Gift Edit 2023

10 Editor-Tested Grad Gifts Under $100 for Traveling, Relaxing, and Celebrating

published Apr 20, 2023
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Prop Stylist: Stephanie Yeh

This feature is part of Apartment Therapy's Gift Edit, our editor-curated collection of gift ideas. Need more inspiration? Check out all our guides here.

Spring is here, and that means graduations are right around the corner. With my little brother graduating college in May, it’s no surprise that gift ideas have been at the forefront of my mind. He’s not terribly difficult to shop for, but I still want to make sure I get him something he’ll love that will last as he moves on to his first “grown-up” job. However, after four years of classes and cramming, some relaxing downtime is more than deserved. Fortunately, in my time at Apartment Therapy, I’ve been able to test out some products that would make some pretty excellent gifts without draining your wallet. Those finds include tech, self-care, travel, and home products that are innovative and trendy. I’ve rounded up some of my absolute favorite gift ideas for grads below, including some I’ve gifted that were hits in the past from Wayfair, Amazon, Walmart, and more. Best of all, they’re all under $100. Happy shopping!

1 / 10
Uncommon Goods
$30.00

Enjoy your favorite food pairings — like chips and guac or soup and crackers — with the the Ooma Bowl, a chic dual-sided dish that's made to rest comfortably in one hand. "They’re as beautifully saturated in person as they are in the photos," says this AT review. "They fit the natural curve of your hand for easy carrying, but can also be placed flat on the table and nest within each other for easy stacking storage."

2 / 10
Amazon
$71.00

Home fragrances are elevated with Pura, a sleek and stylish smart diffuser that allows you to control the scent of a room from strength to type. Fragrances can be turned on and off at will or be scheduled as needed, and the device also works as a nightlight with a myriad of colors. "Because each Pura has reservoirs for two scents, I can experiment with new scents and return to my favorites with a simple swipe on my phone. I am saving money without making any sacrifices and giving my guests a great experience," says AT contributor Kendall. "The Pura smart diffuser itself costs about as much as two 12-oz. candles — and the modest price tag only becomes more and more worth it over time."

3 / 10
Walmart
$39.96

The Beautiful electric kettle is a fan-favorite, and it's under $40. It can boil up to seven cups of water in just seven minutes, plus it even has separate preset options for different types of tea. Whether you're making matcha, coffee, or instant soup, this is the item you'll want to keep within reach.

4 / 10
POPFLEX
$95.00

Whether hitting the gym, a cafe, or the airport, the Sloane Tote from POPFLEX is versatile and stylish enough for them all. Designed with durability and daily essentials in mind, the spacious everyday tote is equipped with multiple pockets, a laptop sleeve, and even a smartly-hidden yoga mat holder. Made with canvas and polyester, the bag comes in three colors, including this dreamy and whimsical Cloud design.

5 / 10
Anecdote Candles
$90.00
was $104.00

After a long semester of studying and exams, the Relax and Recharge Bundle from editor-loved Anecdote Candles is a must. The set is made up of four witty candles from the cult-favorite brand that are all centered on the theme of R&R and have the coziest scents for unwinding. Fragrances include Coffee Break (French roast and coconut), Meditation (palo santo and black cedar), Self Care (mint and eucalyptus), and Home Cycle (rosemary and cassis).

6 / 10
Victrola
$79.99
was $99.99

As a huge fan of Victrola, I can say with full certainty that their record players and bluetooth speakers are totally gift-worthy. Made from recycled materials, the Re-Spin Bluetooth Suitcase Record Player is a less expensive alternative to pricier models that doesn't short you on sound quality (although I love using my acrylic turntable mat for style and function). Available in four colors, the Re-Spin has three times the bass as standard suitcase record players, can wirelessly stream music from your bluetooth device, and can even stream music from the record player to bluetooth speakers with Vinyl Stream technology. Plus, its dust cover can be removed to display up to five of your favorite albums.

7 / 10
Walmart
$99.00

After graduating comes celebrating, and the INSTAX Mini 40 will help to preserve all those wonderful memories. The popular instant camera prints pictures just like the Polaroids of yore, making them perfect for parties, vacations, and even selfies. As a bonus, this INSTAX bundle comes with an extra pack of film to start snapping right away.

8 / 10
Wayfair
$59.99
was $99.99

Keeps your favorite drinks or skincare products cool with this sleek matte black mini fridge from Uber Appliance. The countertop fridge saves space by having outlets on the side rather than the back, and comes with a removable shelf to keep items organized inside. The mini fridge can be used both indoors and outdoors, fits up to six 12-ounce cans, and also has a heat setting if needed. In addition to standard outlets, the fridge can be plugged into 12V car lighter sockets, and cords for both are included.

9 / 10
Amazon
$99.99

Short of snagging one of Roku's newly-lauched smart TVs, the Roku Ultra is as good as it gets. The device can stream in HD, Dolby Vision, and 4K; has a rechargeable remote that can be controlled with your voice; and it has access to countless apps including favorites such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, and more. To sweeten the deal, the Roku Ultra also allows private listening with a set of included earphones that plug directly into the remote. As the fastest Roku player in the lineup with the widest range, it makes the perfect gift for your favorite film and TV fans who want uninterrupted entertainment.

10 / 10
Keurig
$99.99

The newest single-serve brewer in Keurig's lineup is the K-Iced Coffee Maker that makes both refreshing iced coffees and cozy hot drinks, too. With the press of a button, the coffee machine can brew over ice and self-adjusts the temperature to minimize melting. It's also equipped with a "Stronger" button for bolder-tasting coffee without additional effort.