With graduation season fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about the best gifts for high school graduates. Get your senior ready for adulthood with these senior gift ideas that are guaranteed to please.
About this Guide to the Best Gifts for High School Graduates
May can be a busy month. And I mean busy with a capital “B”. After celebrating our amazing mothers, it’s time to buckle up for the “end of the school year express”.
From the sports banquets to the graduation parties your calendar will soon be bursting with activity. And with all the graduation celebrations you’ll soon be asking “So what do I get my favorite high school graduates?”.
RELATED: How to Throw the Ultimate Budget Graduation Party
We will dive into some amazing ideas for high school graduation gifts and include a few quick tips for gift-giving etiquette.
How to Find the Perfect Gifts for Graduating Seniors
The best gifts for high school graduates are fun, yet functional. Grads are entering adulthood, and they will need a lot of things as they begin their adult lives. But, they also want a lot of fun things.
The perfect senior gift ideas are the ones that embody fun and function.
Look for gifts that provide entertainment or make for a stylish accessory. Think about the basics of dorm living if your grad is off to college. Space-efficient, functional items like coffee makers and a to-go mug make excellent gifts.
Gifts don’t need to break the bank, but they should serve a purpose. This list of the best gifts for high school grads gives a variety of options for functional, yet fun gift ideas.
To Give or Not to Give?
When it comes to giving gifts for high school graduates, it can often be tough to determine where to draw the line. Your grad may be attending a dozen graduation parties, and the gifts add up.
A good rule of thumb for giving gifts for graduating seniors is if you received a formal invite to the ceremony and you’re close with the grad, then yes, give a graduation gift.
Consider giving gifts to extremely close friends of your grad, and letting the rest of the parties be more about celebration than gift-giving.
Still have questions about graduation gift-giving? Check out the graduation gift etiquette post for answers to your commonly asked questions.
Best Gifts for High School Graduates
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get on to the gifts!
Gifts for Graduating Seniors (Affiliate Links)
Practical & fun gifts for graduates heading off to college, travelling or starting a career. Gifts for boys & girls, and budgets big & small.
COWIN E7 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones are a lifesaver when trying to study in a noisy dorm. Also handy for travellers trying to sleep.
DASH Hot Air Popcorn Popper Maker
Perfect when you need a snack to power through those late night study sessions.
Keurig K-Mini Plus Maker Single Serve Coffee Brewer
The small footprint of this model is perfect for tiny dorm rooms or small kitchens. Don't forget to add a box of K-cups or the reuseable K-cup.
Handheld Garment Steamer
Say goodbye to wrinkly clothing with this handheld clothes steamer.
Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker
Easily track your steps and fitness goals with this sleek wrist band.
Convertible Backpack Messenger Bag for Men/Women
This versatile bag makes the transition to adulting easy. It can be used as a messenger bag, briefcase or backpack. Big enough to hold a laptop & supplies.
Anker PowerCore Portable Charger
Smaller than a deck of cards, this lightweight portable charger is a workhorse. College students & travellers will appreciate multiple charges for I-Phone and Android devices.
YETI Rambler 18 oz Bottle
Graduation is a perfect time to splurge on a high-quality, reuseable water bottle. Fits most cup holders and available in a variety of colors.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera
Teens LOVE to capture memories on this instant camera. Grab an extra pack of film while you're at it.
Chanasya Fuzzy Faux Fur Super Soft Throw
Dorm rooms can be cool. This super soft blanket will help chase away the chill. Available in a variety of colors for girls & boys.
Tile Mate Bluetooth Key Tracker & Item Locator
Keeping track of your stuff can be hard. Say goodbye to losing your keys, camera, earbuds, backpacks & more with the Tile Mate.
CARTMAN Orange 39-Piece Tool Set
Be the "go-to" guy or gal in the dorm with this compact tool set. Also available in pink.
Contigo Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Running out the door for classes or work? Take your coffee or tea to go. Available in 20 colors!
Seward Trunk Rover
Dorm rooms are notoriously small & lacking in storage. College students will appreciate the extra storage capability of this wheeled trunk.
Roku Streaming Stick+ Wireless and Voice Remote
No cable, no problem. Stream your favorite shows with the Roku stick. Includes a voice remote.
Weekend Travel Bag
Ideal for overnight or weekend trips and as a carryon bag. This durable bag can be converted to a duffel bag.
Swiss Army Spartan Pocket Knife
Once you own a Swiss Army knife you'll wonder how you ever got by without one.
Cards Against Humanity
Party games are a great way to break the ice & make new friends.
Echo Dot
Whether you need answers to burning questions or just want to listen to music, the Echo Dot is a great choice for small spaces.
Premium Sewing Kit
Take care of wardrobe mishaps in a snap with the deluxe sewing kit.
Nike Solarsoft Slide Athletic Sandal
Every college student living in a dorm needs a pair of slides for the shower (and for running around the dorm).
- Academic Planner: Give the gift of organization to college bound seniors. Keep track of class schedules, assignments, projects and so much more.
- A good backpack is a must-have for college bound graduates, travelers or those entering the workforce. The medium sized Knack brand bag is my go-to carry-on bag. I love that there is a place for everything.
- College survival kit: purchase a new laundry basket & fill it with a variety of snacks & convenience foods (instant oatmeal, ramen, soup), an electric kettle and laundry supplies (detergent, softener, dryer sheets, quarters).
- Gift cards: Target/Walmart, gas cards, restaurants, Starbucks, Amazon. If the graduate will be attending college, consider selecting gift cards for merchants near campus.
- Money – cash is king (not really). But it’s a great gift for a graduate who needs to make a big-ticket purchase or a few necessities.
- Yearly subscription to Netflix, Hulu or Spotify.
How to Present a Cash Gift
The general guidelines for cash gifts are the same as is you are giving a gift. If your bank account is fat and you’re feeling generous, feel free to give abundantly. Scale back if funds are tight. Graduation is not an excuse to overspend.
Cash and gift cards are acceptable high school graduation gift ideas. In fact, some graduates may prefer it. Receiving cash allows the graduate to pool the funds to purchase a big ticket item (like a new laptop for college).
Check out these fun ways to package a graduation cash gifts:
Did I miss anything? Drop a comment and let me know your go-to graduation gift ideas.
More Special Occasion Gift Ideas:
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Kavita says
My friend’s daughter is going to be a graduate soon. I am thinking of giving her a gift which can be useful for her. Really liked your suggestions, especially the garment steamer one.
Lori says
I’m glad you found the gift ideas useful, Kavita.