Graduation season is coming! That enormous milestone that is “graduation” marks the close of a meaningful and important chapter and the opening toward a hopeful, bright future. Whether it’s transitioning from high school, college or alternative education, giving a great graduation gift lets them know you’re in their corner as they launch into their next chapter.
But finding the right graduation gift can be a challenge. There are so many directions you can go! Do you get them something for their living space? A gift card? Something to inspire them? A nice watch?
Here are a few gift ideas for your graduate:
- Best Graduation Gifts for High School Graduates
- Best Graduation Gifts for College Graduates
- Best Gift Cards for Graduates
Best Graduation Gifts for High School Graduates
High school graduation is a big milestone! A thoughtful graduation gift lets them know you believe in them and are cheering them on. If you want to get them a tangible gift item, here are a few popular ideas.
Dorm Room Gifts
- Desk organizer – A cluttered desk makes studying and schoolwork difficult, and space might be at a premium. Pick a neutral color and add some treats and a thoughtful note.
- College-themed swag – Get them excited about their school of choice with some swag with their college logo: nice tumbler, a school flag or mini-mascot for their room. That way they can show up to move-in day in style!
- Monogrammed towels – Dorms can be a wild place; this a step up from Sharpie-ing their name on the tag like mom used to do. It’s easy to find monogrammed towels in neutral colors like gray, blue or a classic beige, or spice it up with bright colors if you know the graduate well.
- Personalized drinkware or Yeti – College may be the land of red Solo cups, but you can do better than that. Let your graduate enjoy life with a personalized tumbler, whether it’s a soft drink while studying, coffee in the morning, or a personalized water bottle or koozies for their canned drinks.
- Toiletry kits/bags – Makeup bags for the ladies and “diddy bag / dopp kits” for the gentlemen. If you’re going to be sharing a bathroom with a roommate, it’s helpful to have your items organized and ready to grab and go. Too many bags or caddies can never go amiss on a college campus.
- Personalized blanket or throw – Creature comforts are critical in college. Help them stay cozy!
- Bonus: Weighted blanket – College can be stressful. For some, a weighted blanket can be extra comforting, especially if the dorm room is chilly.
“Organizational items for small rooms like tote bins and baskets. Getting a nice shower caddy is clutch. 3m hooks and poster stickies. A portable phone charger that’s small. Anything except a book! There is so much to read already in school!” – Ré D.
Technology and Gadgets
- Smart alarm clock – The grad in your life deserves to not have to use their phone to blast them awake. You can find great, bedside smart clocks with Alexa or Siri built in, such as the Amazon Echo.
- Noise-canceling headphones – Let’s face it, college students aren’t quiet. Earbuds are great, but a pair of nice earphones can help them turn down the noise and focus on their studies.
- Portable charger or power bank – Days on campus can be long, and having extra power can be a lifesaver!
- Mini-speaker – Whether it’s music for a party, the shared kitchen or listening to music outside, a portable mini-speaker is a handy and thoughtful gift.
- Grown-up back pack – This isn’t your high school backpack; we’re talking stylish adult backpack options that are oh-so-practical when walking to class. Whether a designer version, leather or outdoor, rugged and durable, there is a pack destined to suit any graduate.
- Portfolios – There will be a lot of note-taking in college, that is certain. Give your graduate a stylish upgrade with a nice padfolio, whether monogrammed or plain. These never go out of style.
- Bonus: Digital notebook – Notetaking without piles of paper and notebooks is so much easier, and a digital notebook allows students to transfer their notes from device to device with ease.
“A padfolio or portfolio is my go-to. They make a great graduation gift.” – Kelly M.
Lifestyle Gifts
- Amazon or Target gift card – If you want to make sure your gift gets used, a gift card can go a long way toward textbooks and other college essentials.
- Laundry essentials kit – Let’s face it, laundry can be a pretty big expense for college students. This gift may feel mundane, but it’s guaranteed to be one of the most useful gifts they receive.
- Meal kit subscription – Eating out every meal simply isn’t feasible, affordable or all that healthy. Cooking is a critical life skill, and a meal kit subscription helps students learn how to do it themselves while also helping cover part of their grocery bill.
- Bonus: Safe or lockbox – Unfortunately, things go missing or can get stolen in the dorms. A safe or lockbox is a great way to make sure nothing important suffers that fate.
“Handwritten notes or cards throughout the school year to stay connected to family are great, especially if you move away for school.” – Amanda V.
Best Graduation Gifts for College Students
College graduation marks a student’s jump into the great big world. Now they have to make it in the school of life! Get them off on the right foot with a thoughtful graduation gift that tells them you believe in them and empowers them to take the first right steps out of school.
Career and Professional Life
- A quality planner – Life comes at you fast after college, and time management is key to keeping your head on straight. Even if they use an electronic version, a nice physical planner rarely goes amiss.
- Personalized stationery or business cards – From notepads, to letterhead to thank you cards, a little high-quality, monogrammed stationery can always be used. Females in particular love handwritten notes, and for gentlemen, nothing says “style points” when networking in their first job like a monogrammed notepad or masculine-themed thank you cards.
- Luxury coffee set – Upgrade them from that crappy dorm room coffee with a nice Keurig coffeemaker or espresso machine. A set of gourmet coffee or tea to go with it is sure to make their transition to their first job extra nice.
- Bonus: LinkedIn Premium subscription – Helping them grow their network right out of college can be the leg up they need to land their dream role sooner rather than later.
“An air fryer is king. I got stationery with my name on it and I loved it!” – Caleb R.
Books and Inspiration
- “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie – Gifting this classic tells the grad in your life that they have what it takes to grow their social circle and influence.
- “Atomic Habits,” by James Clear – get them started on the right track for success, no matter what their career path with the power of great habits.
- “Total Money Makeover,” by Dave Ramsey – You’re never too young for smart financial moves. Celebrate their foray into their first income with a crash course in spending, saving, investing and staying out of debt.
- A journal – Self-reflection is key to growth, and having a nice place to reflect makes a great gift for the right grad.
Travel and Exploration
- Luggage – Good luggage can be expensive, and if they like to travel, this can be a wonderful way to say, “Go find an adventure!”
- National Park Pass – For the nature-loving grad, an annual National Park Pass can be the reprieve they need to take a beat before entering the workforce.
- AirBnB or hotel gift card – Let them find a sweet weekend getaway with friends to celebrate their new chapter now that college is over.
- Bonus: Camera – Whether your grad is a photographer or not, gifting a nice camera is a great way to encourage them to get out and see the world after all their years of schooling.
Personal Development
- Subscription to Audible or Masterclass – You never stop learning in life. Gifting one of these subscriptions is a fantastic way to encourage their continued personal development.
- A gift basket – It may sound cliché, but nothing beats a well-thought-out gift basket. It can be a mix of books, gift cards, food, pampering items or anything you want!
- Bonus: Housewarming gifts – Whether it’s a household toolkit, fresh kitchen essentials, or home organization items, you can help them turn the chapter out of college with confidence that they have everything sorted.
Best Gift Cards for Graduates
When it comes to graduation gifts, money and gift cards are always welcome! Giving your graduate the gift of choice can be a very welcome gift in a time where money, frankly, can be tight.
Gift Cards for High School Graduates
Students graduating high school may need more help covering some of the essentials required of life on their own. This is a great opportunity for you, the gifter, to give them something practical to lighten the load financially.
- Amazon, Target, or Walmart gift card – They can use these on just about anything – school supplies, decor, food, you name it.
- Gas station gift card – Boring but incredibly useful, try pairing a gas card with another gift card for a combo gift for those months when living expenses are tight.
- Grocery store gift card – For many grads, buying groceries for the first time on their own can be eye-opening. Covering that first trip with a gift card or stocking the fridge and pantry with staples for them can alleviate some of the sticker shock.
- Bonus: Coffee shop gift card – We all know how necessary caffeine is in college, and for college kids on a budget, sometimes getting a treat from their favorite coffee shop can feel like getting a warm hug.
Gift Cards for College Graduates
When it comes to graduating college, many students are starting over. They may have some household items to tide them over until their “grown up” home, or they may be hitting reset entirely. Still, some prioritize getting out to see the world after a long life season of schooling. In addition to the cards mentioned above, here are some others option to consider.
- Gym membership gift card/certificate – This is a great gift for someone who’s active and takes care of their health and wellness. (Giving it to someone who hasn’t shown that’s a priority to them may come across offensively. Use your best judgment!) A gym membership is something most college grads would like to have, but may not be able to afford on an entry-level salary.
- Home goods gift card – Whether it’s a bed, bath or kitchen store, TJMaxx/HomeGoods, or a gift card to Lowe’s or Home Depot, let your grad spruce up their first apartment in style!
- Airlines gift card – Have degree, will travel! Paying for travel can be a challenge, especially right out of college. Give them a leg up with a gift card to a popular airline.
- Bonus: A gift card to a spa – Let’s face it, college is stressful, and the weeks leading up to graduation are a grind. This is a great way to help your grad get some well-deserved rest and relaxation after crossing the finish line. Sometime, you just want to celebrate.
Adventure is Out There
Whether graduating from high school, college, or a vocational program, your grad needs support. And these thoughtful gift ideas are a wonderful way to show it. They’re launching into their brave future, ready to tackle any obstacle! And thanks to you, they know someone’s got their back.
If your graduate is looking for an internship program that sets you apart from the crowd, check out the Southwestern Advantage program. More than 100,000 students from over 1,600 campuses worldwide have participated in the Southwestern Advantage Internship Program, including four governors, two U.S. senators, presidential cabinet members, and countless other successful business leaders.
