Practical Gift Ideas For High School Graduates

Graduating from high school is a milestone signifying a new life chapter. Attending college is invariably their next big lifestage, and a whole heap of challenges will come during that transition.

But you can make this switch both easier and more exciting with a gift that shows how much you care about your favorite high school graduate. If you are looking to get a special piece of jewelry, you could browse around here to have a look at how to give them a subtle reminder of their happy high school days. If you are looking for something that you know will be useful to the intended recipient, here are the best suggestions for practical gifts those clever high-school grads will love to receive.

Amazon Prime Membership

Amazon.com is the college student’s best friend. The high-school grad can prepare all they want for college, but they just cannot be ahead of the game 100%. There will always be something they still need to buy as soon as they set foot in college. And worst luck, they’ll need it very quickly; this is where Amazon Prime comes in. 

Make the graduate’s process of online shopping painless by gifting an annual Amazon Prime membership, covering all the shipping costs and ensuring super fast delivery of all those gizmos and gadgets they need at college.  

Prime Membership offers free next-day shipping, plus two-hour delivery windows, an Amazon video and music streaming service, Prime reading, as well as unlimited cloud storage.

Birchbox Subscription

This is another subscription, but this one differs from the previous one by quite a lot. Birchbox is a subscription gift box service that delivers to the recipient each month a number of items specifically well-suited for graduates.

A monthly box of cool and useful stuff is a very nice thing to look forward to in college--very exciting and a great pick-me-up if they’re burning the candle at both ends. This is a brilliant and thoughtful option for young people on a tight budget. Plus, the fact that these gifts arrive every month reminds them you’re thinking of them.”

Apple Airpods

We simply could not exclude the currently trending Airpods. There is a reason the Airpods became so popular and ubiquitous over just a fortnight. These Bluetooth in-ear headphones solve the constant problem of tangling and ultimately breaking headphone wires--by completely removing them.

Additionally, the headphones are filled with features to increase the comfort of wear. The high school graduate will think of you and thank you immensely each time they’re commuting back to school. Not only will they have great headphones, but they’ll also look super trendy. 

Extra-long Lightning Charging Cable

Imagine the terrible trauma of being unable to post to Instagram or check out your friends on Facebook! The mere thought is more than enough to send any high-school grad into therapy. So, please, don’t let the high-school graduate in your life lose 24/7 control of their smartphone.

Horrendously, one of the most annoying things about smartphones is that the battery runs down, so every graduate is always looking for the nearest power outlet in coffee shops. There’s never a working outlet where they need one, and what’s worse, these smartphones take ages to replenish. That’s why extra-long, lightning-fast charging cables were invented--an absolute lifesaver for the high-school graduate you love. This small cable can charge a phone inside a very short time and the flexibility of a super-long cable means they can always connect.

Argyle Socks

If you want to get with the times, then gifting superior socks is another popular trend of today. 

Not every sock is created equal, and superlative socks are just something students will never buy for themselves. But great socks are more important than you realize for wellbeing--both of the feet and for general health. 

Not only does a robust pair keep the recent high schooler's feet warm, but they also deliver much-needed warmth in chilly teaching rooms or when the young person needs to catch up on their meals. Natural cotton with a small element of spandex is absolutely perfect for college kids, since they offer breathability, longevity and stretch. 

For a touch of fashionable, high-end retro style, we recommend high-quality Argyle socks that feature cute patterns and are extremely durable as well. These colorful socks were created with the intention to last their owners for a long time.

External Battery

This gift solves the same issue as the lightning cable we featured earlier, by empowering a high-school grad to go on with their daily business with a decently charged phone, free of worries. 

External batteries are also excellent when young people are traveling, and greatly reduce the risk of being caught out late-night trying to hail an Uber with a flat battery. In fact, carrying an external battery pack really keeps a graduate safe, because not only can they be used for phones, but also for small gadgets such as head torches, tablets, GPS devices and anything else you can think of. 

So, this is a pretty wonderful budget gift idea with safety and convenience both paramount. Plus, the external battery will keep the user’s phone safe from questionable voltages in public charging stations, as seen on the NY Times.

Waterproof Speaker

Another tech gift--and another great option for recent graduates whose time comes at a premium. Getting out of bed late--as teens do--and having to wait for the shower means a rushed experience that isn’t very pleasurable. This is where we feel a high-quality waterproof speaker can be a fantastic gift. 

Most waterproof speakers are made to be robust and durable, so not only can it be used in the shower or bathroom but also is a great asset on a walking holiday or soggy picnic in the rain. 

Board Game

Young adults are all about board games nowadays. Nobody knows what caused the sudden spike in popularity, but the younger generation loves to get together and play board games, as seen on the BBC.

Not all new board games are wholesome like Monopoly or Cluedo, for example, but your high school graduate will quickly acquire a host of new friends in college. And, the gift of friendship is probably the one the most important.

Remember, too, that retro board games can be very appealing and highly collectible too. If you want something truly special and individual, seek out vintage used games on popular auction and sales sites. 

Comfortable Sneakers

One of the biggest aspects of college life is, of course, walking--seemingly endlessly! They walk to college, then have tons of lectures across campus where they have to sprint from one class to another. Then they head back to their dorm room, get ready and head out again with friends. Before they know it, they’ve covered 20,000 steps in a single day--on all manner of surfaces.

After so much walking, the legs are bound to ache and posture will suffer. Buy the high-school grad some quality runners to cushion and pamper their tender toes. Good footwear improves posture--even when sitting after all that walking. According to EHSToday, proper posture is better for overall health and sneakers can help a high-school graduate to achieve that, by not delivering undue pressure and strain to their young joints.

Go-Anywhere Joggers

Another comfortable thing you can gift your recent high-school graduate is the pair of go-anywhere joggers. In college, they’re bound to be constantly running out of time.

So, it is extremely nice having clothes in which the graduate can easily chill in their dorm room, and yet can still wear when attending classes. The joggers will prove themselves useful in daily life. The young person will not want to ever take them off.

Shower Shoes

It’s another footwear article that you can gift, and these are again a superior gift that a young person would not buy for themselves. 

Shower shoes are invaluable in college dormitories, as the recent high schooler will almost certainly have to use communal showers. Having a great pair of robust shower shoes is just as critical as owning your own soap and towel; hygiene is paramount, verrucas (ugh) are avoided and there will be no slipping on a tiled floor.

There are so many options when it comes to shower shoes, and not all of them are that great. Gift Wits created a detailed guide on choosing shower shoes. Check it out here.

Toiletry Bag

The last practical gift that you can get is a stunning toiletry bag. 

This may seem like a truly boring idea, but the reality is that many college kids cling onto ancient, grimy toiletry bags with a moldy, fusty interior. That is really not a good way to kick off a new college year--and could be detrimental to their health if they carry their toothbrush or shaver in it.

A brand-new, roomy, sectioned and easy-to-clean toiletry bag is a real lifesaver while in college. Take time to choose one and think of their favorite colors, topics and fabrics; you can probably find a bag that suits all three preferences. Maybe include a new toothbrush too!

A Final Gift to Rock the Student's World...

Of course, along with any one--or several--of these awesome gifts, do not forget to give the young student the gift of your love and support. 

Send a colorful and cheerful card alongside your gift, and include a little handy keychain featuring your email address and phone number, reminding them you are always there.  

They will appreciate your thoughtfulness, especially at the beginning of their college life!