The Best Kitchen Gifts for Graduation

Chefman TurboFry 3.7-Quart Air Fryer

4.4

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Air fryers are more popular than they've ever been, and for good reason: They’re powerful, convenient cooking tools. This small-capacity model has easy-to-use controls to change the timer or temperature and can be set up to 60 minutes with temperatures ranging from 200 to 400 degrees. Compact and sleek, it won’t take up too much room but looks great on the counter.

Grads can cook fries, veggies, chicken, fish, and even tasty desserts way quicker than they would via conventional cooking methods. There are a seemingly infinite amount of of recipes you can try with an air fryer, aka if the recipient doesn't already own one, there's no doubt it will be put to good use. In our tests, we found the touch controls simple and intuitive to use, and it turned out perfectly crispy french fries and chicken tenders (the taste and texture outmatched several pricier models).

Cleaning this is also easier than with others, as the basket and several other parts can be put in the dishwasher, though the metal racks must be washed by hand. The only real downside here is that it lacks the versatility to bake cornbread or roast a chicken. 

Price at time of publish: $90

Capacity: 3.7 quarts | Weight: 7.2 pounds | Dimensions: 9 x 13 x 11.5 inches

NutriBullet ZNBF30500Z Blender Combo

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Blenders are great for making smoothies, soups, milkshakes, and more. This model from NutriBullet has a powerful 1,200-watt motor, strong stainless steel blades, three speed options, a pulse button, and an extraction function to get the most of the ingredients. The set also comes with two single-serve blending cups (24 and 32 ounces) complete with to-go lids so you can make your drink and head out the door in a flash. The pitcher and cups are even dishwasher-safe. NutriBullet also includes a recipe booklet to give grads some ideas on what to make with their sparkly new machine.

Price at time of publish: $150

Includes: 1,200-watt motor base, 64-ounce blender with lid and cap, tamper, 24-ounce cup, 32-ounce cup, 2 to-go lids, easy-twist extractor blade, recipe book

Casafina Modern Classic Ceramic Dinnerware & Serveware

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After years of college living, it’s time to set up a kitchen. Grads will likely need quite a few supplies, including a good set of dinnerware. These ceramic pieces from Casafina make for a beautiful set. There are multiple colors available as well as ordering options if you just want plates, bowls, or the entire 12-piece collection. Sturdy and durable, the stoneware pieces are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe for convenient cooking and cleanup. 

Price at time of publish: $20

Includes: 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, choice of 4 soup or pasta bowls

Keurig K-Café Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker

4.8

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Coffee is the lifeblood of both college students and young professionals. This Keurig K-Cafe isn’t your average pod coffee maker, either: It can make a bunch of different drinks, including coffees, lattes, and cappuccinos, as it comes with a dishwasher-safe milk frother. There’s even a strong-brew option if you prefer a potent cup of joe. Simple yet versatile, this is an attractive and functional coffee maker. 

In testing, we found it was easy to use, low maintenance, and creates full, foamy milk froth. That said, this maker is oddly shaped due to the water tank and milk frother, so if your grad is looking to save on counter space, the compact Keurig K-Mini Plus may be a better fit.

Price at time of publish: $190

Capacity: 60 ounces of water | Weight: 13.77 pounds | Dimensions: 12.5 x 15.3 x 11.7 inches

Robert Welch Westbury Mirror Flatware Set

4.8

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Silverware is a must-have for any new kitchen. For a classic look, check out this Robert Welch set—each stainless steel piece is smooth and simple in design, with a pleasant heft. They’re also dishwasher safe. A single silverware set comes with a dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, soup spoon, and teaspoon, though it’s also available in a 20-piece variety, which serves five people, and a 42-piece option, which serves eight people. You could also get the 50-piece set, which serves eight, as well, but also comes with eight steak knives, a serving spoon, and a serving fork. 

We appreciated the timeless design—sophisticated enough for an elegant dinner party, yet suitable for everyday use—and thought each piece was comfortable to hold and had a nice weight to it. Though the material does smudge a bit, it's simple to clean by hand or dishwasher and restore the shine via microfiber cloth. This durable 18/10 stainless steel set should hold up through many years of dinners to come.

Price at time of publish: $50

Includes: Dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, soup spoon, teaspoon 

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Triple Ply Stainless Cookware Set

4.2

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Most college graduates are sick of ramen and leftovers from last night's takeout by the time they get their diploma, and this comprehensive 12-piece cookware set has everything they need to make incredible dinners. There are pots and pains of various sizes, each of which is oven-safe up to 550 degrees; compatible with gas, electric, and induction stovetops; and dishwasher-safe. With a lifetime warranty, this robust set is great for any budding cook. 

We found the price of this set to be affordable considering the quality and number of useful pieces you get. They retain heat very well, too, so you can put the lid on your pot and its contents will stay warm while you finish setting the table or cooking a side dish. Just note that the side handles and lids get hot during cooking, so you’ll want to have a potholder nearby to lift them.

Price at time of publish: $225

Includes: 1.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, 3.5-quart sauté pan, 8-quart stockpot, 8-inch skillet, 10-inch skillet, steamer insert

Chicago Cutlery 12-Piece Forged Premium Knife Block Set

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Knives are incredibly useful tools in the kitchen and well worth investing in. For a sturdy and long-lasting knife collection, consider this knife block set from Chicago Cutlery. Each knife is forged from high-carbon stainless steel for a strong and rust-resistant blade. The handles are cushioned, so you don’t have to worry about discomfort while chopping or cutting. In our tests, they were very comfortable to hold.

Thanks to the full tang, the knives are well-balanced and provide optimal control. This set comes with six steak knives as well as a handful of useful utensils, including a chef’s knife and bread knife. The steak knives aren't serrated but smoothly cut through steak anyway. It's likely that they will need to be re-sharpened at some point, if used often.

Price at time of publish: $100

Includes: 3.25-inch paring knife, 5-inch utility knife, 7.75-inch bread knife, 7.75-inch chef knife, 8-inch slicer knife, 6 4.50-inch steak knives, caramel-stained wood block

Farberware 10-Piece Nonstick Steel Bakeware Set

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Maybe the grad in your life would prefer baking their own treats—they’ll need some solid bakeware to get started. Farberware has a great 10-piece selection of nonstick pans for making all sorts of baked goods. There are round and square cake pans, a muffin tin, a couple cookie pans, a loaf pan, and even a cooling rack. Each warp-resistant piece is oven safe up to 450 degrees. With this handy set, grads can bake delicious pumpkin bread or roast vegetables—whatever recipes they can dream up.

Price at time of publish: $70

Includes: 10 x 15-inch cookie pan, 11 x 17-inch cookie pan, (2) 8-inch round cake pans, (2) 8-inch square cake pans, 9 x 5-inch loaf pan, 9 x 13-inch cake pan, 12-cup muffin pan, 9 x 14.5-inch cooling grid

Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set

4.8

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Whether someone needs to store leftovers or package food for work lunches, a good container makes all the difference. Glass containers are popular since they’re microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Glasslock has a large 18-piece set with a number of sizes and shapes included, and it's oven-safe, too. The snap-on lids are airtight and leak-proof, making them great for transport.

After storing blueberries, peanuts, sunflower seeds, leftover chili, brownies, cookies, and more, we thought that these high-quality containers were reliable, sturdy, and nice to look at. Not only did it contain the pungent scent of garlic, the smells didn't cling to the glass either. If you want a bit of color, there's a blue set available, as well. 

Price at time of publish: $57

Includes: 6.3-cup rectangular container, (2) 3.5-cup rectangular containers, 1.6-cup rectangular container, 3.3-cup square container, 1.5-cup square container, 3.1-cup round container, 1.6-cup round container, 0.7-cup round container

Oxo Good Grips 15-Piece Kitchen Tool Set

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The right tools make cooking so much easier, and Oxo has a number of helpful kitchen utensils in this uniform and comprehensive set. There are practical everyday tools, such as a spatula, tongs, spoons, a can opener, and a peeler, as well as specialized tools, including a potato masher and pizza cutter. Each has a comfortable non-slip handle and is dishwasher-safe (except for the can opener, which must be washed by hand). The tools can be stored in the provided stainless steel holder to keep the kitchen nice and organized. 

Price at time of publish: $140

Includes: Swivel peeler, ice cream scoop, potato masher, can opener, 11-inch whisk, spatula, meat tenderizer, 4-inch pizza wheel, nylon flexible turner, 12-inch tongs with nylon head, nylon square turner, nylon spoon, nylon slotted spoon, grater, utensil holder

Fredericks and Mae Chopping Block

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Just because something is practical doesn’t mean that it has to look boring. Fredericks and Mae makes incredibly vibrant and eye-catching cutting boards. Made of recycled food-safe plastic, the boards come in a variety of sizes and colors. Grads who adore bright colors may love the confetti option, while those with more subtle tastes can enjoy the black and white board. Many of the boards also come with a handle for easy maneuverability and can even double as a serving platter for parties and get-togethers. 

Price at time of publish: $100

Material: Recycled food-safe plastic | Dimensions: 11 x 16 x 1 inches

Tasty Every Day: All of the Flavor, None of the Fuss (An Official Tasty Cookbook)

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Famed for online cooking videos, Tasty's cookbook, dubbed "Tasty Every Day," is great for newer cooks. Each of the 75 recipes has gorgeous pictures, many with step-by-step photos, and the layout is both easy to follow and aesthetically pleasing. Some delicious highlights include margherita French bread pizzas, steak and cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches, and shredded chicken tacos. There are slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes along with no-bake options and single-pan meals. The book is chock-full of helpful tips and terminology that will inspire graduates to get in the kitchen. 

Price at time of publish: $20

Pages: 192 | Recipes: 75 | Published: 2019

Homwe Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitt

4.3

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Everyone needs good oven mitts to protect their hands while handling hot kitchenware. This silicone pair is extra long for forearm protection, too. The mitts come in a wealth of vibrant colors and a few different sizes, and they ward off heat up to 450 degrees. Due to the textured grip, you’re not likely to drop any pots or tins, either. This set is machine washable for easy cleaning, and since they’re steam-resistant and waterproof, they won’t absorb splashed liquids. Sturdy and durable, these mitts will serve for years to come. 

We found that these oven mitts felt very substantial and well-made right out of the box. The flexible silicone has a raised pattern for extra grip, and the interior has an extra-soft quilted lining. Heat transfer was virtually non-existent thanks to the lining and silicone. It covered about 3/4 of the forearm, offering great protection when reaching into an oven or grill.

Price at time of publish: $19

Material: Silicone, polyester | Dimensions: 11 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches

Gourmet Gift Baskets Champagne & Truffles Gift Basket

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A gift basket is a classic present to honor a big accomplishment, and Champagne is the ultimate celebratory gift for congratulations. Put the two together and you’ve got a great surprise for a hardworking graduate. This basket includes your choice of a sparkling wine from four great selections: La Marca Prosecco, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, Dom Perignon, or Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne. It also comes with a bunch of chocolate treats from Lindt truffles to chocolate caramel grahams.

Price at time of publish: $120

Includes: 1 bottle of sparkling wine, Lindt white truffle chocolate bar, Lindt assorted truffles, French chocolate truffles, chocolate caramel grahams, Belgian chocolates

Giftcards.com Uber Eats Gift Card

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Starting a new job or moving into a new place can be exhausting, and sometimes people just don’t want to cook or crave delivery instead. A gift card for a service like Uber Eats is a fantastic idea for any recent graduate, as they’ll have access to nearby local restaurants, chain fast food eateries, and even grocery stores. If your grad prefers a different service to Uber Eats, Giftcards.com has physical and electronic gift card options for DoorDash, Grubhub, Instacart, and more. You can even choose a decoration to mark the special occasion. 

Price at time of publish: $25

Amount: $15 minimum, $500 maximum

Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

4.8

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A Dutch oven is a classic vessel for creating memorable meals like hearty pot roasts or black bean tortilla soup. It can even be used to make desserts such as apple spice dump cake. The versatile and heat-resistant Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven marries function to fashion. It’s available in over 25 colors and ranges in size from 1.5 to 7.5 quarts. 

We applauded the cookware for its wide handles, heat retention capabilities, ease of cleaning, and affordable price compared to other models. We particularly admired the even heating on the top, bottoms, and sides.

Price at time of publish: $80

Material: Enameled cast iron | Oven Max: 500 degrees | Weight: 15 pounds

Click & Grow The Smart Garden 3

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There’s not much quite like freshly picked herbs to enhance a dish. Luckily, grads don’t need a big garden in order to grow some of their own. The Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 is an indoor herb growing kit perfect for small living spaces. It comes with three basil pods to get it started, but other pods are available for purchase, including cilantro, sage, dill, oregano, lavender, and more. 

The Smart Garden is fully automated, taking care of the watering schedule, lighting, and even checking the soil for nutrients—no green thumb required. All the user really has to do is fill the water tank about once a month.  

Price at time of publish: $100

Number of Grow Pods: 3 | Dimensions: 9 x 4.9 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 3.52 pounds

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

4.8

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KitchenAid’s Artisan Series Stand Mixer is a staple of the kitchen world. With a classic look and dependable features, it’s a must-have for any up-and-coming baker. The mixer’s head tilts up and down, making it easy to attach tools, add ingredients, and scrape the bowl. With a 325-watt motor, it’s able to whisk, mix, and knead, and it has 10 speed settings. It comes with a stainless steel bowl as well as dough hook, paddle, and wire whip attachments, with so many more available for purchase.

We loved the provided pouring shield, which kept splatters and spills to a minimum while adding ingredients into a bowl while the mixer was running. The KitchenAid passed each test with flying colors, able to whip up fresh cream, knead pasta dough, and mix cake batter with ease. However, it is quite a heavy mixer, weighing in at over 25 pounds. 

Price at time of publish: $450

Material: Zinc, stainless steel | Weight: 26 pounds | Dimensions: 8.7 x 13.9 x 14.1 inches

Oxo Good Grips 3-Piece Angled Measuring Cup Set

5

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Oxo’s Good Grips angled measuring cups make it easy to measure out liquid ingredients with precision, thanks to markers that are viewable from a bird’s eye view—no need to crane your neck or bend over to read measurements from the side. The non-slip handle also ensures a good grip while transporting ingredients from cup to bowl. This set comes with three measuring cups in various sizes: 1 cup, 2 cups, and 4 cups. 

We found that these were super easy to use; there is plenty of clearance from the filled capacity and brim of the cup, so there was no sloshing, spills, or drips in sight. We also loved how each cup stacks together for compact storing. Not to mention, they’re dishwasher-safe.

Price at time of publish: $24

Material: Plastic | Number of Pieces: 3 | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Bellemain 6-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set

4.8

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Measuring cups are an invaluable tool, for both baking and cooking. This six-piece set from Bellemain is made from durable 18/8 stainless steel, giving it all a sleek and uniformed appearance. The sizes include 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, 3/4 cup, and 1 cup. 

With flat bottoms that don’t wobble, the cups are perfect for clean cooking. The wide handles make it easy to grip, though we did find them a little shorter than others, and they’re dishwasher-safe. The cups feel very sturdy and nest together for neat storage, making it a well-rounded set.

Price at time of publish: $25

Material: Stainless steel | Number of Pieces: 6 | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Shun Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears

4.6

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Kitchen shears are an often underappreciated tool. They’re able to cut up herbs, trim fat from meat, open up tough packaging, and can even cut through shellfish. Shun’s kitchen shears go above and beyond just cutting, however. It has a built-in nutcracker, jar opener, lid lifter, and bone notch. It even has two screwdriver heads in the handles. The grips are made of a comfy, non-slip elastomer. 

The stainless steel blades are serrated and come fully apart for easy cleaning. We admired the sharpness of the scissor blades, which can easily cut through artichoke leaves, plastic packaging, and even small chicken bones.

Price at time of publish: $52

Materials: Stainless steel, elastomer | Dimensions: 9 x 3.63 x 0.5 inches | Weight: 5.4 ounces

Microplane Premium Zester

5

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Graduates who are new to having a full kitchen (or simply newer to cooking) may not fully appreciate what a good zester can bring to the table. Microplane’s Premium Zester is fantastic for zesting lemons, mincing garlic, grating nutmeg, and even scraping burned parts off chocolate chip cookies. It’s a versatile tool that may look simple but has strong stainless steel teeth and a non-slip grip. 

We loved this product in testing and used it to add ginger to plates of pad Thai, lime zest to blackberry pies, and even parmesan cheese to Caesar salads. The Microplane zester cuts down on hand fatigue while shredding cheese in particular. 

Price at time of publish: $18

Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 12.5 x 1 inches | Weight: 4.2 ounces

Chef Craft Eco Mixing Bowl Set, 6-Piece

5

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Everyone needs a reliable mixing bowl, and this eco-friendly, six-bowl version is made from biodegradable bamboo fiber. Available in teal, white, and blue, the bowls are both stackable and durable. They range in size from 0.25 quarts up to 4.5 quarts. 

Though they’re not microwave-safe, these bowls can be cleaned in the dishwasher. That said, they’re plenty easy to wash by hand, as well. Not only can you use them for mixing up ingredients, but they can also be used to serve snack food at parties, popcorn for a movie marathon, or even a salad for a nice family-style dinner. We love that they're practically unbreakable, attractive, and ideal for serving indoors or outdoors.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: Bamboo and melamine | Number of Bowls: 6 | Lids: No

Jacques Pépin Quick & Simple

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Whether the grads in your life are just starting out their cooking journey or don’t have a ton of time to cook more complex meals, this cookbook by Jacques Pépin would be a great gift. “Quick & Simple'' has 250 recipes, ranging from appetizers to meals to desserts and everything between. Perhaps most importantly, each recipe has simple-to-follow instructions. 

Winner of over a dozen James Beard Awards, Jacques Pépin knows a thing or two about the kitchen and includes important cooking tips and supply notes in addition to the recipes. A few highlights include braised short ribs in red wine sauce, black bean hummus, and cheesy spinach soufflé. 

Price at time of publish: $35

Recipes: 250 | Pages: 384 | Published: 2020 | Format: Hardcover, e-reader

Utopia Kitchen Cheese Grater & Shredder

4.6

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Most cheese graters only have one or two blades—this one has six. Utopia Kitchen’s stainless steel cheese shredder is seriously multi-purposed. In addition to a small and large grater, it has a coarse grater, slicer, wavy slicer, and zester. With its rubber bottom, the grater won’t move around even while grinding up nutmeg or hard cheese. 

It comes in five colors: black, plum, aqua, mint, and red. As for cleaning, the grater is fully dishwasher-safe—the blades are even rust-resistant. The six-sided box grater can handle anything from cheddar cheese to zucchini to garlic and beyond. During testing, we found that it handled low-moisture cheeses best but would recommend skipping softer cheeses.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 3.54 x 10.03 x 4.52 inches | Number of Blades: 6

Oxo Good Grips 3-Piece Peeler Set

5

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Oxo has all of your peeling needs covered with this three-piece set. One peeler features a swivel blade (great for potatoes and apples), another has a julienne blade (for peeling tomatoes), and the last has a serrated blade (great for creating strips of carrot or potato). We found this could handle just about anything we put to the test and knew we were dealing with super-sharp blades when we barely had to apply any pressure to peel tough sweet potatoes and were able to skin soft tomatoes without any mush left behind.

Each of the three peelers has a comfortable non-slip grip so your hands shouldn’t ache even if you’re peeling a buffet’s worth of produce. The set comes in a classic black or a variety of green, red, and orange. 

Price at time of publish: $29

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Peeler Types: Julienne, swivel, serrated | Dimensions: 11.3 x 6.8 x 1.25 inches

Amazon Basics 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4

4.5

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One thing a recent grad will absolutely need is a full dinnerware set. Plain white porcelain is extremely popular thanks to its longevity and ability to highlight the food on it. This set features 16 pieces, including plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs. It’s a simple but effective set that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

All pieces are dishwasher-, freezer-, and microwave-safe. We loved the minimal design and the fact that the plates did not scratch easily (it also comes with a year-long warranty). The pieces stacked together well, but there were a few wobbly plates. In all, it’s a functional set that won’t break the bank—a good starting dinnerware option. 

Price at time of publish: $34

What's Included: 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates, 4 bowls, 4 mugs

Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Pot Strainer

4.4

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Colanders are nice, but they can be bulky and difficult to store.The Snap N Strain Pot Strainer, however, is compact. The small device snaps onto a pot and allows the contents inside to strain. It comes in a variety of fun colors and is made of heat-resistant silicone. 

We found this was super easy to set up and works like a dream, as long as the food inside the pot is not higher than the strainer itself, otherwise it will fall out over the top when you tip the pot to strain it. The universal design allows the strainer to clip onto many types and sizes of bowls thanks to its adjustability. 

Price at time of publish: $30

Material: Silicone | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Dimensions: 9.2 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches

Dylan’s Candy Bar Best of Dylan’s Candy Bar Bucket

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Graduating is a big accomplishment that deserves a sweet reward. This candy bucket from Dylan’s Candy Bar includes fan favorites—a fun variety of candy ranging from sour gummies to milk chocolate bars to fudge bites, and beyond.

Dylan’s Candy Bar has a bunch of other flavors to choose from, as well, such as the rich Chocolate Lovers Gift Bucket or the sugary Gummy Sweet Treat Gift Tower. 

Price at time of publish: $75

Includes: Sour flower bites, gummy bears, milk and dark chocolate bars, peanut butter truffle cups, chocolate-covered espresso beans, fudge bites, and malt balls

Mrs. Fields Graduate Cookie Gift Basket

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Does the recent grad in your life have a sweet tooth? Treat them to some incredible cookies from Mrs. Fields. The Graduate Cookie Gift Basket actually includes more than just cookies. There are also brownie bites and some delicious toffee nut popcorn.

The cookies and brownie bites come in a variety of classic flavors, including chocolate chip. For a truly special touch, the basket includes two cookies decorated with stars, a grad cap, and the phrase "Congratulations! Class of 2023."

Price at time of publish: $75

Includes: 12 cookies, 24 brownie bites, 2 frosted star cookies, 2 graduation cookies, 4 ounces of toffee nut popcorn