High School Graduation Gift Ideas

We been giving tool sets to graduates for years. Whether going off to college or setting up an apartment everyone needs basic tools -- hammer, screwdrivers, level, pliers, tape measure, picture hangers, utility knife, etc. Sometimes we also give a box to keep them in. We've had lots of kids (and parents) tell us how useful it was.

1 mom found this helpful

When I moved out for the first time my Grandma gave me a few gifts I still remember.

1) A First Aid Kit. She filled a tupperware container with everything you need but never think to buy at that age. Band-aids, Neosporin, Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, Q-tips, etc.

2) A sewing kit, same principal as the first kit. I have since seen these already assembled in the store.

3) A few How To books. Two in specific are cook books titled "Where's Mom when I need her?" and "Where's Dad when I need him?". They both have recipes and advice on how to buy groceries (like produce and meats). The Mom book has cleaning tips and Dad has automotive and handyman tips.

Hope that gave you some ideas.

1 mom found this helpful

I gave my son a laptop (me and my mom went in together)

For practical purposes, when friends or relatives have children who are graduation I give gift cards.

If they have a car...give them a gas card. Or you can give them a first aid kit for the car and a gift certificate for a car wash.

If they are going to college, a set of bed linens, some cleaning supplies...and the one thing my son cannot live without...his SAMS CARD. Yeah...college kids buy in bulk when they can...growing and studying and such...so the Sams card gets used quite allot.

Gift cards to eating establishments are great if they are gong away because money is usually tight for them and that would be a treat (think fast food, starbucks, marble slab)

If it's a famale...you could get a gift certificate to her her nails done or a pedicure.

And although you probably want to be unique...and I applau you for it...they sincerely need that money and gift cards. Colleges bound young adults especially.

OH OH OH...if they have a computer, flash drives (they're like $20) to hold their homework in college (they can take their homework from one computer to another).

And if they are going to college, and you know what college they are attending...apply a credit once a month to their supply account. Or their book account. Or what ever they will need there.

I think I may need more coffee...

GOOD LUCK!!!

Smiles to you.

1 mom found this helpful

I have done monogramed towels in the past, which was received well.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

My favorite gift for a graduating senior who is heading to college or any further education or training is a backpack. Specifically, I get one from LL Bean since they're so wonderful about accepting returns and they have such a great selection of truly durable backpacks. If I know what college the graduating senior is heading to, I look up the college colors and get a backpack in them.

I give the Alpha Omega Ring by James Avery for young men or the Alpha Omega charm for young women. Or I will give the book Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey that teaches money responsibility so they will never have to worry.

I received all kinds of things when I graduated in 2000. I was given lotion and soap from Bath & Body Works, candles, dishes, towels, perfume, gift cards to restraunts, picture frame, and cash. I think just about anything would be appropriate, just put a little thought in it. Hope that helps!

I know this is late getting to you but, I would buy a simple throw and have their name monogrammed on it in the school colors of where they were going to college. You can usually find inexpensive throws at TJ Max or Ross. Also, the tool box gift sets are great. In fact, we found a pink set for my daughter when she went off to college. Everyone at her dorm used it and she always knew they were hers when borrowed because they were pink. I also would take $1.00 bills or $5.00 bills and tape them end on end and roll them up and wrap them in a box. It was a fun way to get money.

Ahhh, graduation...what an exciting time! I remember that my favorite gifts besides $$$ were things I could take to my new dorm. I received some monogrammed towels that I still use to this day (I'm 32 now..ha). I remember getting a laundry basket full of things to take to my dorm. I loved it.

You can try to get the graduate a pen & pencil set with their name engraved on it. We have given several sets of Cross pens as graduation gifts and they absolutely loved it. Especially if they are going to college they will appreciate the thought and the gift. Good luck

girls - we did James avery graduation charm
boys a monagrammed Laundry bag ..lol

I give a small laundry bag, with a stain stick, laundry detergent, and a set of plastic hangers. If it is a closer friend then I use a collapsable laundry basket and add a roll of quarters and a few other laundry items...It has been a big hit with the kids both boys & girls. I have a friend who gives them a small suitcase for those weekend trips home. This year my daughter is graduating and we are giving a few of her friends who graduate with her monogrammed towels for the dorm room. I have also seen gifts with that are a small car safety kit, a small blaket, small flash light, flares, a can of fix a flat, etc...for those car trips home. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I've seen these gifts given and enjoyed:

* monogrammed bath towels
* tool kits (for the car or home)
* monogrammed clothing bag (for dirty clothes)
* Target gift cards (or Old Navy)

LB

A keepsake to remember the moment by. Maybe a sworski crystal of some kind you can get them at Dillard's and there are lots of variety's to choose from that range in price so you don't have to spend alot of money. I would also suggest savings bonds or even some stocks since now they are embarking on the challenge of learning to be financially responsible. Anything that can teach them something or provide life long memories would be a good choice in my opinion.

S. A
Legal Assistant & Mother 4 yr old girl and 18 month old boy

It depends on if the graduate is going away to college or staying close. If they are going away to college and will be staying in a dorm, I remember getting towels, toiletry stuff, blankets,comforter sets, pillows, etc. Ask questions to the parents on how they want to decorate their dorm room and go from there.

My youngest son received a mini-recorder to tape his classes for notes and lectures as one of his gifts he used ALL the time.

Don't forget staples, staplers, paper clips, sheets, pillows, paper...... just like setting someone up in a small apt, yep, even microwaves and small refrigerators, towels, washcloths, etc......SO much you can find once you think about it *S

Good luck and congrats to all your graduates!!

I have never seen such great ideas! I do embroidery, so I always suggest a robe with their name on it or a towel set with initials/name - especially if they are going to college & will be sharing space, they'll always know which towels are theirs!

For girls, a nice tote with initals is nice, or a water bottle that is customized with their initials or any saying "party animal" etc.

You can check out my website for samples at www.institches.biz. I'd be glad to help if you decide to go that route.

Hi P.!

A great gift, especially if they're going off to college, is a set (of 2, or maybe just one) of towels with their monogram or name embroidered on it. You could either do their school colors (for college) or find out the colors of their room and do it to match.

Another gift would be a personalized bag for those trips back and forth from school to home for the weekend.

Jon Hart is a great company for that kinda stuff. Also, Lillian Vernon has great stuff online. Pottery Barn Kids has fun towel colors right now, and they do monogramming.

Hope these ideas help!

Laundry bags, luggage, sheets, towels, you can monogram the laundry bags, luggage, and towel sets.

I have purchased $25 or $50 savings bonds in the past, or purchased a subscription to "Debt-Proof Living" which if actually read will teach them how to get a good jump start on living without credit cards. Good luck!

A lovely graduation present, April 20, 2008
By Julie Neal

"Just Who Will You Be" Maria Shriver

This little book will give an inspirational boost to almost any new high school, or middle school, graduate.

Though its advice might be too lightweight for college grads, and a little too sunny for kids from deprived backgrounds, the book is still a terrific gift for any reader who is open to it. In other words, Shriver makes no attempt to be Maya Angelou, but she does have something to say. An example: "The only way you can come to feel worthy, and really good about yourself is to find your own voice, find your own path, follow your own heart and live your own life."

Another benefit: the recipient of this book might actually read it. Just 100 pages, it takes less than 30 minutes to get through, as each page has only five or six sentences and is set with wide margins and lots of white space. It's a very easy read.

The book is divided into three sections. A 20-page introduction is about Shriver herself, as the author recounts her dreams as a young girl. The next 40 pages reprint a speech Shriver recently gave (titled "Just Who Will You Be?") at a high school graduation ceremony. The last third of the book offers more reflective thoughts from Shriver, and includes a nifty list of Ten Things I Pledge to Myself -- including "I pledge to show up in life as myself, not as an imitation of anyone else" and "I pledge to use my voice to connect my dreams to my actions."

Shriver has used this concept before, reprinting another of her high school grad speeches in 2005's And One More Thing Before You Go....

Ragged pages add a timeless touch. Underneath the blue dust jacket is a plain hardback cover in the same blue color.

My cousin graduates this year and the family is getting him a set of luggage. But anything for the dorm rooms if they are going off to college.

If they are going to college, stuff from their new school goes over well. Gift cards from restaurants really help. Talk to their parents about what they might need in their dorm room or apartment.
Hope these suggestions help.
j

Have they registered at Target or simular stores? My son really liked having picture frames for family and friend photos for the dorm. Container store has a lot of awsome ideas for gifts too.

S.

I got a small tool box filled with basic tools for my graduation. I used it more than any other gift I received. It included screwdrivers, plyers, a hammer, tape measure, etc. It really came in handy in the dorms.

When we graduated, my mom gave out duffel bag with their names on it - very useful and practical!

I found the cutest cook book all about ramen noodles. I bought several of those and case of ramen noodles. I used these gifts for the people that i felt (and wanted) to get them something. They turned out really cute. I had some friends that were closer to me so put that along with a couple pots, dish soap, scrub brushes, dish towels, pot holders, cooking spoons, etc... And i wrap it all up in a laundry basket. Always a welcome gift for the student going away.

If you know what college they'll attend, something with that logo on it is fun. Movie passes have been a hit. If they're going to live in a dorm, a nice towel set. I've also done a laundry bag with soap and dryer sheets as a gift.

Hope this helps!
L.

When my son graduated from a small private school, because most of the seniors were going away to college, we purchased towel sts for everyone. Light colors for the girls and darks for the boys. Consider what the seniors are doing after graduation and give accordingly. My son did receive a lot of money to purchase whatever it was he needed.

I carry affordable teen skin care and fragrance sets that I place in gift baskets with school type items....if you are looking for something "different". Good luck to you! www.marykay.com/tpreston

P. S. I have a great one. It's a page frame by Creative Memories. You put a picture in and have friends sign the mat at an end of year Graduation party. Look at them on my website www.mycmsite.com/anitacopeland and then contact me to order if need fast or order off my website. If take digital pics we have the Storybook also. It's an awesome gift. A. C.

Hi P.,

I have some great ideas for you that are a lot more fun that just money or a gift card. Arbonne has a line of products called FYI (For Young Individuals). They just launched a new line of sugar scrubs that are affordable and awesome! There are 4 different fragrances for personality type: mysterious, ambitious, vivacious and flirtatious. I would think ambitious would be a great fit for a new grad ;)
Check out the line- it's awesome and it's been a hit with all of the grads I am buying for:
https://arbonne.com/shop_online/showcatalog.asp?category=185

The ENTIRE line retails for $54, but I can get it at wholesale cost for you (35% off!) Only $35.
Let me know if you are interested and I can help you put some fun gifts together.
Thanks and good luck,
M.

I know this may seem odd, but when I graduated, a friend of my mom got me an umbrella for my backpack (to use at college). This year is my 15th reunion from high school and I STILL remember that gift (don't ask me what anyone else got me). I used that umbrella my entire college career, and more than once, was glad I had it.

If you wanted to add to it and the kids will be living on their own for college or otherwise, a roll of quarters (for dorm clothes washers) or a container of laundry detergent. All these things are necessities and the kids will find themselves without the basics more than once as they learn to support themselves.

I always got graduates a laundry basket filled with detergent, softener sheets, a laundry bag and a roll of quarters. Also...the girls love a monogrammed wrap towel to throw.

How about a laundry basket filled with some products they will need for college (if attending)? Detergent, lotion, flip flops, a roll of quarters, laundry bag...The Container Store has a little plastic quarter dispenser that holds one roll of quarters...