As the summer season begins and travelers resume post-covid era travel plans, many young people are embarking on a whole different type of journey.  With the warm days of summer comes the soft winds of change for those who have recently graduated high school or college. It’s an exciting season--one that is filled with both adventure and uncertainty as many commemorate the close of one chapter in life and celebrate the beginning of another.

If you have a recent graduate in your family or among your circle of friends, you may be searching for a perfect gift idea that both encourages and celebrates this unique transitional season in life. While there are many traditional gifts on the market, we have a few gift suggestions that commemorate the journey and capture both the excitement and wisdom for the years ahead.

1. SCRATCH YOUR TRAVELS MAP

As your graduate spreads her wings and explores the world beyond her hometown, what better way to mark her steps than by giving her a Scratch Your Travels Map! These fun, interactive maps come in a variety of themes and enable your graduate to plan, dream, and mark off destinations as she travels. We currently carry three versions of these unique maps in our store: Scratch Your Travels US National Parks Map, Scratch Your Travels Official US State Flowers Map, and Scratch Your Travels North and Central America Map.

In addition to cataloging your graduate’s bucket list destinations, these maps can also be used as wall art or home decor. Is your student moving into a dorm in the fall? The Scratch Your Travels Map makes great wall art as well as a conversation piece to help her connect with new friends and roommates!

2. TRAVEL JOURNAL

If you have a graduate who loves to record her thoughts and memories, then a travel journal is a beautiful way to support her through this new season. Of course there are many lovely travel journals out there, but one of our favorites is The Little Book of Big Adventures Travel Journal. Featuring writing prompts, contact storage section, blank writing pages, and a map, this unique travel-theme journal is designed to preserve travel memories for years to come.

3. PERSONALIZED TRAVEL GEAR

A popular graduation gift tradition is monogrammed stationery, jewelry, or art. If you’re always thinking travel like us, then why not give your graduate protective phone cases, monogrammed luggage, weekend bags, and totes for an added personal touch?

We recommend two specific totes from our store that are ideal for monograms or embroidered artwork: The Big Jute Colored Tote Bag and the Dunes Drawstring Duffel Bag. Both are made of canvas and offer plenty of white space for embellishment or printing! (Plus, we think the Dunes Drawstring Duffel would be perfect to double up as a laundry bag for the dorms!)

4. INSPIRATIONAL BEACH READING

More than likely, your graduate will spend some down time this summer hanging out with friends at the pool, lake, or beach. While she may be may looking for some great beach reads, why not give her something that will also feed her soul and help her navigate the journey ahead? Our favorite adulting books on the market are How to Make the Right Decision Every Time by Karen Jensen Salisbury and 8 Things No Kid Should Leave Home Without by Joe McGee.

5. ADVENTURE AWAITS GIFT SET

Finally, to celebrate the exciting new opportunities that await your graduate, we suggest adventure awaits themed travel gift items.  We love adventure so much that we even have a collection dedicated to this joie de vivre! If you’re looking for a gift bundle, we recommend ordering several gift items and wrapping them together in a basket or luggage piece. Our favorite pieces in this collection are the Adventure Awaits Cotton Canvas Tote Bag, Adventure Is Calling T-Shirt, Live a Life of Adventure Campfire Mug, and the Adventure Awaits Jewelry Collection. And for a bonus, if you want to wrap these up in luggage, we love this pink luggage set from Travelers Club!

We wish you and your graduate all the best! Many happy travels as you and your graduate embark on this new, exciting journey in life.