While the start of summer can summon a flood of bittersweet emotions for graduating seniors, there’s nothing better than receiving a thoughtful gift to lessen the blow of entering the real world. As you search for the perfect city send-off, consider WSN’s recommendations for keepsakes and experiences that recent graduates will be sure to love.

Custom deck of cards | $10-20

Whether you’re waiting for food with friends or in need of an icebreaker at the bar, carrying a deck of cards comes in conversational clutch — and a personalized deck poses even more to talk about. So, if you’re looking to level up your graduate’s social life without breaking the bank, a $10-20 deck of custom playing cards might be the perfect gift. Several shops on Etsy will allow you to pick photos for the cover, as well as for each number and suit, so every game can be riddled with memories. If your graduate doesn’t seem like someone who would want to whip out a stack of cards with their face on it, you can always go with an illustration instead — you can even find a graduation-themed one for under $10.

— Dharma Niles, Editor-in-Chief

New York City map prints | $32 each

I first stumbled upon Archie’s Press on 10th Street on my way home from brunch in the East Village, where unique finds are by no means in short supply. But this letterpress print shop stands out for its elegant, minimalist handmade maps and charts, which employ curved lines, geometric shapes and a sleek sans serif font — making for gifts that balance aesthetics with a touch of education. For seniors leaving the city postgrad, this subway diagram and map of the five boroughs are simple, yet powerful reminders of the intricate urban landscape they once called home. Each print costs $32 for an 8.5-by-11-inch size, with larger options available. Stop by Excel Art & Framing III next to Third Avenue North to get them framed.

— Lauren Ng, Managing Editor

‘Dear New York’ by Brandon Stanton | $42

For many graduates, choosing NYU was really choosing New York City — and I’d argue no one has shown what makes the city so magnetic quite like Brandon Stanton. For over a decade, the photographer and storyteller has been out on the city’s streets, letting its people tell their own tales for his much-beloved Humans of New York series. Last October, he took that mission a step further, spending his savings to transform Grand Central Terminal by replacing its advertising spaces with an immersive art installation titled “Dear New York” which featured everyday New Yorkers — a spectacle recommended by Mayor Zohran Mamdani himself. Stanton’s book of the same name is an optimistic celebration of a city containing multitudes, featuring hundreds of personal stories accompanied by striking environmental portraits. It’s the quintessential coffee table book, one your graduate can reach for when they need a reminder of what makes New York City so special.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

— Krish Dev, Digital Director

A ticket to Lectures on Tap | $41.32 each

Graduates are usually overjoyed with completing their years of core requirements and late-night study sessions — the last thing on their mind is sitting in on another lecture. But what about one in a bar? The event series Lectures on Tap brings thoughtful lectures from professors, experts and storytellers to bars across New York City, allowing you to spend your night sipping on a glass of wine while learning about something like The Science and Art of Fragrance. For the seniors who don’t drink, all hosting venues provide coffee, water and tea as well. Since tickets sell out quick, their email list is the best way to stay up to date on upcoming lectures that your graduate is sure to love. 

— Mia Espinosa, Deputy Magazine Editor 

New York City-themed candles | $20 each

If your graduate is moving away, give a gift that keeps them in the city just a little longer. A familiar scent from Literie Candles’ New York City-inspired collection can transport them back to welcome scenes from the city. Options like “afternoon in central park” — a combination of grass and bergamot — and “brunch in the west village” — a mix of citrus and champagne — are sure to bring about memories of picnics with friends and morning-after debriefs. Graduating from college is a huge transition bound to invite new stressors into your loved one’s life. A rejuvenating candle is a great way to encourage them to find moments to relax as they take on their postgrad life.

— Daphne Zhu, Staff Writer