Do you have a friend or family member who is about to enter medical school? Celebrate this amazing accomplishment with a memorable gift that will help them along their journey.
I’ve asked my Instagram followers who are already in medical school what gifts they would have appreciated the most for their own white coat ceremony – which is how this list was born!
Here are 19 of the best White Coat Ceremony gift ideas that are sure to have any new medical student beaming with excitement!
(Or if you are the one getting your white coat handed soon, this list is perfect to forward to your friends and family if they are asking for your wish list.)
This post is all about best white coat ceremony gifts.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Ultimate List of Best White Coat Ceremony Gifts
1. Work Tote
For my White Coat Ceremony, my family got me a nice big BEIS work tote, and it was literally the perfect gift! It has tons of functional pockets that make it easy to stay organized. Trust me, the right bag can make all the difference when it comes to keeping all your items right where you need them.
Plus, it’s not just functional – it’s cute too! Sometimes a cute tote is the confidence boost you need to make it through your first day of classes.
2. Future Doctor Mug
By the time they reach residency, most medical students will have drunk thousands of cups of coffee. Why not give them a cute and inspiring way to enjoy their morning caffeine with a customized Future Doctor mug?
After all, you can’t deny that coffee just tastes better when you sip it from an adorable mug.
3. Embroidered School Hoodie
What better way to show off school spirit and the accomplishment of becoming a medical student than by wearing some school merch? New medical students will love a hoodie or sweater that proudly displays their school logo. You can even get their name embroidered onto it to make it extra special! They’re super cozy and great to throw on after a long day.
You can find hoodies, sweaters, caps, and lots of other school merchandise either in the campus store or online!
4. Lunch Box
A great way to save money in medical school is to pack your own lunch. You can help your future medical student preserve their funds by getting them a cute & functional lunch box!
Personally, I love this Bento Box from Bentgo Classic because it’s cute and compact while still being surprisingly spacious. There are 3 compartments so you can fit enough food and snacks to fuel even the longest days.
5. Backpack
Every med student also needs a functional backpack. Look for large bags with lots of pockets that can fit a laptop, lunch box, books, and anything else a doctor-in-training might need on the go.
This backpack from Himawari is cool because it’s water resistant and has a built-in USB charging port. No more getting stranded with a dead phone! A backpack is something med students use pretty much every day, so you can be sure your gift will get lots of love.
6. Clove Shoes
Comfy shoes are a must-have for medical students. During clinical rotations, we spend hours on our feet every day, and having the right footwear can make all the difference for both comfort and productivity.
My personal favorite are Clove shoes! They’re great for everything from hospital days to running back and forth between lectures. Snag a pair for your future doctor or give them a gift card and let them pick out their own!
7. Comrad Compression Socks
Speaking of comfort, compression socks have become a necessity for me every time I wear my scrubs. It just feels so much better to have that extra support when I’m on my feet all day.
My go-to choice for compression socks is Comrad. They’re simple, soft, and perfectly designed for all day comfort. Your future doctor will be thanking you if you give them a pair of these!
8. Noise Canceling Headphones
Studying is a part of daily life when you’re a medical student, but, unfortunately, distractions are also a part of that life. The solution? Noise canceling headphones!
These are so helpful, especially if you like to study in active places like a park or a café. Even at-home studiers can throw them on when their pets or roommates are getting a little too rowdy.
9. Anki Remote
Trust me, Anki will become your new best friend in medical school! One of the ways I make studying fast, easy, and fun is by running through my Anki cards with a remote. There are tons of different styles and colors of remotes out there, so you can find one that matches the tastes of your future doctor.
I love this little pink one myself because it’s easy to take on the go and compatible with multiple devices.
10. Stethoscope
Every doctor needs a stethoscope! Believe it or not, we already needed our stethoscopes just 3 months into medical school, so this is definitely a great gift for first year students.
During M1, I used my stethoscope at least once a week. Since stethoscopes can be a little pricey, I recommend having a handy stethoscope case to carry it around and keep it safe. Either the case or the stethoscope itself will make an excellent gift!
11. Stethoscope Name Tag
You can also help your future doctor personalize their stethoscope with one of these adorable wrap-around name tags. They hug the base of the stethoscope and give it a little touch of personality.
Plus, they prevent mix-ups in busy clinical settings where stethoscopes can easily get lost or accidentally carried off by someone else.
12. Coffee Shop Gift Cards
Like I said, we medical students need our caffeine. But, many of us also like to hang out in coffee shops either to study or to unwind with a few friends. If you know where your future doctor loves to get their coffee, consider sponsoring a few of their drinks with a gift card!
13. Figs Scrubs
Your future doctor is about to receive their white coat, so why not complete the ensemble for them with a nice set of scrubs?
Figs has scrubs for everyone, offering a variety of styles, colors, and fits. Pick out a set you think they’ll love or give them a gift card and let them go crazy!
14. Nespresso Machine
If there’s one thing I definitely can’t live without, it’s my coffee maker. My Nespresso saves me so much time and money because I don’t have to drop by a coffee shop every day!
Give your future doctor the power to make delicious coffee right at home. You can even throw in a milk frother so they can be extra fancy.
15. Daily Harvest Gift Card
Worried your future doctor won’t have time for fruits and veggies between all their lectures and studying? A Daily Harvest gift card can save the day and give you some peace of mind.
Daily Harvest delivers yummy smoothies, soups, lattes, and more, all packed with fruits and veggies. It makes meal prepping and staying healthy so easy, even when you’re a busy bee!
16. Grocery Delivery Gift Card
Grocery delivery subscriptions are another lifesaver for busy medical students. Rather than wasting time at the grocery store, you can order everything you need online and have it delivered right to your door.
Grab a gift card for your future doctor from Instacart or their preferred delivery service.
17. Cute Highlighters
Do you want to know my secret to making school work enjoyable? Two words: cute highlighters. Having school supplies that you’re actually excited to use can be such a great source of motivation.
You can even throw in a nice pencil holder to store them and keep their desk clutter-free.
18. Pen Light
Does your future doctor want to be an eye doctor? Consider giving them a pen light for their White Coat Ceremony. Just like a stethoscope, a pen light is another clinical tool that comes in handy for med students, especially those who have an interest in Ophthalmology.
We use these little gadgets to perform eye exams and other neurological assessments, so you can count on your gift being put to good use.
19. iPad
For me, an iPad is absolutely a must-have in med school. I use mine every single day to take notes in class. It helps me stay organized, and I love the system I’ve created using the Notability app. An iPad is an expensive investment, so it makes a great gift for a first year student who might not have the spare funds to purchase one on their own yet.
Final Thoughts on White Coat Ceremony Gifts
I hope these suggestions helped you come up with the perfect gift for your future doctor’s White Coat Ceremony! Whether it’s a personalized mug to fuel their early mornings, a cute lunch box to keep them nourished, or comfortable shoes to help them stay on their feet on the longest days, any gift you choose will remind them that they have your support each and every day.
Related Posts
What Is a White Coat Ceremony? Everything You Need to Know + My Personal Experience
The Life of an M1 Medical Student: Tips for Your First Year of Med School
