It’s June, which means I’m back from galavanting around Europe for conference travel and vacation and have returned to the graduate student grind. It also means that graduation season is upon us! Congratulations to everyone from kindergarten through doctorates who will be walking across the stage this season (physically or figuratively)! For some (hello, West Coast friends), the season just getting started, and for others (hey, East Coast scrubs), it’s already come and passed, and the excitement is starting to diminish. Either way, it’s a monumental time that will be remembered by most for a long time if not a lifetime. Along with all the excitement, one of the best things about the season is graduation gifts! Can you tell gifts are my love language?

Personally, I love giving gifts at pivotal moments like these, and graduation gifts can hold so much meaning for those who will be heading off to a new stage of life. Here are three Christian graduation gifts that will help you or the graduate in your life navigate the transition into whatever comes next. They’re going to be quite cliché perhaps with a little twist so stay tuned.

1. The Bible

I know! I know! Still, it’s one of the best things for a new graduate to have. Life is confusing and even more so when you’re in a season of transition. Whether you’re moving to a new school, starting a new job, or embarking on the wonders of full-fledged adulting, we all need a little guidance to get through what can otherwise be a bumpy road. There’s no better guidance than God’s Word to help you stay on the straight and narrow. There are a multitude of options out there with a quick search. Specifically, for the high school, college, and doctoral graduates looking to go a bit deeper, I recommend the ESV Study Bible. I got my first study bible when I was an undergraduate and it gave a lot of context to things that were once confusing. For the artists, check out the selection from Alabaster Co. I love artsy fartsy things so my brother got me Psalms for Christmas. I absolutely love how beautiful it is. They don’t have all 66 books yet, but I’m sure they’ll get there.

2. A Journal

When moving through a transition, it’s often much easier to remember the lows than the highs for many of us. Journals help you keep track of things as they are rather than as you remember them being. They bring balance to your memories and give encouragement from your former self. Cultivating a healthy habit of journaling and reflecting helps keep you mindful of important accomplishments that God achieved in your life and all the challenges he’s brought you through over the years. Either way, he gets the glory and you gain a wider perspective on life. There are many free journaling mobile and desktop apps out there so why invest in a journal for a graduation gift? There is just something special about the feel of a physical journal that hits different. I like to write encouraging notes on the inside of the front cover to personalize it a bit more. However, you can also make it more meaningful by getting a particular type of journal that matches their current needs. After all, there are so many different kinds: basic (blank or lined), gratitude, prayer, and devotional. Pick one that your graduate needs.

3. Your Presence and Prayers

Sometimes, when our loved ones accomplish big things, it’s easy to feel like we’re not needed as much anymore. Indeed, with age and accomplishment should come maturity, but no one ever matures into needing others less. In fact, the more independence we have, the more we need others to speak into our lives. Freedom can be a bit overwhelming when suddenly thrust upon you. Give your friend, sibling, or child graduating this season, the gift of your presence through phone calls, visits, prayer, and advice. It might not always be appreciated, but it is valuable. They will let you know when they feel it.