Know any graduates this year? I love celebrating the transition from high school to college and honoring both teens and their parents by rallying around them to help launch their kids into the great big world. My best friend is launching not one, but two of her kiddos this year, so maybe I’m feeling particularly hopeful and inspired which is the perfect fuel to curate a killer gift guide for all the grads out there! Whether your price range is $10 or you’re in the mood to stack up purchases in an amazing graduate bundle, there’s something for everyone on this list.
- This cord organizer is helpful for any graduate in any stage of life, and at under $10, it is a bargain gift that won’t break the bank.
- What college kid doesn’t need a Rapid Ramen Cooker? Pop it in the common area microwave in the dorm and have yourself a quick and delicious (and cheap) snack.
- Did you take a digital camera out with you every night in college, or just me?? While a digital camera is maybe a dinosaur at this point, this instant printer is definitely a current fave for any age. I absolutely love my Kodak instant printer and think this would be such a fun gift. Paper cartridges sold separately.
- College kids can never have enough cords for all their tech, and this multi plug outlet has a nice flat design which allows furniture to be placed in front of it on the wall, as well as featuring multiple styles of plug and is under $15.
- A luggage tag is a timeless gift for anybody, in my opinion, and I love this personalized style.
- These large packing bags are great for transporting all the necessary dorm stuff; from clothing to bedding, they hold a TON, and I used them last Summer when we moved from Michigan to Arizona. They make great storage bags when not being used for moving, as well, and fold up nice and small.
- A bit more of a splurge, but these leather cosmetic cases are a timeless gift as well for both the high school and college grad. I love a personalized gift and this has the option to add a monogram if you want as well. I received this exact set as a gift many years ago and it’s still my go-to travel case for cosmetics.
- Along the same lines, a simple personalized keychain is a lovely gift, and practical too. Pairs great with gas cards for the grad who will be driving long distances to get to college!
- This tip comes straight from a mama of college kids and I thought it was full of wisdom. She said to purchase navy blue towels instead of white because they will likely be washed with other dark items and this will prevent color transfer, Towel sets are always appreciated by grads, but in addition to being the right color, this towel set is a quick dry organic fabric which has “College Student” written all over it.
- I remember taking an actual ironing board with me to college which in hindsight was the biggest waste of space ever. A compact steamer is all a student should need to smooth out a few wrinkles, and it’s a useful tool into their adult life as well!
- Listen, I know plenty of people already own Stanley Quenchers. But the hot take is that the 30 ounce style is more handy and portable than the popular 40 ounce version in my opinion. Well stocked in plenty of colors, too!
- When buying a Stanley, don’t forget these cutie little straw caps! They keep the germs out while also identifying your tumbler so others know to stay away! And they’re under $10 for a whole set.
- I don’t care who you are, this tech organizer is an amazingly handy contraption for everyone in today’s techy world. I could have used this last week when we traveled for sure! Keeps cords organized and contained whether in the dorm or on the go.
- When I polled Instagram for the best grad gifts, lots of people said their tool sets were the most useful items to receive (Hello, Ikea furniture). Many people said they kept their college tool sets well into their adult life, and I, too, remember my dad’s joy at gifting me my first tool set that I took to college. This set is under $20 and has all the basics covered.
- Don’t want to get a whole set but like the idea of a useful tool? This multi-tool is so compact it will fit easily in your desk drawer. It’s the sleekness of a Swiss army knife with the multi-functionality of a whole tool set.
Let me know what you would add to this list!
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