8 Must-Have Gifts For Grads Who Love To Travel
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The end of May is here already! Which is somewhat shocking to me when I look at the calendar for two reasons.
- Where has this year gone? It only feels like March to me. And
- If it’s the end of May that means that our baby girl is graduating high school!!
Miss T becomes a graduate this week, and we couldn’t possibly be any prouder of her! I am excited about Miss T’s future – she is an incredible young woman, and I know her future will be one that makes us all so proud of her achievements.
Congrats and good luck out there, Miss T!!
Her graduation has me thinking back to my own – back to a time way back when dinosaurs still walked the Earth. There are things I wish I would have known back then. Like I had never heard of the Peace Corps. As a bright-eyed new grad, I would have happily volunteered a few years in exchange for the chance to experience new cultures. My gypsy nature would have dove headfirst into that lifestyle.
Some kids are born to roam.
If the graduate in your life is planning on taking a year to travel this list will be perfect if you can’t decide what they may want or need! We have plenty to choose from such as the newest technology to keep your grad connected to family and friends back home. Or how about five years of hassle-free domestic flying for your member of the Class of 2018? We’ve got your travel-friendly graduation gifts covered.
Here is our roundup of eight must-have gifts for grads who love to travel.
 Graduate Gift #1 – TSA Precheck
For those grads who are frequent airport visitors, a TSA Precheck membership will be their most favorite gift they get by far. The traveler gets to speed through security and doesn’t have to remove their shoes, laptops, light jackets, belts, liquids and more. The best part? It’s good for five years!!
To buy: TSA, $85 for 5 years
Graduate Gift #2 – A Chromebook
When you live overseas, the power of a video call on a laptop cannot be overstated. Getting the chance to see your loved ones clearly is a precious gift. A new laptop is a gift that keeps on giving. The Google Pixelbook is one of the highest rated Chromebooks on the market. It’s super slim and light, perfect for fitting into a carry-on.
To buy: Google Pixelbook, from $899.
Graduate Gift #3 -Spinning, Locking Carry-on Luggage
Ask any seasoned traveler what the most important accessory they own while on the road, and I can just about guarantee the overwhelming majority will say a good carry-on suitcase. In my experience, I prefer a hard-side luggage, with spinning wheels, that has a built-in lock. This two-piece carry-on luggage set meets all my criteria. The set includes a 21-inch carry-on case and a 12-inch shoulder bag that stack together, and make getting through crowded airports a breeze.
To buy: Carry-on Spinner Luggage 2-Piece Set, $151
Photo courtesy Shopping Experts
Graduate Gift #4 – Sentimental Jewelry
Give the grad in your life a heartwarming gift that they will treasure for years to come. This 2018 Graduate Compass Bangle Bracelet is the perfect gift. With three charms, including a compass and an engraved heart, on a stainless steel bracelet, this bracelet is great for easy accessorizing and light packing!
To buy: 2018 Graduate Compass Bangle Bracelet
Photo courtesy Jesse Janes Jewelry
Graduate Gift #5 – Gift Cards
Money. It’s the best gift of all, in my opinion. It always fits, is always in stock, and I don’t have to return it. Over the years, I have learned gift cards are super handy when you’re overseas. If you have Amazon Prime, getting Amazon gift cards are the greatest things since sliced bread. If I can’t find what I need on-island, there is a really good chance Amazon will deliver it to me. Amazon can deliver to over 100 countries, so chances are if your grad needs something while abroad they can get it delivered to them.
Buy it: Amazon Gift Card, price varies.
Graduate Gift #6 – A Great Camera
Everyone wants a great camera when they travel, so the memories captured can last a lifetime. However, when traveling long stretches, carrying around a bulky camera and gear can be more trouble than it’s worth. That’s when a great point and shoot camera can really come in handy. Toss into your carry-on and go!
I can personally vouch for this next suggestion, as I own one myself and LOVE it! The Nikon Coolpix L340 Digital Camera has a 20.2MP camera with 28x Optical Zoom. Simply put – the zoom on this bad boy is unparalleled for a camera of this price range. The camera is light, takes incredible pictures up-close and far away, and uses standard AA batteries – so no charging! Your grad will appreciate the easy to use app that makes uploading pictures from the camera to Instagram a snap! Insta-stories have never looked better!
To buy:Â Nikon Coolpix L340, starting at $180
Graduate Gift #7 – International Voltage Converter
This little graduation gift just might be the powerhouse of this list. Coming in very highly recommended, such as this hysterical review from Amazon user, Kate:
Hero-status, confirmed.
Have you ever wanted to be a superhero? Have people chant your name, while cheering your existence? All you merely need to do is travel through airports with this in your carry-on, and you’ll be the hero everyone didn’t know they needed.
Aww, rugrat stole the last outlet in the nearby vacinity (sic) of your departure gate? No sweat! Plug this puppy in (there’s an adapter so the plug can work in US outlets), and suddenly you can charge ALL THE THINGS!
The BESTEK Voltage Converter for International Travel, 220v to 110v Travel Adapter and Converter is the perfect gift for the graduate who plans on studying overseas. Your grad can charge seven things simultaneously, with 3 AC ports and 4 USB ports! With plenty of space to plug in everything they use, it’s the only power converter they will need.
Buy it: Voltage Converter for International Travel, 220v to 110v, starting at $40
Graduate Gift #8 – Mophie Mobile Battery Pack Case
When you travel, there are times you just can’t stop and charge up your mobile equipment. And, as a parent, there are few thoughts scarier than my child being in a foreign land without a means to contact someone for assistance. That’s why the Mophie Mobile Battery Pack Case will give you parents peace of mind, knowing your grad will have their phone charged and ready to go at all times. The case is nice and slim, with rubberized edges that protect it from falls. Most users report getting one to two days of phone charging before needing to plug in the case.
Buy it: Mophie Mobile Battery Pack Case, from $25
To see even more great graduation gift suggestions, check out my Class of 2018 board on Pinterest.
Wherever life takes them, your grad will always be prepared for whatever comes their way thanks to you for helping them make their best first start. Show them that you know they can accomplish their dream of seeing new lands by giving them graduation gifts they really want and need. They will thank you by coming back home and telling tales of far off places with hard to pronounce names. It’s exciting times ahead, Moms and Dads!
Here’s to the Class of 2018! May you always dance!
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