37 Best High School Graduation Gifts They Won’t Be Able to Live Without
Non-boring adult necessities here.
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So your fave teenager is all grown up (cue the tears!). Walking across the stage in a cap and gown is a major accomplishment that def deserves to be celebrated…perhaps in the form of a special gift?! You could get something practical, sure. No grad is gonna be mad at some cash or maybe even a gift card (hello, college/life expenses!). But if you wanna get creative and find them something they’ll actually love (and actually use), we’re here to brainstorm some ideas.
You could get them a useful present—like a new backpack for college, or a work bag for a new job. Or you could treat ’em to a fancy perfume or piece of jewelry to make them feel super special for making it through what might’ve been the most stressful years of their life thus far. Ideally, these keepsakes will make up for all the sleepless nights of studying, right?! No matter what, the gift should be a way to commemorate your grad's big accomplishment.
Scroll for the best high school graduation gift ideas that every teenager / young adult / soon-to-be college student would love.
Chances are they’re obsessed with lululemon, and this fanny pack will store their wallet, phone, keys, and whatever else they might need while on the go. Not to mention, the mainstay accessory is super stylish and comes in a bunch of fun colors. Their hot girl walks just got so much cuter.
Yep, a smart device without a screen! This ring keeps track of all our important activities like steps, exercise, sleep, heart rate, and soooo much more. Not convinced? Check out assistant shopping editor Hannah Oh’s love letter to the accessory that changed her daily life!
These cosmetic bags take the coquette aesthetic to the next level. They can use one as a pencil case, one for all their chargers, and one for their toiletries/makeup/skincare. The possibilities with these fab bags are truly endless (and practical!).
These have probably been on their wishlist for quite some time now… and what better time to spoil them than graduation?! These noise-cancelling headphones will be perf for commutes, studying, the gym, and whatever else adulthood might throw their way.
This candle warmer is the perf way to smell their fave candle without any open flames. Super dorm-safe and super cute!
If the couch or their bed is their fave place, then they need this lil cushion that holds all the snacks, remotes, and bevs they could possibly need.
Who knew that taking just a few moments out of your day to reflect could actually change your entire mood?! Not us! Until we tried this life-changing journal. Let them set some goals and decompress with the daily prompts.
You can’t go wrong with this dainty necklace with their birthstone inside. It also makes the perf layering piece and comes in both gold and silver colorways—obsessed is an understatement!
Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer
What better way to cherish all their memories than with physical photos?! This mini device connects via Bluetooth to any phone and prints images in minutes. Plus, you can customize pics with collages, graphics, and more. I wish I had this lil printer back in college!
If they’re allll about their skincare regimen (as they should be), then this mini refrigerator is *the* ultimate self-care gift. And it’s v multifunctional with its built-in LED mirror—we love a space-saving gadget! (Because let’s face it, their vanity is cluttered).
Is it a phone case? Is it a wallet? Is it a crossbody? Well, it’s actually all three! This will keep their phone and credit cards secure and on them at all times during long shifts, game days, or whatever else post-high school life may bring.
Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock
Whether they have to make it to an 8 a.m. class or a 6 a.m. shift, this all-in-one reading light, sound machine, and sunrise alarm clock will make getting a good night's sleep and waking up on time a liiiittle easier.
A pajama set is an unfailing gift. Who wouldn’t wanna be super cozy all night long?! With more than 8,000 five-star reviews about its soft and breezy fabrication, this ensemble will def keep your graduate super comfy all night long—no night sweats here!
What better way to document all of their upcoming memories than with this digital camera?! And yes, the pics really do look better than our phone’s camera.
What better way to enter adulthood than with this handy planner?!
An everyday bag = an adulthood must-have. Not only is this top-rated bag on Amazon super chic, but it’s also under $100!
Their spine will thank them (and you) when they are working on a school essay for over 4+ hours. This handy laptop stand will help them sit up straight and prevent further back pain.
SolaWave 4-in-1 Skin Care Wand
You can’t go wrong with a self-care gift (especially if they’re headed into the throes of adulthood), and this lightweight device boasts the capabilities of spa-like treatments. They can get red light therapy, facial massages, and more, all at their fingertips! Dorm room spa nights? Say no more.
T3 AireBrush Hot Air Blow Dry Brush
Give them the gift of salon-level blowouts in the comfort of their own dorm. This blow dryer is not only super easy to use but provides the hair with tons of volume in minutes.
Say goodbye to the days of leggings falling down during workouts (we’ve all been there!) and say hello to this outfit staple. They’ll look super chic going from the gym to brunch and wherever else the day takes them.
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers all the best things you can add to your cart. She loves writing about everything from fashion to politics, and you can definitely find her listening to Harry Styles' entire discography on loop while doing so. She’s also probably in bed either reading or endlessly scrolling through TikTok (most likely the latter). Feel free to follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram.
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