The Best High School Graduation Gifts to Shop for the Class of 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is a good gift for high school graduation? ›

Ree Drummond is one graduation goer who has successfully cracked the gift code after years of being in charge of gifts for her kids' many birthdays, graduations, and other major milestones. "High school grads seem to appreciate things they can use right away—like gift cards, electronics, or cold hard cash," Ree says.

For high school grads, the average gift is around $50 to $200. To decide an amount, consider if this is a close friend or family member. You may also want to talk to other people who are giving gifts to decide how much you will give to the graduate.

While some parents splurge on a car or computer, many choose less elaborate, but still meaningful, gifts to commemorate the day. Jewelry (often engraved with the date), books, cash or stock certificates, luggage, a camera, or graduation rings are all presents the graduate will appreciate in the years ahead.

Whether it's a campus photo frame, a diploma frame with tassel, or a double diploma frame, showcasing and preserving your child's most treasured documents is crucial. These also make for perfect high school graduation gifts.

Distant relatives or friends usually send around $15 - $20, while close friends and relatives more commonly send around the $20 - $50 mark. Some families and family friends may choose to spend closer to $100 - $500, depending on their finances and the needs of the graduate.

According to this piece, financial planners say the gift should be equal to approximately one month's rent or mortgage payment, somewhere around $1,000. The article said parents should give their children between $1,000 and $5,000 when they graduate from college.

With that type of financial commitment staring them in the face, cash for graduation will be a welcome gift. Come to think of it, cash is probably a good idea for birthday and holiday gifts while they're completing their graduate studies.

We've compiled the following breakdown of recommend gift amounts based on your relationship: Co-worker: $20 - $30. Close friend or sibling: $25-$75. Niece, Nephew, Grandkid: : $50- $100.

Want to go the traditional route? Splurge on luxury items, like a leather portfolio for work meetings, or give them what they really want — a graduation cake made of cold, hard cash. No matter what their plans are after graduation, there's a gift on this list that'll hit the mark just right.

What is an appropriate gift for a high school graduate? ›

While cash and gift cards are always a good idea, our list has a mix of unique and thoughtful picks, including dorm room essentials to set them up for an enjoyable college experience. There are some great tech gifts here as well, because no matter where they're going, you'll need to stay connected.

According to McKee, receiving a graduation announcement in the mail does not mean you need to send a gift, so don't feel obligated. As a courtesy, add a line to graduation announcements forwarded to those not invited to a celebration, reminding them that no gift is necessary.

Go casual with blouse and dress pants for graduation

As any mother knows, watching your child graduate from high school or college is a momentous occasion. You want to look your best to show your support, but you also don't want to upstage the graduates.

An invitation to a graduation party or ceremony should be met with a gift, but the size and amount depend on your relationship to the graduate. Distant relatives or friends usually send around $15 - $20, while close friends and relatives more commonly send around the $20 - $50 mark.

We've compiled the following breakdown of recommend gift amounts based on your relationship: Co-worker: $20 - $30. Close friend or sibling: $25-$75. Niece, Nephew, Grandkid: : $50- $100.

When deciding whether to bring a present, you should factor in how close you are to the graduate, how large the party will be and how many parties you'll be attending. Thoughtful gifts are a way to recognize their hard work, however etiquette says it's not necessary to bring a gift, but you can still consider it.