Graduation Season Gift Guide: Handmade Pieces Worth Keeping

Graduation gifts have a way of ending up in a drawer. A gift card gets spent, a gadget gets replaced, and the card that came with it gets lost. The gifts that last are the ones that feel personal and look good enough to be worn for years.

If you are shopping for a graduate this June, here is how we would think about it, and which handmade pieces make the best keepsakes.

Choose Something She Will Actually Wear

A graduate is about to move, travel, or start something new. The best gift is something she will reach for again and again, not something she feels she has to keep for sentimental reasons. A single beautiful bag or a well-made top does more than a stack of small items.

The Hand-Beaded Bag: A Gift With Presence

A hand-beaded bag is a gift that looks like a gift. The The Balï Bag is a delicate beaded shoulder bag with a soft floral design, and it works equally well with a graduation dress and with a casual summer outfit.

For a graduate who likes bolder color, the The Rëef Bag is a hand-beaded bag in turquoise and coral tones that turns a simple outfit into something memorable.

Each of our beaded bags is made by hand in India using Adda embroidery, a traditional craft. If you would like the background, we explained it in The Art of Adda Embroidery.

A Crochet Piece for the Celebration Season

Graduation season is also party season, from the ceremony to the dinner to the weekend after. A hand-crocheted piece, like the The Ïpanema Set in black, works as a complete outfit and is easy to dress up or down.

Why Handmade Makes a Better Gift

There is a difference between something that was produced and something that was made. Handmade pieces carry the evidence of the person who made them. They are made in small batches, with attention, and they do not look like everyone else's. That is the thing a graduate remembers about a gift.

A Few Practical Notes

• Think about the colors she already wears. A gold or black bag will go with nearly everything. A bolder pattern suits someone who already likes statement pieces.
• Consider the occasion. If she will wear it to the ceremony, choose something dressier. If it is for travel and everyday use, choose something that is easy to carry.
• Keep care simple. Handmade pieces last when they are looked after. See our care guide to pass along.

Browse the full beaded bag collection and the sets and dresses to find a gift that will still be loved long after graduation day.