They say 21 is a momentous age in the U.S., but 22 is just as big a deal — it’s when lots of college students graduate. If there’s a 22-year-old in your life who’s on the verge of finally getting their diploma — whether a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or a PhD — chances are you want to give them something special to celebrate. But if you can’t quite decide on a present that conveys a big “congratulations and I love you,” this list of graduation gifts for college grads may help you find some inspiration.
1. A local gift centering our favorite plant
For an especially personal touch, give your loved one a portal to a perspective-shifting experience made in your or their backyard: local craft cannabis products. For example, if you’re based in the Pioneer Valley or your loved one is graduating from Smith or UMass Amherst, consider cannabis flower or pre-rolls from High Ledges. Never bring your cannabis gift outside the state where you purchased it, but always package it in your most exquisite wrapping paper.
2. A backpack or work bag that looks good and holds up
Whether your graduating loved one already has a job lined up or is still on the hunt, big and busy days lie ahead for them. Give them a stylish, well-constructed backpack or work bag so they have a vital accessory for their most jam-packed moments. While these work bags might not be great at locking in odor, round out this gift with a smellproof bag from Stashlogix to give a new grad the complete package.
3. A fun, colorful pipe disguised as home decor
To the uninitiated, some pipes might look like high-end art pieces. If your loved one enjoys a good museum visit and stress-melting solo time alike, the Flower Sherlock pipe from SirEEL is an ideal college graduation gift. So too is SirEEL’s Rainbow Dab Rig, which passes for psychedelic, mushroom-inspired home decor. More than the gift that keeps giving, these technicolor presents are the gift with multiple uses — the gift that hides in plain sight.
4. A gift card to Blue Heron Restaurant
A semi-finalist in the prestigious James Beard Foundation 2022 Awards, Blue Heron Restaurant is among the greater Sunderland-Amherst area’s most exquisite dining spots. Treat your graduating loved one to a dinner here with a friend, partner, or big group with a gift card directly from the restaurant. You can buy gift cards worth up to $500, giving your graduate and their whole squad an unforgettable night of delicious seafood, curries, and so much more.
5. Chocolate that’s a different kind of indulgent
It’s one thing if your recent or soon-to-be graduate loves chocolate. It’s another thing entirely if they appreciate an even more elevated sort of decadence. Chocolate bars infused with cannabis begin with rich, classic indulgence before enveloping your loved one’s day with head-to-toe bliss and relaxation. Keep it Massachusetts-themed with incredibles’ Bay State Bahr, which contains 5 mg of THC per chocolate square and plenty of sweet, buttery toffee to boot.
6. Beach-appropriate gummies to anticipate the summer
Memorial Day arrives shortly after college graduation, and with that, it’s effectively summer, so your loved one might welcome beach-friendly gifts with open arms. Ditch the beach chair or umbrella, though, in favor of a deeper way to enrich the shoreside experience. Cannabis gummies formulated with fruity, summery flavors and daytime-friendly effects — for example, Choice Chews’ Strawberry Lemonade Sativa Gummies — elevate any beach day. Take our advice: bundle these gummies with all the items that make for a perfect beach day celebration. Grab some snacks, sunblock, a beach chair, and a good book. Pack the car and head to nearby Lake Wyola State Park in Shutesbury for the perfect post-graduation celebration vibe.
7. A versatile, insulated water bottle
Whether for combating dry mouth or just staying hydrated in general, every college grad benefits from an insulated water bottle that maintains temperature and stashes neatly in any bag. Better yet, pick a water bottle that’s as eye-catching as it is well sealed. On that front, you can never go wrong with a Hydro Flask.
8. A pocket vape for music lovers
If your gift-getter is graduating from music school, they might love Lookah’s Guitar 510-thread vape battery. It’s shaped like a guitar, bursting with octane color, and stylized with flames for that ultimate rockstar feel. It’s compatible with basically any vape cart, and its battery level indicator is super simple to understand. Even for a grad who doesn’t vape, this gift can be a fun tchotchke to display or keep on hand as a good-luck charm.
9. A complete session setup
For a cannabis-loving graduate, consider a gift bundle of a compact rolling tray, quality grinder, rolling papers, and a colorful hand pipe. Maybe your loved one already has a setup — take their graduation as an opportunity to elevate it. Just as graduation is a big step into a new phase of life, an upgraded set of cannabis accessories is a guide to more expansive moments of zen.
10. A high-end blanket
At the end of a long day, there’s nothing quite like getting home, dropping your bag down, and sinking right into the couch. Bring more to this experience for your college grad with a luxury blanket that feels softer, cozier, and more sentimental than anything they’ll find wherever they typically shop. Think fuzzy blankets, high-thread-count options, and anything you’d expect to see at a five-star hotel — your loved one deserves it.
11. An enhanced skincare routine
Show your love with skincare products that may replenish and rejuvenate, especially cannabis topicals that leverage the therapeutic potential of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) without any intoxicating effects. Products like Doctor Solomon’s Restore Lotion and Doctor Solomon’s Rescue Lotion are great options to consider.
12. A different kind of smoke
It’s easy to assume that all smoking experiences lead to feeling “high,” but CBD-only pre-rolls don’t lead to this sensation since they lack THC. Better yet, CBD is associated with lessened anxiety — think an uplifted sort of calm. That’s why Erva’s Suver Haze CBD pre-roll makes a great graduation gift for someone whose college experience was defined by stress. A few puffs may help release that weight, all with no changes in mental state.
Shop graduation gifts for college grads at Altai Alternative Care
Great gifts for recent graduates are all over the menu at Altai Alternative Care — cannabis topicals, funky accessories that double as fun decorations, you name it. Visit our licensed dispensary in Sunderland to explore our options and bounce gift ideas off our knowledgeable, friendly staff. We’re known for our warm, welcoming vibes, and we want you to feel as comfortable with us as your college grad does with you. Here, finding gifts will feel like home.
