Your Teen Will Actually Use These Unique High School Graduation Gifts (2025)

Alright, so your favorite high school senior is about to toss their cap and head into the wild world of adulthood. Cue the mix of excitement, nerves, and maybe a little bit of denial. But fear not because we've got your back when it comes to finding the ultimate graduation gift that they'll actually use. Ree Drummond is one graduation goer who has successfully cracked the gift code after years of being in charge of gifts for her kids' many birthdays, graduations, and other major milestones. "High school grads seem to appreciate things they can use right away—like gift cards, electronics, or cold hard cash," Ree says. "But I gravitate toward gifts with a little more meaning, something that will last a long time." Whether that meaningful gift is a custom handwriting bracelet or a pet portrait stamp, there are so many ways to tailor a gift to your high school grad!

Ahead, we've curated a list of graduation gift ideas that are perfectly age-appropriate—and don't you worry, we've included great recommendations for graduation gifts for boys and graduation gifts for girls, plus plenty of gender neutral options. Whether you're in need of a gift for teens who are headed off to college or a trade school, taking a gap year, or navigating the real world right away, we've got ideas that will help them step into their next phase of life. And if you're still stumped, you can always take a cue from Ree's other favorite graduation gift idea: a real-life experience, such as a cooking class or tickets to a concert. "The event is temporary," she says. "But the memory will last forever."

For more graduation ideas:

• Show Them How Proud You Are With These Inspirational Graduation Wishes
• These Graduation Outfits Will Look So Pretty With Your Cap and Gown
• Kick Off Graduation Season by Listening to These Ultra-Nostalgic Songs

The end of their childhood can also mean the end of spending every waking moment with their childhood pet. Luckily, they don’t have to say goodbye forever and can be reminded of their face whenever they please with this custom pet stamp based on a portrait of their beloved furry friend!

If your high school graduate’s next step is leaving the nest, equip them with a perfect weekend travel bag so they have something to carry all their stuff in when visiting home! This spacious tote is complete with a bottom zip compartment to keep shoes, toiletries, or anything else separate.

A silk pillowcase is an easy way to protect your hair and skin from scratches, creases, and tugs caused by standard cotton. Plus, it adds a touch of luxury to dorm or apartment living!

Add this buttery faux leather tote from Ree’s line to their bag rotation for the upcoming semester! It’s large enough to fit a laptop and has both double shoulder straps and an adjustable crossbody webbing strap so they can carry their stuff comfortably and stylishly no matter what the occasion.

If they’re headed to college, they’ll need a simple pair of shoes to slip on and off between class and dorm hangouts, and these stylish rubber Birkenstocks fit the bill. They come in a variety of fun colors and are so easy to clean!

Although they’ll need a larger mirror to live on their desk or vanity permanently, a portable, lighted, compact mirror is still a must! It’s slim, lightweight, and perfectly portable for when you need a touchup on a night out, job interview, or in between classes.

Laundry time doesn’t have to be a weightlifting session thanks to this handy laundry backpack, which evenly distributes the weight of the load across your upper body! It comes in tons of cool colors, like Ree’s favorite, teal, and has a front zipper pocket to hold supplies like laundry pods and dryer sheets.

Hydration is key at all stages of life, and this bestselling tumbler is a great way to keep that message in their minds! It keeps 40 ounces of water, or whatever liquid they choose to hydrate with, cold for 48 hours. And it comes in tons of cool colors to fit their vibe!

Post-high school life can be an exciting and busy time, but it’s important not to lose track of gratitude and mindfulness along the way! This highly-rated prompt journal encourages users to appreciate life for at least five minutes a day with daily prompts, including weekly challenges, inspirational quotes, affirmations, and self-reflection.

For a practical present that they’ll thank you for time and time again down the line, give them a pack of AirTags! These tracking tags will prevent them from losing important items like keys, wallets, and even bikes.

Send in a photo of your actual penmanship to this maker, then watch as it transforms into a stunning wearable bracelet. It's a true one-of-a-kind gift!

How fun are these bright, floral blooms? If your teen is headed off to a dorm room in the fall, the odds are that they could use a new accent rug!

Let's face it, sweats will probably become their new best friend in the upcoming months. Especially for early morning classes! This comfy and cute set with a waffle knit long sleeve top and drawstring shorts will certainly get lots of wear.

They'll enjoy being able to listen to their music wherever they go with this bluetooth speaker! Hook it to a backpack for walks around campus, put on some study tunes in the dorm, or jam out in the shower! Yep, it's waterproof, too.

Every time they wake up early for class or a new job, they'll be thanking you for this present. The easy-t0-use coffee maker from Keurig brews a cup of joe with single-serve pods—and it'll look so cute in their new space.

Don't send them off to college without at least a few winning recipes! There are a whopping 112 included in Ree's latest cookbook, including hearty pastas, delicious desserts, and more.

Remind them of their never-ending potential with this sweet, funny little plant pot. It's a fabulous find for green thumbs.

If their old backpack is looking a little scraggly, opt for something nice and new—and add some teal while you're at it! We love the look of this lightweight, roomy option.

This necklace is simply gorgeous, and it's on sale for just under $20. We like the sound of both of those things.

If they're going to be living with roommates, this portable (and waterproof) safe will definitely come in handy to store all of their essentials and personal items. They just have to set their own four-digit combination.