My older two kids are a freshman in college and a junior in high school. With having kids in that age range the need for graduation gift ideas seems to be a reoccurring thing. I’ve taken some time to source some graduation gift ideas that will be meaningful, as well as useful and I’ve broken it down into two sections – high school graduation and college graduation. Graduates of each will be at vastly different points in their lives and the gifts we choose for them should reflect such.
High School Graduation Gift Ideas
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1) Laptop – Sending our kids off to college with a new laptop will enable them to be as successful as possible. There are options that range from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars, all of which are better than no laptop at all.
2) TV Streaming Subscription – Whether in a dorm or an apartment high school grads will appreciate being able to access streaming TV through a subscription that they didn’t have to worry about covering the cost of.
3) Bike – Again, dorm or apartment, having a bike to get around campus and to and from class is a great idea and one that most people won’t think of gifting so it will likely be a unique gift idea.
4) Kendra Scott Jewelry – Choose a special piece of jewelry to commemorate this milestone.
5) Bluetooth Speaker – Investing in a quality bluetooth speaker will be appreciated and will be something that will likely get them all the way through their college years.
6) LED Desk Lamp – Something streamline and efficient that will not bother the roommate.
7) Garment Steamer – Nobody likes to iron and storage in dorm rooms is non-existent. Gift a small handheld steamer to help your grad look presentable when needed.
8) Dorm Safe – Something small, but important for storing important documents and valuables. Think money, jewelry, passport.
9) Birth to Graduation Scrapbook – This one may not be useful to get them through their college years, but it will be something that will be treasured for many years to come.
10) Money – Not a thoughtful, personal gift, but one that will be appreciated as the unforeseen expenses start barraging your grad come fall semester.
College Graduation Gift Idea
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1) Laptop – Still at the top of the list, as the laptop they went off to college with has likely seen some tough days. Start them off on their career path with a new laptop that will see them well into their future.
2) MVMT Watch – A classy watch that says “I am an adult” to commemorate the beginning of a new phase of their life.
3) Diamond Earrings – Something that they will appreciate for years to come. Stepping up in the world.
4) Personalized Travel Bag – Help them ditch the gym/duffel bag for a more sophisticated way to travel.
5) Leather Messenger Bag – Support an organized approach to being prepared for that new career with a functional and attractive messenger bag.
6) Tool Kit – Part of being an adult is fixing things on your own. Maybe it’s a leaky faucet or possibly having to assemble that new piece of furniture. Every adult needs a tool kit.
7) VuPoint Photo Cube – Having actual printed photos seems to be a thing of the past, but maybe your grad would like to be able to print out some of the thousands of memories that are stored in their phone from their college experience?
8) Recipe Book with Personal Recipes – Buy a blank recipe book and fill it with a dozen easy-to-make or personal favorite recipes to get your new grad started on the path of adulting full-time.
9) Shattered Glass Ceiling Paperweight – A sweet memento to show your grad that you believe in her and all she is capable of accomplishing.
10) Make a Payment on Student Loans – Like gifting money, this is not a thoughtful/personal gift, but considering the average amount of debt a college graduate walks away with it is a gift that will surely be appreciated and will help to alleviate some of the stress caused at the thought of repaying those loans.
If you like gift guides and you haven’t purchased your Mother’s Day gifts check out THIS post for some fun ideas.
We did a lot of these some twice for wyatt and others! Laptop, first one stolen out of his locked car,floorboard in backpack, bike stolen locked at dorm ! Happy to say both replacements made it through collage and he still uses them today, recipebook both boys Asked for those for Christmas and I have done picture albums/ hard bound book for all but haven’t given except one… I’m waiting for wedding gifts but any time is the right time for them, boys or girls they really appreciate them!
I hope for better luck with mine holding onto theirs!