The Best Gifts to Celebrate the Class of 2024! 

Graduation season is upon us, which means it’s time to celebrate the graduates in your life with the perfect gift! Graduation gifts are a great way to honor the graduates and send them onto their next chapter feeling loved and celebrated! The gift options are seemingly endless, making it difficult to select just one. I’ve gathered the best graduation gifts of the 2024 season, ranging from thoughtful to practical (and everything in between) at a variety of price points! I even asked my daughter and her friends their personal graduation favorites and broke the answers up by life stage! I hope this blog helps you find the perfect gift for the high school or college graduates in your life! 

See something you love? Simply click the ‘+’ button to shop! Make sure to scroll to the “Shop the Post” section at the bottom of the blog to shop for more graduation gift ideas! I’ve also included a list of my favorite retailers to shop.

FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE

For high school graduates that are about to embark on college dormitory life, there’s often minimal dorm space for clutter. I love gifting practical items that can be used frequently in a dorm/apartment. My go-to gift was always a S’well water bottle in their university’s colors, practical and spirited! Then of course gift cards! A few other practical options are: 

• Mini Tool Set: This mini tool set is perfect to have on hand, and small enough to store in a dorm room! This was one of the most useful graduation gifts my daughter received. 
• Monogram Stadium Bag: This is a great gift under $50 that aligns with the clear bag policies most university sporting events have in place. The graduates’ monogram would be perfect in their school colors!
• Medicine Safe Case: Perfect for storing medications, cash, jewelry, and any other items that you wouldn’t want laying out in a dorm room. 
• Carry-On Suitcase: This suitcase is perfect for weekend trips home or even a weekend road-trip with friends… a great splurge gift. 

FOR THE COLLEGE GRADUATE

College graduation marks a transition into uncharted territory for many graduates… real life adulting! Many grads will begin living on their own, starting new jobs, or attending graduate school. Celebrate their graduation and help set them up for future success with gifts that are both meaningful and useful. Here are a few great options for the college graduate:

• Unique, Real-World Gift Cards: This is the perfect way to help ease your graduate into the new world of post-grad. I recommend:
  • Stitch Fix Gift Card: Give the gift of a real world wardrobe update with a Stitch Fix gift card. Boxes include five new pieces of clothing, curated by a personal stylist to match their taste, fit and price range. 
  • Blue Apron Gift Card: This is a great way to transition from university meal plans to home-cooked meals. A gift card will go towards Blue Apron’s meal kit deliveries that are full of fresh, pre-portioned ingredients for easy-to-follow recipes. 
• Personalized Towels Starter Pack: Gift them something they’ll use daily… a 6-piece towel bundle for their apartment bathroom! This pack includes 4 personalized bath towels (or bath sheets) and 2 hand towels.
• Custom Champagne Bottle: This is such a special and memorable way to honor the graduates college years! This thoughtful gift under $200 is a great piece of decor for their first apartment that they’re certain to keep for years to come.

Under $50

These are great gifts to keep on hand during grad season, especially with all of the upcoming graduation parties! One of my daughter’s favorite high school graduation gifts was personalized thank you notes and stationery. I’ve included a few personal safety items before, as we could all use those!

Under $100

I’ve found that gifts from the $50-$100 range are a bit more difficult to find. I love the below gifts, and you can never go wrong with this Mark & Graham graduation collection. This graduate keepsake box came very highly requested by one of my daughters friends, as were these blue light glasses!

Under $200

This is a great price point for closer graduates such as children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, etc. I love the idea of things they’ll use in their next endeavor such as a custom laptop sleeve, lunch box for work, or dopp kit.   

Trusted Retailers

Not seeing something you love? Below are a few of my favorite retailers for meaningful and high quality gifts at any price point!

Amazon, Anthropologie, Blue Print, Curio Press, Julie Vos, Katie Kime, Leatherology, Lo & Sons, Lo Home, Mark & Graham, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Paravel Travel, Pottery Barn, Saks Fifth Avenue, Target, Walmart, Weezie Towels, WH Hostess Social Stationary