20 Best Gift Ideas For High School Graduates [2024 Update]

As shocking as it may be to you and your loved ones, your 2021 grad is about to enter the real world. No matter if your high school grad is heading off to college, trade school, a gap-year adventure or right into the workforce, take a moment to celebrate this important milestone before they embark on their next great adventure.

A graduation party is a must, but a heartfelt gift is really the best way to show your grad just how proud you are.

Have you been thinking and you are literally out of gift ideas for high school graduates? Are you wondering how best to pick out a gift and the factors you should take into consideration? Are you wondering why you should even consider getting a gift at all?

This article highlights the Best Gift Ideas For High School Graduates. Keep reading.

What is a Gift Idea for High School Graduates?

A gift idea for a high school graduate is an item given to someone who just graduated from high school without the expectation of payment or anything in return.

Although gift-giving might involve an expectation of reciprocity, we mean a gift you give to a high school graduate to be free. This gift in question can refer to any item or act of service that makes the other happier or less sad, especially as a favor, including forgiveness and kindness.

They have recognized the social value of giving throughout human history. There have been many studies on human behavior and gift giving, from psychologists, economists and marketers. Giving gifts is a complex and intricate part of how we interact with each other. It allows us to connect.

When you give a gift to your high school graduate, it helps to establish and define the relationship you have with the person. Giving to others strengthens our feelings for the person we’re giving the gift to. It’s often the person giving the gift who gets the biggest emotional benefit. Giving gifts is the language of love.

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Why Do I Need a Gift Idea for a High School Graduate?

There are several reasons you should consider gift ideas for a high school graduate. The foremost reasons are-

To express your love

One reason people give each other gifts is because it’s the version of the ‘language of love’. A thoughtful gift can have the same effect of a thousand beautifully crafted words.

It can show the person you’re giving a gift to that you treasure and value the relationship that you both share. If you know a high school graduate, gifting a person anything can be a way to show you love them.

To make the person feel special

Giving a gift to your friends or family who just graduated from high school and is looking to start an alternative path in their lives real soon is just one of the many ways to show gratification.

Giving them a personalized gift will make your relationship with them all that much stronger and in addition, it will give them something to remember you by.

To show your appreciation

Another reason to give someone a gift outside of designated holidays and birthdays is simply to show your appreciation for those you care about and hold in high regard. You may even want to give someone a gift as a means to reward them for achievements or exceptionally good behavior.

If anyone in your family has been well behaved and recently graduates from high school, it would go a long way if you get the person a gift, simply saying “I saw it all. I appreciate you for it all”.

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To encourage people to pay it forward

Have you ever heard of the phrase; ‘One good turn deserves another?’ In layman’s term, the phrase means ‘if someone does you a favor, take the chance to repay it.’

For gift, people are not only excited and grateful to receive gifts, but it also encouraged them to pay it forward and be generous too.

Essentially, the act of giving encourages others to give as well. Even strangers are affected when they receive generosity and empathy from others, it makes them feel happy, loved and trusted.

To let people know you care

Giving a gift to someone outside of a holiday or special occasion can also be a good way to show people that you’re the kind of person who pays attention to the needs of others.

By giving people these little out of the blue gifts, you’ll be able to endear yourself to your friends and family and make them feel loved, appreciated and listened to.

The feeling of affirmation one receives when getting a gift can also help to stimulate the feelings of happiness and solidify the bond between two or more people.

To reward a job well done

This high school student has probably graduated with really great grades. It would be something worth emulating if you would acknowledge their efforts and achievements, through gifts.

When you’re getting people’s gifts to recognize a job well done, always keep in mind to get them something specific. Nothing beats giving them an actual gift and complimenting them on something specific that they did to get the job done.

To Influence Change

You may not realize it, but giving people a gift can subtly influence their behavior for the better.

What most people don’t realize is that the act of gift-giving offers a unique opportunity to showcase your support for your child or friend who has just finished high school, and show that the person is dear to your heart.

To ease your guilt

For people, you’re going to have to accept the fact that everybody makes mistakes. No one can claim to be perfectly faultless. Not your friends or your family members.

If you care about someone, and you have hurt them before in the past, if you’re not a person who is good with words or if you’re a person who believes that actions speak louder than words; giving a gift is a good way to offer someone an apology.

In doing so, you’re showing the other party you feel truly remorseful for your actions and that you will spend time, money and effort to make things right between the two of you.

To do it just because you want to

Yes. You can get a high school graduate a gift, simply because you want to. Who doesn’t love getting a surprise gift out of the blue?

The unexpectedness of the gift will surely be a pleasant surprise and could potentially make your friends or family member’s day.

Step by step Guide to Picking Out a Gift for a High School Graduate

Step 1: Pay attention to the person

Whether the person is your brother, sister, family or even an acquaintance, they most likely will mention something that they want/need.

If they don’t, study them. Watch them from time to time to figure out things they are passionate about, and things they are not.

Step 2: Verify from them

Make sure that the person you’re gifting to doesn’t buy what you plan on getting them. You wouldn’t want to buy something only to find out the person beat you to it and got it for himself already.

Step 3: Buy the Gift

If you forget this step, all the hard work you put in would be meaningless. Remember that sooner is better than later; the sooner you get the gift the sooner you can wrap it and have it ready.

If you don’t have the money try your best to raise some, but remember if you can’t get it, it’s better that you tried.

Step 4: Consider a non-gift.

Some people want nothing. But that doesn’t mean they want nothing. They just don’t want stuff. Experiences and perishables can be just as, and sometimes more, gratifying than a thing you have to keep forever.

Before you can fully decide what to buy, ask yourself-

Question 1

Who is this person you? You would find that by asking and answering this question, you can easily figure out the value of the gift you want to get. Is this person an immediate family member? A best friend? A new friend? A significant other? An extended family member? Find answer to this question and look for gift ideas for high school graduates that fits.

Question 2

What values is your relationship based on, and how can the gift reflect those values? This depends on how your relationship with the person has been going. If you both share a mutual passion for something, you should work towards getting the person a gift that aligns with what you both share.

Question 3

What kind of generosity has this person shown you in the past? Even though it is advisable to do something for a person because you want to and not because you want to reciprocate, it is important that you think about all the kind things this person has done for you.

20 Best Gift Idea for a High School Graduate

There are a lot of gift ideas for high school graduates. I have rounded up the best 20 below.

#1. Gift Cards

A gift card can always be used alternatively to cash for purchases within a particular store. The high school graduate you give it to, can in turn, use it to buy anything he wishes.

Gift cards may get knocked for being impersonal, but the upside is that recipients can buy whatever they want. Consider gift cards to major retail outlets that allow graduates the opportunity to choose electronics, household items or a broad range of other goods.

A gift card to a graduate’s favorite restaurant or food delivery service is also a solid choice, with the latter especially convenient for students snagging late-night study session meals.

#2. A Snack Box

One of the biggest challenges after you graduate from high school and plan to move out of the parents’ house is figuring out how to buy food regularly.

To ensure the high school graduate does not starve to death, you can sign him up for a subscription snack box service.

Universal Yums is a brilliant choice because the snacks come from a different country or region each month. This is one of the best gift ideas for a high school graduate.

#3. A Multi-Cooker

A multi-cooker can never be a bad gift idea for a high school graduate. Most of them come with 100s of easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, including roast chicken and mac and cheese.

They are way faster than a conventional cooker and you can be sure that your high school graduate can always have something to cook their meals really quick.

#4. A Robot Vacuum

When talking to recent high school graduates, the biggest need they tend to have is cleaning supplies. A cool gift that will actually come in handy is a robot vacuum.

It is something that they would definitely need and by gifting it to them, you would earn a special place in their heart. It is one of the best gift ideas for a high school graduate.

#5. Headphones for Limiting Distractions

When trying to get work done, a high school graduate can find it hard to focus with all the noise in dorm rooms or even libraries.

A pair of noise-cancelling headphones can make the difference between a calm work session or seething with rage over that one guy who inevitably shows up in the library with a 10-decibel bag of chips.

Ensure you check for the quality of the headphones and battery life before getting it. You wouldn’t want to gift your high school graduate something that could spoil real soon.

#6. Stainless Steel Mug

If your graduate plans to commute and wants to save money by taking homemade tea or coffee with them, get them a travel mug.

Not only does it keep beverages hot all day, but the leak-proof lid will prevent liquid from spilling onto their notes or laptop. This mug can last up to 4-7 years if used well. It is one of the best gift ideas for high school graduates.

#7. Sunrise Alarm Lock

Waking up is already hard, but it gets even harder when compounded by late nights at the library and later nights out with friends.

This alarm clock can help your high school graduate out with their mornings by ensuring they wake up early. People are biologically wired to wake up as the sun rises, and these clocks simulate that effect, starting with a dim light that builds to the brilliance of a bright spring day over the course of about 30 minutes.

In a few years, they would most probably appreciate for you it.

#8. A do-everything Pressure Cooker

It’s probably not allowed in most dorms, but whether your high school graduate is going to college or not, this is a great gift idea.

It can be used to make everything from rice to stew to yogurt, without a lot of prep work. And all of it will be much better than anything McDonald’s or a dining hall could offer.

#9. Popcorn Popper

Air-popped popcorn is much better than the microwavable variety, and an air popper lets you customize what you put on top.

The Popcorn Popper has been getting the job done for years and usually holds up great. If your high school graduate has a lot of friends or love to see the movies or just simply loves popcorn, this would be a great gift idea for them.

#10. Kit-cat Clock

Not every high school graduate is going to find this clock charming. For the right graduate in your life, the one with a good sense of humor, a love of cats, or just a general insouciance; it’s the perfect gift.

An Oregonian designed the Kit-Cat Clock during the Great Depression, and it surged in popularity in the 1950s, coming to exemplify the period.

It may look like just a plastic clock in the shape of a cat, but it’s also a piece of history—which your grad can now own.

#11. The Coziest Blanket

A warm, cozy blanket is one of those gifts that may seem small, but this throw from Boll & Branch has the power to elevate everything from movie night to nap time.

It is one of the best gifts you should really consider giving your high school graduates, thanks to its soft cotton and beautiful cable-knit design. It’s also mostly machine-washable.

#12. A Waterproof Backpack

A waterproof backpack has been ranked high in the must-owns.

Best of all, the bag is waterproof, so even if your graduate is the type to leave the house without an umbrella and then miss their bus, their laptop and books will remain safe and dry. It is one of the best gift ideas for your high school graduate.

#13. Chic Laptop Toting

For the graduate who prefers a slightly more professional look while they lug around a laptop, a tote bag is a step up from a backpack.

One of the best highly rated chic laptop toting is vegan leather option by Matt & Nat. It rests comfortably under the arm, and its construction is thick enough that the contents don’t poke through.

This tote comes in a bevy of cute colors to suit whatever graduate you’re shopping for.

#14. Cash

When in doubt, there’s one gift that can’t go wrong: cash. Those pursuing work after high school may need money for basic essentials like rent and groceries before finding a job.

If the graduate is taking a gap year, a little extra cash can add to exciting new experiences. College-bound grads can always use cash, too, for textbooks, class fees and – of course – late-night pizza.

#15. Amazon Prime Subscription

An Amazon Prime subscription means free and fast shipping for textbooks, school supplies and even groceries to stock up for meals and other necessities.

If the grad is planning a move, items available through Amazon can help outfit the new apartment or dorm and even furnish a fresh wardrobe.

#16. Portable Cellphone Chargers

Whether someone post on Instagram or calling home, cellphone portable chargers or power banks are a technology must-have that can help graduates stay connected.

Portable chargers can also keep students powered up while on the go, keeping them connected as they commute to work, school or home

#17. Exercise Gear

Having workout gear at home can help students save money on costly gym membership fees or allow them to get their flex on when campus facilities are closed.

Gift a workout kit that includes weighted arm bands, a weighted jump-rope and a few resistance bands. Take it even further with a few kettlebells of different weights and a balance ball.

#18. Voice-controlled Assistant

Life after high school can be chaotic. Give graduates a helping hand with popular intelligent voice assistants, like the Amazon Echo or Google Home, to help students do research, relax with some music, study, set reminders and more.

#19. Bike

Biking on a college campus is a great way for students to be outdoors, exercise and get to class quickly.

And for a freshman without a car, owning a bike can be crucial for off-campus trips to grocery stores and parks.

#20. Easy Wears

Everyone loves an easy wear. It’s important to have. In every high school graduate’s life, they can never be enough easy wears- slippers, comfortable shoes. It’s a great gift idea for high school graduates.

Are there Better Gift Ideas for High School Graduates than others?

It is usually said that in giving a gift, it’s the thought that counts. This doesn’t change the fact that there are bad gifts.

Ensure that in picking from the list of best gift ideas for high school graduates, you pick one that shows the person you know them, one that shows you care, and one that they would actually need.

With these features available in your gift, you want the person to have an immediate ‘wow’ factor; to make the person feel surprised, impressed and happy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know the best gifts for a high school graduate?

Like I said above, study the person who you are about to give the gift. You could also think about yourself. If you were to leave for college today, what great gift would you want to receive. This could help you determine what gift you should give a high school graduate.

Can money be a perfect gift idea for a high school graduate?

Even though money is not always the first and best gift idea, if you have thought about it and still can’t decide what to give a high school graduate, you can always gift the person money.

Do I need to get over one gift for a high school graduate?

This largely depends on the size of your heart and pocket. If you can think about over one thing the person needs, and you have the resources to get it, why not.

Is getting a gift for a high school graduate worth it?

Yes. Gifts are always cherished. Giving a high school graduate a gift is totally worth it.

Does the gift idea for a high school graduate depending on the age?

Yes. You wouldn’t want to get the person something he or she wouldn’t use for a while. Graduates from high school usually graduate in the same age bracket. Still, look at the maturity of the person before getting the gift.

Conclusion

Gift-giving is an important part of human interactions. It’s a way to express your feelings when words aren’t enough.

Additionally, you can also choose to give someone a present for no other reason than to make that person happy. Graduating from high school often means taking on adult duties without the funds to satisfy them.

If you’re looking for thoughtful gifts ideas for a high school graduate, I hope the options listed above are of great help.

References

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20 Best Gift Ideas For High School Graduates