cap and gown up to the mere tossing of hats in the air after the ceremony, all these are a mashed-up of traditions that go back many years ago. 

Caps and Gowns: Fashion Turned Tradition

Did you know? The tradition of wearing the Academic Regalia during graduation rites, commonly known as today’s graduation gown, can be traced back to Europe. During the 12th century, scholars wore gowns to keep themselves warm in an unheated building, while hoods were used to cover tonsured heads, which were soon superseded by the skull cap and then, later on, evolved into a square-shaped cap. 

In the 19th century, American colleges and universities attempted to standardize the gown while emphasizing the sleeves. Upon publishing the Intercollegiate Code of Academic Costume, the code states that bachelor’s gowns should be designed with a long pointed sleeve, while long closed and rounded open sleeves are for master’s and doctorate degrees, respectively.

Soon, a tassel was added to the cap, which is used by American Universities to be moved from right to left to signify their path of becoming candidates to graduates after receiving their diploma. 

The Diploma: A Written Prize

For Students, having their diplomas handed to them is one of the best and most exciting parts of any graduation rites. However, did you know that diplomas are parchment certificates initially used in the middle ages to prove that religious officers are vested?

Since then, this practice has been carried out in the academe, wherein universities bestow certificates to students to signify proof of earning their degree.

The History of Graduation Diploma

Can you imagine a piece of paper bearing the weight of proving one’s collegiate standing? Well, diplomas didn’t  actually always have the prestigious look they have now. And there is a history behind it.

Diploma as a word in relation to  graduation originated as far back as the mid 17th century. The word’s etymology actually comes from Greek Latin where the word means “double folded paper.”

When used in the academe, the act of giving a diploma proves the completion of a course of study. The awarding a diploma to a newly graduate actually began in the United States, unlike the graduation cap and gown.

The Tradition of Awarding College Graduates with a Diploma

The tradition of handing a diploma to college graduates started at Harvard College which had their first graduation rites on September 23rd, 1642. There were nine graduates who were bestowed  “a Book of Arts”  representing their achievements.

But Harvard took back each book after the ceremony and it wasn’t until 1813 that college graduates from Harvard College received a great gift — their own diplomas that they could bring home and keep. The diplomas by this time were uniformly sized with common inscriptions.

Diplomas : What Were They Originally Made of

Since paper making was a difficult process centuries ago, the diplomas of the past used thin sheepskin. The president of the schools, colleges and universities, along with other officials signed these  diplomas which were written entirely in Latin. Before the 1800s diplomas were in different shapes and sizes.

Before the printing machine was invented, if a graduate needed to prove his collegiate standing from Harvard, usually for travels overseas, they undergo an arduous process. First, the universities needed to pay for the services of a calligrapher to write the Latin inscriptions on the sheepskin. Then the requesting graduate also need to pay the Harvard president for him to write on his signature on the diploma.

Tossing of Caps: From Naval Custom to Mainstream Practice

Tossing caps after the ceremony is one of the most iconic and remarkable graduation practices. This habit came in 1912 when a U.S Naval Academy, when newly commissioned officers, threw their midshipmen’s hats into the air to mark their graduation.

Since then, this custom has quickly been practiced in other institutions, including the academe.

Graduation Celebrations in the Philippines

Like in many other cultures, the Philippines celebrates graduation season by observing a set of unique traditions. High school or College graduation in the Philippines used to fall in March. However, due to the recent shift in the academic calendar, wherein classes now start in August, universities, colleges, and schools have their graduation ceremonies beginning from the last weeks of June to the whole month of July. 

While some universities and colleges have their graduation traditions, graduation rites in the Philippines will only be complete with garlands, which are small corsages or neck sashes attached or hung to the graduates.

Likewise, most universities in the country today give out graduation shashes with the school’s logo of their alma mater to be worn by the graduates during the ceremony. 

Graduation preparation in the Philippines would only be complete with the young adults going on retreats to prepare them for the next phase of their life and students going to photo studios to complete their graduation photos. A few days before graduation, most academic institutions also conduct baccalaureate mass as part of an effort to honor the graduating students.

Although this is typically observed in catholic schools in the country, more and more schools follow the tradition. For high school graduation and college graduation, schools often organize a graduation party which lets the whole batch of graduates bond and celebrate.

That said, to say that graduation is an occasion celebrated grandly by Filipinos is an understatement since this event brings joy and a sense of fulfillment to the new graduates and their families, especially their parents.

Graduation is both the start and an end of days, weeks, and months of fun and memorable student life and the beginning of a new chapter bringing new learning and experiences. Hence, to congratulate recent graduates, family member and friends often buy graduation gifts to show their support and pride. 

Those still looking for a great and unique graduation gift should grab a notepad and a pen because here are our picks for the best graduation gifts you can get for new graduates. 

V Is For Victory and Vacation

If there is one thing everyone would appreciate, it would be a fun and exciting getaway to their dream destination. After the long and tiring days of the school year, new graduates would surely appreciate some time off.

In fact, in some countries, a college graduate enters a gap year where a grad student is given time to assess the new chapter of his life. More than enjoying and creating new memories during the gap year, recent grad also need to think like a grown up — will he be taking a second degree or getting a new job. What of a first apartment or new apartment – a jump from the safe confines of their dorm room. What super convenient ways to go about life after being a student for a long time.

Those who have recent grads interested in traveling and discovering new places and experiences should arrange a trip and enjoy a relaxing stay at a place that would refill and restore life from their exhausted graduates.

Whether a staycation in a private rental in the province or a fun trip abroad, whether they want to experience city living in a different country or country living, going on vacation will be one of the best things to celebrate a new milestone.

Pass on Knowledge 

Books are powerful tools, and those who have new grads who love to read will surely appreciate the smell of new books and everything they can learn within those 300-plus pages.

Head to your nearest bookstore and grab the best motivational books to help them grow as individuals and professionals—those looking for books that delve into self-improvement, money, and growth.

• Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

• Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Fashion Items for the Fashionista

Getting fashion items for the fashionista graduate is a definite dream come true for them. For instance, those graduating students that enjoy fashion and mix-matching their fits should go for clothes as their gift. However, if you want to make things unique, valuable, and special, go for investment pieces like watches and jewelry.

Likewise, giving these items on the day of their graduation for them to wear during the ceremony and for the class to see will make the gift extra thoughtful and adds to its sentimental value.

Digital Gifts for the Digital Age

There is one thing anyone would appreciate in any celebrations and occasions, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and of course, as a graduation gift. Money. Cash is always a best gift and a good idea regardless of any amount because it is a practical gift and allows the recipient to spend it however or wherever they feel like doing so.

If there is a quick and easy gift you can get someone, it would be a digital gift card. Giving someone a gift card is a cool gifts because it allows the graduate to choose where they wish to spend it.

You Can Never Go Wrong With Gadgets

Are you considering buying a new laptop or tablet for your graduating student or perhpaps making them proud and happy Iphone owners (don’t forget the phone case)? This might be your sign! Although there are instances where kids tend to befriend gadgets too much, they seem to forget that there is more in life than what can be seen on the screens.

It is undeniable that in today’s day and age, technology does so much to ease our everyday hustles. This is also a practical present, especially for a college student needing a gadget upgrade. Investing in a good quality gadget since most activities and projects are now digitalized.

Likewise, a college graduate will also appreciate a gadget as a gift. Recent college grad will soon be joining the workforce or going to college to have a device to aid them with their needs as professionals and young professionals.  

Since this generation is tech savvy, they will no longer need the old, realiable alarm clock to wake them up for the new job. They can play podcasts, play music, heck even help them with meal plans! It is a super convenient way to go about their daily lives.

Those considering buying their graduating student a gadget should go to all AllDigital to see the latest gadgets in the market. 

Aside from these gift ideas, you can choose a graduation gift based on the graduate’s likes and interests. For example, you can get a good set of art materials for artists and give gamers a great pair of headsets.

For those with graduates who likes sports, a chance to watc their favorite sports team is an excellent gift. For students who love coffee, a good back of coffee grounds would be great, while you can send a surprise food delivery for foodies.

Remember that making someone feel special does not require a lot of splurging and enormous amounts of money. You can go for artistic gifts, from personally curated gift bags and draft a sentimental gift to heartfelt letters.

What’s essential is extending our congratulatory messages to the candidates as a job well done. Although it may be hard for them to get through a school year, repeatedly for almost 19 years is incredible. 

Essentials for their First Apartment

If you are a family member or a friend who’s thinking of the best gifts and perfect graduation gift you can give to a recent college grad who is looking at moving into his first, new apartment, then simple furniture, uncommon goods and appliances that will make their lives super convenient and fill their space are your best bet.

Gifts like electric kettle to perk up their mornings, dishwasher safe plates, mugs and cutleries, and mini refrigerator. If they will most likely not do their own cooking, perhaps a microwave oven to heat food will go a long way for the new grad.

Bottom line, when looking at graduation gift ideas, it is best to consider their needs, personalities, and passion before purchasing that perfect gift.

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