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Graduation gifts are some of the most challenging gifts to pick out, especially when you’re buying for your teen’s friends who have become almost as dear to us as our sons and daughters. We asked our seasoned parents what they love to give their kids’ friends, and here are some of their answers.
Some of these gifts can be bought in bulk, making giving to a large number more affordable.
Best graduation gifts for your teen’s friends
1. The Naked Roommate (Amazon)
In its 7th Edition, this book includes everything any young man or woman might encounter as a college student. Include a note of encouragement from you to make this an even more special gift.
2. Shower Caddy (Amazon)
Students need a shower caddy, especially if they have shared bathrooms in their dorms. Fill the caddy with some starter toiletries for an added treat.
3. Lokai Bracelets (Lokai)
We have fallen in love with Lokai and cannot believe all the gorgeous and well-priced bracelets they offer, especially this collegiate line. This is a charming idea for a gift for your teen’s friend group. While on the Lokai site, check out the collections for Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, professional sports teams, and much more.
4. College Gear (Fanatics)
Shop Fanatics for the largest selections of official NCAA merchandise for over 500 colleges and pro teams, too. College students LOVE wearing hats, t-shirts — anything — from their new schools.
5. Azhido Backpack Laundry Bag (Amazon)
Every student needs a laundry bag at college, so pick one for each friend and get a starter pack of detergent to make doing their first laundry away from home a breeze. These are highly rated and are available in lots of great colors.
6. Bedside Essentials Pocket (Uncommon Goods)
Dorm beds are typically elevated and have no built-in storage for things like glasses, a phone, or book students might have been using at bedtime. This felt pouch attaches to the bed.
7. Financial Literacy (Amazon)
Teens are expected to leave home with a foundation in financial literacy, but few already have answers to all the money questions they will face once they live independently. See why the one reviewer at the New York Times calls Napkin Finance “one of the best financial aid primers I have read in years.”
8. Collegiate Bracelet (Little Words Project)
You can customize these cute collegiate bracelets with each teen’s college. We love Little Words Project bracelets because they inspire people to be kind to themselves and to pay that kindness forward by sharing, one bracelet at a time.
9. Positive Affirmation Socks (notes to self®)
Encourage them as they take the next step on their journey. With a different positive affirmation on each pair, they will be reminded that they are confident, beautiful, brave, and strong each day that they are wearing them.
notes to self® $31.98 (2 pairs in a gift bag. Single socks available, too)
10. Cartman 39 Piece Tool Kit (Amazon)
This is a gift they will use for years to come. With 39-pieces, it has the basics they will need for their dorm or apartment and will last throughout college and beyond. A well-priced set.
11. Drawstring Bag (Fanatics)
This lightweight and practical collegiate drawstring bag is perfect for a gym bag. If you can’t find one with a college logo, look for colors that match the school.
12. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse (Amazon)
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole.
“Kind,” said the boy.
Send your teen (and their friends) off with a slender book of love and life lessons with The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. Written and illustrated by beloved British artist Charlie Mackesy, this is a 2019 bestselling (New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and more) fable with gorgeous illustrations.
13. Kendra Scott Jewelry (Kendra Scott)
Your daughter and her friends will never forget a unique piece of jewelry from Kendra Scott, especially if the stones are personalized with the colors of the college each girl is attending. There are dozens of stones to pick from to create unique necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
14. Beach Towel (Amazon)
This is one of the most popular gifts for teens, especially if they attend a college in a warm weather or in a coastal location. Available in 10 colors.
15. Life Skills Book for Teens: Everything You Need to Know to Be More Independent (Amazon)
This new book (published in 2024) contains straightforward advice on handling money, health, home, relationships, and taking on adulthood with confidence. It’s ideal for teens who are feeling a little overwhelmed by the responsibilities of growing up. This will prepare them for the next stage of life after high school.
16. Move-In Bags (The Container Store)
These large blue bags are something that will be useful to any teen heading off to college this fall. They are durable and have space to carry tons of stuff but also collapse so that they don’t take up space after unpacking.
17. Personalized Card Case (Leatherology)
Personalized gifts are some of the nicest to give grads. We love all the choices you will find at Leatherology. These slim card cases are available in 17 options and would be a memorable gift for any soon-to-be college guy or young woman.
18. Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler 30 oz (Stanley)
This NEW style is completely leak-proof with the ProTour Flip Straw lid — flip up the built-in straw to sip, then snap it shut when done. Lots of size and color choices.
19. Anker Portable Phone Charger (Amazon)
It’s a disaster and safety risk to run out of battery life on a cell phone, so keep college students covered with this small, light, high-speed phone charger by Anker. Compatible with iPhone 16/15/14/13/12, iPad, MacBook, Galaxy, Google, and more.
20. Robe (Pottery Barn Teen)
This super soft and warm robe is a gift your teen and friends will use daily on trips to and from the communal bathroom in the dorm. Choose from many pretty yarn colors to make this a very thoughtful gift.
21. Folding Chair (Fanatics)
There are never enough places to sit in a dorm room, and these excellent folding chairs with college logos are the ultimate guest chair. Also, your college student can take it outside if they want to find somewhere to study or hang out.
22. Repel Folding Umbrella (Amazon)
College kids will be so glad they packed an umbrella the first morning they have to walk to class in a downpour. They can all use a Travel Umbrella that folds into a backpack. This one by Repel gets the highest ratings from the New York Times Wirecutter. This brand is the #1 bestseller in the folding umbrella category on Amazon.
23. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World (Amazon)
Admiral William H. McRaven (Ret) wrote one of the most memorable college graduation speeches of all time, and this bestselling book is the written version. His words are direct and inspirational, in equal parts, making this a perfect send-off for any teen.
24. Travel Jewelry Case (Amazon)
This mini travel jewelry case is perfect for when your teen is on the road. Its compact size makes it easy to use in a dorm room when storing jewelry out of sight in a drawer. Available in seven pretty colors.
25. BAGSMART Tote Bag (Amazon)
A tote bag is very useful in college for going to the gym, the beach, or even for classes. This one is large enough to hold a 15.6-inch laptop and comes in 18 colors.
26. Tide To Go Stain Remover Wipes (Amazon)
A practical and useful gift would be these stain remover wipes. College students can store these wipes in their backpack so if they ever stain their clothes, they won’t need to worry since these wipes will easily remove the stain. This might be a nice addition to the laundry bag gift!
27. Noshinku Spice Refillable Pocket Hand Sanitizer (Amazon)
Hand sanitizer is a must-have for any college student. Each bottle has over 250 sprays.
29. Towel (Pottery Barn Teen)
These towels from PB Teen are hydrocotton, meaning they are super soft with quick dry capabilities. These are also able to be monogrammed for a personal touch.
28. Cash
Teens appreciate and need money; many clever ways exist to “dress it up.”
- Fill a mason jar with dollars and add decorative touches to the colors of each college.
- If you are genuinely creative, consider making a dollar wreath.
- And if you are not particularly crafty, write a check made out for $20.25 and place it in a card or a favorite grad book.
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.
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