Where to Buy the Best Graduation Gifts in Newcastle
Our top picks of where to buy the best graduation gifts in Newcastle
Graduating university is a pretty big deal, so make the most of it and commemorate the occasion with a first-class gift.
Whether you’re graduating yourself and the family needs some inspiration, or you're looking for that perfect gift to celebrate the graduate in your life, we’ve got you covered with this handy guide.
Surprise them with an exciting experience
Help the graduate make the most of their new-found freedom by surprising them with a new experience to celebrate all their hard-work!
Newcastle is home to loads of fantastic theatres - from Theatre Royal on Grey Street to Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Westgate Road - so there’s bound to be a performance showing that they’ll love. Or, if they’d prefer to laugh the night away, then check out O2 City Hall and The Stand, with both regularly hosting loads of the biggest names in comedy.
Shaking things up a little, we’d also recommend booking them in for a cocktail masterclass in the Toon. Revolucion de Cuba, Slug & Lettuce and Central Oven & Shaker are just three city centre venues offering hands-on experiences. What better way to raise a glass to the graduate!
And last, but by no means least, why not give them the chance to make something meaningful to commemorate their achievement, with a workshop at The Glamorous Owl? This hidden gem in Old George Yard offers vouchers to redeem on everything from a fancy gemstone silver rings workshop to a silver saw piercing workshop.
Mark the moment with timeless jewellery
There’s plenty more venues in town to help mark the moment with timeless jewellery too.
Whilst everything spiritual is their speciality, The Geordie Witch in Eldon Square also stocks plenty of beautiful jewellery, so they can bring the magic with them, wherever they go!
Meanwhile, classic cut crystals are Swarovski’s focus, offering a properly luxurious range of jewellery, watches and accessories that’ll remind them of all their hard work, every time they wear their piece. H Samuel also offers a wide variety of options and styles that’ll never go out of style.
For something a little more personalised, take a look at Pandora and Nomination. If the talented grad already owns one of their iconic charm bracelets, then picking up another addition for them will be perfect – but both brands offer engravings if you want to go that extra step.
Give them their flowers – literally!
There’s no need to head outside the city centre for a beautiful bouquet, because there are a handful of fantastic florists in Newcastle!
Katherine's Florists, for starters, has been delivering hundreds of thousands of flowers and gifts all over the world for over forty years, so it’s safe to say that they certainly know their stuff! They regularly keep up-to-date with the latest changing styles, so your graduate’s bouquet is guaranteed to stand out amongst all the gowns and caps.
Over in Fenwick, Diana Kaye Florist offers everything from hand-tied bouquets to special arrangements, so you’ll be hard-pressed not to find something they’ll love here. Visit their website to make an enquiry for a custom bouquet, or head over to their city centre store to pick from the day’s specials. There’s loads of inspiration on their Instagram too!
And of course, down on Newcastle’s Quayside, there’s 5th Avenue Flowers. Established in 1981, they specialise in unique, trend-setting designs that almost always break boundaries, so you’re sure to find a bouquet that’s as unique as the graduate themselves.
Take something sweet to share
If their graduation ceremony is later in the day, then they’ll definitely appreciate a sweet treat to keep those energy levels up!
Head to Hotel Chocolat on Blackett Street for one of their delicious chocolate selector boxes, or one of their signature “sleekster” boxes to snack on throughout the day.
Imagine Parisian patisserie levels of luxury, and you might just come close to the offerings of Mason + Rye Fenwick! Think candy-coloured cakes, tarts and cookies that’ll bring a smile to any graduates face.
Or, if “go big or go home” is your kinda motto, then head to Millie's Cookies inside Eldon Square, and get one of their iconic giant cookies hand-iced with your own message by their talented team. There’s pick and mix cookie boxes available too, just in case you need even more crowd-pleasing options.
Treat them to something uniquely Newcastle
If they’ll be moving away from Newcastle after graduation, then something Toon-themed to remember the experience by certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
Luckily, there’s UpSide Down Presents close to Newcastle's Quayside and Geordie Gifts in Grainger Market to help you find the perfect present!
Both of these fabulous gift shops offer loads of uniquely Newcastle-themed goodies, from mugs and magnets, to prints and plaques. Because every graduate needs a “Whey aye man” mug to remind them of their studies in Newcastle, right?!
Don’t forget a card!
Whatever gifts you’ve rounded up for the student of the hour, don’t forget a card. It might be a small gesture, but we're sure your graduate will appreciate it!
If they’ve got a cheeky sense of humour, then Scribbler is your go-to, with a range of designs to make them laugh... let's just hope they can suppress the giggle during the graduation ceremony!
Or, for something a little more wholesome, head to Serendipity and browse their range of carefully crafted cards and trinkets – plus the latest stock from the Jelly Cat collections too.
And for the best of both worlds, there’s Clintons and Card Factory too, both inside Eldon Square and both selling lots of cards perfect for the occasion!
However you’re celebrating, and whatever you gift the grad, we hope you have the best time and if you're in need of some inspiration around where to eat after the big ceremony, check out our round of great Newcastle restaurants for graduation meals.
Main image: Women in Graduation Gowns and Caps Blowing Confetti, Photo by Kaboompics.com via Pexels, Free to use under the Pexels License
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