Graduation Gifts for Every Grad
Graduation is a big milestone, and the right gift can help launch whatever comes next. We've rounded up our favorite gifts for high school and college grads, from practical dorm and first-apartment essentials to meaningful keepsakes and fun splurges. Congrats, grads!
The guides
Frequently asked
How much money should you give for a graduation gift?
It really depends on your relationship to the grad and your budget. Close family often gives more than friends or neighbors, and any amount with a heartfelt note is meaningful. There's no wrong answer.
What is a good graduation gift?
Practical things for their next chapter (dorm or first-apartment essentials, quality tech accessories), meaningful keepsakes, or money toward their goals. See our graduation gift guide.
What is a good college graduation gift?
Help them launch adult life: a quality work bag, home basics for a first apartment, a professional-feeling upgrade, or a meaningful keepsake marking the milestone.
Do you bring a gift to a graduation party?
It's customary to bring a card, often with cash or a gift card, if you attend. A small gift is a kind gesture even when the invitation says "no gifts necessary."
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This guide contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission from some purchases to help support our team. All picks are determined editorially by our staff; there has been no compensation in exchange for our picks.
Sushi Mason Jar Recipe (Clean Food Crush)
A deconstructed sushi-in-a-jar recipe that provides a fun alternative to sandwiches for kids who love sushi flavors.
From the guideAnker Multiport USB Charger
A multiport USB power adapter that centralizes device charging to reduce the number of wall plugs and cables needed.
From the guide
SoYoung Petite Poches Insulated Cooler Bag
Compact cooler-style insulated bag with detachable strap and removable insert for easy cleaning — a versatile gift for teens and adults.
From the guideBelkin 3-in-1 MagSafe Wireless Charger
An Apple-approved charging station that consolidates iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods charging into a single, design-forward unit.
From the guide
Kraft Paper Wine Carrier with Cooler
Insulated Kraft-style wine carrier that holds and protects a bottle for gifting or transport.
From the guideVHS Camcorder (Rarevision) app
A retro video app that applies authentic 1980s camcorder effects (date stamp, static, color bleed) — a fun gift for nostalgia-loving creators and videographers.
From the guideHappy-ness Woven Earbuds
Colorful woven earbuds designed to add a joyful, stylish look while delivering personal audio on the go.
From the guideGold Apple Watch Band
A gold-colored replacement band to give an Apple Watch a more elegant, jewelry-like look.
From the guideFitbit Versa (Rose Gold)
A stylish smartwatch and fitness tracker that monitors activity and sleep while offering smartwatch features in a rose-gold finish.
From the guideRebecca Minkoff Power Tassel Keychain
A leather tassel keychain that hides charging cables to provide discreet extra battery life for an iPhone.
From the guideSamsung Kids Tablet
A kid-friendly tablet with parental controls and upgraded features that offers grown-up performance at an affordable price—good for learning, videos, and apps.
From the guidePersonalized Wood AirPod Case (K&K Flowers)
A personalized wooden AirPod case available in several woods and fonts — stylish, protective, and affordable tech accessory.
From the guideBeamhaus Billfold for iPhone 5 (Griffin)
A minimalist leather billfold that holds an iPhone 5 without being a full case—easy to slide the phone in and out and stylish for everyday carry.
From the guideAmpliFi HD Home WiFi System (router + 2 mesh points)
A mesh WiFi kit that boosts home coverage and includes parental-friendly features, making it a useful gift for families needing reliable whole-home internet.
From the guideYouTube TV subscription
A subscription service that replaces traditional cable with live TV from major networks plus cloud DVR — good for someone who wants live channels without a cable box.
From the guideBose QuietComfort 25 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Over-ear noise-cancelling headphones that deliver comfortable fit and clear audio — ideal for frequent travelers or commuters.
From the guideANKI Cozmo Robot — Coding Toy and Interactive Robot
A small, programmable robot that’s fun for kids and tech enthusiasts — great for learning basic coding and interactive play.
From the guidePhilips DiamondClean / DiamondCare Smart Toothbrush System
A high-end electric toothbrush system with smart features for improved oral care — a practical, health-focused gift.
From the guidePaprika Recipe Manager (meal-planning app)
A recipe manager and meal-planning app that saves recipes from the web, creates grocery lists from ingredients, and syncs across devices — handy for busy families.
From the guide
TilePix Magnetic Art Frames
A set of magnetic, easy-change frames for creating customizable memory walls of kids' artwork and photos — great for showcasing creativity and celebrating milestones.
From the guideBEAM Wearable Display Badge
A compact wearable screen that displays custom messages, images, and GIFs — great for personal expression or broadcasting a cause.
From the guideKooboodle MeFinder (mobile app)
A smartphone app that finds photos of you across other people’s phones and shared albums — useful for parents and memory collectors who want an easy way to gather pictures of loved ones.
From the guide
Personalized Squishmallows (embroidered name on belly)
Soft, collectible Squishmallow plush customized with a name or nickname embroidered on the belly — a cuddly, personal gift for kids and grads.
From: Personalized Squishmallows have our kids' names all over them! (Or at least on the belly.)Kooboodle Photo Sharing (service/add-on)
An online photo-sharing and storage service add-on for swapping, storing, and sharing family photos securely — good for families who want a private alternative to mainstream social apps.
From the guide