10 Great Graduation Gift Ideas For Friends

Surprise your friends with gifts to commemorate the special occasion – choose from any of these gift card ideas!

Graduation is a big deal. From high school diplomas to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, completing any level of schooling is something to celebrate. People even graduate from other programs and courses that are worth recognizing just as much as traditional academic accomplishments. If it’s a meaningful personal achievement for them, then all you need to do is be thoughtful and supportive.

A simple graduation card congratulating your friend for their achievement will be enough to make them feel recognized by you. And while a gift is not expected by any means, you can certainly enhance the experience for anyone you know with something they can use for themselves. Gift cards are definitely gifts to consider if you want to put your recipient at the forefront of your thoughts.

Gift cards make for excellent gifts for occasions just like graduations and are convenient for last-minute buying. Not only that, but you can almost always bet on the gift card recipient to be satisfied with the gift since they have the buying power now. Picking out your own gifts can be nice, though it comes with the risk of disappointment. With gift cards, there are hardly ever problems when it comes to being happy with the purchase.

You can explore all kinds of digital gift card options through GiftYa that may be ideal for your friend’s graduation. We will be talking about some popular choices below such as:

  • Gift cards for dining and food
  • Gift cards for leisure and health
  • Gift cards for apparel and accessories

1. Visa

Buy exactly what you want with this convenient gift card

Buy a Visa gift card

You can never go wrong with a Visa gift card. It’s important that you give your friend a graduation gift that they will genuinely appreciate and be able to put to good use. When you choose a Visa gift card, you are pretty much giving them something that is impossible to not love.

Unlike gift cards for individual merchants and chains, the funds on Visa gift cards are not locked to specific retailers and may be used at a variety of businesses. You can use a Visa gift card to pay for your dinner, a video game, some clothing, furniture, and anything else you want. As long as the place you’re shopping at chooses to take Visa gift cards as payment, you are free to use the funds however you wish.

You can get a Visa gift card when you click the link!

2. McCormick & Schmick’s

An upscale dining paradise for lovers of steak and seafood

Click for a McCormick & Schmick’s gift card

Graduations are special and rare occurrences that aught to be treated with they respect they deserve. A graduation gift should be considered in a similar way to show your recipient how important their achievement is. If you are debating what kind of gift card is appropriate for got such an occasion, you will undoubtedly impress and delight with a gift card for McCormick & Schmick’s.

You can gift your dear friend an exquisite dinner at this upscale seafood and steak restaurant in order to commemorate their accomplishments. Known for excellent seafood, oysters, and steak, McCormick & Schmick’s provides a sophisticated environment for patrons to enjoy their meals in. The happy hour at McCormick & Schmick’s is also a feature customers can take advantage of with great deals on seafood and alcohol listings.

Pick up a gift card for McCormick & Schmick’s when you follow the link!

3. Cheryl’s Cookies

Gourmet goodies make graduation a super sweet affair

Click for a Cheryl’s Cookies gift card

Who doesn’t love getting freshly baked goodies as a reward for accomplishing something cool? And since graduating is a thing that should definitely be considered cool, it only makes sense to surprise your friend with boxes of their favorite sugary snacks in order to make their day even more spectacular. You can do just that with a gift card for Cheryl’s Cookies.

Shopping for gourmet cookies is simple when you have tons of flavorful options ready to be delivered to your front door online at Cheryl’s Cookies. With exceptional finds designed to delight and impress during any special occasion, there is never a wrong time to place an order. An assortment of sugary confections is certain to make any graduation that much more sweet, and you can find assortments for even more occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and more.

Pick up a gift card for Cheryl’s Cookies from GiftYa when you check out the link!

4. Kendra Scott

Make any graduation shine with stunning jewelry finds

Click for a Kendra Scott gift card

You probably do not want to go with your everyday, run-of-the-mill type gift when considering what to get your friend for their graduation. Anything is guaranteed to be appreciated, but you want to give a gift that is as special as the occasion itself. If that’s your goal, then a Kendra Scott gift card may be the perfect fit.

Jewelry-lovers’ heads will turn with the alluring assortment of fine jewels and precious accessories for sale at this designer boutique. The jewelry offerings available at Kendra Scott are timeless and made to uplift the wearer so they can be confident everyday. Kendra Scott has necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, charms, fine jewelry, watches, and personalized jewelry options for one-of-a-kind accessories.

You can send a Kendra Scott gift card to a friend who’s graduating when you follow the link!

5. Barnes & Noble

You can never grow bored with a good book in hand

Buy a Barnes & Noble gift card

Graduation may mean you’re done with school, but there’s a decent chance books will be a part of your life forever. Not like that’s a bad thing in the slightest. If you know your friend goes together with books like cheese and a glass of wine, then you can definitely make their day with a Barnes & Noble gift card.

There are millions of books out there and hardly enough time to read even a fraction of them all, but a gift card for Barnes & Noble can help you try. Browse literary titles ranging from classic to contemporary, from historical fiction to poetry collections, memoirs, and philosophical texts. Barnes & Noble has books for young kids, older teens, and adults of every age to get lost inside for hours on end. They also sell pop culture merchandise, stationery, greeting cards, board games, puzzles, and other cute knickknacks.

Get a Barnes & Noble gift card from GiftYa with the link!

6. Eddie Bauer

Never miss out on exploring everything the outside throws at you

Get an Eddie Bauer gift card

You don’t need an excuse for a new outfit, but if you did then graduation definitely qualifies. Whether your friend is always on top of the latest fashion trends or they simply want to update their wardrobe, an Eddie Bauer gift card will work wonders.

Eddie Bauer is a clothing store chain that is known for its high quality outerwear and gear situated for active lifestyles. Anyone who enjoys spending their free time in nature will appreciate the comfortable and long-lasting apparel selection available at Eddie Bauer. Browse various useful items like sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, boots, rainwear, and many other outdoor essentials no outdoors enthusiast would be caught without.

You can pick up an Eddie Bauer gift card right now!

7. Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Fill up on food that will nourish your mind and body

Buy a Tropical Smoothie Cafe gift card

Smoothies are refreshing and nutritious pick-me-ups that just about anyone who’s being mindful of their health likes to incorporate into their diet. For your friends who enjoy tasty food that is good for the body, a gift card for Tropical Smoothie Cafe is all you really need in order to make their graduation twice as special.  

When you are in the mood for fun and fruity, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is exactly where you want to be. Quell your cravings for juices and fresh fruits with any of their handcrafted smoothies, which feature enticing ingredients like mango, strawberries, chia seeds, coconut, avocado, peanut butter, and whole-grain oats. Customers are encouraged to elevate their smoothie experience with add-on supplements such as whey protein, vitamin B12, collagen, and pea protein.

You can purchase a Tropical Smoothie Cafe gift card to send to your friend with GiftYa!

8. GNC

A pathway to healthier, holistic living is closer than you think

Click here for a GNC gift card

A GNC gift card may not be right for everyone in your life, but there are certain people who live by supplements. You can make sure your health-focused friends keep on track with their fitness and lifestyle goals when you gift them a GNC gift card to use for all of their wellness needs.

GNC stores carry an assortment of health and nutrition related products to help you stay on top of your game. Find great prices on all kinds of wellness-focused items such as vitamins, supplements, natural herbs, minerals, sports nutrition, gut health, diet, and energy beverages. GNC also sells beauty and personal care paraphernalia like collagen powders, beauty supplements, and items for hair care.

There’s a GNC gift card waiting for you when you follow the link!

9. Bloomingdale’s

Don’t wait – luxurious shopping is right down the road

Get a Bloomingdale’s gift card

Some people really love shopping at trendy department stores to score great deals on stylish items and home goods. Give your friend a graduation gift they can use to fulfill all of their shopping needs with a Bloomingdale’s gift card.

Bloomingdale’s is a beloved luxury department store chain that transforms the typical mundane shopping experience into one of elegance and style. Explore aisles of designer items including clothing, handbags, accessories, footwear, home goods, beauty products, and much more. Bloomingdale’s pairs with some of the most celebrated designers from across the globe to deliver consistent excellence to shoppers each and every day.

You can pick up a gift card for Bloomingdale’s from GiftYa with the link!

10. Charity On Top

Sometimes giving can be the best gift of them all

Buy a Charity On Top gift card

Perhaps your friend doesn’t want anything to celebrate their big milestone, and that is perfectly fine as well. Still, it’s hard to not get them something to commemorate the moment since graduation is a pretty big deal. A thoughtful gift idea for someone who doesn’t need anything might be a gift card they can use to donate to a charitable cause they care about. For that, a Charity On Top gift card is a perfect match.

Help your friend give to nonprofits and local charities for all sorts of causes that mean a lot to them. Whether they wish to help combat poverty, provide disaster relief, fund medical research, or help preserve historic items, a Charity On Top gift card can connect them with charitable organizations they can donate to.

You can give a Charity On Top gift card to anyone you know in a matter of moments when you follow the link!

See any graduation gift ideas that you think are right for your find? You can find even more digital gift card options available right now at GiftYa, so don’t be afraid to keep shopping for some amazing finds!

Trae Bodge

Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.

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