Graduation Gifts That He'll Actually Like

10:30 AM, April 30 2012

By John Jannuzzi

Prom season means only one thing—graduation is well on the way. There are high school kids making moves to college, college kids making moves into what looks like probable unemployment and graduate students moving on to become the experts they've trained to be. No matter what stage you're in, commencement is always a happy time. You can pat yourself on the back for accomplishing what was expected of you and, of course, you get showered with gifts. If you're actually the one doing the showering, I've pulled together a few options for Y-chromosome toting humans. Hopefully, these will serve them in the next stage of their life.

Most men underestimate the importance of maintaining clothes. Collar stays are to shirts as shoe trees are to shoes. It might seem like an odd gift, but these ones have a sense of humor. They'll make your graduate—or any other person handling his laundry—chuckle.

Although every dude should have a wallet, a money clip has its advantages. It's a perfect option for when you need cash, an ID, a card and nothing else. And with a "Bones" inscription, it makes for a real conversation starter.

This one actually draws from personal experience. It's a tradition among my family and friends that they receive this engraved belt buckle when they graduate. Remember, the leather must be purchased separately. If your graduate isn't so straight-laced, Andy Spade had his engraved with "Loser". Food for thought.

A magazine for adult men with cultural curiosities, Fantastic Man has writing from some of the world's most impressive and successful dudes. The bi-annual is pricey, but well worth the money.

Far too many men go the route of slapping shaving cream on with their hands. How barbaric. A brush gives more coverage and preps the skin a little, resulting in a better shave. Send your graduate out with the smoothest skin possible.

Through my own addiction to my iPhone, I've learned that you're only as strong as your battery. The Mophie case not only protects your phone, but extends the battery life. This way, he can Tweet, Facebook, call, text, Instagram, Tumbl and anything else all day without worrying about losing juice.

What better way to record his final days as a student than with a kitschy Polaroid-like camera? Fujifilm makes instant memories and prints them in everybody's favorite format.

The Geneva Labs Sound System is one of the best speakers I've had the pleasure hearing. The sound quality is outstanding and the design is non-invasive. Your economically upward-bound dude can rest easy that this will work well in his new home.

I was once told by a friend's mother that the first pair of "real shoes" I should buy were Tod's. They're mostly timeless and last forever. The pair I bought after graduation still sit in my house, ready to roll.

True, not every graduate is heading to a world of suits and ties, but every man needs a good one. My brother swears by Hermès and honestly, you can't go wrong.