May is more than half way over, and that means graduations galore! Kids are getting ready to move out for the first time, and if you’re looking for gift ideas for the graduate in your life, the kitchen is the BEST place to start! When I first moved out there were so many kitchen supplies I had taken for granted; it wasn’t until I tried making regular meals by myself that I realized just how many things my kitchen was lacking! Here are some great ideas for the graduates in your life:

*Your personal favorite kitchen tool. It’s going to vary from person to person, but chances are if you use a particular tool in the kitchen frequently, a graduate could probably benefit from having that tool as well! An avocado peeler, garlic mincer, food chopper, a favorite set of mixing bowls- any of these would be great gifts!

*Basic set of dishes. Everyone needs dishes to eat with! Find a cute set, wrap it and you’re good to go!

*Crock pot/Instant pot. Being in classes all day while working and balancing homework can definitely make it hard to find the time/motivation to cook. A crock pot or instant pot can make dinner so much easier to prepare, making it a college-going student’s best friend!

*Ice cream maker. Okay- this definitely isn’t an essential, but one that would definitely get some use! As a poor college student, you need options for fun nights in, and an ice cream maker can definitely provide a fun and tasty treat to any game night or date your grad is hosting! It’s also just fun to use as you come up with your own unique flavors :)

*A good set of knives. A good knife can make all the difference in a kitchen! Whether you’re just slicing some fruit or chopping up greens for a salad- good knives are a must for all levels of cooking skills!

*A gift basket of kitchen ingredient staples. While we may think of the basic kitchen tools we need, we might not always remember that we need FOOD to cook with! Your grad will be so grateful to receive a few pantry staples, such as flour, sugar, rice, spices, cake mix, cereal, canned veggies, pasta, or whatever you consider a staple!

*Cast iron skillet. You just can’t go wrong with a cast iron skillet- they’re functional, great for a variety of dishes, come with healthful benefits, and they’re trendy!

*Cooking class! Hopefully your grad knows some basic cooking skills, but sadly, there are so many kids that don’t! Offer to give some one-on-one time in the kitchen, or pay for a community cooking class to get your graduate the knowledge they need in the kitchen!

*Cookbook. One thing I was definitely lacking in when I moved out was my mom’s favorite recipes! A cookbook full of tried and true family recipes would be one of the best gifts you could give! And your Cook’n app makes it so easy ;). And speaking of which…

*Cook’n! We all love our Cook’n apps- what college student couldn’t use it too? It’s such a great way for them to keep track of the recipes they’ll be collecting from family and friends. It’ll also save them time as they use it for their grocery lists and meal plans, giving them more time to study and focus on school!

Hopefully this list has got you thinking of the perfect gift you can give to your grad!