I have had a number of people ask me recently for advice on gifts to help some younger people starting out stocking their kitchen. I’ve done it for my nieces and nephews, and I am always on the lookout for great kitchen products. So I thought I’d round up some of my favorite gift ideas perfect for graduates as the season gets into full swing. These ideas can also make great wedding or shower gifts, or for someone moving into a first home. I use affiliate links through ShopMy and earn a small commission.
A good kitchen needs good knives and here are several that I love and use in my own kitchen. Made-In makes a sturdy and durable 8” inch chefs knife that won’t break the bank. And I love that you can have it engraved with a name or message to make it a special gift but is also handy if someone has roommates! Misen makes a great starter set of knives, and they can be engraved as well (and code THERUNAWAYSPOON15 gets your 15% off).
If you really want to start some off right, the enduring classics like Le Creuset and All Clad will have them remembering you when they cook for many years to come. My favorite starter pieces for Le Creuset are the 3.5 quart braiser and the 4.5 quart Dutch oven. The braiser with a glass lid is also a great choice. All Clad’s 3.5 quart universal pan is pretty much what it says – great for a variety of recipe. A good stainless steel saucepan is a kitchen workhorse, and this 3 quart version will cover a lot of bases. Same goes for a classic skillet. Better yet, buy them as a set.
A set of everday cookware will really get your graduate off to a good start, and I have enjoyed my pieces of Caraway ceramic. A starter set makes a great gift, or this rondeau pan has become a staple in my kitchen. It works for everything. The same goes for bakeware, and I find this ceramic Our Place baking sheet is great for all sorts of things, and pretty enough to serve from. There is a fabulous mini version if their kitchen is mini too.
Serving pieces are always useful, and this set from Our Place has all the essentials. For every day dinnerware, East Fork Pottery makes elevated rustic sets that are perfect for any home. Good glasses are essential too, and I find a stemless wine glass is useful for everything and these beautifully colored ones from Estelle are a treat. The classic Picardie tumblers from Duralex at French bistros and will last for years. The Christmas before I graduated from college, my grandmother gave me a set of stainless steel flatware and I still use it everyday. Grown up life mean it’s time for real cloth napkins, and these hotel napkins fit the bill, simple, durable and classic. Add a monogram for a special touch.
You will really set your graduate up for kitchen success with indispensable small appliances, like a Kitchen Aid stand mixer or a Breville food processor (my absolute kitchen workhorse). If kitchen space or budget don’t stretch to those, this Kitchen Aid mini food processor is a fantastic tool – I use mine almost daily. This toaster oven/airfryer combo is another tool I use all the time. Perfect for heating frozen meals or leftovers, but can also cook dinner. It’s great for small spaces because it is multi-function. A Vitamix blender is of course a gold standard kitchen kit (with a price tag to match), but a NutriBullet small blender is great for smoothies, soups and salad dressings (and frozen cocktails).
Whether they are moving into a dorm or starting a first job, handy containers for a healthy and money saving lunch (or dinner or snack) are a perfect. This Swell salad bowl kit keeps everything separate and safe, while the canisters are great for extras or snacks. Yeti really knows the business of transporting and chilling food and this lunchbox is no exception, or the smaller snack boxes. Pair it with a water bottle (which you can have personalized) for the full kit. And don’t sleep on the food jars, which will keep a nice soup warm for transport.
I have some non-kitchen related favorites too. Dorm room, first apartment, first house – whatever, the Hulken bagmakes easy work of moving your stuff, be it laundry, groceries or textbooks. Another all-purpose and thoughtful gift for all stages of graduating is a really good bed pillow – and Pillow Bar has customizable and monogrammable options (a gift certificate is the play here). Dorm room or shared apartment, a cozy robe to cover up is a nice touch, especially monogrammed (for men too). Or go with a dorm starter bundle.
Some go-to special gifts for me are this lovely little Simon Pearce glass clock that can be engraved with a special message. Leatherology has a whole collection of leather goods, like this laptop sleeve, that you can upload a handwritten message or artwork to have embossed.
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