"Graduations are major milestones. They mark the achievement of one part of life and the transition to the next. For that reason, they deserve to be celebrated. When they come around, maybe your plans include a family dinner at the graduate’s favorite restaurant. Or maybe you go big and plan a party with friends and family. No matter what your plans may be, celebrating the accomplishment can always be accompanied by the perfect gift. The graduates may have some ideas of their own, but to prevent the all too common “I don’t know” response, having some of the best graduation gifts up our sleeves can’t hurt.
Fifth and eighth-grade graduations from elementary and middle school are certainly cause for celebration and a little something to reward a job well done. High school and college graduations, however, may lend themselves to a bit more fanfare and with that, potentially higher ticket gifts. High school graduates may benefit from some dorm room essentials if they’re heading off to college. The college graduates in our lives are ready to conquer the world and the workforce, and there are plenty of gifts we can give to assist in their journeys.
No matter what age your graduate is—from tween to young adult—there’s a way to say “Congratulations!” on their big day. Scroll on to find the best graduation gifts below.
Graduation Gifts for Middle Schoolers
Celebrate the young academic achiever in your life at their fifth or eighth-grade graduation with a little token of congratulations. Treat them to something they’ve been asking for over and over or something that will benefit their next year in school.
A quality water bottle is a must have, and this is the one everyone’s talking about currently! Plus, there are eight adorable color combinations to choose from.
Pair a coveted water bottle with a chic lunch bag—available in more than 15 colors and patterns—and they’re sure to have the best lunchtime experience come next school year!
Want to gift a pair of shoes they’ll wear all summer long and beyond? Look no further than these classic Birkenstocks.
Upgrade their old headphones with a pair of trendy wireless bluetooth headphones that won’t break the bank.
Practice, exercise, and time outdoors—say no more! This is a great gift that will keep your young athlete outside all summer and get them ready for high school tryouts.
No tween will ever turn down a new phone case—which, if you’re feeling really generous, pairs perfectly with an upgraded phone.
Polaroids are all the rage again. Grab the camera and plenty of extra film so they can snap pictures all year long.
Rainy days, road trips, and late night summer gaming are made complete with the lightweight Nintendo Switch.
A belt bag is basically a must have at this point. They’ll use this lululemon one each and every day. Choose from 12 colors to best match their personality.
Now that the hard part’s over, the fun can begin. A Razor scooter is just as fun now as it was back when we were kids.
For a kiddo heading to summer camp or simply wanting to keep in touch with friends and family in a creative way, this personalized stationary set couldn’t be cuter.
A quality bluetooth speaker is the type of gift they’ll hang onto for years to come and use again and again.
Best High School Graduation Gifts
High school graduation is always an exciting achievement. It opens a world of possibilities. Whether the high schooler in your life is going onto college or heading into the workforce, there’s a gift to celebrate their achievement.
Help them show their future school spirit in style with one of these adorable pouches, which are available for more than 30 major schools.
Because they’re sure to gain plenty “pearls of wisdom” during their university days, help them get the ball rolling with a beautiful necklace.
Personalize the laundry bag they’ll be coming home with filled to the brim every few weeks.
Start their dorm room decorating off right with a print of this inspirational quote by Theodore Roosevelt.
Documenting their new adventures to share with family and friends back home is a must. This camera is the perfect way to do just that.
A place to keep their personal items protected when they’re out of their parents’ house is something they’re sure to thank you for later.
Make late night studying more enjoyable by lighting the room up with a gorgeous table lamp, which comes in pink or white to match their decor.
Whether they’re headed to school or work, keep them hydrated with a quality water bottle. As an added bonus, it can be customized!
When they’re missing home, they can light up their Homesick candle for a little bit of comfort.
Best College Graduation Gifts
There’s no doubt that graduating college is a big deal. College graduates are ready to set out to see the world, achieve their goals, and get to work. Set them up for success with either a practical gift or something to commemorate their achievements.
Honor their alma mater with this chic and personalized custom light-up collegiate map.
College graduates are ready to take on the world. With this luggage set, they can do so in style.
There’s something about a monogrammed gift that exudes sophistication—especially for a college graduate. They’ll feel like they have it all together with this travel jewelry case.
Working graduates will be ready to conquer their next endeavor with this highly rated tote bag. It comes in seven chic colors, from neutral to fun.
Adulting tends to mean getting up a bit earlier. This gentle alarm clock is exactly what they need to ease into the transition.
Somedays, a latte just won’t cut it. Give the gift of caffeine with a popular Nespresso machine.
Now that they’ve graduated from college housing, a new set of “adult sheets” is in order. This set from Brooklinen is one they’ll thank you for again and again.
A grown up watch is always a good idea, and it doesn’t get much better than the latest Apple Watch. More intuitive, faster, and brighter than previous models, this is an investment gift they’ll use each and every day.
Remind them that they can still have fun, even with new adult responsibilities, with a chic pickleball paddle.
Keep them up to date on the need-to-knows with a subscription to the New York Times.