Over 30 Grad Gift Ideas to buy here in Charlotte.

With the washing away of April’s blanket of pollen comes the full bloom of May’s graduation party season.

I personally am throwing one and attending another within the next week and a half, and I am sure I am not alone!

So, what to get the college/high school grad besides a nice fat card signed with love and $$? I think that buying a gift based on the personality of each of your little graduates is the best and most impressionable way to go. These are the gifts that are beloved for years, with the givers remembered fondly.

For the cool, confident, accessory-loving girls in your life, be they 17 or 22, these Freshie & Zero cross necklaces and bracelets from KK Bloom are right on trend:

Understated and yet striking.

If the girl seems to go for a bit more of a color pop, Bedside Manor has a gorgeous array of simple yet chic accessories:

And lastly for the glamorous cool girls in your life, LIPP Boutiques have a gorgeous selection of to-die-for arm and neck candy:

.

For the sophisticated grads, embarking on his or her adult life in a new place – and maybe, hopefully a full-time job, Post & Gray has a great collection of posh, eclectic and artistic additions for any young single’s dorm or apartment.

First, there are the gorgeous and super-cool Assouline “coffee table” books, famously sold in the Plaza Hotel in NYC, also here in Charlotte at Neiman Marcus and Post & Gray. These instant-collector’s pieces are made to last a lifetime of fabulousness.

There’s no better time to start a real, grownup collection than your college graduation, and any graduate would be impressed with a gift like these gorgeous real antique boxes from Post & Gray. Some from China, some from England, these keepsake boxes will become treasure possessions.

And a crystal or beautifully blown glass vase in which to put a bouquet worthy of an Honors student is also thoughtful and still creatively artistic:

Neiman Marcus is a great resource for very special gifts for grads, dads, moms and more.  If you follow this blog, you probably know they have divine jewelry and gifts for the girls, so we shopped them specifically for the guys who are grads.  Here we have the Tumi Ceramic Earbuds: $75, David Donahue Cufflinks: $125,  Tumi Travel Speaker: $175, Salvatore Ferragamo Tie: $190, Prada Saffiano Wallet: $340 and Brera Watch: $795.

The prepsters in your life, whether high school or college grads, are easy to please. Monogram all the things. But seriously – how perfect are these gift ideas? Bowties for the gentleman from Cotswold Marketplace:

Gorgeous little monogrammable totes:

Or these monogrammed makeup bags from Bedside Manor, perfect for the new dorm:

This perfectly preppy collection from BD Jeffries in Morrison:

And Cottage Chic has a spread of colorful, happy gift ideas for the graduate:

BLACKLION DILWORTH is an easy stop for affordable grad gifts, particularly for the college bound grad.  Lots of options to show spirit along with inexpensive, colorful choices for high schoolers, kids, babies, pet lovers and more.

And BLACKLION DILWORTH conveniently has a shop – Oliver’s Originals – for monogrammed gift options, with sale pricing this weekend.

For elegant and yet practical grad gift, Bedside Manor sells high quality down alternative pillows that are a dream to lay one’s head upon, and of course, sumptuous towels & sheets.  Yes, you can go the Target route, but quality bedding and towels are a deluxe treat your grad will appreciate for years:

Whatever sorts of people these kids becoming adults in your life are, celebrating their unique personalities with a gift thoughtfully tailored to their tastes and whims will touch their hearts as they cross this milestone that is graduation.  Cheers to you all.