Staff-picks May 30 2020

Graduation Gifts Ideas From Isolation for the Class of COVID19

Graduation Gifts Ideas From Isolation for the Class of COVID19

Unfortunately for the graduate class of 2020, COVID19 has had a huge impact. Their graduation ceremonies have been cancelled and celebrations with friends and family postponed. The moments they’ve been working so hard for were gone in the blink of an eye. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t congratulate them on their achievements by sending a thoughtful gift their way.

In this article we’ve listed our favourite graduation gift ideas you can send from a distance. 

Encourage them to see the world with a travel gift

While the world is in lockdown, borders are shut and aeroplane fleets grounded, make sure you encourage the recent graduate to see the world when they can. It would be a shame to let that young bright-eyed adventurer get scared away from experiencing the wonders of the world. That’s why we think travel gifts are the best graduation gifts!

Once this is all over and the world starts to bounce back, they will be able to take the holiday they deserve after finishing their studies. Whether they choose to take a gap year in London or a tropical vacation in Hawaii, your experience gift will give them something to look forward to when they can finally book their trip.

Travel Gift Ideas for Graduates

1. Attractions and landmarks

Iconic landmarks and attractions can often be expensive to visit on a backpacker budget. Add to their trip of a lifetime by giving them an experience they wouldn’t be able to afford out of their own pocket. From the Eiffel Tower in Paris to Machu Picchu in Peru. Or perhaps they’ve always wanted to see the northern lights or Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. A guided tour to one of the world’s most spectacular attractions could be the perfect graduation gift.

2. Culturally enriching experiences

If there’s one undeniable benefit of travelling it’s getting to know other cultures. Generally speaking, employers often seek staff who display cultural awareness. So your travel graduation gift could be more valuable to them than you think. 

If they’re planning on visiting Australia, an indigenous experience at one of the many sacred Aboriginal sites is recommended. Another popular choice if you aren’t sure where they will be travelling is an authentic culinary experience. During this private dining experience, they’ll visit the home of a local and prepare an authentic local meal. Spending uninterrupted time with a local in their own residence is the best way to really get to know the local culture.

3. Bucket list thrills

If they are usually the type to chase thrills around every corner, I’m sure they aren’t coping so well in isolation. Being confined to their home for a long period of time will have their need for speed increased tenfold. 

If this sounds like the graduate you’re buying a gift for, you can’t go past an adrenaline thrills experience. These activities are usually a bit more expensive than a standard gift, so it might be best to join forces with your friends to afford something as wild as the grad themselves. High adrenaline experiences on offer around the world include skydiving, bungee jumping, shark cage diving, micro gliding, race car driving and jet boating. 

4. Adventure 

Does your graduate love getting outdoors and experiencing the best that nature has to offer? Having spent hours on end studying over the past three to four years (or more), they’ll be itching at the chance to swing in the treetops or dive down deep on a scuba experience. 

With time on their hands before they enter the working world, now is the perfect time to give an adventurous gift to a graduating loved one. 

5. Can’t decide? Let them choose!

If you can’t decide what experience they would love and would rather let them choose themselves you can purchase a gift voucher with the value of your choice. They’ll have three years to book any experience they choose on Gifting Owl with their gift voucher. With a wide range of activities in over 100 countries, they’ll be sure to find an exciting experience to look forward to post-lockdown!

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