Long hours, tons of research, a sacrifice of social activity and sleep are all things that factor into earning Ph.D. Now that the work is complete, it’s time to celebrate and there’s no better way to acknowledge this type of achievement than with an awesome Ph.D. graduation gift. You don’t have to spend much to make an impression. We’ve compiled a number of awesome and unique gifts, ranging from $10 – $300 and everything in between, so you can shop on the budget that’s comfortable for you.
Everyone needs a great pair of noise-canceling headphones, and if you’re shopping for a recent Ph.D. graduate, then they deserve the best of the best. This highly rated pair is well-known, making for a quiet listening experience that makes music sound better and clearer. If you don’t have the budget for this big of a splurge, check out this pair which is a fraction of the cost and still makes a great gift.
While the last thing a PhD student might want to see is another book, this isn’t an ordinary book. This folded book art is a unique piece of decor, great for displaying in any home or office. It makes quite an impression and is a great conversation piece. Each book is folded by hand, displaying the letters “PhD” in a big block font. The moderate cost is perfect for a graduation gift and won’t break the bank. Keep in mind the turnaround time is about two weeks between creation and shipping, so make sure to order in advance.
If you know that the PhD graduate you’re shopping for will soon be setting up shop in an office, unique items for their desk are an awesome graduation gift. This stylish and sleek clock has a retro inspired design with flip down minute and hour display. It measures 8″ wide x 4″ deep x 6.5″ high so it won’t take up too much space on a desk or shelf, but is still easy to read from a distance. Don’t forget to purchase the correct batteries to get it working right away.
This laptop bag is a really special accessory that will wow. Not only will this be extremely useful for a recent graduate who needs to tote around their electronics, but the smooth buttery leather and sleek design is absolutely gorgeous. The structured silhouette is clean and simple, made with smooth leather.
It’s a running joke that sleep does not really exist for Ph.D. students. It’s an intense, grueling process. It involves long hours, and commitment to late nights, early mornings and tons of work. A great gift for a recent grad is some new sheets, making a good night’s rest even more enjoyable. This set is 100 percent linen, providing a hypoallergenic, cooling, sleeping experience.
It’s no surprise that this gorgeous leather notebook cover has so many outstanding reviews. It’s a gift anyone could use, but especially a recent PhD graduate. A gift that will last a lifetime, this journal is designed specifically to fit Field Notes brand notebooks (3.5″ x 5.5″) or Moleskine notebooks (3.5″ x 5.5″). It comes with a pen holder tucked inside for a clean aesthetic and one Field Notes notebook. While the pen is not included, you can grab this special chrome pen for under $20. There are slots for credit cards, identification, and passports, so they can use this around town and on the go.
This funny frame kind of hits the nail on the head with its definition of PhD and will give any new graduate a bit of a chuckle. It’s the perfect place to frame a photo from graduation day and display it proudly at home or in their office. You can also choose to have it personalized with a name or message of your choice. The frame measures 8×10, with space for a 4×6 photo. Check out some of these other great gift options from this online shop, aptly named Neurons Not Included.
This beautiful business card holder is a great gift for any recent grad. If they’re starting a new job, they’ll want a place to proudly display their business cards. This holder is designed with walnut wood and white acrylic, creating an awesome modern aesthetic.
If the graduate expects to be sitting at a desk a lot in their future role, then you might want to consider gifting them this awesome desk. It will help alleviate a lot of the ailments associated with sitting for prolonged periods of time. This one has a full keyboard tray, moves smoothly and can fit two full computer monitors if necessary.
A morning cup of coffee can be boring and flavorless, made from a standard drip machine with grocery store beans. It can also be an out of this world, coffee shop experience with a pour over machine like this one. It doesn’t use a filter and delivers the perfect cup every time. Caffeine is a necessity for all, especially a recent grad. This special gift is sure to stand out and something they’ll use daily if not more.
PhD graduates move up in rank from a simple Mr. or Ms. to Doctor, which is a pretty fun title change to recognize. If you’re shopping for a graduation gift for a PhD student, something that acknowledges their new title is a great choice. This t-shirt is an inexpensive and humorous option, which nods to their title of “Dr.” while also poking a little bit of fun. Pair it with one of the more serious gifts on this list for an all-around awesome gift.
If you are currently a student, you may want to take advantage of Amazon’s Prime Student Free Trial. You’ll get six months of Prime Student for free, which includes perks like free movie streaming, free photo storage, early access to deals, free Audible content, free access to select ebooks, and free two-day shipping on over 50 million eligible items.
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This awesome map is the perfect way to commemorate the city where the Ph.D. graduate completed their doctorate. It’s more special than a standard paper map print, made from laser engraved wood. It also comes framed, which gives it a completed look. You can choose any city and several sizes for the artwork. It only takes about three to four days to create, which isn’t long at all.
Are you shopping for a woman? A really nice piece of jewelry is an appropriate gift for just about any occasion, especially one as momentous as this. You’ll need something that really wows, which is why we loved this personalized necklace which has both blue sapphires and diamonds in its design. You can order the initial of your choosing for a beautiful and memorable gift.
This highly rated watch is an extra-special gift for someone who just graduated from their PhD program. It’s a comfortable, attractive watch that can be worn daily. It dresses up any outfit and is a beautiful timepiece that will last for years to come. While it’s not the most expensive watch option, you get a lot for this price point.
There’s something kind of old school and awesome about a rubber stamp seal. It makes a letter a bit more official, giving it a beautiful special finish. This personalized kit comes with the rubber wax stamp as well as the sealing wax. It comes gift wrapped with instructions making it easy to gift.
It’s much nicer to wake up naturally than with a blaring alarm clock jarring you from your slumber. This alarm clock mimics the sunrise, so even if you need to wake up before the sun for work, you can do so in a calm manner. There’s also a speaker that plays a number of wake up sounds or radio, if you prefer that as a backup.
This air compression massager is perfect for a little TLC. With several different functions to choose from along with heat. You can choose the level of compression along with the kind of massage you’d like each time. Within free Amazon Prime shipping, you can have this at your doorstep in just two days.
After long hours, tons of research, a sacrifice of social activity, and a lack of sleep, Ph.D. graduation gifts are a must for celebrating a recent Ph.D. grad.
