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. Note: Grown and Flown is reader-supported, and we receive compensation when you order through some of the links in this post.
High school graduation gifts for him
1. 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.
2. Vornado Fan (The Container Store)
A fan is an absolute dorm essential since many dorms lack air conditioner and airflow. The Vornado metal fan creates a cool, quiet, constant airflow with two-speed settings and a pivoting head. This one is small enough that it won’t take up much space in an already-packed dorm room.
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.
NEW! Grown and Flown readers can save 50% (deadline May 30, 2024) with code grownandflown24 at checkout.
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. Hydro Flask (The Container Store)
College campuses have water bottle stations where students can fill their bottles, vastly reducing the use of disposable plastic bottles. Hydro Flask bottles keep hot and cold drinks at their temperature for hours.
6. 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.”
7. Hanging Toiletry Bag (The Container Store)
There is never enough counter top space in a small bathroom which is why this hanging toiletries bag would make a great grad gift. This is perfect for travel, too.
8. 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.
9. Anker 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.
10. 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.) 
11. 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.
12. “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.
13. Table Lamp with Charger (The Container Store)
A task lamp is a dorm must-have for studying at night. This one is slim, stylish and energy-efficient. The all-in-one metal lamp and charging station is the ultimate space-saving solution for a dorm room.
14. 1MORE SonoFlow Noise Cancelling Headphones (Amazon)
Dorms (and roommates) are noisy, and having a great set of earphones will help your son concentrate when he is trying to study in his room. These are the top-rated in a lower-priced tier.
15. Back Rest Pillow (Target)
Dorm beds are uncomfortable to sit on as most do not have headboards. An oversize pillow like this one from Target is a great grad gift, and your son will be grateful whenever he tries to study in bed. Available in many colors.
16. 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.
17. Drop-Front Shoe Organizer (The Container Store)
For keeping shoes organized, this storage box displays shoes but also protects them — even from the effects of UV light. This is a sleek, durable, and modern way to display shoes while keeping them sorted and dust-free. This would look great in a guy’s dorm room or his bedroom at home.
18. 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.
New for 2024 grads – The ViscoSoft Dusk memory foam topper has anti-slip beads on the bottom of the removable, machine washable cover. This less expensive version of their higher-priced topper will transform a somewhat gross, brick-like dorm mattress into a comfortable sleeping place.
For a limited time offer, take advantage of this exclusive Grown and Flown code for 20% Off ANY Dusk Toppers on AMZ: GAF20VSD
19. 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!
20. Apollo Tool Set (Amazon)
This 39-piece tool set comes with all the accessories your son can use in his dorm this year and in apartments in the future. This is considered one of our must-haves to make move-in day go smoothly, so keep it close at hand when it is time to pack.
21. 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.
22. UE (Ultimate Ears) Bluetooth Speaker (Amazon)
We love these Bluetooth speakers for their audio quality, design, colors, and durability — they are waterproof, dustproof, and can withstand an accidental drop. This is the top Bluetooth speaker recommended by the New York Times.
23. Spikeball (Amazon)
Spikeball is very popular on many campuses, and if your son had a set to take to college, he would likely find other Spikeball sports enthusiasts reasonably quickly.
24. Nike Slides (Nike)
Shower shoes are a must for dorm life, especially in communal bathrooms. These ones are soft and comfortable with traction patterns on the sole to help with wet surfaces.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. 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.
30. 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.
Haven’t found what you want yet? Here’s more: Great Graduation Gift Ideas for High School Seniors – Lots!
