So your daughter/sister/cousin/friend is graduating from medical school. You want to give her a gift to celebrate all of the amazing work she has done and also give her something that’s going to make her life easier in residency.

Here are my top 5 gifts.. a warning that these are definitely splurges - so go in with a few friends on these gifts but know that they are 1000% worth it.

1. A nice espresso machine - she will need a lot of coffee to make it through the next 3-7 years of night shifts and 24 hour calls. Having an espresso machine at home meant I didn’t need to leave my apartment to get coffee and also saved me A LOT of money over the course of my residency (but seriously, why is a latte so freaking expensive these days). I have the Breville Barista Express and I truly could not live without it.

2. LED face mask - help her fight the wrinkles and tired skin she will inevitably get from staying up for up to 36 hours at time sometimes. Red light is good for wrinkles/inflammation/aging and blue light fights acne. My LED mask is also a form of meditation for me - it’s 7 minutes a day in which I am forced to quiet my mind and not look at my work phone. A win, win.

3. A silk pillow case - when she’s able to sleep, make sure she’s getting the best sleep possible. It is truly a luxurious experience. A bonus that silk pillow cases are great for skin and hair as well, and now come in a wide range of prices to meet any budget. This is my personal favorite.

4. A coffee subscription - can you tell I really drank a lot of coffee during residency? I discovered these flash frozen coffee pods from a company called Cometeer which saved me on mornings I was running late or to bring to the hospital with me on call. Just defrost or run under water and add to some milk for a 10/10 latte.

5. Socks - ending this post on a necessity and not a splurge. I never have too many socks, and comfy but supportive socks during residency made all the difference.