Ph.D. Graduation Gifts: What to Give & Avoid

Completing a Ph.D. is a huge milestone, and it’s one that deserves to be celebrated. A graduation gift is a great way to recognize a newly-minted graduate’s accomplishments and acknowledge the years’ worth of hard work and commitment that made their achievement possible. But what to give them?

Choosing a Ph.D. graduation gift can be tricky. While thoughtful cards, money, and well-wishes are always appreciated, many friends and loved ones want to go the extra mile to recognize their scholars’ academic success. If you’re searching for the perfect Ph.D. graduation gift and you’re feeling at a loss for a present that will convey how proud you are of the new doctor, never fear. We’re here to help. 

These are a few Ph.D. graduation gift ideas that your grad will love (almost) as much as their new diploma, as well as a few traditional gifts to skip:

• Ph.D. graduation gifts to avoid
• Academic Ph.D. graduation gifts
• Timesaving Ph.D. graduation gifts
• Experiences

Ph.D. Graduation Gifts to Avoid

To be clear, any graduation gift is thoughtful and will be appreciated by the recipient, so don’t worry too much about choosing the wrong present. The graduate is likely so thrilled to receive their degree that everything else is icing on the cake. 

Still, not all graduation presents are created equal, and many traditional graduation gifts are past their heyday. One question to ask yourself to help guide your Ph.D. graduation gift search is, “What will they do with this?” 

When considering many traditional graduation presents, the answer is “not much.” Heavy desk accessories like nameplates, fancy pen stands, and business card holders are nice (and who doesn’t love seeing their name engraved on office supplies?) but for today’s graduates, they are unlikely to see much use. Along with personalized clocks and paperweights, these items are more likely to spend a lifetime collecting dust than being put to good use. 

I received many lovely engraved gifts when I graduated with my Ph.D. ten years ago, and I was excited to put them on display in my first office. However, it’s not much of an exaggeration to say that they haven’t moved since. 

Today’s graduates are likely to be on the move (or even working remotely) throughout their careers, and they may not want office stuff weighing them down. It’s best to resist the urge to gift them hourglasses and monogrammed globes, and consider something more personal instead. 

Academic Graduation Gifts

While commemorative keepsakes are best left in the past, if you’re still hoping to get your Ph.D. graduate a tangible present, there are plenty of options. Academic-themed presents are a nice way to help new grads move into the next phase of their professional lives, and many of these Ph.D. graduation gifts can be incredibly useful. The best part is, you won’t need to look any further than their college bookstore’s website. 

One of my favorite Ph.D. graduation gifts was nice stationery with my new title printed on the letterhead. It gave me a little thrill to send out notes from my very own stationery. I also received a beautiful leather portfolio that I still use to this day. A sturdy portfolio with space for a notebook, pens, and an iPad will get years’ worth of use and help your graduate stay organized in all of the meetings they’ll be attending. 

If you are looking for a big-ticket item for a new Ph.D. who is going to be a professor, graduation regalia also makes an excellent present for someone with dozens of commencement ceremonies in their future. 

Ph.D. regalia is expensive and it needs to be custom-ordered, but it’s a meaningful gift that they’ll keep forever. Every time I suit up for graduation in my gold-and-black velvet robe and fluffy hat, I remember what it felt like when it was my turn to walk across the stage. 

Timesavers

The months leading up to any Ph.D. student’s graduation are hectic, to say the least. Time is a precious commodity for every graduate student in the final stretch of their program, and what they really need is a few more hours in the day. An early Ph.D. graduation present that frees up a few hours of their time and checks off an item on their endless to-do list will be truly appreciated. 

Meal delivery, cleaning services, and childcare are all excellent Ph.D. graduation gifts. Giving your Ph.D. student extra time to focus on the many tasks they have to complete before receiving their degree is a thoughtful and meaningful present they are unlikely to forget. A little extra peace of mind goes a long way during what is perhaps the most stressful part of graduate school. 

Post-Graduation Experiences

Graduate school is a major commitment, and it requires a huge investment of time. Earning a Ph.D. takes years, and there’s not a lot of downtime in most Ph.D. programs. For many Ph.D. students, one of the most difficult things about graduate school is missing out on vacations, travel, and other activities. 

For this reason, an experience makes an exceptional Ph.D. graduation gift, and one they are unlikely to forget. 

After I finished my Ph.D., I was excited to spend time with my friends and family and catch up on everything I’d missed while submerged in my dissertation-writing. I jumped at the chance to travel and see a few new places before starting my first professor job, and I remember it as being the best summer ever. 

I had a great time relaxing and recharging after successfully making it through the gauntlet of graduate school, and I loved spending time with all the people I’d been missing. 

From day-trips to full-fledged vacations, a new adventure will be a welcome change of pace for anyone who has just completed the final chapter of their graduate education. Think about things they enjoy doing, and plan an experience that they’ll love. If you are looking for a truly memorable Ph.D. graduation gift, you can’t go wrong with a trip or an activity that will celebrate your graduate’s accomplishments and stay with them for many years to come.