Earning a Ph.D. requires thousands of hours of research and sacrificing almost all social activity and sleep. But 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 a thoughtful Ph.D. graduation gift. We’ve highlighted some of the best options below, which range from humorous memorabilia to luxurious gifts that truly feel like a reward for their hard work.
Sure, your favorite PHD graduate probably could have used a solid pair of noise-canceling headphones while they were working on their thesis, but that’s not to say that they will be useless now. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones are ideal for tuning out all of life’s stresses and distractions, which is what one should do after living and breathing stress for eight years. It has a comfortable fit, a long-lasting battery, and balanced audio that sound great playing any genre.
It’s no surprise that this gorgeous Leather Journal Cover for Field Notes has so many outstanding reviews. It’s a gift anyone could use, especially a recent PhD graduate. This journal cover is designed specifically to fit Field Notes brand notebooks (3.5 x 5.5 inches) or Moleskine notebooks (3.5 x 5.5 inches). It also comes with a pen holder and a slot to hold credit or business cards.
While the last thing a PhD graduate 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. But there is one catch: you have to make it yourself. What’s for sale is merely the template to fold the pages of any book to look like this when you open it up. It requires no tools and since it is D.I.Y. you can make a personalized book choice that will add extra meaning for the recipient.
If grad school teaches you anything, it is that coffee is a daily necessity. This Brim 8-Cup Pour Over Coffee Maker is sure to stand out and something they’ll use all the time. It doesn’t use a filter and delivers the perfect cup every time using a pulsing shower head to evenly distribute water across the beans. Plus, it has a massive capacity so you can keep filling mug after mug.
It’s only natural to have some residual stress after completing a Ph.D. candidacy. And if you know a recent graduate who could use some help relieving that stress, the Muse S (Gen 2) Brain Sensing Headband is a great gift option for them. This innovative wearable band uses built-in biometric tools like an EEG, PPG, pulse oximeter, accelerometer, and gyroscope to give real-time feedback as you go through guided meditations.
There are a number of meditations included free in the Muse app including mindset-modifying talks and dynamic soundscapes that respond to your biofeedback. There is also a premium subscription structure which I got to try along with my sample unit. Exclusive to the Muse S Headband (and most relevant for Ph.D. graduates) are the sleep programs. Yes, the band is comfy enough to wear through sleep and offers a whole suite of programs to offer sleep relief. My personal favorite program series is the digital sleeping pills.
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 x 10 inches, with space for a 4 × 6 photo.
This highly rated Seiko watch is an extra-special gift for someone who just graduated from their PhD program. It is an attractive and refined watch that can be worn daily. It dresses up any outfit and is a beautiful timepiece that will last a lifetime. It may be a bit on the expensive side but I’ll bet that its cost is a meager percentage of the graduate’s student loan debts.
This Banuce laptop bag is a really special accessory that will help a new PhD graduate feel fit for their new title of doctor. 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.
Nothing makes you feel distinguished like drafting up a memo or grading papers with a Kaweco Al Sport Fountain Pen. These fine nib pens may be a little more involved to use than your standard ballpoint, but they really provide a different writing experience altogether. The Al Sport is a great entry-level fountain pen to introduce them to this time-honored writing tradition without breaking your gift budget.
When you’ve just completed a program that trains you to laser focus on your work for hours at a time, a lukewarm cup of coffee or tea is a common issue for new PhD graduates. That is what makes the Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2 such a ridiculously cool PhD graduation gift. This “smart mug” keeps your hot beverages at your favorite drinking temperature, which you set using an intuitive smartphone app. You can even save presets to keep different drinks at different temperatures.
This awesome map is the perfect way to commemorate the city where the Ph.D. graduate completed their doctorate. After all, they likely spent years getting to know it. It is made from laser engraved wood so it is more special than a standard map print. It also comes framed, which gives it a completed look. You can choose any city and several sizes for the artwork. Note that it is handmade and takes about three to four days to create, so plan ahead if you plan to gift this on a specific date.
It’s a running joke that sleep does not really exist for PhD 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.
As your favorite grad student transitions out of cramped library rooms and into a professional setting, they’re going to need a professional-level desk. The FlexiSpot Comhar Electric Standing Desk brings both a refined look and a convenient adjustable-height motor for maximized ergonomics.
This desk can be electrically raised from a sitting height of 28.3 inches to a standing height of 47.6 inches. It changes at the push of a button and even has four buttons to bind to preset heights (in case this desk will have multiple users). Add to this a few USB charge ports and you can see why the FlexiSpot Comhar is a useful gift for professionals in any field.
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 × 4 × 6.5 inches so it won’t take up too much space on a desk or shelf, but is still easy to read from a distance. Note that batteries are not included.
This quirky PH.inisheD Mug makes for a fun and inexpensive gift to honor your favorite PhD graduate and all of the work they did to get their degree. This mug has a large 15 oz. volume and, unlike their diploma, is dishwasher-safe.
When you spend a handful of years glued to your desk, a vacation afterwards isn’t just a treat but a necessity. Finishing your PhD candidacy is a liberating event and the best way to celebrate is to pack up this S-Zone Oversized Canvas Travel Tote and take a vacation. This tote makes a great carry-on bag for big trips but it can also be a standalone bag for short business trips where you don’t need a ton of luggage. This 21.7L tote will carry your shoes, shirts, pants and other gear that you need to get through airport security quickly.
It is not uncommon for new PhD graduates to suffer from impostor syndrome, a psychological effect one feels unqualified for the work they do even though they are well-qualified. But it is so much easier to feel confident in yourself when you have your own monogrammed wax seal. That’s where this kit from Nostalgic Impressions comes into play. It can be custom designed to match the recipient’s initials and it ships with sealing wax so they can put it to use right away.
Returning to a normal sleep schedule after regularly burning the midnight oil can be hard for a new PhD graduate. That’s why I recommend a GnO Cooling Weighted Blanket to help bring deep, restorative sleep to restless minds. You can order it in tons of sizes, even large enough for a king-size bed. The set includes a silky soft bamboo cover, which is machine washable, as well as the weighted insert. If you’re not sure which weight to go with, we recommend going with the lighter of the two options since it does take a little bit of an adjustment to get used to sleeping with the weight.
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 love 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.
Grad school is over, which means it is time to return to a normal sleep schedule like the rest of the world. The Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock is a great tool for doing so, as it provides light cues that mimic a natural sunrise instead of (or in addition to) an audio alarm. It also helps you fall asleep with a simulated sunset mode and a library of calming nature sounds to help you find your peaceful place.
With all of the field-specific information that you have to bring with you into your career, it can help to have the fundamentals on reference. This card-sized Pocket Scientist wallet tool offers a quick cheat sheet of useful information like pressure conversions, physics constants, physics equations, and more. It also has a metric ruler, a protractor, and a hex wrench built in among other features. The company makes specific versions for different STEM fields too, so you can make this gift feel even more personal.
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 new title of Doctor. Pair it with one of the more serious gifts on this list for an all-around awesome gift.
A PhD program might not seem physically intensive, but all of that time focusing on research can do some damage to your body. This HoMedics Shiatsu Air Pro Foot Massager is a great way to give back to your body with a little TLC. It has several different massage functions to choose from along with an optional heat mode. Now if only they made one for your brain.
When you have several years of pent up grad school stress built up, you sometimes need to bring out the big guns to alleviate some of that stress. This Vitruvi Stone Diffuser is the Cadillac of essential oil diffusers, as it is built from high-quality ceramic material and has the ability to diffuse scents in areas upwards of 500 square feet. Pair this with a pack of calming essential oils and you will help your recent graduate find relaxation, ward off germs, and bring fresh smells into their home.
This First White Coat Hanger only really makes sense if they just completed a doctorate of medicine program, but if they are about to start a career in medicine, then this gives them a place to store their first official white coat. The lettering is printed on the wooden part of the hanger and it comes with a white bow attached.
While completing your graduate thesis can foster personal growth and discovery, it’s also all about the amazing job opportunities that open up afterward. Help them prepare for their professional career by getting them this MaxGear Metal Business Card Holder, which can hold ten to twenty business cards depending on the thickness. It is very pocket friendly at 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.3 inches and is sturdy enough to last through their entire career (whatever it may be).
Now that they’re officially done with long nights at the library, it’s time for them to get some quality sleep. That’s why we recommend the Joseche Sleep Mask and Headphones for any PhD graduate trying to return to a normal sleep schedule. It blocks out both lights and sound for a quality night’s sleep. This gift is also found on our list of the best cheap tech gifts.
Has your favorite Ph.D. graduate been so busy completing their degree that you haven’t been able to keep up with their food preferences? Well, you can still send them a thoughtful gift box from Sugarwish. Sugarwish is a great option because you all you need to do is choose your box size and your recipient will be prompted to pick their favorite product category and flavors. Options include cookies, popcorn, snacks, coffee, tea, and more and each box comes with a gift card so you can tell them yourself how happy for them you are.
The Nordgreen Native Watch sports an elegant unisex design that will go with any professional attire from a three-piece suit to a thrifted tweed jacket with elbow patches. This timepiece has interchangeable leather straps but we find that the brown leather pairs best with its low-bezel stainless steel watchface.
This ornate Italian Replica Old World Globe Bar might seem out of place for a new PhD graduate, but they’ll be occupying an academic office or constructing a private study in no time. And when they do finally get there, this piece of ornate vintage furniture will become a centerpiece for their space. This globe opens at the equator to reveal hidden bar supplies, making it easy to unwind with a drink after a mentally taxing activity.
This comical Look at You Graduating and Sh*t Soy Candle might not be appropriate to open up in front of Grandma, but after eight (or more) years of education, they’ve earned the right to chuckle at a swear word. They’ve also earned the right to sit back, relax, and breathe in the calming vanilla and caramel aroma of this scented candle.
Okay, this Precious Moments Figurine is a bit of a gag gift since no one under 60 collects these vintage statuettes. But if you need a gift for someone who took a little longer than average to finish their PhD, then this can actually come off as a pretty funny slant at their age. But just know that whether you gift this ironically or not, it will very likely just end up in a Goodwill.
With this graduation-capped coffee mug, they can commemorate their big moment every morning with their first cup of coffee. This 11 oz. mug is made with quality ceramics and its removable lid has a real cloth tassel just like a real mortarboard.
Since your grad has most likely been living on meager means for the last few years, help them live it up with this premium Jillmo Whiskey Decanter. This ornate decanter holds 1250ml of whiskey can comes with two matching glasses so you can share a pour with them in celebration.
Though this is a gift they’ll wish they had before completing grad school, there are still plenty more reasons in the professional world to rock a pair of Gunnar Blue Light Blocking Glasses. According to a study by Upwork, 22 percent of the U.S. workforce will be remote by 2025, which means plenty more screentime incoming for many graduates. These glasses reduce eye strain and headaches while using screens and make you look sharp while doing so.
It wouldn’t be at all surprising for someone to come out of graduate school with a 6-year-old laptop that’s already on its last legs. Well now that they’ve completed their ultimate goal, you should reward them with a capable new laptop like the Lenovo Ideapad 3. It has a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, making it a solid midrange machine for taking care of business.
These Ray-Ban Metal Round Sunglasses are just the kind of luxury purchase that a P.hD. student would never consider because of their student debt. Well, you might not be able to pay their debt but you can treat them to some premium sunwear. Maybe it will encourage them to finally take a vacation too.
It’s basically impossible to keep up with the latest gaming crazes while still succeeding in graduate school. That’s why now is the perfect time for your favorite P.hD. graduate to unwind with some VR gaming courtesy of the Meta Quest 2. This standalone device has everything it needs built right in, so you don’t need a high-end PC with an expensive GPU.
For the doctoral candidate who earned their degree with style, there is no more relevant gift than this Hotter by One Degree Candle. This soy candle comes in a 10 oz. jar and ships carefully packaged in a gift box. It has notes of citrus, spice, and sandalwood, which will surely bring a more calming atmosphere to their new workspace.
If your favorite doctorate candidate is headed towards a career in medicine where they will be working with their hands, then I suggest getting them a Groove Life Silicone Ring. This lightweight yet stylish ring is designed to stay out of the way when working with your hands, which a surprisingly large number of Ph.D. grads end up doing.
It is only once you complete such an epic undertaking that you deserve a chair so plush as the Mcombo Electric Power Lift Recliner. This gift will go highly appreciated as long as the recipient has room for it. After all, everyone needs a comfy overstuffed chair to melt into after a long, hard day.
For those first few months, your grad will happily take any opportunity they can to brag about their big new accomplishment. And these Hot Sox Conversation Starter Crew Socks should make it an easy topic to breach. After all, nothing says “I just dominated grad school” like a spiffy new pair of grad-themed socks.
Quality sleep is never at a higher premium than right after getting out of grad school, which is why new P.hD. graduates should use every trick in the book to return to a normal sleep schedule. The Hush Iced 2.0 Cooling Weighted Blanket is one such sleeping trick, as it provides therapeutic pressure across the body as you sleep while also regulating your temperature. It’s great for sleepers such as myself who get restless when they are too warm.
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 standing desk converter from FlexiSpot. By stacking it on their existing desk, it will raise their monitors to eye height, thereby reducing the strain on their neck and back while they work. And the best part is that it lifts up pneumatically to bring the monitors to standing height so they can work fully standing up. We recommend pairing this with a compression mat on the floor so their feet don’t get tired either.
Even though they have completed their degree program, they still have a lot to learn about life. And nutrition is likely one such topic. That’s why you can get them started the right way with an Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker. This practical cooking device equips them to make easy and nutritious meals using a variety of techniques and it is space-friendly as well.
Okay, so gifting a copy of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss may be a little contrived but I still have to include it on this list on the off chance that they have never received a copy. And even if they did read this book when they graduated college or high school, it is still a timeless tale that is soothing to return to now and again.
While you can almost always do better than an Amazon Gift Card, they are worth mentioning sheerly for the fact that you can have one shipped in a spiffy gift box that looks like a graduation cap. Plus, you know they will find a use for it.
Once someone gets into the habit of endless research, they’ll never stop reading new books and making new connections. That’s why we recommend you stock them up with some Book Darts Line Markers. Take it from someone with a literature degree: book darts are the best tool for tracking the most insightful passages you read.
Fast food becomes a dangerous crutch when you have to spend every waking hour with your nose down in the books. Well, if fried food has become a staple, then you can do better for your body with the Cosori Air Fryer Max XL. This countertop convection cooker uses 85 percent less oil than a normal deep fryer, making it a healthier way to enjoy tater tots, chicken strips, and other comfort foods.
Now that they’re done with school, it’s time for them to catch up on the world of streaming content. If they’ve been out of the game for a while, then you can get them caught up with the Fire TV Cube. This hands-free streaming device supports 4K UHD playback and Dolby Atmos audio, so you’ll be able to enjoy content from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, and more at the highest possible quality.
After you’ve dedicated every inch of your living space to research, it can be hard to carve out a zen space for you to collect your thoughts. And now that campus is no longer an option, we recommend this Japanese Tabletop Zen Garden instead. This set comes with a large decorative tray, 6 rocks, a bottle of sand, a six-tooth wide rake, a meditation Buddha, a bridge statue, a ceramic crane birds, an artificial bonsai tree and two koi carp figures.
This Bearington Smarty Graduation Plush is a simple way to show your excitement and respect for your most accomplished graduate. This plush doll is 10 inches and fully posable. It comes with a diploma, mortarboard, and sash too.
Though burying a time capsule might seem silly now, it always ends up being a worthwhile effort down the road. Starting a new one to celebrate their P.hD. graduation would be a great way to show someone that they are never done growing and that their life will only become more rich and fulfilling as they step into this new chapter of their life.
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. doctorate.