Looking for graduation (or anytime) gift ideas for college or high school students? Starting at just $10, you’re bound to get some great ideas for every price range from the list below (or check here for even more ideas).
One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
. Under $15, this is by far the most-often purchased item from my list of suggestions. People buy ’em by the bunches and it continues to be a gift my daughter continues to thank me for, years after I gave her the copy I bought for myself. My son likes the likes the Q & A a Day version
.
- Yeti cup.. The high school and college set WANT one if they don’t have one! Want to make it REALLY special? You can order a customized monogram to make it almost impossible to lose for just a few dollars more.
S’well Bottles. They keep cold drinks cold for 24 hours, hot drinks warm for 12. Pretty + Functional = Amazing
- Tile Mate for the student (or parent) prone to lose keys, sunglasses….just about anything. COOL technology, starting at $25.
- A Kavu bag. So cute…so versatile.
- All-weather/rain boots. The good ones last forever and this time of year, they’re needed! But cute, cheap ones are good, too. I’ve seen darling, inexpensive choices from on all types of things!
- GoPro. If ever there were a “hero gift,” this is it. Pricey but SO cool for the adventurer.
- A nice wallet or belt. You can spend whatever you want to on small leather goods, but this bi-fold and these ratchet belts come highly rated.
- Smartwool or Bombas. One of those gifts that’s wonderful to give…and receive. Talk about raving fans for a product…!
Apollo Precision Tools 39-Piece Pink Tool Set. This is second in popularity behind the One Line a Day. The girl who owns this will be the most popular girl in her dorm. Under $25, it’s a great price for multiple gift-giving, too. Here’s a less girly version of the same thing.
- Men’s travel/toiletry kit. There are inexpensive hanging toiletry kits
or you can go with a more traditional (and nicer) Dopp Kit
.
- Hanging Jewelry and Accessories Organizer. This one has 80 pockets but you can find them everywhere women’s accessories are sold.
- Personal alarm or Pepper Spray
. Especially for girls who might be traveling back and forth to work or class alone from their apartment, this is a gift of peace of mind.
- Monogrammed towels. I used to think this was too high falutin’ but a friend told me this was the ONE THING her college-graduating son had kept through two different dorms and two apartmets. He always knew which ones were his. You can pick up a deal (like this four-pack from Amazon) and have them monogrammed locally to save money.
- A cute Apple Watchband. Which reminds me…I need one of these…!
- A hammock. Again, this is one of my kids’ Favorite Gifts of All Time. My sons and daughter love these Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest Hammock
s–they’re large enough for two, a help when a friend doesn’t have one for hanging out (singles are less expensive).
- A Terry Wrap
. One size fits all, these are fantastic for dorm living if you have to walk down the hall to a shower.
- Jewelry. Pearl studs, something special from Tiffany & Co. or a classic piece of jewelry is always a good answer. DaySpring offers a beautiful faith-inspired line, too. Heirloom jewelry from a special family member is a precious idea.
- A watch. Betsey Johnson makes some whimsical watches for girls; and Fossil has great choices for guys.
- Folding chair with team logo.
- Nice Pen. This is a throwback if ever there was one, but there’s no denying even a student can appreciate the difference between a Bic and Montblanc. Perhaps a more realistic (and affordable!) alternative to Montblanc is a Cross Pen set. I received one and treasured it for years (and kept it longer than any other pen I’ve ever owned.)
- EchoDot. Tech for the win, again!
-
Underbed storage. Because dorm or apartment space is at a premium, graduates can get a lot of use out of something like this. (This was my niece’s favorite gift surprisingly).
- A piece of their hometown. I don’t know what this means for you, but for my kids a special gift is a plaque on a local historical bridge. If they’re inclined to appreciate something this abstract, look for something in their hometown.
- School/team apparel. If your graduate is headed to college, they’ll want to deck out in school mascot/colors. If not and you know they’re a big fan of a pro team, a nice tee or sweatshirt would be great.
- A fun letter board. Aren’t these the best?
- Mattress topper or feather bed. (Another of my daughter’s top three favorite gifts; it’s become my go-to for gifts in this price range.
- Back of door full-length mirror; include Command Hanging Strips
, easy on the walls. (I LOVE this innovation in hanging stuff! Removable tape + Velcro = winwin)
Binoculars
. You can pretty much spend whatever you want for these but you can get a decent gift for a sports enthusiast / concert goer under $30.
- A flashlight
. I know phones have built-in lights, but when you need an extra, an extra is great to have.
- Earbuds. Combine it with an iTunes giftcard and they’ll love ya. Headphones are another option–you really do get what you pay for with quality headphones.
- An experience. Maybe it’s not a thing you should give, maybe it’s something to do. Hang gliding, hot air balloon rides, sky diving, zip lining, a Nascar experience–a great idea for the thrill seekers on your list (and Groupon and other deal sites seem to offer these on a regular basis).
- Deck of giftards. Restaurants, retail and entertainment will be VERY welcome to a poor student. Did you realize you can get just about everything at Amazon and not have to pay shipping?!
Luggage. This was a standard for generations (I was so proud of my powder blue hard shell Samsonite forEVAH), but now luggage feels a little old school cool. Hardsided, especially with built in device charging capability, is a great choice, but soft-sided is still a good option. Collapsible, rolling duffels like these from Eagle Creek are a great alternative as well.- A AAA Membership. Especially if your graduate has a long drive home from job or school.
- Laundry survival kit: put together something fun including a dirty clothes basket or heavy duty laundry bag
and all-in-one detergent. I used to suggest including a roll of quarters but many colleges we’ve visited include free use of machines now.
- Hot pot
& supply of Ramen Noodles. We’ve all been there.
A small coffee maker. This Black & Decker Coffeemaker with Travel Mugis dual purpose. For those who can afford a Keurig, well…you’ll likely be giving one of their most favorite gifts of them all!
- Speaking of coffee, a French Press
, Aeropress Coffee & Espresso maker, or a pour-over maker are spot-on options for budding baristas.
- Umbrella. Go for school colors or a fun design; if it’s recognizable it’s less likely to get lost.
- Cordless Screwdriver
. Practical but they’ll thank you when they need it. You can pay a lot or a little, but a decent one won’t set you back.
-
First Aid Kit. You can buy one ready made
or put together a kit yourself. Include bandages, anti-bacterial cleansing wipes, Advil, Neosporin, Benedryl, matches, tape, gauze, scissors. Ummm, unless you’re making several of these, it might be more economical to buy the kit. - Adventure. Hang gliding, Skydiving, Rock Climbing, Repelling–if there’s some type of adventure in their backyard, surprise them with a MEMORY instead of a thing. Look for Groupon, Living Social or other deal sites.
-
Bookbag or Messenger bag. Look for great quality; if you can’t afford a good one, choose something else.
- A nice study Bible. It’s time to ditch the cheap paper student Bible they’ve used throughout high school. Leather makes it special. (This recommendation came from a graduating guy friend of ours–love it!!)
- Sound Machine
. Drown out the sounds of dorm/apartment living. Wish I had had one.
- Dry erase board to hang outside their room. When we toured colleges with our kids, I loved seeing notes written to friends outside dorm rooms. Or, a bulletin or Memo Board (don’t forget the thumbtacks if it’s a cork board and Command Strips to hang it.)
- University-themed stadium throw or stadium chairs.
Nalgene water bottle
. Fill it with their favorite candy & this makes an affordable gift if you have a lot to buy.
- Lap Desk
. Another one they’ll appreciate more once they use it.
- Pocket knife. Yeah, I know it’s old school, but I like old school.
- Leatherman tool. These are easy to loathe until you find yourself in a bind and NEED one. I don’t know how many times we’ve used the one in our car. They’ll have it forever.
Tailgait Toss (aka Corn Hole)
. It’s curiously addicting once you start playing, and whoever owns a set brings the party with them.
- Sleeping bag. Feather-light and compactable, a nice sleeping bag is something the adventurer WILL appreciate.
- Cooler. For tailgaiting and road trips. If money is no object, a Yeti is amazing; for the rest of us, a Coleman strap bag or with wheels is nice.
- Drone. If you’re going with this choice, I hope you have the bucks for one with a camera. This isn’t for everybody, but for the body it is for? You’ll be getting a hero gift.
- Picnic blanket
. My daughter stole mine and keeps it in the back of her car. A nice thing to have for outdoor concerts, lake outtings, beach, etc.
- Dorm fridge. One less thing they’ll have to buy for themselves. Sure, you can get a boring little box from Walmart, but J’ADORE these retro options. A little more money but a LOT more fun!
- Microwave. Same as above (but if they’ll be living in a dorm, make sure it’s permissible).
- Kindle or any kind of e-reader. Not just for general reading but also most textbooks are available electronically.
- iPad. It’s amazing what you can do with a tablet!!
- Laptop. Every student I asked for suggestions said this first. Every one. You can find laptops at fantastic prices here.
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Only now do I understand a Christmas card we got from my son’s friend – evidently he and his pals were wearing Chubbies in the photo. Thanks for the lesson. 😉 These are great ideas, by the way.
I still have the lap desk you gave me for my high school graduation! Erin gets it out every now & then to use! 🙂
You got my go-to grad gift @ #2. My granddad gave me a set of tools for graduation–made me VERY popular on my floor! Funny thing is that people look at me funny when they open the gift, but come Christmas, they are thanking me!
Great List!
I received a nice business card holder for my high school graduation… and am still using it 25 years later!
Great list!!! Thanks!
Had to buy 4 graduation gifts for 4 girls having a party together! Couldn’t imagine what I could get on a limited budget, but I found you on Pinterest and ordered the underbed storage containers—-genius! Thanks!
You need a license to carry pepper spray……
Not in most states. I had to pick one up when I still lived in Oregon because my mom had a crazy neighbor. I got mine at a gun shop but you can get them other places too.Or there is always bear spray at the camping stores.
I’m proud to have provided a public service. Ish ;).
You know what’s funny, Bebe? I find myself wanting one NOW. I think I’d really use it….
Ahhh, thank you for chiming in, Juliana :). Based on that Amazon order summary, I discovered it’s actually one of the most frequently purchased items from the list :).
Lori,
I LOVE that. Not only is it vintage (ha!!) it has sentimental attachment. WELL done to the giftgiver :).
Thank you…and you’re welcome! (It took me days to compile and update, so I’m thankful it’s actually helping people think of creative ideas. 🙂 )
GINA!!!
I love it!! Thank you for letting me know :).
Dani,
Actually that depends on where you live but you bring up a good point; people should find out if it’s permissible where the recipient lives (in TN you don’t have to have one.).
I just found this via Pinterest, surprise surprise. I can’t even tell you how helpful this was. I just bought five of the items that you had suggested on here, all with free shipping from Amazon. I’m very excited to actually give good graduation gifts this year and not money that I know will be spent on something forgettable. No doubt this took some serious time and effort to compile, but I
I wasn’t done typing. Anyways, like I was saying…. but I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate this. Especially since I care about these graduates and their parties are in four days!
Lindsey!!! Your comment MADE MY DAY! I’m wildly curious what you ended up purchasing :). Yep, it took forever but I promise, it was alongside HS & college student relatives and friends, guys and girls. Yes, they all like money, but I’ve had some come back much later and thank me again :).
Thank you for a GREAT list. I am having a hard time finding a gift for my nephew because he lives in Washington DC, so he doesn’t drive (not my idea) and is staying at home while going to college (good idea)… So he needs none of the dorm or car stuff. :-O Love the Chubbies, hammock & Q&A/journal ideas! I just might get a hug for these! ha! 🙂
Well, now, Jenn…your comment is like a little inbox gift to me! I got so tired of seeing lists that made you click through a bunch of images to see anything, so much so I made my own! And it’s a “real” list with ideas that have been vetted by students themselves. So if it helps anyone else? Well, a confirmation to me it was worth the time it took to compile. Thank you for taking time to write.
THank You for posting this as there are several grads I need to find gifts for including my own.
Your list has saved the day for me. We have five grandchildren graduating this year and all are going to college.
Hi, I am currently a college student and happen to find all the suggestions above very convenient gifts. Thought I should share a new method for giving “The perfect gift”, and it’s called PixGift. It is a new fundraising page, that enables students to collect money to buy their necessary things in order to survive in, and after college! In today’s world, we need practicality and convenience! Check it out! http://www.pixgift.com
Thank you so much for this list. It’s given me lots of ideas for my boyfriend. He is graduating high school in May (sadly, I’m not), so I want to get him something useful and sentimental. Luckily, I have plenty of time to think about that, but I’ve bookmarked this page for when that time comes. 🙂
THANK YOU for “speaking” Emily!! I love that this is helpful to you–let me know what you end up getting!! 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this list!!! I am one who enjoys giving gifts and seeing the joy it brings to the recipient, but I hate trying to figure out what to get. I am challenged when it comes to finding gifts, mainly because I like to give unique gifts but don’t want to break the bank, and I don’t like going to the mall and searching for hours for the “perfect gift.” You have so many wonderful ideas that will help me tremendously! Thank you!!!
Dee!! THIS is the kind of thing I LOVE to hear! Thank you for taking time to comment!! I spent hours working on this, and as I’ve said, spoke to many teens and even 20-somethings to curate what is included. It’s like a gift back to me when I learn that it’s helped someone. Consider this your good deed for today!!
Great list, I have actually used a few of them, before, the Laundry one was a huge hit, and I actually made the Laundry bags, an extra personalized touch. We usually have 10-15 every year due to involvement with our youth at church. Hard to give money that can actually amount to anything so we (my husband and I) look for DIY gifts and really shop around. We have the most fun!
You are a gift! I have two sons, one graduating high school, the other college and I was at my wits’ end trying to figure out something for the college boy;he’s not settling into a traditional job/apartment, but will travel a great deal. He has a good backpack, all the travel gear, journal, etc. and I wanted something sentimental AND useful (he won’t have space for trinkets). The Leatherman is perfect since his grandfather and great-grandfather both carry them daily and he really looks up to both of them as role models. Thanks for your help! I will definitely send others your way!
Rose!! Oh, your comment made my day! What has been especially fun this year is new friends who know me are stumbling onto this post by Pinterest, Google search, etc. That it helps anyone with good ideas is a little treat for me :). I actually purchase gifts through these ideas. And how exciting for your college boy–you and I have children the same age (my daughter just graduated college and my son will graduate HS next week). Yep…they got some things off this list 🙂
What is the going amount for high school grads? He is non-family or close friends son.
Thank you so much for taking the time and thoughtfulness to put together & share these ideas. It was definitely the information I needed. Many grads and gift givers are smiling this spring because of your help making sure we hit the mark.
So glad I found your list. My son graduates high school in June and I’ll be shopping for items off this list to prepare him for college in the fall. Thank you
Ahhh, Monica–CONGRATULATIONS!! And thank you for letting me know this is helpful! THAT makes my day :).
Great ideas that I would never have thought of, especially the One Line a Day (need to get one for myself too)! My one thought is, don’t downplay the Leatherman, knife and learning to read a map as antiquated or old school. They are most assuredly not! As a Search and Rescue technician, map reading skills are absolutely essential, whether it’s a topo or a road map, learn ’em. A GPS WILL fail you, your phone WILL fail you. Know the basics. I have taken trips up on the AT for a ‘Girls Gone SAR’ weekend where we have done the basics of navigation and survival. As for the other two, these can be part of your Ten Essentials. Just wanted to pass this on. Thanks again for the great ideas!
Ahhhh–great points, Randi. My husband would stand and applaud if he read your comment :). Thank you for adding it here!
Thank you so much, this is an awesome list!
Maureen,
SO glad if it was helpful! I’m grateful you took time to let me know :).
This is the first year in a LONG, LONG time that I haven’t had a graduate to buy for , but loved your list! And bought from me to me a Yeti 20 oz drink container. Love it!!