19 High School Graduation Gifts They’ll Actually Use and Cherish (or Post on TikTok)
Whether they’re setting off for college, entering the workforce or taking a year off for a good old-fashioned travel-the-world gap year, high school grads will (eventually) appreciate any and all gifts that will help them transition into adulthood. Are they moving into an apartment? These tools are indispensable. Are they going to be grocery shopping on the regular? This saves them from touching germy carts. What about needing a good night’s rest? This will ensure they can relax, pronto. From affordable chic jewelry to sustainable fashion and more, here are 19 high school graduation gifts that they’ll actually use.
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1. Lululemon The Yoga Mat Bag 16L
For the Yogi
The zippered closure makes it easy to tote around their mat, and there’s even a separate side pocket to hold a water bottle (a resusable one, of course).
2. PhoneSoap
For the Covid Cautious
Our reviewer gave this phone sanitizing device high marks for ease of use and aesthetics, so we’re thinking this it’ll be a slam dunk for young adults who are very not into germs.
3. Bony Levy 18K Gold Pave Diamond Initial Pendant Necklace
For the Jewelry Lover
Their initial in diamonds, hung on a solid gold chain, will become a classic heirloom they’ll treasure always. And wear on a daily basis.
4. Terra Vita Revive CBD Bath Soak
For the Runner
One reviewer explains: “I use this after my long run days (20 to 30 milers on the trail) and I go into the bath sore and achy. then I get out of the bath feeling like I didn’t even run!” So, that’s a big win, especially if you gift it with the accompanying Moisturizing body butter.
5. Stalwart 130-Piece Tool Set
For the DIYer
Everyone needs their own hammer to hang a picture or knock a door frame back into place. But this kit, while slender enough to fit on a shelf or under a bed, allows them to do so much more than just hammer—they can measure, level, cut, screw and even use the Allen wrench sets to assemble some Ikea pieces.
6. Wayfair Gift Certificate
For the New Apartment Dweller
Not sure what they’ll need for their new home? Let the graduate choose from thousands of furniture and décor items of affordable quality in a range of styles from contemporary and modern to bohemian and eclectic.
7. All-Clad Stainless Steel 6-Quart Pasta Pot with Insert
For the Low-Effort Cook
This six-quart pot has a four-quart insert that lets you just lift it up to drain water away, eliminating the tussle (and potential burns) involved in holding a colander just so over the sink. And one thing we know about early adulthood—it’s about eating a lot of fast, easy to prep noodles.
8. Hulken Collapsible Medium Grocery Tote Bag
For the Foodie
This cute reinforced rolling bag is a lifesaver for schlepping. Your coolking obsessed grad can just roll this along behind them and won’t have to touch any yucky grocery carts. This allows them to plunder supermarkets, farmers markets and specialty food stores and load up to 66 pounds inside. Best of all, it collapses flat to stow under a bed between uses.
9. Misha Nonoo Husband Shirt
For the One with the Office Job
She can wear this with a pencil skirt during the workday or with jeans like Meghan Markle did year ago, during her secret engagement appearance. Since it’s oversized, it even looks perfect as a swimsuit coverup. Basically, it’s a little black dress for the modern active woman.
10. ‘How Beautiful We Were’ by Imbolo Mbue
For the Environmentalist
Our reviewer said this sweeping novel about a small African village that’s undone by a corporate oil conglomerate outlines “distinctly American hallmarks of corporate greed, American greed and colonialism.” Why not also buy a copy for yourself also, to start a dialogue about the story’s issues with the graduate?
11. Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily
For the Paleo Eater
This fresh-tasting all-in-one-health drink contains 75 vitamins, minerals and whole-food-sourced ingredients to support long-lasting energy, immunity, recovery and gut health. So even if they hate eating veggies on the daily, they’ll still get the health benefits they need for a balanced diet.
12. Hyperice Hypervolt GO - Deep Tissue Percussion Massage Gun
For the Fitness Fanatic
Weighing just a pound-and-a-half, this intense massager is easy to wield, ideal for targeting the quads and glutes but also areas that take more finesse, like legs feet and shoulders. Three different heads allow varied sensations, and the one-button, three-speed functionality is easy to master. The varsity athlete who’s going on to play college sports would so appreciate this one.
13. Inbox Zero Ergonomic Gaming Chair
For the Gamer
It’s a thing—they need a chair that’s going to support their lumbar region and head-and-shoulder area for those hours-long battle sessions, ahem, we mean Zoom classes.
14. Recess The Sampler
For the Sober Curious
As long as they’re over 18 (the legal age for CBD in this country), they’ll love this subscription box of soothing, relaxing sparkling water that’s flavored with real fruit. The sampler includes delish flavors like blackberry chai, blood orange and coconut lime that will feel rather gourmet. Plus, it’s way better for them than beer.
15. Bose - QuietComfort Earbuds True Wireless Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones
For the Train Commuter
They can just slip these babies in their ears, lean back and zone out while they listen to everything from their meditation app to their fave podcast host’s vocal fry.
16. Sleep Number True Temp Weighted Blanket
For the Restless Sleeper
This 12-pound channel-stitched blanket is sized for one person to crawl under it and feel soothed. And it comes with a removable cover, so it’ll stay tidy.
17. ZENY 4'x2' Portable Cornhole Outdoor Game Solid Wood Cornhole Set
For the Backyard Games Lover
No one at the fraternity or sorority is going to want to stop playing this fun tossing game. Thanks to the included carrying case, it can simply be packed up and brought to any local park…or house party.
18. iRobot - Roomba 675 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum
The perfect Gen Z gift—it’s app-enabled and cleans their apartment or home without the need to lift a finger.
19. Flexispot Electric Standing Desk
For the Recovering Couch Potato
This standing desk is easy to assemble and scoots higher and lower with just the touch of a button; one reviewer said it’s helping her feel better after logging long hours of Zoom school.
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