Great High School Graduation Gift Ideas

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As the high school bands are preparing to play Pomp and Circumstance, many people are wondering what gifts graduates want most. What are some great high school graduation gift ideas?

When I graduated high school back in… way back… my parents gave me new tires and a set of luggage. Was that a strong hint?

The obvious gift for the high school graduate is money because what young person doesn’t appreciate a gift of cash? However, is there a better gift?

RetailMeNot reported that the majority of American graduates want money (50%).  Fewer respondents think they would most want a car (15%) or a trip or vacation (13%).

Oddly enough, the same study showed that graduates “would have liked to have been told to save money (42%), avoid spending beyond their means (37%), be wary of credit cards (30%), find a job right away (29%), or put money into investments (28%).”

Gifts to Give a High School Graduate

With those statistics in mind, consider the following high school graduation gift ideas:

Gift Cards

While gift cards might seem like a disguised way to give someone cash, gift cards present a high school graduate with a perfect opportunity to establish good spending habits. You can encourage the student to use gift cards to budget their monthly expenses since they can reload the cards each month.

For instance, if your student has a Starbucks addiction, they can use a Starbucks gift card to allot a monthly amount for coffee. Likewise, a Subway gift card can be used to budget for quick but healthy lunches on the go and a Fandango gift card can help set aside money for a trip to the movies each month.

A Savings Account

By establishing that a sound financial future involves saving, start a savings account and train your student to save 10% to 20% of every gift and pay check. Even better, if you fear your student will drain the savings account and you cannot find one that would have withdrawal parameters, purchase stocks or certificates of deposit that essentially lock up the savings away from moments of spontaneity.

Finance Software

Whether you student is moving on in life with an iPad or a computer, personal finance software and apps can arm him with a value tool that encourages budgeting, saving, and more.

Personal Finance Books

While a person beginning college or a career might not have much time to read additional books, providing your student with a guide to personal finance can give them a reference when they need answers and might not be willing to call home.

Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?: 99 Personal Money Management Principles to Live By

Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance In Your Twenties and Thirties

The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

More than anything, the gift that graduates want most is a feeling of security, knowing that they have the information needed to make wise decisions and the support to be able to recover if they make a bad choice.

Other High School Graduation Gift Ideas

Need more inspiration for high school graduation gifts?

Give any of these graduation gift ideas as an individual token or create a gift basket.

• Travel backpack
• Portable device charger
• Amazon Prime subscription
• Fancy letter opener
• Decorative pen set
• Meal subscription service
• Fast food gift cards
• Wireless earbuds (like Apple Airpod Pro) or headphones (like Beats)
• Jewelry (like a class ring, graduation necklace or nice watch)
• Laptop
• Emergency car kit
• Apple iPad
• Memory Journal
• Small tool kit
• First aid kit
• Monogrammed beach towel or blanket
• VR Headset
• Snack subscription
• Yeti Rambler Cup
• Printer
• Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch
• Weekender bag
• Weighted blanket
• Device charging station

High School Graduation Gifts for College Bound Students

If you have a loved one graduating from high school and heading off for a secondary education at college or trade school, these additional gift ideas will help you brainstorm

• Laundry Bag with detergent and a roll of quarters
• Portable washing machine and dryer combo
• Personalized bag tags or labels
• Gear ties
• Manual Can Opener
• Microwave
• Small refrigerator
• Shower caddy tote
• Keurig or coffee pot
• Personal safe
• Closet organizer
• School logo gear
• Light-blocking sleep mask
• Noise cancelling headphones for sleeping or ear plugs
• White noise machine
• Air fryer or Instant pot

What gifts would you give a high school graduate?

Have more high school graduation gift ideas? Please comment below and help others plan what to buy a high school graduate.