Graduation season is almost upon us, and as you’re getting ready to close out one chapter with your grad and begin a new one, it’s a good time to start thinking about a gift to congratulate them on their incredible accomplishments. Whether you know a student finishing high school or college, these gift ideas will carry them from one journey to the next. See our graduation gift guide below.

Frugal and Thriving may earn a small commission via affiliate links in this post. See full disclosure here.

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1. Noise-cancelling headphones will help block out loud roommates, chatty coworkers, or anything else that distracts them from getting *ish* done.

2. A wireless charging station for all of their techy gadgets will be the gift they use time and time again. Why does everything always need to be charged?!

3. Jewelry is a sentimental way to celebrate the grad. This compass necklace or bracelet will serve as a reminder to follow their own path.

4. A book of lessons, wise words, and funny anecdotes will inspire, instill joy, and provide a little motivation.

5. This inspirational makeup bag, filled with all her favorites and maybe a gift card or two, would make a great gift!

6. A weighted blanket will keep them warm, help reduce anxiety, and replicate a warm hug from mom when she’s miles away.

7. The tassel was worth the hassle! These funny socks would make the perfect addition to a DIY graduation gift basket.

8. And if they’re a coffee lover, this mug is another basket filler that will get tons of use.

9. A tool kit is a must!! This is one of those gifts that they don’t know they want but will be grateful they have when they’re in a pinch.

10. This phone wallet is super convenient. Pop it on the back of your phone, tuck your cards and cash in, and boom…out the door you go.

11. This themed gift box comes with an “adult merit badge” coffee mug, 400 different fun facts, and a motivational book—a little bit of everything!

12. A 3-piece luggage set will get a bunch of mileage. While they make think it will be for all of their exotic adventures, their broke selves will really be using it for all their trips back home so they can do laundry for free.

13. Who doesn’t love a sweet treat?? This tin of delicious cookies will be gone in the blink of an eye, but the sugar high will keep them going for hours.

Shop Graduation Gifts

Luggage Set
Gift Set
Book
Cookies
Weighted Blanket
Tool Kit
Phone Wallet
Headphones
Charging Station
Bracelet
Necklace
Makeup Bag
Socks
Mug
a graduation themed illustration

Winter is the season for big appetites and hearty, warm meals. If you’re trying to eat a little bit better this new year, finding easy, healthy meals that also fill your belly can be difficult! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes for healthy and easy comfort meals that are good for your body, great for your soul, and perfect for your busy schedule. See the recipes below.

Stracciatella Soup

A heartwarming, delicious and nutritious soup. Made in the beloved Always Pan!!

Frugal and Thriving may earn a small commission via affiliate links in this post. See full disclosure here.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 4 eggs (whipped)
  • Spinach
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Shaved Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes to garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  • Simmer chicken (or vegetable) stock on medium heat and slowly add whipped eggs.
  • Let cook for about two minutes and then add uncooked spinach. Continue to cook until wilted. Add grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

This one is super easy, and the kids will love it! Use your Always Pan for this one, too.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Lean ground beef (93% or higher)
  • 1 TBS arrowroot powder
  • 1 TBS paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened original almond milk
  • 2 cups whole wheat pasta
  • 1 cup fat-free/low-fat grated cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

  • Brown ground beef until fully cooked.
  • Add the arrowroot powder, paprika, garlic/onion powder, salt, sugar and pepper – mix until evenly coated through ground beef.
  • Add water, milk, and pasta and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for about 8-11 minutes until pasta is cooked through.
  • Remove from heat and add grated cheese. Stir until melted and enjoy!

Pretzel Melts

This is a great snow day lunch or Sunday gameday snack! Pop them in your Ninja Air Fryer Oven.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Frozen soft pretzels
  • Chicken salad (or tuna or crabmeat!)
  • Slices of your favorite cheese (we love cheddar or pepper jack)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Set oven to 350°
  • Thaw pretzels in air fryer oven for about 5 minutes
  • Take out and add chicken salad, tuna, or crabmeat and top with cheese
  • Place back in oven and cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted

Slow Cooker Beef BBQ

Prep in the morning and come home to a ready-to-go meal! Let it cook all day in your slow cooker.

INGREDIENTS:

For the beef:

  • 2lb beef chuck roast – look for beef that has the least amount of fat
  • 1 lg yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 6oz can tomato paste
  • 2 TBS Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 TBS apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the coleslaw:

  • 1/2 bag coleslaw mix
  • 2 TBSP of avocado mayo
  • 1 1/2 TBS apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

For the beef:

  • Slice onions and place in slow cooker and place beef chuck roast on top
  • Mix together all the other ingredients in a small bowl and then pour over beef and onions
  • Stir to be sure it coats meat and onions – if your mixture is a little thick add about 1/2 cup of unsalted beef stock
  • Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or until meat is tender and shreds easily

For the coleslaw:

  • Mix all ingredients together and then place on top of your beef
  • Enjoy!!

Pizza Bites

This one is a little more indulgent, but a quicker (and cheaper) alternative for pizza night. Your Ninja Air Fryer Oven is perfect for these guys, too.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Pillsbury biscuits
  • Pizza sauce
  • Favorite pizza toppings (veggies, meat, cheese)
  • Seasonings of choice (oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Set oven to 400°
  • Lay out halved biscuits and top with sauce and pizza toppings
  • Place tray in oven and cook for 8 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown
  • Remove from oven and let cool. Add seasonings and enjoy!

Thanks for reading! Which of these easy and healthy comfort food recipes will you be trying? Let us know xo.

Winter is the season for big appetites and hearty, warm meals. If you’re trying to eat a little bit better this new year, finding easy, healthy meals that also fill your belly can be difficult! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes for healthy and easy comfort meals that are good for your body, great for your soul, and perfect for your busy schedule. See the recipes below.

Stracciatella Soup

A heartwarming, delicious and nutritious soup. Made in the beloved Always Pan!!

Frugal and Thriving may earn a small commission via affiliate links in this post. See full disclosure here.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 4 eggs (whipped)
  • Spinach
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Shaved Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes to garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  • Simmer chicken (or vegetable) stock on medium heat and slowly add whipped eggs.
  • Let cook for about two minutes and then add uncooked spinach. Continue to cook until wilted. Add grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

This one is super easy, and the kids will love it! Use your Always Pan for this one, too.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Lean ground beef (93% or higher)
  • 1 TBS arrowroot powder
  • 1 TBS paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened original almond milk
  • 2 cups whole wheat pasta
  • 1 cup fat-free/low-fat grated cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

  • Brown ground beef until fully cooked.
  • Add the arrowroot powder, paprika, garlic/onion powder, salt, sugar and pepper – mix until evenly coated through ground beef.
  • Add water, milk, and pasta and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for about 8-11 minutes until pasta is cooked through.
  • Remove from heat and add grated cheese. Stir until melted and enjoy!

Pretzel Melts

This is a great snow day lunch or Sunday gameday snack! Pop them in your Ninja Air Fryer Oven.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Frozen soft pretzels
  • Chicken salad (or tuna or crabmeat!)
  • Slices of your favorite cheese (we love cheddar or pepper jack)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Set oven to 350°
  • Thaw pretzels in air fryer oven for about 5 minutes
  • Take out and add chicken salad, tuna, or crabmeat and top with cheese
  • Place back in oven and cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted

Slow Cooker Beef BBQ

Prep in the morning and come home to a ready-to-go meal! Let it cook all day in your slow cooker.

INGREDIENTS:

For the beef:

  • 2lb beef chuck roast – look for beef that has the least amount of fat
  • 1 lg yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 6oz can tomato paste
  • 2 TBS Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 TBS apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the coleslaw:

  • 1/2 bag coleslaw mix
  • 2 TBSP of avocado mayo
  • 1 1/2 TBS apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

For the beef:

  • Slice onions and place in slow cooker and place beef chuck roast on top
  • Mix together all the other ingredients in a small bowl and then pour over beef and onions
  • Stir to be sure it coats meat and onions – if your mixture is a little thick add about 1/2 cup of unsalted beef stock
  • Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or until meat is tender and shreds easily

For the coleslaw:

  • Mix all ingredients together and then place on top of your beef
  • Enjoy!!

Pizza Bites

This one is a little more indulgent, but a quicker (and cheaper) alternative for pizza night. Your Ninja Air Fryer Oven is perfect for these guys, too.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Pillsbury biscuits
  • Pizza sauce
  • Favorite pizza toppings (veggies, meat, cheese)
  • Seasonings of choice (oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Set oven to 400°
  • Lay out halved biscuits and top with sauce and pizza toppings
  • Place tray in oven and cook for 8 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown
  • Remove from oven and let cool. Add seasonings and enjoy!

Thanks for reading! Which of these easy and healthy comfort food recipes will you be trying? Let us know xo.

Winter is the season for big appetites and hearty, warm meals. If you’re trying to eat a little bit better this new year, finding easy, healthy meals that also fill your belly can be difficult! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes for healthy and easy comfort meals that are good for your body, great for your soul, and perfect for your busy schedule. See the recipes below.

Stracciatella Soup

A heartwarming, delicious and nutritious soup. Made in the beloved Always Pan!!

Frugal and Thriving may earn a small commission via affiliate links in this post. See full disclosure here.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 4 eggs (whipped)
  • Spinach
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Shaved Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes to garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  • Simmer chicken (or vegetable) stock on medium heat and slowly add whipped eggs.
  • Let cook for about two minutes and then add uncooked spinach. Continue to cook until wilted. Add grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

This one is super easy, and the kids will love it! Use your Always Pan for this one, too.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Lean ground beef (93% or higher)
  • 1 TBS arrowroot powder
  • 1 TBS paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened original almond milk
  • 2 cups whole wheat pasta
  • 1 cup fat-free/low-fat grated cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

  • Brown ground beef until fully cooked.
  • Add the arrowroot powder, paprika, garlic/onion powder, salt, sugar and pepper – mix until evenly coated through ground beef.
  • Add water, milk, and pasta and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for about 8-11 minutes until pasta is cooked through.
  • Remove from heat and add grated cheese. Stir until melted and enjoy!

Pretzel Melts

This is a great snow day lunch or Sunday gameday snack! Pop them in your Ninja Air Fryer Oven.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Frozen soft pretzels
  • Chicken salad (or tuna or crabmeat!)
  • Slices of your favorite cheese (we love cheddar or pepper jack)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Set oven to 350°
  • Thaw pretzels in air fryer oven for about 5 minutes
  • Take out and add chicken salad, tuna, or crabmeat and top with cheese
  • Place back in oven and cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted

Slow Cooker Beef BBQ

Prep in the morning and come home to a ready-to-go meal! Let it cook all day in your slow cooker.

INGREDIENTS:

For the beef:

  • 2lb beef chuck roast – look for beef that has the least amount of fat
  • 1 lg yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 6oz can tomato paste
  • 2 TBS Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 TBS apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the coleslaw:

  • 1/2 bag coleslaw mix
  • 2 TBSP of avocado mayo
  • 1 1/2 TBS apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

For the beef:

  • Slice onions and place in slow cooker and place beef chuck roast on top
  • Mix together all the other ingredients in a small bowl and then pour over beef and onions
  • Stir to be sure it coats meat and onions – if your mixture is a little thick add about 1/2 cup of unsalted beef stock
  • Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or until meat is tender and shreds easily

For the coleslaw:

  • Mix all ingredients together and then place on top of your beef
  • Enjoy!!

Pizza Bites

This one is a little more indulgent, but a quicker (and cheaper) alternative for pizza night. Your Ninja Air Fryer Oven is perfect for these guys, too.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Pillsbury biscuits
  • Pizza sauce
  • Favorite pizza toppings (veggies, meat, cheese)
  • Seasonings of choice (oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Set oven to 400°
  • Lay out halved biscuits and top with sauce and pizza toppings
  • Place tray in oven and cook for 8 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown
  • Remove from oven and let cool. Add seasonings and enjoy!

Thanks for reading! Which of these easy and healthy comfort food recipes will you be trying? Let us know xo.