Your Teen Will Actually Use These Unique High School Graduation Gifts

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Alright, so your favorite high school senior is about to toss their cap and head into the wild world of adulthood. Cue the mix of excitement, nerves, and maybe a little bit of denial. But fear not because we've got your back when it comes to finding the ultimate graduation gift that they'll actually use. 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. "But I gravitate toward gifts with a little more meaning, something that will last a long time." Whether that meaningful gift is a custom handwriting bracelet or a pet portrait stamp, there are so many ways to tailor a gift to your high school grad!

Ahead, we've curated a list of graduation gift ideas that are perfectly age-appropriate—and don't you worry, we've included great recommendations for graduation gifts for boys and graduation gifts for girls, plus plenty of gender neutral options. Whether you're in need of a gift for teens who are headed off to college or a trade school, taking a gap year, or navigating the real world right away, we've got ideas that will help them step into their next phase of life. And if you're still stumped, you can always take a cue from Ree's other favorite graduation gift idea: a real-life experience, such as a cooking class or tickets to a concert. "The event is temporary," she says. "But the memory will last forever."

For more graduation ideas:

• Show Them How Proud You Are With These Inspirational Graduation Wishes

• These Graduation Outfits Will Look So Pretty With Your Cap and Gown

• Kick Off Graduation Season by Listening to These Ultra-Nostalgic Songs

Béis The Weekend Travel Bag

If your high school graduate’s next step is leaving the nest, equip them with a perfect weekend travel bag so they have something to carry all their stuff in when visiting home! This spacious tote is complete with a bottom zip compartment to keep shoes, toiletries, or anything else separate.

Slip Silk Pillowcase

A silk pillowcase is an easy way to protect your hair and skin from scratches, creases, and tugs caused by standard cotton. Plus, it adds a touch of luxury to dorm or apartment living!

Custom Pet Stamp

The end of their childhood can also mean the end of spending every waking moment with their childhood pet. Luckily, they don’t have to say goodbye forever and can be reminded of their face whenever they please with this custom pet stamp based on a portrait of their beloved furry friend!

The Pioneer Woman Liddy Tote Handbag

Add this buttery faux leather tote from Ree’s line to their bag rotation for the upcoming semester! It’s large enough to fit a laptop and has both double shoulder straps and an adjustable crossbody webbing strap so they can carry their stuff comfortably and stylishly no matter what the occasion.

Arizona EVA Sandals

If they’re headed to college, they’ll need a simple pair of shoes to slip on and off between class and dorm hangouts, and these stylish rubber Birkenstocks fit the bill. They come in a variety of fun colors and are so easy to clean!

Rechargeable Travel Makeup Mirror

Although they’ll need a larger mirror to live on their desk or vanity permanently, a portable, lighted, compact mirror is still a must! It’s slim, lightweight, and perfectly portable for when you need a touchup on a night out, job interview, or in between classes.

Portable Laundry Backpack

Laundry time doesn’t have to be a weightlifting session thanks to this handy laundry backpack, which evenly distributes the weight of the load across your upper body! It comes in tons of cool colors, like Ree’s favorite, teal, and has a front zipper pocket to hold supplies like laundry pods and dryer sheets.

The Clean Slate Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

Hydration is key at all stages of life, and this bestselling tumbler is a great way to keep that message in their minds! It keeps 40 ounces of water, or whatever liquid they choose to hydrate with, cold for 48 hours. And it comes in tons of cool colors to fit their vibe!

The Five Minute Journal

Post-high school life can be an exciting and busy time, but it’s important not to lose track of gratitude and mindfulness along the way! This highly-rated prompt journal encourages users to appreciate life for at least five minutes a day with daily prompts, including weekly challenges, inspirational quotes, affirmations, and self-reflection.

Apple AirTags

For a practical present that they’ll thank you for time and time again down the line, give them a pack of AirTags! These tracking tags will prevent them from losing important items like keys, wallets, and even bikes.

Custom Handwriting Bracelet

Send in a photo of your actual penmanship to this maker, then watch as it transforms into a stunning wearable bracelet. It's a true one-of-a-kind gift!

The Pioneer Woman Brilliant Bloom Wool Floral Rug

How fun are these bright, floral blooms? If your teen is headed off to a dorm room in the fall, the odds are that they could use a new accent rug!

Waffle Knit Sweatsuit Set

Let's face it, sweats will probably become their new best friend in the upcoming months. Especially for early morning classes! This comfy and cute set with a waffle knit long sleeve top and drawstring shorts will certainly get lots of wear.

Ultimate Ears Portable Bluetooth Speaker

They'll enjoy being able to listen to their music wherever they go with this bluetooth speaker! Hook it to a backpack for walks around campus, put on some study tunes in the dorm, or jam out in the shower! Yep, it's waterproof, too.

Keurig Single Serve K-Express Coffee Maker

Every time they wake up early for class or a new job, they'll be thanking you for this present. The easy-t0-use coffee maker from Keurig brews a cup of joe with single-serve pods—and it'll look so cute in their new space.

'The Pioneer Woman Cooks—Dinner's Ready!'

Don't send them off to college without at least a few winning recipes! There are a whopping 112 included in Ree's latest cookbook, including hearty pastas, delicious desserts, and more.

'Oh the Places You Will Grow' Canvas Plant Pot

Remind them of their never-ending potential with this sweet, funny little plant pot. It's a fabulous find for green thumbs.

Lululemon Everywhere Backpack 22L

If their old backpack is looking a little scraggly, opt for something nice and new—and add some teal while you're at it! We love the look of this lightweight, roomy option.

Gold-Plated Butterfly Necklace

This necklace is simply gorgeous, and it's on sale for just under $20. We like the sound of both of those things.

Master Lock Personal Safe

If they're going to be living with roommates, this portable (and waterproof) safe will definitely come in handy to store all of their essentials and personal items. They just have to set their own four-digit combination.

Frigidaire Mini Refrigerator

Whether they use it to keep their skincare products cool or just want to have a few snacks on hand (we don't blame them), they'll love having this nifty mini fridge in their dorm.

Recycled Essential Laundry Backpack

Make laundry days a little more bearable for your teen with a stylish laundry bag. This one is also a backpack, which means hauling it down to those communal dorm laundry rooms won't be so bad. Just be careful, this pick will make it easy for them to bring their laundry to you whenever they come home. 😆

Tri-Fold Lighted Vanity Mirror

Trust us, this option will make getting ready each morning so much easier. The compact tri-fold design will fit right on their desk. It has LED lights that they can dim with a touch, magnified mirrors, and swivel capabilities.

KODAK Step Wireless Mobile Photo Mini Color Printer

Here's a way to make moving away from friends and family a little easier! This device allows them to instantly print their favorite images straight from their smartphone to hang up in their new space. They can even add a little personal flair with filters, stickers, and borders.

Collegiate Pouches

How cute are these pouches? They're beautifully embroidered with a unique design representing their new school. The creators took collaborative input from passionate alumni, fans, faculty, and locals to come up with the best motifs. Your grad can use it to carry anything from pencils to makeup to their ID and keys.

Hatch Restore Alarm Clock

Not only does this neat gadget work as an alarm clock that's designed to wake you up naturally, but it also offers sleep sounds and light. They can control it by touch or with an app that also allows them to download even more sounds, like meditations and sleep stories.

Custom College Necklace

She can arrive to campus in spirited style with this custom necklace! Just send the seller a picture of her new school's logo then wait as it's crafted into a beautiful charm.

Positive Affirmation Cards

After they leave the nest, you won't always be available to cheer them on when times get tough. So, gift this set of daily affirmation quotes that they can turn to whenever a little pick-me-up is needed. It also includes a wooden holder so they can display the cards on their desk.

Custom Neon Sign

Just imagine how cool their new dorm or apartment will look with one of these neon signs hanging on the walls! You can choose personalized text, color, and font!

Red Rally Gameday Pouch & Stadium Bag Set

For those high school grads headed to college, they'll probably be enjoying a lot of game days in the near future. Make sure they're ready to cheer on their team in style with this bag set. It's stadium approved! Plus, you can find the confetti pouches in several school colors.

Travel Duffel Bag

It'll be that much easier to pack up their belongings and head off to a new school with this adorable duffel in tow. It just so happens to meet TSA travel standards and it's water-resistant.

Long-Distance Friendship Lamps

Gift them and their bestie a pair of these special lamps. When one is touched, the other's emits a glow—as if to say, "thinking of you!"

Le Classique Undated Daily Planner

Not only is a daily planner a necessity for any college-bound grad, but this one is undated—so they can start using it whenever they please. You can personalize it, too!

'How to Cook Without a Book'

Ree says this is one of her "very favorite cookbooks ever." Not a shabby recommendation!

Personalized Silver Bangle

Crafted by hand, each of these beautiful bracelets can be personalized with coordinates, a name, or an entire phrase. Time to get creative!

Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

Yes, they're just plain beautiful, but that's not the only reason we love these headphones. They also feature two listening modes—"active noise cancelling" and "transparency."

Old-Fashioned Locket

It doesn't get much more classic or timeless than a brass locket. Make it feel a little bit more "theirs" with a hand-stamped initial charm.

Personalized Scratch-Off World Map

Oh, the places they'll go—but how to document all of those places? With this pretty scratch-off map, that's how!

'You Got This' Stretch Bracelet

These sorts of beaded bracelets are very "in" right about now, so you can be sure you're making the right choice—and isn't that motivational message sweet?

Custom Pet Portrait

"Commissioning an original piece of art" might not sound like a budget-friendly gift—but thanks to Etsy, it's actually easy to connect with local (and not-so-local!) artists and do just that. Just send in a photo of your grad's dog, then wait for the magic to begin.

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