I know we thought it never would, but college life is quickly coming to an end.
I know it's sad but look on the bright side... one word... PAYCHECK!!!
This is the last Christmas we will pack our bag and go home for a month to completely detox from all the stress and anxiety college brings. Even though we're home and stress-free, we will have in the back in our mind how close the real world is to become our reality.
HAVE NO FEAR! As it is the holiday season, perhaps some family and dear friends can get you gifts that will make you feel better about the transition into the real world.
Here is a Christmas list for the girl who is transitioning from college life into big girl life!
1. A Reliable Computer
Gift a 13.3 Inch MacBook Air, $999
This is a NECESSITY! Now of days technology is EVERYTHING. Having a reliable computer can improve your productivity and land you jobs that require up to date software. Personally, I am a huge Apple person, but gift the brand the person knows well!
The MacBook Air is extremely light and easy to create on. It has up to 12 hours of battery life and 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 or 2.2GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor. Basically in blonde terms... its light and fast and PERFECT for your future job!
2. Car Essentials
Gift a 42-Piece Emergency Car Tool Kit, $25.71
We all hope it won't happen, but let's get real for a sec... we will ALL have car troubles at one point in our life, so why not be prepared?! This gift offerers road assistance, a certified AAA toolkit, a flashlight and first aid kit. It might not be the most exciting gift we will receive this Christmas, but it sure as heck might save our lives one day!
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Lifeline-4330AAA-Premium-Emergency-Flashlight/dp/B0006MQJ0M/ref
3. Handman Toolkit
Gift a 65-Piece Tool Kit, $42.99
After graduation, you enter the "real world," and the real world will include putting together furniture, Googling how to fix leaky faucets when your landlord avoids your calls and enticing your friends with pizza to get them to help you mount your living room TV. It's not the most strictly "fun" gift, but it will absolutely be necessary. She'll be glad she has the tools to handle whatever life throws at her confidently, and since this is one gift she may not buy for herself, it makes perfect sense as a post-graduation gift.
Link: https://www.shopko.com//catalog/product.jsp?productId=24279
4. KitchenAid Mixer
Gift a KitchenAid Mixer, $299.00
Awhhh.... a kitchen aid mixer. The ONE tool that makes cooking fun. Why not tack this onto our Christmas list to explore the baking world and truly make us feel like we're "adulating."
PLUS have we not mentioned all the cute colors these things come in?! I mean come on, anybody would want one of these things!
Amazon Link:https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSM155GBSA-5-Qt-Artisan-Design/dp/B00L9LD85S/ref
5. Cookbook
Gift the "Magnolia Table Cookbook" by Joanna Gaines, $13.73
Watch out Joanna Gaines, we ALL need one of your amazing cookbooks for "big girl life"
A lot of graduates are coming out of school with little knowledge of cuisine or the human palette as it pertains to tastes that are not mac and cheese or $1 pizza (yes, it exists). A cookbook is a nice way to make sure they can get off on the right foot post-graduation, maybe eating some vegetables and enjoying the activity itself rather than relying on the same cheap eats out of habit or lack of know-how.
If you would like to purchase a Magnolia Table Cookbook" by Joanna Gaines, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Table-Collection-Recipes-Gathering/dp/006282015X/ref
Best part? ITS ONLY 13 BUCKS FOR A HARD COPY!!!
6. Keurig
Gift a Keurig coffee maker, $79.99
Coffee is something many of us rely on daily and don't want to spend a lot of time making. In the morning or in a rush, instant gratification is best. Which is why fast coffee makers that take the hassle out of the equation are so popular.
Amazon Link:https://www.amazon.com/Keurig-K55-K-Classic-Coffee-Programmable/dp/B018UQ5AMS/ref
7. Fresh Set of Sheets
Gift a Brooklinen gift card, $129
Graduates will be moving from dorms to a new place that's more fundamentally 'adult,' and that calls for an upgrade in bedding. They'll probably want to pick it out for themselves, but a gift card is a perfect way to give them a luxury they'll be extremely happy to have but maybe couldn't justify just yet for themselves.
Brooklinen has quickly become one of the best-known startups offering premium bedding at affordable prices. They look great, they feel even better, and they can genuinely offer you a better night's sleep for the third of your life you spend doing just that. They're also our pick for the best luxury sheets you can buy.
You can get a Queen sheet set (flat sheet, fitted sheet and 2 standard pillowcases) for as little as $129 altogether.
8. Amazon Prime Membership
Gift an Amazon Prime Membership, from $99.99
An Amazon Prime membership is one of those things that immediately makes life easier and ultimately better. If you decide to gift one, the recipient will enjoy free two-day shipping; access to the Prime Now app, which provides free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items; Prime Video, Amazon's streaming video service; Prime Music; the Kindle Lending Library; Prime Reading; Prime Audible Channels; unlimited photo storage, and more.
If you want to see how Amazon Prime ($99 for the year) actually gives you a lot more than free shipping, check out Amazon!
9. Monogrammed Planner
Gift a Moleskine Monogrammed Planner, from $14.95
Life is busy in college, and it doesn't stop being busy after graduation. Having a professional-looking, organized way to start off the year like a monogrammed Moleskine planner is a thoughtful and useful gift. It's certainly better than writing things down on the back of their hand.
10. A Nice Blazer for Years to Come
Gift an Of Mercer blazer, from $195
A high-quality, timeless blazer is something you can add to your wardrobe at 20 and still find in your closet a couple decades later. It can elevate any outfit, and if it's there from the beginning of your career to its peak, there's a good shot it could become that "lucky blazer" that adds assurance and confidence. It's one of the best and most valuable workplace buys you can make or give. You're looking at Of Mercer's "Prince Blazer" ($235) above, but there are plenty of fresh and high-quality workwear startups to browse before buying.
11. Eco Dot
Gift an Echo Dot, $29.99
This smart-home device can turn the lights on, wake you up in the morning with an alarm, set timers, report the traffic and weather, and many more helpful tasks. The Amazon Echo Dot is an easy-to-use, affordable personal assistant they will surely use.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Echo-Dot-3rd-Gen/dp/B0792KTHKJ/ref
