Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

5 perfect gifts for any high school graduate

It’s hard to believe that little kid you once knew is already arriving at the moment that marks the end of their childhood — high school graduation. Whether you’re a parent, aunt or uncle, grandparent, sibling, or friend, finding the perfect high school graduation gift is something that takes a lot of thought. You want to be reflective and personal, so think of this specific graduate and what they like, what their plans are, and your relationship with them. The best graduation gift will be from the heart and shows that you’re thinking about their first steps into adulthood.

We’ve rounded up the best high school graduation gifts to help you with the process.

Hamilton Lyrics Motivational Wall Print

At 8 x 10 inches, this small print will fit in any small dorm room or bedroom without the gift-giver making the choice about the large statement pieces in the room. The wildly popular Hamilton musical is almost universally loved by high schoolers, and this piece of art printed on Fuji Crystal Archive contains the lyrics from the show with “There’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait, just you wait… ” printed largely across the small background type with a silhouette of Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton. This gift says you can’t wait to see what your graduate will do next.

Charging Station for Multiple Devices

Tablets, phones, laptops, gaming devices … most high school graduates have at least a couple of devices to keep track of and all the individual cords and chargers that go with each. With space (both physical and mental) at a premium after high school, your graduate will appreciate this six-in-one charging station that comes with a mix of charging cords for different devices including but not limited to the iPhone, Kindle, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola Droid phones, and Nintendo Switch — almost any device that uses lightning cables, Micro-USB, or Type-C USB. The station comes in silver, pink, or blue.

The Year of You: 365 Journal Writing Prompts for Creative Self-Discovery

Just because high school is over doesn’t mean self-discovery is ending. Your graduate has a lot of soul-searching ahead as they figure out what to do next. This 12-month journal can be started in any month (it doesn’t have to be January) and leads the journaler through 365 days of writing prompts. Each month has a theme like career, relationships, and growth.

Personalized Pens Gift Set

This 2-pack of personalized pens comes in a lovely gift box. Choose the colors of the pens (one black and the other can be black, blue, purple, or red) and the text of two lines of up to 35 characters each. Whether your graduate is going to college, an internship, or a job next, they’ll appreciate these elegant, custom pens they’ll need anywhere. They can think of you whenever they use them.

Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds

This sleek black pair of wireless earbuds feature three-layer noise cancellation that will keep noise out while your graduate is trying to study or work. These also have a transparent mode that allows sound in without taking the headphones out. They are Bluetooth-enabled and pair with their device easily. The pair comes with a compact charging case, and they will last for over eight hours of playtime on one charge. They’re even waterproof!

You can’t go wrong with the gifts above, but if you’re looking for even more gift ideas, check out our ultimate gift guide for teens. No matter what you choose, include a heartfelt card of congratulations that will mean just as much to your graduate.

Editors' Recommendations

Sarah Prager
Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…
5 telltale signs your child is struggling in school (or will be) – and what to do to help
Worried your child is struggling in school? Be aware of these signs
Young child doing homework

At some point in the school year, you notice a change in your child’s outlook on school and homework. Perhaps some mornings, they complain of a mystery illness or try to find another excuse to get out of going to school. Or you notice your child no longer brings graded papers or progress reports home. Then the phone calls or emails from teachers start pouring in, and the next thing you know, the grades have dropped.

However, before the issue gets to that point, you’ll need to become aware of the signs that your child is struggling in school. Once you determine that academic tasks are posing a challenge, then you can be assured that many resources are available for your child to gain some valuable study skills and to feel more confident in the classroom again.

Read more
Help! My teenager is vaping! Why this is a high-level parenting emergency
If you have a teen vaping in your home, we can help put a stop to it
Teen girl holding an e-cigarette

Over the last decade, vaping has surged in popularity, becoming the most popular consumer alternative to smoking cigarettes. Plus, it has become the most common product used by individuals who want to quit smoking — though that may not be an effective means. However, with its growing popularity, there’s a problematic category of customers: curious teens.

To keep adolescents away from vape products, regulators and legislators have adopted ways to curb them. For instance, the most prevalent is restricting the minimum age to purchase vape items. Initially, this seemed like a smart idea. Unfortunately, it hasn't proven to be as affective as originally hoped. As parents, you have to stay vigilant and be prepared to have some difficult conversations in order to stop a potential problem early on. Let's shed some light on teen vaping.

Read more
The 5 best potty-training underwear options you and your toddler will love
If you're potty training your toddler you'll love these 5 underwear options
toddler on potty

All parents know that potty training a toddler is — to put it mildly — a process. It will involve mini-toilets, flushing tutorials, wiping lessons, potty training underwear, and all the M&Ms. It may entail begging, bribing, cajoling, and crying. Suffice to say, it won't be easy for you or your little one. But, after a few weeks (okay, months), of trial, effort, fails, and wins, your sweetheart will finally, finally be free of those expensive and inconvenient diapers in favor of toddler training underwear. Hallelujah and all that, but don't reallocate your generous nappy budget just yet.

During the transition time between diapers and big-kid undies, your growing tyke will likely need potty training underwear. There are various types to choose from, including disposable, reusable, pull-on, and more. The differences are small, but having the right pair handy can help make a big difference during this major transition.

Read more