Commencement Gear: Gifts for the Class of 2026 That Actually Help
For the new grad navigating a first job, first apartment, and first expense report simultaneously
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack, Eco
The right bag for a new professional is the one that handles a laptop, a notebook, gym clothes, and a charger without looking like a hiking pack at a job interview. Timbuk2's Authority fits a 15-inch laptop in a padded sleeve, has a clamshell opening for TSA, and reads professional rather than collegiate — important in that first-impression period.
“The one reliable rule of gift-giving: anything that makes them look more serious at what they love will be received with disproportionate gratitude.”
I Will Teach You to Be Rich – Ramit Sethi (Second Edition)
Ramit Sethi's book is the personal finance guide written specifically for people in their 20s who have student loans, inconsistent income, and no idea what a Roth IRA is. It covers automating savings, negotiating salary, and building credit without the condescending tone of most finance books. The second edition includes updated advice on fintech tools.
Leuchtturm1917 A5 Hardcover Notebook, Dotted
A quality notebook for the first job — one that feels serious enough to bring to a meeting and flexible enough for bullet journaling, sketching org charts, or drafting tough emails before sending. Leuchtturm1917's dotted pages work for both structured note-taking and freeform planning, and numbered pages make it easy to reference back.
Anker 10000mAh Portable Charger, PowerCore Essential
A portable charger becomes indispensable in the first year out of school — long commutes, conference rooms without outlets, and travel with a dead laptop all require it. The Anker PowerCore at 10000mAh is the size that fits in a jacket pocket but charges a phone to 100% twice or a laptop noticeably. It's the unglamorous gift that gets used every week.
Bellroy Card Sleeve Wallet
Graduating to a slim card wallet is a small adult-life upgrade that new graduates actually appreciate — it replaces the accordion of receipts and student ID cards with a clean daily carry that holds 4-8 cards and cash. Bellroy's leather ages well and the quality of the stitching is immediately noticeable when you pull it out in a client meeting.
Cracking the PM Interview – Gayle Laakmann McDowell
For graduates entering tech, consulting, or business roles, this book covers the product and case interview framework that separates prepared candidates from unprepared ones. Even for non-PM roles, the structured problem-solving approach it teaches is applicable to business analysis, operations, and strategy interviews.
Fork it. Make it yours. Share before their birthday.
Friends claim items. No duplicates. No awkward conversations.
