The best gifts for high school grads

As you can probably tell by all the grad party invitations plastering your fridge, it’s officially high school graduation season. Shopping for a high school grad can be daunting, though: Do you go for something fun? Something practical? What do these kids even like these days?!

Don’t worry — we’ve got your back and are here to help you impress your favorite high school graduate with a great gift. 

Often, this celebratory occasion is just as much about championing their high school successes as it is about amping them up for their next big adventure, whether that’s college, a new job, moving into their first apartment, or whatever else they may have planned. That said, a great graduation gift will take their upcoming path into consideration.

If they’re planning on moving into a college dorm or to their own apartment, you know they’ll need plenty of basic, essential items. The good news is that they’re likely starting with a clean slate, so you have a ton of room to work with. You could help them stock their place with a new Instant Pot, 4K TV, or pillows. On the flip side, it can be a lot more fun to open presents that aren’t just utilitarian. Some ideas that are both exciting and still useful include instant cameras, smartwatches, and headphones.

If we’re being honest, the gift most grads really want is cold hard cash. You also can’t go wrong with a gift card — but if you’re looking to get more personal, we have lots of solid suggestions below that your high school grad is going to love.