Graduation season brings gift-giving — and while we cheer on those high school seniors stepping into the next chapter, we’re also keeping an eye on our bank accounts and how far they’ll stretch. So we put together some high school graduation gift suggestions.
Cash is a timeless (and always welcome) present, but if you’re handing out gifts to several grads this spring, the totals can add up fast.
You could drain your savings by slipping big bills into every cheesy “ConGRADulations!” card you hand out, or you could aim for something a bit more inventive.
11 High School Graduation Gift Ideas
Whether you want to inspire, offer something practical or provide a small comforting reminder of home, these 11 graduation gifts are excellent choices when you want to give something original — and friendly to your budget — to a student heading to college.
1. A Share of Stock
Hear me out. Instead of focusing on instant spending, you can give your grad something that may grow in worth over the years.
Did you know you can now purchase stock gift cards? A gift card from Stockpile lets your grad easily and affordably buy shares of well-known companies like Google, Amazon, Tesla, Disney and many more.
You can buy these gift cards through Stockpile’s site or app, or at retailers like Target, Kmart and several others.
2. Books (Not That One)
Skip the predictable pick. (You know which Dr. Seuss title I mean.)
Instead, give a book that holds significance for you — one with meaningful themes or life lessons that will help your grad as they transition into adulthood.
Extra credit if you mark favorite passages or leave notes in the margins for them to discover.
3. “Open When…” Letters and Gifts
Assemble a series of letters or small items your grad can open when they’re feeling down, stressed, thrilled, lonely — or anything in between. Ideas include:
- Pack a tiny box with confetti and label it “Open when you want to celebrate!”
- Write a reassuring note and label it “Open when you think you flopped that final.”
- Tuck a few dollars into an envelope and label it “Open when you need pizza ASAP.”
- List some upbeat songs and label it “Open when you need to dance it out.”
- Fill a notebook with inside jokes and silly lines and label it “Open when you need a laugh.”
It’s nearly as comforting as being there in person to support them through major moments.
4. A T-Shirt Quilt
If you’re close enough to the grad to have access to their club or sports shirts (and you’re handy with sewing), consider making a T-shirt quilt that will bring back happy memories every time they see it.
5. A Practical Kit
Put together one of these kits to help in a dorm “crisis.”
- Laundry kit: Pack a laundry bag with detergent pods, dryer sheets, wrinkle spray and some quarters for the machines.
- De-stress kit: Fill with comfy socks, a mug and tea, a stress ball, a supportive note and a funny movie.
- Dorm survival kit: Earplugs, an eye mask, a gift card to a nearby pizza spot — items that make dorm life easier.
6. Gas Gift Cards for Trips Home
Add a note saying how much you’ll miss them and you’ve turned gas money into a thoughtful, heartfelt present.
7. Hometown Keepsakes
Give them something that evokes home, like a mug from a local souvenir shop or a wall piece shaped like their home state.
8. A Low-Maintenance Plant
A hardy potted plant is a lovely gift: it gives your grad something to care for and brightens up their new living space — a double win!
9. Budgeting Resources
Unless they were lucky enough to get solid financial education in school, your grad will probably need a quick intro to building (and sticking to) a budget.
Gift them tools to manage their money — they’ll appreciate it down the road.
10. “I Need ______” Postcards
Create postcards with phrases like “I’m missing homemade cookies,” and include a stack of pre-stamped, pre-addressed cards for them to send when they’re craving a slice of home. Here’s a cute example from Zazzle.
If cookies aren’t their thing, fill in the blank with whatever they’re likely to crave.
When homesickness hits, they can drop one in the mail and maybe wait for a treat to arrive.
11. A Signed Photo Album
Sites such as Groupon and Shutterfly often offer coupon codes for discounts on personalized photo books.
Compile a book filled with pictures of the graduate alongside friends and family, and have everyone write notes, anecdotes and jokes inside for the grad to read when they need a cheerful boost.
And if you think your soon-to-be college student still needs a hand with money matters, check out our top money tips for college students for guidance on everything from covering tuition to earning a bit extra on the side (because pizza funds).
Grace Wallace is a staff writer at Savinly. She wishes someone had handed her a budgeting guide when she left for school.
