It can be tricky to shop for teens and young adults, but don’t let the age bracket scare you. New graduates—whether bidding farewell to high school and headed to college for the first time or leaving their undergrad years behind and entering the workforce—need plenty of items. College-bound students have entire dorm rooms to fill, plus any teen leaving home for the first time is sure to have tons of questions. Try space-saving decor, productivity tools, or a compendium of practical advice. College seniors also need furniture and decorative accents. But this set probably wants something that’ll make their new space feel less dorm-like (goodbye cinderblock walls and extra-long twin beds!) and more sophisticated (hello framed artwork and a room of her own!). And since most college graduates are (presumably) at least looking for a job, they’ll need desk accessories, a wardrobe revamp, and anything to make a new commute seem a little easier. Of course, you could recognize that any grad—whether college or high school—is probably carrying a certain amount of stress and opt for something a little sillier instead. Pick something—a cozy robe, a set of cocktail glasses, or a duffel bag—to help the graduate relax or take a weekend off when he’s not pulling an all-nighter or staying late to finish that sales presentation. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the grad something useful, either. All but a select few of these items—handpicked by our editors—retail for less than $50 a pop.
