By the end of this school year, 3.3 million high school students and 3.9 million college students will graduate, closing a major chapter in their lives.

Graduation is a massive achievement that should be celebrated with an appropriately monumental gift.

So what should you get your favorite grad? Ditch the card and the little bit of cash.

Instead, check out these five graduation gift ideas to show your favorite student how much they really mean to you.

1. A Custom Collage

A lot can happen in the span of four years. Think back to your own time in high school or college.

Remember how nervous you felt that day? Now fast forward and think about how triumphant you felt walking across that stage on graduation day.

It’s astonishing how quickly time flies. That’s why it’s important to hold onto those good memories.

An easy and fun way to help your friends or family relive those great times is by creating a personalized collage.

Collect a few highlights from your loved one’s time in school, head to your local craft store, and frame the entire project in a shadowbox.

Don’t forget to include a memento from graduation day itself. Include the graduation program, as well as a copy of your invitation (if your loved one didn’t send out formal invitations, make your own using a graduation invitation template).

2. A High-Quality Briefcase

A briefcase might seem like an odd gift at first. You might not even think it’s fun.

But the briefcase itself symbolizes something significant, as your loved one is preparing to enter the workforce.

A leather briefcase is a practical and useful gift that your loved one can take with them as they prepare for the next phase in their life. Plus, they’ll think of you every time they use it.

3. A Vacation

Want to go above and beyond for your favorite grad? Reward their years of studying and dedication by treating them to a fun-filled getaway!

Everybody deserves a little rest and relaxation every now and again.

Choose a fun destination they’ve mentioned before (or let them choose) and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

It might take a few months of budgeting, but you can rest assured that it’s a gift your grad will never forget.

4. Career Counseling

Again, this isn’t a traditional gift, but boy is it a helpful one.

Studies show that it takes an average of 7.4 months for a recent graduate to find a new job. Even if your graduate has a great resume and tons of experience, there’s no guarantee they’ll find a job right out of school.

Fortunately, there are experts out there that can help your loved one get a great gig.

A career counselor will help your grad discover potential careers, perfect their resume, prepare for interviews, and offer helpful advice that can only come from a professional.

It isn’t as fun as a vacation, but when it comes time to pay back those student loans, you won’t hear any complaints.

5. A Personalized Copy of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”

Dr. Seuss’, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” is one of the most common graduation gifts.

You can make it something special by adding a personalized inscription on the inside cover. Write a message to your grad and have others do the same.

Even if they don’t care about the book, they’re sure to love the heartfelt messages.

Graduation Gift Ideas Your Grad Will Love

Graduation is an exciting time in one’s life, so make sure to celebrate it appropriately with these awesome graduation gift ideas!

Does your grad’s achievement have you wanting to chase your own dreams? Get motivated and get ready to live your best life!