Hats off, graduates! You finally finished those dreaded four years at university. You got that diploma and maybe some excellent job offer right after graduation. Those sleepless nights, mugs of coffee, piles of paperwork, and packets of chips and cup noodles didn’t go to waste. “Congratulations” won’t cut it anymore; you deserve to spoil yourself.

You’re about to enter the next phase of adulthood, but before you stress yourself over job hunting, why not treat yourself to something you’ve always wanted to buy or splurge on? No one is holding you back now.

Whether expensive or affordable, make sure your graduation money will be spent on something splurge-worthy. Here are some of the best graduation gifts you can reward yourself for finishing another milestone in your life.

1. Solo Vacation Getaway

Well, you always have the option to go with your friends and travel to places you’ve never been before. But a solo trip will give you a different kind of experience.

You will be responsible for your itinerary, hotel searching, and plane ticket booking with solo trips. No one is there with you to help you decide what to do. It’s a good introduction to adulthood since you’ll be applying for a job soon, and more responsibilities will come your way.

A solo vacation someplace peaceful and nice will allow you to reflect on yourself and your plans now that you’re no longer a student. Take that time to recuperate, connect with your mind and body, and have fun while you still can. You can explore beaches and mountain resorts, go hiking, or maybe go outside the country if you can afford it.

2. Concert Tickets

Now that countries are slowly adapting to the presence of the virus, big social gatherings like concerts are back. World tours are filling up the concert schedules of arenas across the world. How about getting that VIP ticket you’ve always wanted?

Indeed, nothing beats the experience of seeing your favorite artist up close. When you get a job, you’ll have less time to go to concerts, and this might be the last time your artist goes on tour, so better take that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Attending concerts can give you a good boost of adrenaline, help you release that pent-up stress, and can connect you with other people with the same interests as you.

3. Brand-New Laptop

It’s about time you junk that beat-up laptop that can only stay an hour without charging and lags on the worst of times. Maybe this is the best time to finally invest in that sleek, lightweight computer you’ve been eyeing for a while now.

It’s pricey, but it’s worth it and will stay with you for everyday use in your job or when you pursue that master’s degree. When you buy your new laptop, check the quality and specs so you won’t regret your purchase.

4. A Full Body Massage

All those years of sitting through piles of papers while finishing your report on your laptop must have affected your back. You might also be the person who spent college organizing and hosting events. All that fatigue, stress, and lack of sleep need to go before anything else.

In case you’re still hesitating, this is the sign to book that spa accommodation for you. Massage will not only relieve all that tiredness and headache, but it will also improve your health and posture. You can take that time lying down to disconnect from the background noise and reassess your thoughts and emotions.

Why not take that opportunity to have your mani-pedi, too? A little pampering once in a while wouldn’t hurt, and you deserve it for everything you’ve gone through in college.

5. Fancy Shoes

People say that good shoes will take you to good places. I don’t know about that, but good shoes make you look good as you step into the company for an interview. We all have that pair of shoes we want to own, but you know you’ll barely use them in school. Well, you’ll use it for work, so you have a good reason to buy it now.

A pro-tip is to find shoes that can rock corporate and party attire. The more outfits you can pair with those shoes, the more it’s worth the investment.

6. Leather Bag

It’s time to change that backpack to a fancier one, like leather. A good quality leather bag, whether top-grain or full-grain, is an excellent addition to your office outfit.

Level up your look and add a touch of luxury that screams, “I am ready to take on this job!”.

Just make sure you’re purchasing your leather bag from a trusted shop. It also helps to research what to look for when buying leather bags so you won’t get scammed.

Gifts are unique, whether you buy them yourself or give them to someone else. Prices don’t matter as long as the thought is there. But it doesn’t hurt to spoil yourself sometimes as a reward for doing a good job. Giving and receiving gifts is a good way to encourage and motivate someone.

Lastly, give yourself a small pat on the back for surviving yet another challenge in your life. Even simple gestures like that can be meaningful gifts, too.