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High school graduation is one of life’s significant accomplishments and one that friends and family will want to celebrate with a gift. This list includes our favorite gift ideas for guys and consists of sentimental and practical choices. Are you shopping for your son’s best buds? Here are some wonderful ideas for grad gifts for your teen’s friends. If you have girls on your list, here are some of our favorite grad gifts for the young women in your life.
High school graduation gifts for him
1. Anker portable phone charger (Amazon)
College students are on the go, from their first classes in the morning to dinner, homework, and socializing at night. While finding a plug to recharge a phone can often be inconvenient, this lightweight and portable battery charger can come to the rescue to help keep his phone working 24/7.
For iPhone 16/15/14/13/12, iPad, MacBook, Galaxy, Google, and more.
2. College fan gear (Fanatics)
Your new grad will love to receive college gear, and Fanatics is the #1 site to shop for officially licensed logo clothing and accessories from more than 500 colleges and pro teams. T-shirts, hats, hoodies, sneakers, and more make THIS site your go-to for collegiate gear.
3. T-Shirt quilt (Project Repat)
Take that stack, OK… a drawer full of t-shirts from camp, class days, sports teams, and more, and send them off to Project Repat so they can make a unique, highly-personal gift for your son. The t-shirt quilt, a helpful ice-breaker at college, can be hung on the wall or on his bed. Available to custom-order in several sizes.
4. Bedding (Pottery Barn Teen)
There are dozens of places to shop for twin xl bedding, but one site you should explore is Pottery Barn Teen. The high quality, a wide range of price points, and sustainable practices that go into the manufacturing of Pottery Barn items make it an excellent destination to shop for dorm essentials and decor.
5. The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (Amazon)
The closest thing to a “college instruction manual” is the New York Times bestselling book, The Naked Roommate. Author Harlan Cohen has been in the college-advice business since he was a student. He stays current by visiting college campuses and talking to students and administrators nationwide. This is a book your son can keep on the shelf and refer to often about ANY questions he has in college, including a “naked roommate.”
6. Bath towels (Pottery Barn Teen)
Get your teen a fresh set of bath towels for college. This set from Pottery Barn Teen is quick dry, machine washable, and comes in several colors. It includes a hand towel, bath towel, and washcloth. Option to add personalization so he will never mix up his towels with another student’s.
Pottery Barn Teen $14.50 – $73.50
7. TICONN storage and moving bags (Amazon)
These lightweight, durable bags are ideal for college move-in. They even have a clear pocket on the side so that your son can tag what is inside each bag. Plus, after moving in, these don’t take up much space at all since they can be collapsed.
8. Conair Handheld Steamer (Amazon)
My son loves this steamer he borrowed from a roommate for graduation and only wished he had taken one to school with him as a freshman. Dry clothes can sit in the dryer for hours before they are reclaimed from the laundry room, and the only hope for looking ironed is this steamer. (See above for the steamed side vs. the one with all the wrinkles.)
9. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…and Maybe the World (Amazon)
Admiral William H. McRaven (Ret) wrote one of the all-time best commencement speeches he delivered at the University of Texas. His speech was later made into a slender book that quickly became a New York Times bestseller. His wise words will give your son all the advice he needs to launch into the next phase of his life — college, work, or the military.
10. “Open When” Cards (Amazon)
Your son will be thrilled to have a treat waiting for him in college when he hits an (inevitable) rough spot. This set of 16 “open when” cards will be a gentle reminder that you are ALWAYS with him even if not in the same physical space. Fill with gift cards, an encouraging note, a small gift and you will both feel better.
11. Back rest pillow (Amazon)
Dorm beds are uncomfortable to sit on as most do not have headboards. A backrest pillow like this one from Amazon is a great grad gift, and your son will be grateful whenever he tries to study in bed. Available in many colors.
12. Sentry Safe (Amazon)
We like the Sentry compact safe for a wallet, passport, meds, or other valuables since it’s small and has a cable that can be looped around a heavy piece of furniture.
13. ViscoSoft Dusk mattress topper (Amazon)
One of my sons said that having a mattress topper was the single most crucial dorm item he owned, and he would even give up his backpack if he had to choose between it and the topper. This one has a breathable, ventilated structure that promotes optimal air circulation, and also uses memory foam to alleviate joint pain.
14. Tumbler (YETI)
If your son is a coffee drinker and wants to savor a hot cup of coffee FOR HOURS, the YETI mug is for him. It is stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation, meaning cold drinks stay cold for hours. Teens and young adults will love receiving a YETI mug as a grad gift.
Available in iconic stainless or vibrant hues, look for one that matches your son’s college colors. There are also personalization options with initials or college logos. This is a tremendous and long-lasting gift!
15. Monogrammed Wallet (Leatherology)
This is an upgrade to a more adult carrying money and cards style. This handsome bi-fold wallet from Leatherology is super-thin and will last him for years. Plus, personalization is such a nice touch for ANY gift.
16. Phillips Electric Shaver (Amazon)
An electric shaver is very useful for college guys to make shaving much quicker and easier. This one follows the face’s contours, creating smooth contact with the skin. It can be used for a dry shave, with gel or foam, or even in the shower.
17. Bedside Caddy (Amazon)
A bedside caddy is necessary for living in a college dorm room because most dorms don’t come with a bedside table. This one is waterproof and can hold books, a laptop, pens, cellphones, water bottles, snacks, and drinks.
18. Napkin Finance (Amazon)
Give the gift of financial literacy with this book that ranges on topics from credit scores to paying off student loans to economics and blockchain. This book will benefit your son throughout college and beyond.
19. Laundry Backpack (Amazon)
A laundry backpack makes moving clothes to and from the laundry room so much easier. This extra large laundry backpack is durable, has soft padded shoulder straps, and comes in 4 colors.
20. LEVOIT Air Purifier (Amazon)
While living in the dorms, it is very common for students to get sick from airborne infections. However, with an air purifier, allergens, odors, and contaminants can be limited. This one comes equipped with 3-stage filtration to ensure top-notch air purification.
21. Apple AirTag (Amazon)
If he is always losing his keys, wallet, or backpack, he can put an AirTag on it so that it will be easily locatable.
22. Cartman tool set (Amazon)
Having a basic tool kit is a must-have when they move into their first dorm or apartment; they will need one with all the many moves in their future, too. This Cartman set has 39 pieces that can be neatly stored in a durable plastic case.
23. Hydro Flask wide-mouth water bottle (Amazon)
Hydro Flask insulated water bottles have been one of our favorite brands for years and it is no wonder – they magically keep liquids cold for 24 hours or hot for 12. They are available in many different colors, sizes and styles.
24. Spikeball 3-ball game set (Amazon)
Send your son to college with a built-in way to make friends and get a good work out in at the same time. The Spikeball game set includes 3 ball, the net and a bag.
Learn more about Spikeball’s “Find Your Circle” initiative, a wonderful way your son can connect with other teens through team-based play. Using Spikeball as a way to foster friendship before and during college might be the ultimate grad gift for him.
25. Apple AirPods Pro 2 (Amazon)
the Apple AirPod Pros 2 have loads of features that make this version of the AirPod Pros a significant upgrade from earlier versions. One feature your son would especially appreciate is the Active Noise Cancellation which can help;p remove 2 x more background noise (think noisy roommates and hall mates.)
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Why You Can Trust Us:
The Grown and Flown team includes three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on product lists for over 12 years now, making them experts. When selecting products they survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of nearly 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. They do opinion polls, surveys and ask open-ended questions. They search for products that combine reasonable prices with high quality and are recommended by the large following. With recommendations from major retailers, trustworthy publications, and social media influencers, this post selected a range of products, paying close attention to reviews and price tags.
Haven’t found what you want yet? Here’s more: Great Graduation Gift Ideas for High School Seniors – Lots!
