As the Class of 2024 gets ready to don graduation caps and bid farewell to having to ask for permission to use the restroom (aka, high school), you may be wondering what to give your high school grad that proves you "understood the assignment" when it came to finding the perfect graduation gift.
Well, we have some excellent news for you: While, yes, trends and technology have changed since you looked upon your own diploma with pride and a sense of utter relief, most high school grads still want to receive items for their dorm, college memorabilia and gift cards. How do we know this? We asked an actual, real-life high school grad for their wishlist!
The gifts high school grads most want, according to a high school grad
1
Barefoot Dreams Blanket
$
$
90.00
$
Why? Because it's "The COZIEST blanket to ever exist," they say. They're not wrong.
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2
Apple iPad (10th Generation)
$
$
419.00
$
Although they might be on the more expensive side, iPads make the perfect back-to-school gift. They're great for note-taking and staying organized in college, after all!
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3
Apple AirTag (4-Pack)
$
$
78.99
$
Losing keys, a backpack or luggage is an experience your new grad will prefer to avoid. An AirTag on each of these means they can easily find a misplaced personal belonging right from their iPhone.
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4
Spikeball Pro Kit
$
$
99.00
$
College life isn’t all about frantic late-night study seshes. It’s also about hanging out with new friends, and this spikeball set is both 1. Super fun and 2. Easy to store away even in a tiny dorm.
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5
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
$
$
39.99
$
Now that they’re leaving the nest, it’s time for them to possess a Fire Stick of their very own. (BTW—you can still share many family streaming plans even on different Fire Sticks!)
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6
Keurig Coffee Machine
$
$
69.99
$
Something has to keep them awake for their 9 AM lectures besides thinking about the cost of their absurdly heavy textbooks.
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7
JBL Flip 5 Speaker
$
$
79.93
$
JBL speakers are a fave amongst the youths, and with a portable, waterproof design, appealing price tag, tons of colors to choose from and 65K+ 5-star ratings, it’s easy to see why they want this one.
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8
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
$
$
239.99
$
Depending on your grad’s taste in music, their future roommates might thank you. Their college library definitely will.
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9
Customized Stanley Cup
$
$
54.95
$
How can you make a Stanley Quencher—THE reusable water bottle to own right now—even cooler as a gift? By customizing it with your grad’s name. You'll get major bonus points here.
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10
Target eGift Card
$
$
$
Starting at $5
From dorm essentials to school supplies to a really amazing skincare section thanks to their partnership with Ulta, Target has it all. Plus, a trip to Target is a fun way to bond with new besties!
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11
Wireless Charging Station for Apple Products
$
$
33.90
$
This is to Gen Z what universal TV remotes were to anyone who actually remembers the real Y2K. Basically, they can wirelessly charge alllll their Apple gadgets in one place.
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12
Backpack
$
$
35.99
$
This backpack holds so much stuff and is great for when they’re traveling home during the semester. (Ideal for when they choose the cheapest flight imaginable and can only bring a personal item.)
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13
Disposable Cameras (Pack of 2)
$
$
29.39
$
They’re ba-aaaa-ck! And they’re perfect for capturing all those college mems.
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16
DoorDash eGift Card
$
$
$
Starting at $5
A college meal plan can only offer so much in the way of culinary delights. Plus, dining halls don’t deliver (a must when your report is due the next morning!).
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17
Portable Mini Fridge
$
$
44.99
$
Perfect for small spaces, beauty aficionados and that person who is always craving a Diet co*ke.
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18
Portable Projector
$
$
69.97
$
This is how to unlock coolest-kid-on-campus status. And skip buying a whole new TV they probably won’t have room for anyway.
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19
Personalized Initial Jewelry Box
$
$
15.99
$
Thanks to Stoney Clover Lane, varsity letters are one of the biggest trends ATM. This personalized jewelry box is a chic way to get that preppy vibe without the “It costs how much?!?” price tag.
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20
Fujifilm Instax Mini 7+ Camera
$
$
65.95
$
Digital isn’t out, but film is very much in. An Instax is practically a requirement at parties now!
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21
Amazon eGift Card
$
$
$
Starting at $5
Pretty much the only thing they can’t buy from Amazon is a bigger dorm room (but they can def get things that make theirs way better).
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22
Custom College Map
$
$
29.99
$
They worked hard to get to their campus of choice. Help them navigate it (and decorate their new place) with a ready-to-display custom college map.
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23
Sunset LED Lamp
$
$
19.99
$
Can you paint dorm walls? Not without incurring the wrath of the RA. This trendy LED lamp comes with multiple color options, so your grad can “paint” their walls with light instead!
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24
Custom Embroidered College Crew Neck Sweatshirt
$
$
32.85
$
Sure, they can go to the campus shop for school apparel that everyone else will have, or, you can send them off in a custom embroidered floral version. Everyone will ask them where to get THIS one.
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