The 18 Best Wellness Gifts for the New Graduate in Your Life

You might know Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls or Sarah Braverman from Parenthood. But she’s also a four-time author. “In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It” is an expanded version of her 2017 commencement speech she gave at her hometown high school, but it resonates with college grads as well. Graham gives relatable advice to new grads on pursuing dreams, living in the moment, and pushing through when things get tough. And trust us, the grad in your life probably needs to hear it, too.

If your new grad enjoys cozying up for the night with a good show—and a good scent—this candle from the brand Homesick is the perfect gift. It has notes of calming rosemary and jasmine and refreshing lemon flower to ease them into the next chapter of their lives. The New Grad candle is made from a natural soy wax blend and has a burn time of up to 80 hours. Plus, it’s cruelty-free, non-toxic, and contains no lead, plastics, parabens, phthalates, or synthetic dyes, so your graduate can feel good about burning it wherever their future takes them.

If your new grad’s bucket list includes as much travel as possible, this kit has all the essentials they need to still clock in from their new hybrid or remote job. The stylish cognac bag includes a notepad, pen, phone/tablet stand, stain-removing and hand-cleansing towelettes, microfiber cloth, sticky notes, lip balm, breath drops, pain reliever, cord organizer, 2-in-1 charging cable, wall charger, cleaning tool, and password hint list. Truly, the only other items they need to be set up for success are their phone and laptop. 

New grads are plenty busy dealing with the stressors that come with leaving high school or college. Between choosing classes, settling into a new living space, making new friends, or starting a new job, it's easy to forget to do practice essential self-care, like staying hydrated. This 23-ounce water bottle from b.box keeps drinks cool for up to 44 hours—an absolute must for anyone heading to school or work in a warm city. The bottle fits into a car cup holder, school bags, and even your purse, making it easy to take it with you on the go. The best part? Its flip-top lid is completely leakproof, so you won't have to worry about water dripping on any important school assignments.

If your new grad is going into a major or career where they’ll be drawing, like architecture or graphic design, or just enjoys creating art as a hobby, the Apple Pencil is the perfect choice. They can sketch, mark up a photo, and more right on their iPad with total control. It requires an iPad with PadOS 17.1 or later and is compatible with the iPad Mini, iPad Pro, and iPad Air. 

For the person who loves fashion, this simple yet stylish necklace is a must. You can have it engraved with the coordinates of where your recent grad went to school to commemorate this period of their lives. Choose from gold, silver, or rose gold options to match their favorite metal. You can even engrave both sides of the pendant, so while the front displays the coordinates, the back can have a sweet, personalized note from you. 

If your new grad loves hiking and camping, look no further than this backpack from Patagonia. It comes in 14L, 22L, 28L, and 36L so they can fit anything they need: water bottles, first aid kits, extra clothing, snacks, and more. It features trekking pole loops, hydration reservoir compatibility, multiple pockets, and a breathable, comfortable harness. It’s also made from waterproof material that won’t rip. This pack is available in three sizes—small, medium, and large—to fit your new grad’s torso and waist perfectly. Not to mention, this backpack can also double as a work backpack. No need to buy a separate one for your laptop, lunch, and change of clothes for later. 

Your new grad’s budget and time are probably pretty tight right now. So if they can’t travel the world to taste new international food, bring the food to them. This snack box includes 20 fan favorites from all over Asia, Europe, Australia, and South America, like Pocky, matcha-flavored Kit Kats, prawn-flavored Lays chips, and more. (Keep in mind, however, that items vary based on stock and availability.) 

The Breo Box is a tech lover’s dream, chock-full of the coolest new gadgets on the market. Each box, delivered quarterly for one year, includes products like smart toothbrushes, thermal massage guns, ergonomic butter holders, insulated dip bowls, and more, to make your new grad’s daily life easier—they’ll wonder how they ever lived without them. There are a few options to choose from. The Breo Box Lite is $79 per box for one to three items if you pay annually, or $89 per box if you purchase it from quarter to quarter. The Breo Box Plus includes four to eight items, which costs $150 per box if you pay annually or $169 per box if you pay quarterly.

For coffee or tea lovers with a penchant for the past, this mug is the perfect graduation gift. It features a QR code that they can scan every day that shows a new historical event that happened on that date. Learning about these tidbits will be a great start to their day, and make for an impressive member of their local trivia team. 

What better to give the self-care enthusiast in your life than an entire box full of products they can use to feel cool, calm, and collected during this new phase of their life? Choose from eight options to suit their tastes, like a spa-themed box (with items like lotions, exfoliants, soaps, and salts), a cozy-themed box (with items like a throw blanket, socks, a mug, and hot cocoa), a journal-themed box (with items like a notebook, pen, and succulent), and more. 

What better way to celebrate a momentous occasion than something sweet? These chocolate covered strawberries from Shari's Berries are the perfect treat to bring to your grad's party or as a going away present before they're off to their next adventure. Each box comes with a dozen strawberries. Plus, these strawberries are available year round for any special event, whether it's graduation, Father's Day, or the 4th of July.

Enable the grad in your life to make new memories with this digital camera that has the look of a classic disposable camera. This vintage-looking camera couldn’t be easier to use: Just point and shoot. This rechargeable camera captures up to 500 photos per charge. Once they hit the limit, they can upload the photos onto their computer and share them with family and friends. 

This vintage-looking clothbound journal is perfect for new grads who love to write. With 106 pages, this journal includes prompts to wax poetic about their fondest memories, most influential relationships, and lessons they’ve learned. There are even opportunities to plan ahead for the future. New grads will enjoy reflecting back on their past and envisioning the life they want to live going forward. 

A portable bluetooth speaker that looks like an amp? Say less. If the new grad you’re shopping for is an audiophile, they’ll love the look and features of the Marshall Emberton III. This speaker is complete with the brand’s signature sound and Dynamic Loudness, where you can adjust the tonal balance of the audio so your songs sound crisp and clear at any volume. This speaker is also waterproof and you can get up to 32 hours of playtime on one charge, so you can have tons of gatherings rain or shine. 

Chances are, the new grad in your life can't wait to document their next journey. (Let's be real, they've probably already started!) And while they're probably busy taking pictures and capturing videos of their adventures, now's a good time to remind them the importance of taking care of their devices. There's no better way to protect their phone than this phone case that's crafted in durable leather and offers 360-degrees of protection from any drops and scratches.

What better gift to commemorate your new grad’s time in college than a set of pint glasses that feature a map of their college town? When moving into their new post-university apartment, they’ll need new kitchen items, like glassware, and they’ll fondly remember the past four years when they reach for these. Choose from major schools like Michigan State University, the University of Georgia, Ohio State University, Penn State University, and more. 

Now of course, that new grad of yours should be proud of their accomplishments. But let's be real—the journey was probably exhausting. All that work definitely deserves some much needed R&R. Can't jet off to that all inclusive resort on the other side of the world? ResortPass got you. This membership allows you to give your grad the gift of vacation, even if it only lasts one day at a time. This pass gives members access to the hotel's pool, spa, sauna, steam room, and any other amenities they may offer. (Although, amenities and access vary from location to location.) And the best part is that your grad doesn't have to travel far and wide to get there. They can choose hotels and resorts in their area and experience relaxation right in their backyard, starting at $25.