We were stumped for ideas for the best graduation gifts for high school graduates and reached out to our band of experienced parents for some wonderful suggestions. The number one graduation gift every year is cash. But if money is not on your list, here are dozens of suggestions of graduation gift ideas.
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High School graduation is a moment for celebration as family and friends take a look at their senior and marvel at just how much they’ve grown up.
We have experienced this with our own two families and have made note of the gifts that were most appreciated by our grads. We have many of them here along with other unique ideas.
Need more ideas? We have best books to give grads and gifts for college graduates.
The top 5 graduation gifts for 2021 grads are:
1. A new laptop and Apple is the brand that most of our teens want.
2. A keepsake piece of jewelry from designer Kendra Scott is something that she will cherish.
3. Noise-cancelling headphones will help them concentrate in a noisy dorm room and Anker makes highly regarded ones that are best in class for under $100.
4. Apple watches keep getting better with every model and they are available in many price points, colors, and sizes.
5. Cash is always a top gift.
If you’re looking for more graduation presents, here’s where you can find more gift ideas:
High school graduation gifts for him
High School graduation gifts for her
Grad gifts to give your teen’s friends
High school graduation gift ideas (2021)
Laptop
If your new graduate has an outdated computer, there is no gift that they will appreciate more than a new laptop. Although expensive, look for student discounts offered by Apple, Microsoft or at stores like Best Buy. Here’s the fine print:
Apple offers a discount to college students, seniors who have their admission letters, or college parents. Two of the most popular models are the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
Microsoft also offers discounts to students and their parents here.
iPads are great gifts for students who prefer to take notes in class, read textbooks online back at the dorm and, later, for working the real world. For many students it replaces notebooks.
A Kindle Paperwhite is also a very popular e-reader for students who prefer to read their textbooks digitally. These lightweight and compact devices hold loads of memory and are waterproof, too!
Project Repat t-shirt quilt
One of THE VERY MOST popular grad gifts for teens is a t-shirt quilt from Project Repat. Take a stack of your teen’s t-shirts from camp, game day, memorable family trips, sports teams, concerts and more, cut them into panels, and ship them off to Project Repat. Prepare to surprise your teen with a keepsake that both celebrates their accomplishments and that they will love to use in college.
The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College
Harlan Cohen is the dean of advice to college students and The Naked Roommate, his bestselling book, is an excellent go-to guide for all things related to college life, academics, friends and more.
Do Your Laundry or You’ll Die Alone: Advice Your Mom Would Give if She Thought You Were Listening
Becky Baldes, author/illustrator (and mom of two daughters) is the genius behind this adorable book. You’ll be giving your grad what she wants but doesn’t know she needs: her mother’s loving counsel. The beautifully illustrated book covers topics from laundry to forgiveness to creative living.
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now
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. Watch her amazing TED talk, Why 30 is Not the New 20, to learn more about what she covers in her book.
Apple watch
These amazing devices are so much more than just a way to tell time. Each generation of Apple watches has increased functionality and this latest version, the Series 6, has the fitness tracker, voice assistant, GPS, heart rate monitor and more. Your student will be able to take calls and reply to texts on their phones.
Now, get three months free of Apple Fitness when you buy a watch. This would be an amazing gift that can help your college student monitor their own health and fitness levels in their new college life.
Personalized photography gifts
This is a wonderful way to remind your senior of this major milestone in their life. We LOVE the selection from Minted and bet your teen will, too.
IKEA Frakta bag
These are truly the most amazing bags we have ever used for packing and moving. College-bound grads will have loads of stuff to bring to school and giving them one of these lightweight and durable bags will be a huge help.
Fill it with new towels, laundry supplies, or their favorite toiletries and they will be well on their way toward move-in day. This is one of the most practical gifts on the list!
Pet pillow
We know it can be painful for your teen to say goodbye to their pet when they leave for college. Submit a favorite photo to Uncommon Goods and their artisans in Brooklyn will sew a handmade, personalized throw pillow which will be a wonderful reminder of their buddy waiting for them back home.
Noise-cancelling headphones
Having a way to block out noise from a roommate or hall mates is key for college students. These noise-cancelling wireless headphones from Bose get the top reviews for audio quality and loads of other features.
But if you are looking for a less expensive but also well-reviewed set of headphones, these wireless noise-cancelling headphones by Anker are considered the top ones priced under $100.
AirPod Pros
AirPods Pros also have active noise-cancellation and are sweat and water-resistant. AirPods have become one of the most popular new tech devices and, once you’ve become used to listening to music or a podcast, or have a conversation without dealing with wires or a bulky headset, there is nothing like them.
Weighted blanket
Getting a good night’s sleep may be the single most important goal for our college kids to help them stay well. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most illusive for them in loud dorm rooms where they are paired with a stranger whose study and sleep habits may be vastly different than their own.
Consider this “mini” weighted blanket that is machine washable and can go in the dryer; duvet covers are also available.
Desk lamp
A desk or nightstand lamp that is dimmable, and has a built-in high-speed charger for a phone is a practical gift that your teen can use in dorms or apartments for years to come. This one, by TaoTronics gets great reviews.
Long distance friendship lamp
A very different kind of lamp is the one that connects two family members by light. Get a pair of friendship lamps and you can convey your love by touch so your teen will know you are never far away. Likewise they can convey the same back to you.
Mobile charger
One of the best ways for your kid to stay safe at college is to have an always-charged phone. Having one of these small, lightweight, and high-speed battery bank chargers in a backpack is invaluable.
Take a look at this Anker External Battery Charger, the most slim model that Anker makes.
Kendra Scott jewelry
Kendra Scott earrings, necklaces, and rings can be personalized with a gorgeous selection of stones. Pick your daughter’s favorite color or the color of her new college.
Diffusers
Dorm rooms are tiny, messy and smelly with the scent of wet towels, sweaty gym clothes, and last week’s pizza box. UGH. Many forbid the use of candles. Our favorite brand of diffuser is Nest which makes them in an array of fragrances. (The most difficult part will be to choose just one.) They last for months so can keep a dorm room smelling much nicer until winter break.
The Homesick brand, know for candles with the unique scents of every state (which are typically not allowed in dorms) also makes reed diffusers capturing scents of New York City, Texas, California, Hawaii and more.
Dorm essentials:
At some point every recent grad finds themselves browsing the college decor section of Bed, Bath, & Beyond or Target searching for Twin XL sheets and an array of storage units. Gift cards from one of these national retailers will get them on their way.
When your teen uses a valid email address and registers at the Target College Registry, friends and family can chose gifts from their list of all the things they will want and need to buy for school. Plus, there’s an offer for 15% savings that you will want to take advantage of.
Upgraded backpack:
Who wants to go to college with an inch of vintage crumbs in the bottom of a grimy backpack? The 15″ Fjallraven Laptop Kanken Backpack is dirt-resistant, water-resistant, wipes clean and has a padded sleeve to protect your teen’s laptop. As an extra bonus, fill it with gift cards from shops and restaurants in her new college town or an Amazon gift card that can be used to outfit their dorm room or new apartment.
More backpack ideas
We asked our Grown and Flown members which backpacks their college students thought were the best gifts and here are the most popular backpacks for teens.
Herschel wallet
Looking for a wallet for your son? Pick a slim wallet that will easily fit in his jean’s pocket. We are big fans of the Herschel brand and think their selection of lightweight, durable, and affordable wallets is one to consider for your grad.
Add a few dollars or a check for $20.21 and you are set!
Two wheels
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 useful gift you can give, after their laptop. Don’t forget to add a bike repair kit for helping to keep the bike in tip top shape.
Coffee time:
Students waking up early for class or pushing though late night studying will appreciate their own single serving coffee maker. Keurig makes many different machines but our favorite is the Mini that measures only 5″ wide and comes in four colors.
This is a great gift for teens or young adults moving into a dorm or tiny first apartment.
For students who prefer cold brew, the OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker is an excellent solution. The compact size takes up much less counter and fridge space, perfect for a dorm. Another popular brand is the Asobu Cold Brew Portable Cold Brew Coffee Maker.
Help with student loans
A full 70% of college students graduate with debt and the average loan burden approaches $30,000. Any and all help with those payments is truly a graduation gift, for a high school or college graduate.
How about a gift for the parents of grads? The Grown and Flown book has tips for college shopping, advice for move in day and … how to say goodbye! Now, in paperback.
Unbreakable Tervis Tumbler
Choosing one of these unbreakable tumblers from the Tervis Tumbler Collegiate Collection is a thoughtful (and inexpensive) way to celebrate the graduate in your life. Look for the collegiate collection to find the school where your teen will be next fall.
Gym classes
Give the gift of health and fitness with a subscription to spin or yoga classes in their new college town.
College logo gifts
Sweatshirts or other items with college names are big hits. Fanatics has one of the widest selections of officially-licensed NCAA (and pro team) shops with over 500 colleges represented.
Lokai bracelets
We think these simple bead bracelets are lovely and, when we read about the founder’s story and saw how many bracelets he created to honor and contribute to worthy charities, we were even more excited to feature them on graduation gift list. Check out the new collegiate collection – perfect for a new grad.
Use code word GROWNANDFLOWN on checkout for a 20% discount as we are Ambassadors.
Money lei
Feeling crafty? Take those dollar bills and make a traditional lei. One part origami, one part Hawaiian necklace. A quick search on Pinterest will show you a 100 different styles with instructions.
Tools of the trade
Unassembled furniture? A hinge that is coming loose? A small but well equipped tool set like this one will last for all four years and beyond.
Classic Graduation Gifts
Watches and pearls might be tucked away until your teen has a special occasion but these are graduation gifts that last a lifetime.
Family photos: They may have snapshots of the family in their phones, but that is not the same as a beautiful professional photo for their wall or desk. Consider a family photo shoot, complete with family dog, before the kids leave home.
Their life on the page: What are you going to do with all those old report cards and iffy school photos? Here is a chance to put their lives on paper and make a scrapbook with mementos you have saved for years. This is not a last-minute job, but more like a suggestion for parents of juniors.
Family memento: Grandparents looking for a memorable graduation gift might consider some of the family mementos or jewelry that their grandchildren can treasure forever. Passing on family heirlooms (and we use this term broadly) is a moment with meaning for both generations.
Steal a little time: Finally, one of our wonderful readers suggested something that tugged at my heart. A one-on-one parent and child trip, even just an overnight, is an opportunity that will not soon arise again. There really is nothing like a graduation gift of memories.
Source: https://grownandflown.com/great-graduation-gift-list/
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