Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Manual’s Gift Guide For Graduates

the manuals gift guide for graduates grad gifts 940
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Graduations are a huge milestone, so it can be difficult to find the right gift that will make a lasting impression – and more importantly, a gift that will last in general. It’s always important to find something that your little graduate can look at and say “hey, I earned it!” That’s why we here at The Manual have collected a few ideas (from all different price ranges) that will help you find the perfect gift.

fivefourclubFor the style-conscious (and probable ‘Manual’ reader):

A membership to Five Four Club. What’s the Five Four Club? Five Four Club gives men across the country the opportunity to be fashion savvy without having to shop for themselves (we always love these types of programs). Trend driven clothing gets delivered directly to the hands of consumers every month. Monthly memberships retail for $60; it comes with full outfits (but not accessories/footwear) worth $120 and based on members’ style preferences. Purchase a membership here.

Headphones-v2For the music lover:

Once they take off their cap and gown, they can put on a what Master & Dynamic likes to call a “modern thinking cap”. Master & Dynamic makes a sleek set of headphones.  All of the headphones combine superior audio technology with a refined, industrial design aesthetic―making them the perfect gift. The one we like the most? The MH40 Over Ear Headphones – Designed for decades of use, these guys are built with only the finest materials (leather earphones? Hell, yes.) They make an elegant yet everyday addition to your desk, studio or home. They are also great for tuning out your parents when they keep hounding you to find a job….

Headphones are priced from $149 for in-ear styles to $399 for over-ear models. Listen to us and purchase here.

UCLA-v2For the sports lover:

’47 has an insane collection of hats, sweatshirts, tees, and now – socks. The company also has a wide selection of university apparel – so whether he’s going off to college for the next four years, or leaving it after 5 (some people just can’t say goodbye) ’47 will have him covered.

EquinoxFor the fit:

College finals can be pretty stressful (and let’s be honest – the Freshman 15 is not a myth) – so why not make going to the gym as comfortable as possible? Equinox offers a great selection of personal trainers, classes and a Manual approved brand….Kiehls. Check out locations and membership plans online.

Bag-v2For the graduate student:

Maybe he’s lucky enough to be starting a job, maybe he’s continuing his education – one thing is for sure – he’ll need a new bag. Let’s start fresh with a messenger bag from Ogden Made. This tough bag will fit an 11 inch MacBook, and all the tech essentials all while withstanding continuous wear and tear. Each bag is carefully handcrafted with a material called CORDURA, and with an obsessive amount of pride. He’ll have it for years. The small runs for $125 while the large runs for $145. Purchase online here.

Thankyou-v2To thank for all the gifts: 

He’s an adult now – so it’s time he gets his own place…or maybe just his own stationary? Thornwillow Makers has a great selection of ‘Thank You’ cards, stationary, and notebooks. He can write you a thank you note once he’s received his personalized set. A set starts at $50 dollars. You’re welcome.

Cartier-v2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

To celebrate a memorable time:

Nothing is quite as sentimental as a timepiece. They last forever, and every time he looks at his wrist he’ll remember why he’s wearing it and for what occasion he received it. Consider the Cartier Ronde Solo watch in steel. It’s a great beginner piece for any blooming collector. The Ronde Solo is, classic, elegant, and can be worn as an everyday watch. Roman numerals, blue sword-shaped hands – a piece this graduate will never take off. $2840 – $3750. Purchase through Cartier.

Stefan Doyno
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Stefan Doyno is a two-time Emmy-winning television producer who has worked for various shows at ABC News, including Good…
Tudor’s latest Black Bay gives fans what they want: A smaller, thinner GMT
Try this smaller version on for a slimmer look
Tudor Black Bay on table

If you are a fan of Rolex but don't want to dive deep into the process or the financial commitment to procure yourself one of the Swiss giant's products, then you may want to swap over to the sister brand, Tudor. They are known for their sports watches that have the same style, quality, and elegance as their more popular sister, with a price point that feels a little more attainable. That doesn't mean they don't make their own splashes at Watches and Wonder as they drop one of their newest sure-fire hits, the Black Bay 58 GMT, in a newer, smaller, sleeker model.

If your ears are perking up and your interest is piqued, then read on to discover what Tudor watches have in store for you in 2024.
Smaller is in style

Read more
The Piaget Polo Date 150th Anniversary Edition revamps a classic watch
See what 150 years of craftmanship look like with the Piaget Polo Date limited watches
The Piaget Polo Date duo.

What does a luxury watch company do for its 150th anniversary? The only answer is to release a limited line of watches. And Swiss company Piaget did just that. The Piaget Polo Date collection comes with one for the fellas and one for the ladies, but both pieces exude a quiet luxury on their own. Playing up the nostalgia note but giving collectors a fresh take, Piaget took their 1979 hit the Piaget Polo, gave it a shine, and made it the star for the company's 150th anniversary, debuting the Piaget Polo Date. 
His and hers, Piaget edition

The 150th-anniversary release consists of two watches — one for him and one for her. The Piaget Polo Date watches don't reinvent the vintage version from the 1970s, but the new ones bring a level of sophistication to the model.
The one for him
The updated version for him is 42 mm in size, has a round face, and has a brown rubber strap. The details on the face and the hands are rose gold. There are not many changes from the original, but sometimes, little tweaks go a long way.
The one for her
The watch for her is a bit more detailed. For this one, Piaget took the 36 mm option and gave it a beige rubber strap, allowing it to match the brown watch. But this move with the strap was huge, as it replaced the old metal bracelet and leather strap previously offered. This made it the first time the 36 mm came with a rubber strap and the first time the two watches had the same strap style.

Read more
My 5 favorite Canada Goose jacket deals happening right now
A man wearing a Canada Goose parka jacket.

If you want one of the best men’s jackets around, you need to check out the Gilt sale on all things Canada Goose right now. You can click through on the button below to see the full wealth of what’s out there but we’ve also picked out some favorites. Take a look below at what we’ve chosen as some of the best Canada Goose jackets on sale at Gilt right now.

Canada Goose Long Jacket -- $680, was $795

Read more