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The time has finally come for your high schooler to graduate. Congratulations! To reward them for all their accomplishments, it’s nice to give them something special aside from cash (which is always the number one gift every year). We were stumped for ideas for the best high school graduation gifts, so we reached out to our band of experienced parents for some wonderful suggestions, as well as researching popular top-rated products that could be useful for someone leaving home for the first time.
Here are the best graduation gift ideas that will suit various interests and help support them as they take their next steps.
Best high school graduation gifts
For the one who loves to go to the gym : BAGSMART Gym Bag (Amazon)
This durable and lightweight gym bag is the perfect size to also use as a carryon bag or for an overnight trip. Available in many pretty colors and two sizes, this would be a practical and very thoughtful graduation gift. We love the puffer look. This is the #1 bestseller in Travel Duffel Bags on Amazon.
For the fitness fanatic: Adidas Defender 5 Duffle Bag (Amazon)
A new gym bag to take to college will provide a fresh start and motivation to take care of their health by staying in shape. If your son’s gym bag from high school should be retired, consider this one. Available in many colors – possibly even his school color. This is the #1 bestseller in Sports Duffel Bags on Amazon.
For all students (they all need a good night’s sleep): ViscoSoft Dusk 2″ Mattress Topper (Amazon)
Dorm mattresses are usually the bare minimum for comfort. But you can help your student sleep like they never left home by sending them to campus with a ViscoSoft mattress topper. This one is well-priced topper has a removable, washable cover and innovative anti-slip beads, to help secure the topper firmly to the slippery dorm mattress,
For the one always on the go: Anker Portable Charger (Amazon)
This slim, pocket-sized power bank is perfect for college life. With fast charging and a sleek design, it’s great for busy days on campus. A smart gift for grads heading to college who need a way to keep their phones fully charged. Compatible with iPhone 17/16, Galaxy and More.
For the one who needs quiet to study: Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Canceling Headphones (Amazon)
A way to block out noise from a roommate or hallmates is key for college students. These noise-canceling wireless headphones from Bose get the top reviews for audio quality and loads of other features. Available in eight popular colors.
For the one who is working on her dorm decor: Mellanni TwinXL 3-Piece Sheet Set (Amazon)
Your student can choose from among many pretty colors to find sheets that match their planned dorm decor. Mellanni sheets are highly-rated and are a Good Housekeeping Award Winner multiple times. They have been featured on The Today Show, Oprah Daily, CNN, and more. Lifetime guarantee.
For the one ready to look into their next decade: The Defining Decade (Amazon)
Dr. Meg Jay, a bestselling author and clinical psychologist, wrote this wake-up call to twentysomethings who will find her advice and coaching about this decade compelling. Updated in 2021, this book is filled with wisdom about what’s to come. Watch her amazing TED talk, Why 30 is Not the New 20, to learn more about what she covers in her book.
For the one who cares about staying healthy: Fitbit Inspire 3 (Amazon)
Walking from class-to-class across campus will seriously add to a student’s steps up and your grad might want to give themselves some bragging rights. The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a complete fitness and wellness tracker and includes “wellness tracking, daily Stress Management Score, mindfulness sessions, relax breathing sessions, irregular heart rhythm notifications(2), SpO2(3), menstrual health tracking, resting heart rate and high/low heart rate notifications.
Sleep better: automatic sleep tracking, personalized Sleep Profile(1), daily detailed Sleep Score, smart wake vibrating alarm, sleep modePlus.” (Amazon site) It is the top fitness tracker recommended by The New York Wirecutter and is the #1 bestseller in Activity & Fitness Trackers on Amazon.
For the one who’ll be studying late at night: Sailstar Desk Lamp (Amazon)
A desk lamp with a built-in charger for a phone is a practical gift that your teen can use in dorms or apartments for years to come. Three color modes and a built-in pencil holder make this a good choice for a small space like a dorm.
For the one who wants instant memories: Fujifilm Instax Mini 41 (Amazon)
Another fun, “ancient” camera idea? An instant camera! They can get an immediate photo with their new friends to hang for decoration in their dorm room and they can share more photos for
For the one with allergies: Levoit Mini Air Purifier (Amazon)
College dorms are dusty and can be difficult spaces for students to live in, especially if they have allergies. The Levoit brand makes highly-rated air purifiers and they can be an excellent way to create a cleaner environment and one with fewer odors, too. The mini size is perfect for a dorm.
For the one flying home:
Your new grad deserves to travel home for the holidays in style. Designed by actress Shay Mitchell (of Pretty Little Liars fame), the Beis Carry-On Roller is a minimalist traveler’s dream. It has many valuable features, including a cushioned handle, a two-inch expander, plenty of compartments, a built-in lock, and a built-in scale. They’ll never have to worry about overpacking.
For the hand notetaker: Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook (Amazon)
It may be quicker to type up notes in class, but studies have shown that writing things can help us memorize them better. The Rocketbook is a smart notebook you wipe down and reuse thanks to the erasable ink. But don’t worry! Your grad can still save whatever they’ve written onto the companion app to look back on later.
For the lounger: The Comfy (Amazon)
This next-level Snuggle is perfect for the new grad lounging at home. While slightly unflattering, the cozy fleece is next-level soft and has a kangaroo-like pouch to keep hands warm. Not to mention this wearable blanket is almost appropriate enough to wear to class.
For the eco-warrior: 4ocean Beaded Bracelet (Amazon)
This bracelet is a good reminder for your environmentally conscious grad, made from 100% certified post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, including less than 5% reclaimed ocean plastic. Plus, each string color represents an animal or ecosystem impacted by plastic pollution.
For the caffeine addict: Keurig Mini
Students waking up early for class or pushing through late-night studying will appreciate their single-serving coffee maker. Keurig makes many different machines, but our favorite is the Mini which measures only 5 inches wide and comes in six colors. This is an excellent gift for teens or young adults moving into a dorm or smaller apartment.
For the candle lover: Luzdiosa Candle Warmer Lamp
Candles aren’t typically permitted in dorm rooms (they can be a fire hazard!), but there’s a solution for your candle-loving grad. Using a 50-watt halogen bulb, this candle warmer combo is the perfect reading lamp while simultaneously heating the candle wax — no flame required. It also releases the scent much more slowly, helping the candle last longer.
For the outdoorsy one: ENO DoubleNest Camping Hammock
You may have noticed students hanging from trees in hammocks on the quad during college campus tours. Known as the ENO, these portable hammocks are made of strong nylon, can fit two people, and fold up into a convenient carrying case. It’s the perfect study spot!
For the one living in a far dorm: Schwinn Wayfarer
College kids on bicycles is an idyllic image, but not if your kid’s bicycle was the small one they got for the holidays in sixth grade. If they are going to attend a university that is suited to a bike, and most are, this may be the single most helpful gift you can give after their laptop.
For the one who uses card cases: Herschel Charlie Wallet
We’re big fans of the Herschel brand and think their selection of lightweight, durable, and affordable card cases is one to consider for your grad.
For the student who has an old laptop: Apple MacBook Air
If your new graduate has an outdated computer, there is no gift that they will need more than a new laptop. Most students would appreciate a light MacBook Air to tote around campus. Although expensive, look for student discounts from Apple or Microsoft.
For the one who would love an adult wallet: Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet
This slim wallet from Leatherology would be an elegant keepsake gift for your son. This thin, bifold style gets top reviews; you can even personalize it for something special.
For the one who loves jewelry: Kendra Scott Jewelry
Kendra Scott earrings, necklaces, and rings can be personalized with a gorgeous selection of stones that many college freshmen have worn during their sorority rush rounds. Pick your daughter’s favorite color or the color of her new college.
For the one who checks the time: Fossil Watch
Treasured gifts might be tucked away until your teen has a special occasion, but these watches are graduation gifts that last a lifetime. Fossil offers watches that strike the perfect balance between style and affordability that can withstand a graduate.
For the one with a great eye: Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 Digital Camera
Despite having a camera built into their smartphone, teens are now drawn back to documenting their lives with a digital camera. There’s something just so “vintage” about the classic point-and-shoots. The Canon PowerShot ELPH is a popular option
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 14 years now, making them experts. When selecting products they survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of over 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.
