The Best Graduation Gifts For Your Teen's Friends

Graduation gifts are some of the toughest gifts to pick out, especially when you’re buying for your teen’s friends, who, as all moms know, become as dear to us as our own kids given all the time they’ve spent in our homes and in our lives. We asked our seasoned moms what they love to give their kids’ friends and here are some of their answers. Some of these gifts can be bought in bulk, which makes giving to a large number more affordable.

For all our top picks for graduation and birthday gifts, check out our very own Grown and Flown page on Amazon. Note: we receive compensation from purchases made through some of the links in this post.

Graduation Gifts for Your Kid’s Friend Group

Handheld Steamer

My son loves this steamer that he borrowed from a roommate for graduation and only wishes he had taken one to school with him as freshmen.

This lightweight and comfortable collegiate drawstring bag has a mesh backing and a front pocket with zippers. You can get it screen-printed with a school’s logo.

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Choosing one of these mugs from the Tervis Tumbler Collegiate Collection for each of your kid’s friends is a thoughtful way to celebrate where each one is heading off in the fall. They can be personalized, come with a lifetime guarantee, and are affordable if you are buying for many friends.

Admiral McRaven has put into print his viral commencement address he gave at the University of Austin in 2014. In Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World, McRaven shares his 10 principles to success that he learned in Navy Seal training, as well as stories from his life and interactions with leaders in the service, McRaven’s collection of little things that make a big difference will inspire and give hope to new graduates. Applicable to all young people, this book makes a terrific graduation gift.

Everyone can use this practical tool kit that contains all the tools they’ll need to set up their dorm rooms. This set of sturdy tools includes a tape measure, hammer, pliers, hex keys, ratcheting bit driver, 8-inch scissors and four precision screwdrivers in a sturdy case.

This physician-recommended first-aid kit with essential supplies like medicine, antiseptics, bandages, injury treatments, and more in a vinyl case is something every graduate should have. It’s perfect to keep in a car, a dorm room, or an apartment.

Ikea Bags are truly the most amazing bags we have ever used for packing and moving. College-bound grads will have loads of stuff to take to school and giving them one of these lightweight and durable bags will be a huge help.

Your daughter and her friends will always remember this graduation gift, from Kendra Scott Jewelry, especially if the stones are personalized with the colors of the college each girl is attending. Take a look at these Graduation Gifts and find just the right thing to help the special young women in your life celebrate their big day.

Kids appreciate and need money and there are many ways to “dress it up.” Fill a Mason Jar with dollars and add decorative touches in the colors of each college. If you are truly creative, consider making this dollar wreath. And if you are not particularly crafty, write a check made out for $20.18 and place it in a card or a favorite book.

One of our very favorite graduation books is Do Your Laundry or You’ll Die Alone: Advice Your Mom Would Give if She Thought You Were Listening by author Becky Blades. You’ll be giving your grad what she wants but doesn’t know she needs: her mother’s loving counsel.

For the ultimate college guide book, check out The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College. Now in a 7th Edition, this book includes everything any young man or woman might encounter as a freshman.

A new water bottle is a very practical graduation gift and these Hydro Flask bottles come in lots of different colors, sizes, and price points. They are a very popular brand on campus now.

We love the Herschel brand and think these small Travel Kit Bags are a great idea for graduation for young women or men. They come in loads of different designs and colors.

Everyone needs flip flops for the gross communal dorm bathrooms and these Showaflops come in loads of cute designs, are offered for both men and women, and are antimicrobial with slip resistant soles.

Making copies of a favorite friend group and placing them in a frame is a sentimental, and inexpensive, favorite gift. An Acrylic Photo Frame like this one would be a good choice.

Here is a cookbook that every young student should have. All you need to make these fabulous recipes are five simple ingredients, 30 minutes and voila, you’ve got an easy, yummy meal. As the description says, “you can cook simple, delicious meals on the tightest of budgets and in the smallest of spaces.” No money, no time, no experience, no problem.

This leather COACH wristlet is THE perfect little bag for a night on the town. You can fit your keys, cash and credit cards in this snazzy wristlet which comes in many colors (we love the pink).

This YETI Rambler Stainless Steel Tumbler is virtually indestructible and it will keep your drink cold (or hot). Travel campus in style with this mug, available with college logos, or your kid’s initials.

It would be nothing short of a disaster to run out of battery power, so keep your college kids covered with this small, light, high-speed Small and Light weight Power Bank.

College kids are no longer just jumping in and out of cars anymore, they are actually walking to class. So they can really use this Travel Umbrella with an automatic open and close button. Folds really small to fit almost anywhere. Lots of colors.

You can never have enough Personalized Thank You Note Cards for all the other gifts your kid will be getting. The 20 cards come with matching envelopes, great size and great quality.

Other Graduation Gifts:

College logo gear – best places to buy everything with college logos and colors

Schools supplies including sticky notes, mini stapler, highlighter, pens, clips

Polaroid POP 3×4″ Instant Print Digital Camera

Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker

Leatherman – Wave Multitool, Stainless Steel with Leather Sheath

13-In-1 Ratcheting Driver

Anker USB Type-C Premium 5-Port 60W USB Wall Charger PowerPort+ 5 USB-C with Power Delivery for Apple MacBook, iPhone X / 8 / 8 Plus, Nexus 5X / 6P and PowerIQ for iPhone, iPad, Samsung & More

Gift Cards:

College book store for books, supplies, and more
Bed, Bath & Beyond, The Container Store, Target, or Amazon for dorm shopping
Starbucks, Grub Hub, or places to eat for when they need a break from the dining hall
Uber for when they need to come back to the dorms late at night

Edible Graduation Gifts:

For a cute party favor or gift basket to bring to a celebration with friends, consider ordering personalized Cookies by Design!

Best High School Grad Gifts 2018: Part 2

21 Absolutely Fabulous High School Grad Gifts for Girls

High School Grad Gifts for Guys. They Will Love These!

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