For gals and guys, old and young, we have hunted down the best graduation gifts in town. Use this as your resource when shopping for those graduating from high school, college or graduate school. Whether looking for a higher-priced item that they can treasure forever, or a card in which to tuck some cash, we have you covered. Help them celebrate the hard work that is behind them and welcome the bright future ahead with these gifts!
FOR THE GALS
Elsy necklaces
Not only do we love the look of these necklaces, we love the meaning behind the stones. The rose quartz signifies alluring energy, the moonstone signifies new beginnings and the sky blue topaz signifies success — all perfect for those embarking on a new chapter. Shop these necklaces (in a dozen different colors) for $58 each at Judith Bright.
Stack rings
Give a graduate something they will treasure forever: stunning jewelry. Handmade in Margaret Ellis’ Cummings Station studio, these 18K and sterling silver dot stack rings are timeless. These rings are available in sets of three for $1,500 at Margaret Ellis Jewelry.
Monogrammed bag
Girls going away to college will be in dire need of something to hold all of their cosmetics. Consider gifting them this brightly colored bag that you can personalize with their initials. This bag (in pink, turquoise and orange) is available at SEW What? Gifts for $12. Monogramming is available for an additional $12.
Horseshoe earrings
Horseshoes are a symbol of good luck, and luck is something every graduate will welcome! Wish a graduate luck in her future endeavors with a pair of these little horseshoe earrings by Lasoula. These are available at Cindi Earl Fine Jewelry for $220.
Pouch
Pencil pouches are not a thing of the past, and new grads are sure to love these locally made pouches. These Novel Creature products are weather resistant, and 5% of sales are donated to AGAPE Nashville, a local not-for-profit agency that provides mental health counseling on a sliding scale for families and individuals at multiple locations throughout Middle Tennessee. Find these for $20 each at Native + Nomad.
FOR THE GUYS
Metal sign
Anderson Design Group has no shortage of Nashville-centric gifts (postcards, mugs, posters and the list goes on) perfect for grads. And while we love all of those items, it was these metal signs that caught our eye this month. Easy to hang and easy on the eyes, these signs are easy to love. Give this golf sign to a grad who loves to golf. A variety of signs are available at Anderson Design’s shop for $88.99 each.
Sunglasses
The future is bright for grads of any age. Steer them towards the light with a pair of sharp sunglasses. From The Oxford Shop, these sunglasses are handmade in Italy and have been one of the hottest items on the store’s shelves. Shop these shades for $248-$298 at The Oxford Shop.
Men’s shirt
Male graduates, it is time to dress your age. Trade in your high school sports and fraternity t-shirts for a crisp Peter Millar shirt. Available in a variety of colors, you can gift guys one for every occasion. Shop the selection at Oak Hall ($125 each).
FOR THE SCHOOL SUPPORTER
SEC collegiate hot sauce
Spice things up and give a recent grad a bottle from their alma mater. Whether they are a former (or-soon-to-be) Auburn Tiger, Georgia Bulldog or UT Vol, they can celebrate their school with a bottle of hot sauce. Find the full selection for $8 a bottle at Southernaire Market.
College pillow
Hotty toddy! Gosh a’mighty! Show school spirit with one of these pillows. Know someone heading to Ole Miss or University of Tennessee? Send them off with a pillow that shows their pride in being a Rebel or a Vol. Find these for $50 each at Sanctuary South.
FOR EVERYBODY
Calligraphy pen and ink
Inspire a graduate to pick up a new hobby in the form of calligraphy and write thank you notes to all of those who helped her celebrate their graduation (you included). Get them started with a Kaweco calligraphy brass pen, $112, and Kaweco sunrise orange ink, $16 at Hester & Cook.
Picture frames
Frame a special memory in these simple-yet-chic pictures frames. Graduates can take the memorabilia with them to college, or find a special spot for the frames in their first post-college apartment. Find these in three different sizes at COLOR.
Graduation card
If this card doesn’t make you smile, try again. We got a good chuckle from it and are sure any grad you gift it to will as well. Whether the graduate you know got Magna Cum Laude or Magna Cum Blah Blah Blah, they will appreciate the humor. Find it for $3 at The Paper Place.
Collectable art
It is never too early to start growing an art collection. We suggest that you help any guy or gal you know start one with a piece from Ed Nash’s collection. We think these smaller works come at the perfect price point for a piece of art that will last a lifetime. These 9-by-9-inch works from Ed Nash are $225.
Nashville neighborhoods posters
For grads coming to or leaving Nashville, gift a poster of Nashville and its many neighborhoods. The screen-print map is printed in Knoxville, TN, and spells out the 140 neighborhoods in Davidson County. The posters are available in blue, for $45, and red, for $35, at White’s Mercantile.
Neighbor tee
Chances are that after graduation, the recent graduates will be introducing themselves to a few new neighbors. Give them this t-shirt as a conversation starter as they make friends in their new dorm, apartment building or neighborhood. This shirt is available for the guys and the ladies for $24.99 at Project 615.
Congratulations to the graduates!
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