The best graduation gifts show that you care, whether they’re memorable, personal, thoughtful or some combination of the three. The worst gifts? They’ll collect dust at the bottom of some dark drawer, surrounded by other forgotten knickknacks. To ensure your graduation gift doesn’t fall into that second category, we came up with a list of top-tier gift ideas and spoke to an expert.
How to pick a graduation gift
“Choosing the right graduation gift involves considering the graduate’s future plans and personal interests,” says Jacqueline Whitmore, an internationally recognized etiquette expert. Say, for instance, your grad is moving into a dorm. They probably don’t need a full set of cookware.
“If they’re heading to college, something practical for their dorm room might be ideal,” Whitmore says. “For those entering the workforce, professional gear or accessories could be more appropriate.”
It’s also important to consider the timing of the gift, Whitmore says: “If you’re unable to attend the graduation, sending your gift to arrive around the date can show that you’re thinking of them.” And no matter what you get your grad and when you give it to them, always include a card. “Words of encouragement and pride can be just as valuable as the gift itself,” she says.
If your gift-giving muscle is a little weak, we’ve come up with a list of 50 graduation gifts that we’re confident graduates actually want. And since we know not everyone can afford to buy a shiny new MacBook — though that’s an excellent gift too — we’ve included ideas at a variety of price points.
Graduation gifts for high school grads
Overhead dorm lighting isn’t the most relaxing or aesthetically beautiful thing to come home to. Let your grad add some ambient light to their space with the help of this neon sign.
After testing a bevy of top-notch laptops, we think Apple’s MacBook Air M3 is the best one for most people. Despite its Apple branding, it’s reasonably affordable, yet it comes equipped with features that make other Apple products great, including a zippy M3 processor. If your high school grad is still typing away on a glorified toaster, this will be the perfect pre-college gift.
The excitement of high school graduation is as much about where you’re going as where you’ve been. Show them you’re as excited about their fall destination as they are with crew socks customized with their next alma mater, class year and name. They come in 15 colors.
An essential that first-time dorm dwellers often forget is a shower caddy. After all, they won’t be able to just leave all their toiletries in the bathroom anymore. All those necessities fit into this handy basket, which comes in three colors.
Yes, their phone is their alarm, but consider this the gift they didn’t know they wanted. Rather than a rude awakening, Hatch escorts them gently awake with a faux sunrise. It can be set to white noise and soothing sounds as well, plus several other light options, like a just-right glow for night-time studying that won’t bother roommates.
Popdarts are suction darts that stick to anything smooth and come off with a satisfying PAH-PPP. The game can be played indoors or out, but either way, they don’t damage surfaces, so they won’t cause issues with the RA.
The Apple Watch SE is a fitness tracker, sleep tracker and shiny tech gizmo all in one. That’s a compelling, useful package of features that’ll appeal to grads, whether they’re gym rats or want hands-free Siri support. And unlike top-of-the-line models, the SE won’t cost you a fortune.
For a more affordable tech gift, snag our pick for the best budget over-ear headphones. They cost less than $100 but still boast active noise cancellation that works and a staggering 50 hours of battery life.
Touted as “all the advice I wish I got before going to college,” this fully illustrated beginner’s guide to college is as funny as it is smart.
Those early days with new college friends deserve to be remembered, and how better to do that than with this easy-to-use camera? Photos of the fun appear on sticky paper super fast and are sure to be splashed all over their side of their room by the time you visit for family weekend.
Dorm life often means communal bathrooms and shared shower stalls. These Croc sandals are perfect for making your designated shower shoes. And even if you’re lucky enough to have your own bathroom, having a pair of durable and easy to slip-on sandals makes walking the dorm halls that much easier.
Everyone loves the comfort of a plush robe, but these come in especially handy if your grad has to venture down their hall to get to the bathroom or shower.
Not everyone is a master chef, but grads can up their cooking game with a little help from this cookbook, which uses ingredients that can be found at any Trader Joe’s location nationwide.
Graduation gifts for college grads
Dinner no longer comes by way of a card swipe. Help them avoid the pizza delivery trap with a meal kit subscription, which is more thoughtful than a gift card. Blue Apron stands out as the best for beginners. The recipes are healthy and appealing yet not too time-consuming or full of unfamiliar ingredients.
That duffel that saw one too many spring breaks really needs to be replaced. This beauty has 360-degree spinner wheels, it charges a phone (!) and is unusually nice-looking, making it a no-brainer for the best carry-on suitcase of the year. That’s a good thing if it doesn’t fit in the only closet in your grad’s starter apartment. It comes in 11 colors.
Saluti! If your grad is ready to set up that first apartment, this cobbled granite and stainless steel spirits dispenser will see plenty of use and get compliments galore. It’s handmade in Maine.
A college diploma is no guarantee of having It All Figured Out. Many of us only started seeing what our paths should be then. Help them along the way with this five-minute-a-day journal where they can keep track of feelings, major milestones and everything in between without any major writing commitments.
For unique graduation gifts, head to Etsy. Case in point: This Bohemian-style ring features the evil eye, an ancient symbol of protection ... and trending jewelry emblem!
A blanket for a graduation gift? Yup. Well, yup to this blanket. It rolls up into practically nothing and weighs just as little, ensuring it will be taken along on any and all outdoor activities in your graduate’s bright future. And unlike most blankets, it’s machine-washable.
Each time they pull out this slim, stylish case, whether to offer their new business card or to pick up the check at their first work lunch, they’ll get a chance to remember your gifting generosity.
If your grad loves to entertain, this projector is perfect for cozy movie nights or supporting their favorite sports team by putting the game on the big screen. Pair it with this screening kit so they can bring the fun outdoors too.
Great for whipping up a quick meal after a busy day or for trying out new recipes, this Ninja Air Fryer is perfect for foodie grads and is also our pick for best overall air fryer.
Got a grad with wanderlust? This pass grants free regular admission to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country, including all the stunning US national parks.
Help your grad get their new home or apartment in order with this cotton sheet set from Brooklinen.
Got a grad who loves to travel or just landed a job that will rack up the airline miles? This Twelve South gadget makes flying that much more comfortable by letting you connect your own Bluetooth headphones to the headrest monitor with ease.
Graduation gifts for nursing school grads
Nurses need scrubs. But that doesn’t mean they have to settle for standard-issue. Figs is the favorite, if the over 4,000 near-perfect reviews are any indication. These scrubs are soft and stretchy, and unlike most, they’re actually flattering, available in sizes from XXS petite to XXL tall. They hold up to the constant washing too, according to reviewers.
ID badges are a must-wear in medical facilities. It needs to be at the ready but also secure. This personalized badge reel is the trifecta of gift-giving: thoughtful, personal and practical.
Here’s a truly on-point present: a customized stethoscope tag. You can choose up to 24 characters, including letters and symbols, as well as a birthstone. Bonus: It comes in a nice velvet pouch.
These are not grandma’s compression socks. True, they serve the same function — improving blood flow and soothing tired legs — but these look good. The veteran nurses we know swear by them. We like the striped knee-highs, but they come in scads of colors and patterns for men and women.
Nurses can barely get to the bathroom, let alone sit down for a proper lunch hour. Toting along small bites is a given. This bento box is just the thing, with two divided tiers. Designed in France, it’s heat- and impact-resistant and has an airtight seal. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe. You can pick them up a matching carry bag too.
A nurse’s shoes must be comfortable above all. But they also need to be tough and sturdy, and easy to clean when they get home. Gale’s shoes check all those boxes and come in an array of colors. They just might kiss you when they open these.
Coffee is the nectar of the gods to nurses (two words: night shift). They probably have a basic, beat-up travel mug in their car already, but they deserve an upgrade. This Yeti tumbler is a sturdy pick for traveling around, and with a 30-ounce capacity, they’ll have plenty of coffee to keep them going throughout the day.
After a long shift, your nurse deserves to come home and fully relax. This washable Lunya set currently comes in seven colors and is the perfect luxe way to unwind and stay cool throughout the night.
What’s better than a rejuvenating, warm shower after a long shift? A toasty bath towel, warmed in this tastefully designed device. It’s the apex of self-care, making it a fitting gift for a hardworking future nurse.
Graduation gifts for trade school grads
This water bottle — the most durable one we tested — is a great job site companion. No matter how hot it gets, it’ll also keep drinks cold after hours in the blazing sun. And at the end of a hard day’s work, your grad will appreciate just how easy it is to clean.
Your hands-on grad will often be on the go. So what better gift than a portable (foldable!) featherweight keyboard? This slender Bluetooth-enabled model with an integrated touchpad will keep them connected with ease.
A waterproof, heavy-duty flashlight is worth its weight in gold to anyone working in the trades. Enter this ThruNite Archer. It has adjustable modes and throws a broad, 500-lumen flood-style beam.
Seriously, who doesn’t smile when they get cookies, let alone Cheryl’s? These classic chocolate chip, buttercream frosted, devil’s food, salty caramel and peanut butter delights are the answer if you have no idea what your giftee could use. Or they’re known for their sweet tooth.
Eating on the job is standard practice when you work in the trades. So a lunch bag will be used every single day. This toughie can handle it, with serious insulation and magnetic closures. Its leakproof lining is food-safe, of course, plus water-resistant.
Extra-early mornings are likely to be a way of life for your trade school grad. This sleek tray, available in Belgian linen and Italian leather finishes, can charge Android and Apple phones and Airpods, while also leaving room to keep keys and other important items corralled.
Another must-have, summer or winter, is a Thermos. You’ll be doing them a real favor by gifting them the gold standard. It’ll last forever and save them money over time.
Is that graduate starting their own business? Then this idea is perfection: a money tree! This perky plant has a stout trunk and is quite hardy, even if that new entrepreneur doesn’t have an especially green thumb. (It’s also pet-friendly.)
Make your grad's early mornings that much more enjoyable with a great cup of coffee from Trade. Craft a custom subscription pack made for however they like to take their morning brew.
Graduation gifts for friends
It’s traditional to bring a bouquet of flowers to the ceremony. But why not bestow a bouquet that can be a keepsake? We think this dried-flower bouquet is beautiful and will bring back celebratory memories whenever the grad glances at it.
You wish that special graduate all the luck in the world. Don’t just say it; show it. This resin paperweight, whether it’s actually securing papers or just being a cool little piece of decor, is how to do it. Those are real four-leaf clovers inside.
The days of imbibing from a red plastic cup are gone, for better or worse. If you tend toward classic gifts, pair these flutes with a bottle of bubbly. The nonleaded crystal makes them extra sparkly. Stunning!
Every graduate has a special someone (or three) who made all the difference in their journey. Help them honor those folks with this sweet cap charm to hold their photos.
For the graduate who loves their bling, consider an initial necklace as stunning as their personality. This 14-karat-gold-plated necklace sports an initial-engraved pendant to add a customized touch.
Help your friend show off all those school-day memories in this highly rated smart frame. Using Aura’s AI tech, it can identify related photos and display them side by side. Speakers are integrated, and the art-deco-esque frame fits in with any decor.
Whether you have a minimalistic bestie or just want to give them something to help stay organized, this commute clutch is the perfect combination of practical and fashionable. Plus, it comes with an optional monogram for extra personalization.
If your grad appreciates a good pun, congratulate them with this “Smells Like One Degree Hotter” candle. Even if it is Dad-level humor (aka not very funny), they can appreciate one of five complex scents: Apple Harvest, Clean Cotton, White Sage and Lavender, Cinnamon Vanilla, and Sea Salt and Orchid.