High school graduation gift ideas

Posted June 7th, 2009. Categorized under High School. 13 Comments

If someone close to you has recently graduated high school, then you might be looking to find a good present to buy the new graduate. While what you can buy will depend on what you can afford and your relationship to the student, you have many options.

Graduation gifts can be tricky to decide on

If the student is going to college next year, anything that could be useful in college is a great choice, ranging from dorm accessories to entertainment. If the student is not attending college after graduating high school, anything that he or she could use otherwise would make a great gift.

I would also make sure that the student doesn’t have any of these beforehand… there’s nothing more awkward than giving a gift and finding out the person already has it!

Here are a few general areas to think of when deciding what to get:

Money/Gift Certificates. Money is always useful, and so are gift certificates. Many graduates are saving up for something in particular or could use a little bit of money off the bat, making money very essential. However, if you feel that money is too impersonal, gift certificates are a great substitute. If the graduate is attending college, I recommend making sure that the store you’re buying a gift certificate to has a location near the school. Large retail stores are usually a good choice, as well as clothing stores and restaurants (make sure the graduate likes the store/restaurant first!).
Electronic gizmos/gadgets. A new cell phone, an MP3 player, a new camera, and so forth. Nowadays, most graduates will have these in one form or another, but a newer (and nicer) one is always welcome.
Items for moving out. If the student plans to move out and begin a life in the work force, anything that may help out would be great — furniture, dishware, and so forth. I recommend being sure the student plans to move out though, otherwise these items might be a bit odd. Students living in the dorms next year can use many items, and getting some for graduation will save a lot of hassle later on.
Something related to his or her interests. If the graduate plays guitar regularly, perhaps a new guitar (or something connected to guitar). If the student is good with cars, something related to cars.
Food. Everybody loves food! As a graduation gift, food should probably be more classy and fine foods — a box of Cheez-Its might be a bit odd.

If you’re in doubt, you could also ask his/her friends and family what they would recommend. Asking both, if possible, is always best — friends will usually have a good idea what the graduate will want, but family will know what he/she needs.

I also recommend walking around a large retail store like Wal-Mart or Target when looking for graduation presents. As you wander down the aisles, you’d be surprised what you might see that will click as a great gift idea.

In the end, graduation gifts don’t need to be drastically different than any other occasion (such as a birthday or Christmas). However, graduation gifts can have the added theme of “moving on in life”, giving you more choices than you normally would have.

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13 Replies to “High school graduation gift ideas”

Comments:

1. Amy from free Xbox 360

June 24th, 2009 3:39 am

Brilliant. I loved my graduation gift. It was a car! (Was birthday and christmas gift too) It also depends on if they are moving out after. If they’re getting a new home, then some furniture or good cultlery is always a good idea, but if they’re coming back home, then the electronics is what I’d go for. Nice article. Good ideas, but I’d say to parents/partners, if you’re not sure, ask them!

2. fence design

September 9th, 2009 6:35 am

i am a gadget freak! when i graduated last year i got a swanky cell phone. i was waiting to get one for me, parents gifted it to me that very day! btw, you are lucky to have got a Car as your graduation gift! which make and model was it?

3. harvey from melissa and doug toys

September 19th, 2009 7:51 am

My brother asked for psp 1 and 2 and I gave it all to him.Cost me a lot but I love the thought that he appreciated it very much. And as early as now he is bugging me for a laptop for his second year in college!

4. Elton from Antique Bottle Guy

October 17th, 2009 11:20 am

Gizmos and gadgets are cool, but I had a friend who gave me his “Good Luck” message in an antique medicine bottle. He knew I was a collector, so I really liked the personal touch. I have kept his gift for many, many years.

5. Sandy from Epoxy Floor Paint

October 20th, 2009 8:40 pm

The gift of money is always a good choice for graduation time not to mention other occasions as well. Although sometimes giving an actual gift really makes the day for the person. I usually like to give something that has been engraved to celebrate to add a personal touch.

6. Conversion Vans

November 3rd, 2009 8:40 pm

I got a watch and it lasted for quite some time. Pretty good gift. I also got a nail trimming set that lasted a very long time. With today’s economy cash is better than gift certificates as you never know when the store may go under!

7. Jeff from Wireless Home Theatre

November 4th, 2009 12:50 pm

Hey there, That was a great post, you seem to have covered all possibilities so it should make it easier to think of something. Money is great but a more personal gift will be remembered longer.

8. Chris from Best Christmas Gifts

November 14th, 2009 5:54 am

Electronics gifts are a great idea, especially a Netbook type of computer that they can take to class. They are now only $300 and are full functioning computers. For a smaller budget, I like your suggestion of moving gifts!

9. Amy from PSP for free

November 22nd, 2009 8:32 am

I have to agree with the food thing. Even if it’s a gift certificate for their favourite place to eat then it’s worth it and they’ll use it.

10. kit homes

November 28th, 2009 1:35 am

I like the idea of gift vouchers, food vouchers for meals, and food itself. I think if they are striking out on their own or starting more schooling then this would be invaluable. Perhaps if they are about to travel or are on a school vacation then the food might not be such a good idea. But there are plenty of great stores offering gift cards these days.

11. James from Valentine Gifts For Guys

January 30th, 2010 11:06 am

Awesome, it’s simply true that almost every man on the plannet loves gadgets! You really can’t go wrong with them, unless like you say, he already has what you’re getting him!

And unless you are so so sure that what you have in mind is something he would absolutely love then money will almost always be appreciated. It’s an honest present, that he will send on something he needs. (Although it does lack imagination a little). I kind of think gift certificates are a little risky, you have to make sure it’s for his favourite shop.

12. Albert from antique gift boxes

March 22nd, 2010 5:58 pm

I must say great gift ideas! More than anything else i think money/gift certificates are great graduation gift ideas. I too feel that money is always useful and the gift certificates are also of great use. Also buying some musical instrument which is related to his or her interests is another great idea. Today majority of us love electronic gizmos/gadgets & if someone is interested in it then it’s better to choose the gift accordingly.

13. Malcom from leather recliners

July 30th, 2010 8:46 pm

These are some really great ideas for graduation gifts. I got a watch, some cash and a lot of cards and stuffed animals. I would have liked a car. lol… well, we can’t always get wht we want, right? Keep up the good work here!