You appreciate your siblings and all the ways they make your life more colorful, and sometimes you want to show that to them! When the brother you’ve spent years in loving disputes with graduates, you want to give him something that reminds him of all the good times you two have shared together. And while you’ve spent more time with your brother than anyone else has at this point in your lives, you might still be unsure of what to get him. Fortunately, there are many options available when it comes to buying gifts your brother will enjoy!

Finding the right gift for your sibling can be tough, but we want to help you through it. Maybe you don’t know what a college graduate would most want, or you don’t know what tastes your brother might have developed away for years at college, but we can help you figure it out. 

Graduating students are all going through a similar ordeal. They are transitioning from one part of their lives to another, and being thrust into the world of adulthood. They are heading into the working world and trying to build their careers from the ground up. Some graduates will continue to get further education, but they will still be at a different stage than they were in during undergrad. Times of transition often require gifts that help ease a person into that transition. It will likely be very appreciated if you get your brother something that helps him navigate his new life. 

Your brother’s new life might include a new apartment. He might be living on his own or with one or several roommates, but either way, he is on his way to becoming more independent. He’ll need to look presentable, be more organized, and may even need to stock his new apartment. Your brother will likely need business wear or cookware. If you get him cookware, whenever your brother makes a meal for himself he can remember that it was made possible by you. He can go job hunting with gadgets you bought him!

It’s important to make sure your brother’s gift is something that he enjoys that will also be useful to him. You want him to look forward to using it. We’ve put together a list of great gifts that college graduates like your brother are very likely to appreciate. These gifts will have him singing your praises! 

• Toolkit 
• Office Backpack
• Watch 
• Paradigm Grey Travel Mug
• Protective Computer Glasses
• Streaming Stick 
• Cooking Appliances 
• Cookbook 
• Book Every Young Adult Should Read 
• New Sheets 
• Dress Clothes or Gift Card 
• Wallet 

Toolkit 

No matter where they plan to move -- to a new house or an apartment, a toolkit is necessary and will come in handy at the most surprising times. 

Why is a toolkit the first on our list? No particular reason -- but this makes one of the best gifts for graduates who plan on hightailing it out of their parents house as quickly as possible. Moving into an apartment or house brings on a range of new responsibilities, and one of them will be fixing issues as they arise. 

Need to remove a screw to access something underneath? A toolkit will help. Want to hang wall art? A hammer will surely come in handy. A toolkit usually has all of these components. 

This is one of those things that you wouldn’t think to buy until you need it. But we can promise that at some point your brother will need it, and he will be thankful to have it on hand when that day comes. 

Office Backpack

Adults can still make a backpack office appropriate -- as long as they pick the right one.

You might be asking yourself -- is it unprofessional to carry a backpack to work? The answer is no if it’s done properly. A briefcase or messenger bag can become bulky and annoying, especially if your brother is the type of person who likes to have his hands free. 

Many men opt for a backpack because of the ease of transportation and hands free capabilities. So, if he would like to carry a backpack to the office then ditch the high school sports backpack and bring in one that is sleek, sophisticated, and professional. No more mesh compartments or athletic logo in bold letters across the front -- one that looks as put together as his future wardrobe.  

Watch 

A new watch will upgrade his professional appearance, but also comes with a commemorative touch. 

A watch is a traditional graduation gift many people, not just siblings, opt to get the newly minted graduates. They are professional and functional -- not to mention they will help upgrade any work wardrobe to a higher level of class. 

If you’re stuck on what to get -- go with a watch because it serves dual purposes. It can be worn in the work setting, but also comes with their school logo. This provides functionality with commemorative flare -- they will love being able to wear a reflection of their alma mater. 

Paradigm Grey Travel Mug 

Your brother will likely have to adjust to a new schedule -- instead of waking up late for strategically chosen afternoon classes, he might have a much earlier start to his days. Help him get started on a coffee habit with this travel mug. 

Your brother will need something to get his early days started -- and coffee is a popular and delicious choice for that. With this travel mug, he gets to take his coffee anywhere, not just in his house. On those mornings he’s in too much of a hurry to relax and sip a cup, he can have it to go. He’ll get to enjoy his coffee in his car, during his walk, and on the job. 

Protective Computer Glasses

Most young adults spend long hours staring at their computer -- keep their eyes protected with a pair of computer glasses. 

In today’s society, many jobs require the use of an office computer or laptop and even call for extra hours of work outside the office. On top of that, many functions of our world have become digitized, so there’s a good chance they are looking at a number of screens all day long. 

Prolonged exposure to blue light can cause certain health related issues like eye strain, blurred vision, headaches, and trouble sleeping at night. A pair of protective eyeglasses can help reduce exposure to blue light and its potential side effects. Even if they don’t wear prescription contacts or eyeglasses -- these can still be purchased with a non-prescription lens.   

Streaming Stick 

After a long day of working, studying, or whatever they plan to do after graduation -- everyone wants to come home and unwind. Cable bills are expensive and many Americans are now turning to streaming services over live TV. This could potentially save them a few hundred dollars each year -- and as a young adult, who wouldn’t want that? 

Sitting down with their streaming device allows them to relax, get in that much needed entertainment, and not have to worry about high cable bills.  

Cooking Appliances

Pots, pans, appliances like an Instantpot, coffee pot, air fryer -- all make great, functional gifts. 

We’ve made it to the cookware section part of this list! This is an essential graduation gift for your brother, sister, best friend, cousin, boyfriend, girlfriend, anyone who plans on cooking for themselves in their new apartment or house. 

Sure, eating out is great, but the cost accumulates quickly -- and at some point we’re sure they will turn to their own kitchen to start saving money. Cookware and appliances are the only way to prepare meals, unless they plan to eat frozen TV dinners on the regular. 

By ‘cookware,’ we’re really referring to a broad category of any and all cooking necessities and it’s up to you to determine the best one for their lifestyle. This can be a set of pots and pans, knife block, coffee maker, air fryer, Instantpot, slow cooker, grill, baking equipment. The possibilities with this gift are endless, but they will absolutely need some type of cooking accessories in the future. 

Cookbook 

And if your brother isn’t Gordon Ramsey then he’ll need a cookbook to prepare meals with his new equipment. Most young adults aren’t yet rockstars in the kitchen, and we all need a little help sometimes. 

Following a recipe is always a better option than adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that until disaster strikes. Trust the professionals, they know what they’re doing! 

The best thing about cookbooks is the broad range of options. You can find a cookbook for any type of cuisine in the world -- so, if they have a favorite then choose it. Or if you think they need an all encompassing book of basic recipes, that might be your winner. 

Book Every Young Adult Should Read 

Reading is fundamental -- so while we’re on the reading train, we think a self help book is a great gift for new graduates. The end of undergrad marks a crucial point in life -- it’s the closing of a chapter where they were only partially responsible for themselves and entering a new phase in life where adulthood brings an entirely new idea of responsibility and challenges. It’s very common for new graduates to feel lost and unsure of themselves in this new chapter. 

That is precisely why we suggest a self help book, or one that gives advice, or a memoir about someone who overcame significant obstacles as a young adult. These will all help guide them through the beginning of this chapter and hopefully make them feel more at ease. 

New Sheets 

This one speaks for itself -- if he’s moving into a new apartment then he’s most likely purchasing a new mattress. 

Dress Clothes or Gift Card 

Sure, every college student has a few go-to business casual outfits for award ceremonies and important events -- but these are overworn and time to be hung up for good. If they are already hired at a new job, they’ll need to dress the part, so wardrobe shopping is in store! 

If you want to pick up a few basic dress shirts or a jacket, then great -- they will definitely appreciate not having this extra expense. Otherwise, if you don’t feel comfortable shopping for him, a gift card to a professional store is perfectly adequate. 

Wallet

Ditch the old wallet and bring in a new one that they will be able to use for years to come, complete with school flare. 

Lastly, we can assume he’s probably still using the beat up wallet from his high school days. As a new adult, it’s time to throw out the old and bring in the new. 

This commemorative wallet has the perfect balance of school spirit and sophistication. It’s functional, yet still reminds them of their alma mater and the memories that came with their undergraduate career. Your brother will be reminded of his college experience every time he pulls out his wallet. He will also be glad to have all his cards and cash in a single reachable place. 

Your brother is likely to enjoy many of the gifts on this list. These gifts are great items for anyone starting a new, more independent life.