- Graduating from high school means a lot of adult responsibilities coming down the pipeline, and probably too few funds to satisfy them with.
- If you’re looking for a thoughtful, impactful gift for the high school graduate in your life, you’ll find 40+ options below for every budget.
- Check out all of our Class of 2020 graduation gift guides for ideas categorized by budget and type.
Editor’s note: Graduation ceremonies across the country are being canceled and postponed due to coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean students aren’t still preparing to move on to the next phase of their lives. We hope this list provides some guidance for how to help them celebrate their accomplishments and smoothly transition to whatever form their next chapter may take.
Graduating from high school is one of the first major life events that feels appropriately “major.”
For many, it signifies a new life chapter: moving out of your parents’ house and the town which you know and which knows you, and opting to test yourself against the new hurdles down the road instead.
It's also a time when the requirements for the scary and exciting years to come likely outstrip his budget. When I graduated high school, the money I made at the upscale pizza restaurant in town didn't seem adequate for textbooks and the simple pleasures, like nice headphones to block out noise in the library, or more adult accessories like a nice messenger bag, presentable blazer, or office-appropriate backpack.
The good news is that gifts for high school students - be they thoughtful or practical or both - are of disproportionate value, and if you're in a position to give one, you can be sure he'll be grateful. With that in mind, I've rounded up 40 thoughtful and practical high school graduation gifts for him below.
The top 5 best high school graduation gifts for him:
- A smart-looking watch, from $95
- A comfortable pair of sneakers, $95
- A customizable travel mug, $29.99
- A portable wireless speaker, from $72.99
- A handy toolkit, from $27.99
If you're looking for more graduation gift ideas this spring, we have you covered:
- 20 graduation gifts under $50
- 25 graduation gifts under $100
- 25 college graduation gifts for her
- 25 college graduation gifts for him
- 21 high school graduation gifts for her
- 18 last-minute gifts that are still thoughtful and unique
A cozy fleece pullover
Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover, from $59.50
Upgrade his old hoodie or sweatshirt with this ultra-comfortable Patagonia fleece. This pullover is perfect for lounging around or even layering under a coat in colder climates, plus it comes in an array of colors and patterns.
A convenient bedside caddy
Zafit Five Pockets Bedside Caddy, $12.99
An ideal gift for the graduate who loves to lounge in bed. This five-pocket bedside caddy keeps his computer, water, snacks, and more within arm's reach.
Comfortable dress shoes
Wolf & Shepherd Closer Cap Toe, $349
Although he's probably got some old dress shoes lying around, it's never a bad idea to go into the real world with a new pair of dress shoes. Wolf & Shepherd makes dress shoes with sneaker-like comfort at reasonable prices. There are plenty of styles to choose from, but the Closer Cap Toe is the safest bet for a first (or second) pair of dress shoes. Read my full review here.
Computer glasses
Gift Felix Gray computer glasses, from $95 for non-prescription
Even if he has 20/20 vision, a pair of computer glasses is an extremely useful gift. Felix Gray's blue-light blocking lenses protect eyes from the harsh effects of blue light emitted from computer screens, TVs, and smartphones. With a pair, he'll be able to do homework, study, or even binge-watch his favorite shoes without damaging his eyes.
Read our full review on Flex Gray computer glasses here.
A Disney Plus subscription
Sign up for Disney Plus, $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year ($5.83/month)
Moving on to college is all about academics and socializing, but he'll definitely have some downtime in the dorm room. With everything from classic Disney movies and shows to Star Wars and Marvel movies, a Disney Plus subscription is a sure way to stay entertained. Learn more about Disney Plus here.
Comfortable pants for lounging
MeUndies Lounge Pant, $68
No matter if he's living at home and commuting to college or living in a dorm room on campus, MeUndies Lounge Pants have a place in every man's wardrobe. When he's not caught up in the in the rigors of schoolwork, he can wear these to relax in.
Stylish button-up dress shirts
The Tie Bar Dress Shirts, $55 each or $140 for three
While graphic T-shirts and hoodies are perfectly fine for wearing every day in high school, a new graduate is going to need some fresh button-up shirts. The Tie Bar makes it very affordable to stock up on different colors and styles - and you'll find troves of other accessories for him, too.
A nice watch as an adult accessory
Gift a MVMT men's watch, from $95
Traditional watches can be expensive, but startups are changing that. MVMT is probably the best-known watch industry disruptor. If you'd like to read more about the company, we've covered them in depth here.
You can get the sort of classic, work-appropriate accessory that makes outfits look a bit more competent and established for as little as $95, and he'll be happy he didn't have to shell out for this small but meaningful luxury. It'll likely come in handy for his first internship.
A Birchbox subscription
Gift a Birchbox subscription, from $30
In general, subscriptions are some of the best gifts that you can give. A monthly treat, especially on a tight budget, can be a really nice thing to look forward to.
Birchbox is one of our favorite subscriptions out there, and one uniquely well-suited for graduates. It combines monthly deliveries of small personalized samples and an easy-to-use e-commerce shop. His box will have four grooming samples (like nice aftershave, body wash, or even cologne), plus a cool accessory or gadget each time.
For him, you can gift a man's subscription for 3 months for $30, 6 months for $60, or a full 12 months for $110.
An Amazon Prime membership
Gift an Amazon Prime membership, $119
An annual Amazon Prime membership is one of those things that immediately makes life easier and ultimately better. If you decide to gift one, the recipient will enjoy free two-day shipping; access to the Prime Now app, which provides free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items; Prime Video, Amazon's streaming video service; Prime Music; the Kindle Lending Library; Prime Reading; Prime Audible Channels; unlimited photo storage, and more.
If you want to see how Amazon Prime actually gives you a lot more than free shipping, you can read our overview of the service here. Especially if he's planning on ordering anything for his dorm on Amazon (or books for school) he's going to save a lot of money in shipping just by using this.
A nice toiletry bag, which you can monogram for him
Gift the Leatherology Double Zip Toiletry Bag, from $120
If he's heading to college, his freshman year will almost undoubtedly feature many trips from his dorm room to a communal bathroom. A nice toiletry bag makes it easier to schlep everything at once, and it looks a lot nicer than one of those plastic caddies.
If you're not looking to spend that much, consider this less expensive option ($35) made by another one of our favorite companies to watch. It's unisex and made out of neoprene, the spongy luxe material you'd find in scuba gear.
A smart suitcase that charges devices and has 360° wheels
Gift the Away Carry On, $225
This suitcase has become extremely popular for a few good reasons. It's lightweight, comes in a variety of colors, and has both an ejectable battery built-in to charge all devices and 360° wheels. Especially if he's headed more than a car's drive away after high school, he'll be extremely grateful for a nice suitcase. It'll also come in handy when the time comes to travel.
A pair of the world's most comfortable shoes
Gift the Allbirds Wool Runner, $95
We've covered Allbirds many times at Insider Picks, and for good reason: they might actually be the most comfortable shoes in the world. The originals are all made from Merino Wool, which is not only sustainable but also temperature regulating and unusually soft. He'll probably wear these until the day they finally give out on him, but until then, they're machine-washable and easy to clean.
A compact backpack he can take to class or internships seamlessly
Gift the Incase ICON Slim Backpack, $149.95
Few accessories manage to be as versatile as the backpack - especially this one, which thankfully looks luxe enough to transition from class to internship seamlessly. We tried the Lite version of this and called it the perfect commuter backpack.
It features a padded faux-fur lined laptop compartment for his laptop, a secondary compartment with organizer pockets, and hip-side zippered pockets for easy access to things like his phone on the go.
An extra long lightning charging cable for his phone
Gift the Anker PowerLine+ Lightning Cable, 6 ft, $19.99
It might seem like an add-on gift (and maybe it will be for you) but I guarantee he'll appreciate an extra long, extra durable lightning cable to charge his phone with. No matter if he ends up on the bottom or top bunk at the dorm, he won't have to inconvenience himself or buy a new charger every month.
A yearlong membership that gives him access to the audio of boutique classes and certified personal trainers
Gift a 12-month Aaptiv membership, $99.99
If he's headed to college, he'll likely get access to the university gym automatically as a student, but anything guided or more arduous might come with a big added expense or tricky logistics.
Aaptiv is a popular app that lets users listen in on thousands of workout classes led by certified personal trainers so they can get the same workout as in a class without paying the exorbitant entry prices or figuring out how to get there without a car on a Sunday afternoon. Especially if he's adjusting to college after playing sports in high school, this is a nice way to have the best of both worlds and get a really great workout.
Go Anywhere joggers made by a startup he'll love
Gift the Tommy John Go Anywhere Jogger, $128
These hyper-comfortable joggers from popular startup Tommy John go anywhere he does: walking the dog, soccer games, long flights, and class. They're quick-drying, moisture-wicking, anti-odorized, and have four-way stretch. They're also tapered, have a drawstring closure, and he can zip or unzip the ankle zipper for more air flow when needed. He can relax in them and get by wearing them to class occasionally.
An Amazon Echo (3rd Generation)
Gift an Amazon Echo (3rd generation), $99.99
The Amazon Echo is easy to transport and use, and it can be used as his stereo, alarm, and personal assistant (setting timers, reporting on local weather and traffic, placing orders on Amazon, and reminding him to send an email by 10 a.m.).
A funny but useful book of expert and student advice on everything from finances to relationships
Gift "The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College", $10.99
For everything from sharing a bathroom with 40 strangers to social network dos and don'ts, this funny but useful New York Times bestseller runs the gamut.
Apple AirPod Bluetooth earphones
Gift Apple AirPods with wireless charging case, From $159
Whether he commutes or is heading back to school and therefore the library, he's bound to use Bluetooth earbuds a fair amount (especially now that all the new iPhones more or less require them). The Apple AirPods are a popular choice he's likely to love.
A nice messenger bag he can take to class or the office
Gift the Herschel Supply Britannia Messenger Bag, $59.99-$109.99
If he has an internship coming down the pipeline (or might like carrying his books around campus in something more upscale than a backpack), a great messenger bag is a helpful gift. He'll undoubtedly need one and won't want something that looks amateur or breaks two months in, but he's not likely to want to spend much more than this on a college budget.
Plus, this one can be used as a briefcase, backpack, or shoulder bag.
A media streaming stick
Gift the Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote, $49.99
The Fire TV Stick is Alexa-enabled, so grads can leisurely control content like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Starz, Showtime, or CBS All Access by voice. They can also stream Pluto TV, IMDB Freedive, and others for free. If his future plans include roommates, this is probably what they'll wind up using most of the time.
A microwave-safe ramen cooker for the most rushed nights
Gift the Rapid Ramen Cooker, $9.99
There will be plenty of late nights filled with cheap and tasty ramen. If they're going to eat it anyway, at least let them make it quickly and perfectly every time.
A Fitbit Fitness Tracker
Gift the Fitbit Charge 3 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband, $99.99
There's a reason FitBit has become a household name: They work really well, and the features are helpful and cover what the average person cares about. This one lets you choose from more than 15 exercise modes, records sleep quality, and is swim-proof and water-resistant to 50m.
A custom map print to remind him of home
Gift a Grafomap Custom Map Print, from $49
Especially if he's leaving home for a new place, it doesn't hurt to give him some cool, low-key decorations for his dorm that will remind him of his hometown (or another special place). It can be tough to find the right decor for an 18-year-old boy's room, but this is one you can feel confident about giving. You can the full review here.
A custom rambler
Gift the College Logo Custom Yeti Rambler, from $29.99
Yeti makes the kind of powerfully insulated mugs built for cold mornings outdoors, and they hold up exceptionally well around campus. They also offer just over 180 colleges to choose from to help him show some collegiate spirit.
An external battery
Gift the Anker PowerCore 10000 External Battery, $17.99
Perhaps the most convenient gift is as simple as a solid external battery. He's bound to use this countless times, and it might even keep him safer. This one comes with over 8,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, and it'll charge an iPhone 8 three-and-a-half times and a Galaxy S8 two-and-a-half times.
A blazer he can wear to interviews and internships
Gift the Bonobos Italian Knit Blazer, $298
Most college students probably don't have a wealth of professional clothing to pull from for high-pressure situations like interviews and a big internship. Help him make a good impression, and see your money go to good use, with a blazer he can use repeatedly and for years to come.
A waterproof speaker that's built to be durable
Gift the JBL Flip 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, from $72.99
This rugged, portable Bluetooth speaker should be able to take whatever is thrown at it or, perhaps more accurately, spilled on it in the years to come. He'll be thankful for something convenient, compact, highly-rated, and durable.
A card game they can share with friends
Gift Cards Against Humanity, $25
An easy way to make friends in college (or anywhere) and the best way to pass a snow day, he'll get more use out of this funny and irreverent card game than you probably think.
A durable weekend bag that fits everything
Gift the Timbuk2 The Tripper, $99
For weekend trips or schlepping things home, he'll be thankful he has a tough, stylish weekend bag. An internal organizer pocket prevents key and phone float, the bottom zip compartment quarantines heavy stuff, and reinforced grab handles can take on truly heavy loads.
A Kindle for lightweight, cost-effective reading
Gift a Kindle Paperwhite, $63.92
Whether he loves to read or might appreciate the lightness and compactness of an e-reader, a Kindle is a great gift for recent graduates. He can read in broad daylight without a glare with the Paperwhite version, and store thousands of books for the same forgettable weight.
Really nice, noise-cancelling headphones for long commutes or long nights in the library
Gift the Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Headphones, from $349
Whether it's on his commute, gym time, weekend trips, or just at the library, you can be sure he'll get a lot of use out of these fan-favorite headphones that are incredible for isolating noise. Plus, they'll be something he holds onto for years to come.
A nice leather wallet, which you can monogram for him
Gift the Leatherology Bifold Wallet, from $75
He's probably outgrown the scuffed wallet he has now - and anyway, Velcro doesn't transfer as well to 19 as it did to 12. You can gift him a nice new leather wallet to enter adulthood with, and you can even monogram it for him for added personalization.
Books that every young adult should read, and which might keep him motivated
Gift "The Happiness Advantage", $13.64
Having a couple of inspirational books on hand that can support ambition and reaffirm priorities is nice, even if they don't pick them up for the first month or so that they're out of high school.
If you want a list to start your thinking, here are 10 books that famous CEOs loved reading.
A small, powerful speaker that's Amazon Alexa enabled and can be turned into a sound system
Gift a Sonos One (Gen 2) wireless speaker, $198.56
Sonos makes some pretty great speakers for recent grads. They work well, can be used as a sound system, have useful features like a morning alarm that may sound more pleasant than their phone, and are not so expensive that they can't possibly build upon their collection. If he's planning on entertaining friends, the newest Sonos One is a great option, especially since it now connects with Amazon Alexa. You can read our full review here.
An instant coffee maker
Gift a Keurig coffee maker, $79
Coffee is something he might not even drink yet, but almost surely will during the next few years, whether they include a finals week or not. In the mad dash laundry list he's likely to have with his roommates of who-is-bringing-which-essential, it doesn't hurt to be the guy who has the coffee maker that promises near-instant gratification. And in case getting K-cups becomes a hassle (or you'd like to do your part to be eco-friendly) grab him some refillable filter options, too.
Framed memories he'll appreciate seeing and owning
Gift a Framebridge custom-framed art or photo gift, from $39
It doesn't hurt to have a photo of the family or a few of their favorite memories from high school, especially since those are the artifacts that gain importance and value the older we get. This service will take care of printing, matting, and framing for you so you can spend as little time as necessary on the task itself.
A toolkit, which he'll definitely need in the next four years and beyond
Gift a 148-Piece Tool Kit, $27.99
Whether he's moving out right away or not, his future will almost certainly include putting together furniture and Googling how to fix a leaky faucet when his landlord avoids his calls. It's not the most strictly "fun" gift, but it will absolutely be necessary. He'll be glad he has the tools to handle whatever life throws at him confidently, and this is one gift he may not immediately buy for himself, but which you really want to have before the very second you need it. He's also going to be a huge help to his friends.
An iPad for easy, lightweight note-taking or watching shows
Gift an Apple iPad, $349.99
It's up to his personal preference on if he wants to use a laptop in class or not, but it can be a huge blessing to only need to lug around an iPad.
An Amazon gift card so he can get whatever he really needs
Give an Amazon gift card, from $1
If what you really want to do is just give cash but are looking for a nicer equivalent, an Amazon Gift Card is a subtle way to accomplish the same freedom and utility. Amazon has virtually everything a new grad could desire (really, there is everything), so you know that no matter what they'll be getting something they genuinely want - which, in a lot of cases, is best since they know what they need better than anyone.
Looking for more gift ideas? We've got you covered.
