The 31 best high school graduation gifts for him, from a quality speaker to dorm essentials
The closest thing to a “college instruction manual” is the New York Times bestselling book, The Naked Roommate. Author Harlan Cohen has been in the college-advice business since he was a student. He stays current by visiting college campuses and talking to students and administrators nationwide. This is a book your son can keep on the shelf and refer to often about ANY questions he has in college, including a “naked roommate.”
21 Popular High School Graduation Gifts for Him (2023)
High school graduation is one of life’s significant accomplishments and one that friends and family will want to celebrate with a gift. This list includes our favorite gift ideas for guys and consists of sentimental and practical choices. Are you shopping for your son’s best buds? Here are some wonderful ideas for grad gifts for your teen’s friends. If you have girls on your list, here are some of our favorite grad gifts for the young women in your life. Note: Grown and Flown is reader-supported, and we receive compensation when you order through some of the links in this post.
High school graduation gifts for him
1.Fanatics College Fan Gear
Your new grad will love to receive college gear, and Fanatics is the #1 site to shop for officially licensed logo clothing and accessories from more than 500 colleges and pro teams. T-shirts, hats, hoodies, sneakers, and more make THIS site your go-to for collegiate gear.
2. Project Repat T-Shirt Quilt
Take that stack, OK… a drawer full of t-shirts from camp, class days, sports teams, and more, and send them off to Project Repat so they can make a unique, highly-personal gift for your son. The t-shirt quilt, a helpful ice-breaker at college, can be hung on the wall or on his bed. Available to custom-order in several sizes.
3. Pottery Barn Bedding Bundle
There are dozens of places to shop for twin xl bedding, but one site you should explore is Pottery Barn Teen. The high quality, a wide range of price points, and sustainable practices that go into the manufacturing of Pottery Barn items make it an excellent destination to shop for dorm essentials and decor. Guys can sometimes be less enthusiastic about dorm shopping, so consider gifting this bundle that will cross off many items from his dorm to-do list. It includes a comforter, sham, and Twin L sheet set.
4. The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College
The closest thing to a “college instruction manual” is the New York Times bestselling book, The Naked Roommate. Author Harlan Cohen has been in the college-advice business since he was a student. He stays current by visiting college campuses and talking to students and administrators nationwide. This is a book your son can keep on the shelf and refer to often about ANY questions he has in college, including a “naked roommate.”
5. IKEA Frakta Blue Bag
We cannot say enough great things about these bags. They are our #1 recommendation for college move-in and move-out for ALL FOUR YEARS. They are durable and inexpensive, especially compared with luggage. Your son can store bulky bedding or off-season clothes in one of these bags during the school year. If you want to add to the gift, fill it with new towels and laundry detergent to encourage him to remember to get to the laundry room occasionally.
6. Let him choose what he wants with Snappy
There are no secrets here: 1) teens are hard to shop for 2) they are always right. This is why Snappy is a terrific option for gifting. The platform sends personalized gift choices — for any budget or occasion. In this case, he can choose his item from a collection of high school grad gifts that Grown and Flown and Snappy curated to make your life a little easier. #whatagreatidea
7. Anker Phone Charger
College students are on the go, from their first classes in the morning to dinner, homework, and socializing at night. While finding a plug to recharge a phone can often be inconvenient, this lightweight and portable battery charger can come to the rescue to help keep his phone working 24/7.
8. Conair Handheld Steamer
My son loves this steamer he borrowed from a roommate for graduation and only wished he had taken one to school with him as a freshman. Dry clothes can sit in the dryer for hours before they are reclaimed from the laundry room, and the only hope for looking ironed is this steamer. (See above for the steamed side vs. the one with all the wrinkles.)
9. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…and Maybe the World
Admiral William H. McRaven (Ret) wrote one of the all-time best commencement speeches he delivered at the University of Texas. His speech was later made into a slender book that quickly became a New York Times bestseller. His wise words will give your son all the advice he needs to launch into the next phase of his life — college, work, or the military.
10. 1MORE SonoFlow Noise Cancelling Headphones
Dorms (and roommates) are noisy, and having a great set of earphones will help your son concentrate when he is trying to study in his room. These are the top-rated in a lower-priced tier.
11. Target Sherpa Back Rest Pillow
Dorm beds are uncomfortable to sit on as most do not have headboards. An oversize pillow like this one from Target is a great grad gift, and your son will be grateful whenever he tries to study in bed.
12. Sentry Safe
We like the Sentry compact safe for a wallet, passport, meds, or other valuables since it’s small and has a cable that can be looped around a heavy piece of furniture.
13. Mattress Topper
One of my sons said that having a mattress topper was the single most crucial dorm item he owned, and he would even give up his backpack if he had to choose between it and the topper. Lucid’s gel memory foam topper is among the most popular in the Grown and Flown community. It will transform a somewhat gross, brick-like dorm mattress into a comfortable sleeping place.
14. YETI Tumbler
If your son is a coffee drinker and wants to savor a hot cup of coffee FOR HOURS, the YETI mug is for him. It is stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation, meaning cold drinks stay cold for hours. Teens and young adults will love receiving a YETI mug as a grad gift. Available in iconic stainless or vibrant hues, look for one that matches your son’s college colors. There are also personalization options with initials or college logos. This is a tremendous and long-lasting gift!
15. Apollo Tool Set
This 39-piece tool set comes with all the accessories your son can use in his dorm this year and in apartments in the future. This is considered one of our must-haves to make move-in day go smoothly, so keep it close at hand when it is time to pack.
16. Monogrammed Wallet
This is an upgrade to a more adult carrying money and cards style. This handsome bi-fold wallet from Leatherology is super-thin and will last him for years. Plus, personalization is such a nice touch for ANY gift.
17. UE (Ultimate Ears) Bluetooth Speaker
We love these Bluetooth speakers for their audio quality, design, colors, and durability — they are waterproof, dustproof, and can withstand an accidental drop. This is the top Bluetooth speaker recommended by the New York Times.
18. Spikeball
Spikeball is very popular on many campuses, and if your son had a set to take to college, he would likely find other Spikeball sports enthusiasts reasonably quickly.
19. Hydro Flask Water Bottle
College campuses have water bottle stations where students can fill their bottles, vastly reducing the use of disposable plastic bottles. Hydro Flask bottles come in many sizes and colors and keep hot and cold drinks at their temperature for hours.
20. Target Havianas Flip Flops
Flip-flops are a must for dorm life, especially in communal bathrooms. I love the variety of colors and patterns in Havaianas, and since they have slip-resistant soles, they are an excellent pick for college students.
21. Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Alexa will be there to answer your son’s questions about the weather, the time, and the scores, and it will play his favorite songs, audiobooks, and podcasts. The Echo Dot does so much more with this 5th gen version, making it an indispensable assistant to college students. Haven’t found what you want yet? Here’s more: Great Graduation Gift Ideas for High School Seniors – Lots! 
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About Lisa Endlich Heffernan
Lisa (Endlich) Heffernan is the co-founder of Grown and Flown, the #1 site for parents of teens, college students and young adults, reaching millions of parents every month. Lisa is a New York Times bestselling author.
She started the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook Group and is co-author of Grown and Flown: How to Support Your Teen, Stay Close as a Family, and Raise Independent Adults (Flatiron Books) now in paperback.
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The 31 best high school graduation gifts for him, from a quality speaker to dorm essentials
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Graduating from high school is one of the first major life events that feels appropriately “major.” To commemorate this significant milestone, finding the best high school graduation gifts for him is essential.
It’s also a time when the requirements for the scary and exciting years to come likely outstrip his budget. When I graduated high school, the money I made at the upscale pizza restaurant in town didn’t seem adequate for textbooks and the simple pleasures, like nice headphones to block out noise in the library, or more adult accessories like a nice messenger bag, presentable blazer, or office-appropriate backpack.
The good news is that gifts for recent high school graduates can solve a lot of problems (or just offer a fun way to celebrate a big milestone). With that in mind, we rounded up 40 thoughtful and practical high school graduation gifts for him below.
A coffee maker for their morning cup
KitchenAid Showerhead Coffee Maker
If his future includes work or study (or, honestly, just everyday life), he’ll probably love a brand-new coffee maker that makes an excellent cup of drip coffee in the morning. This one is the best version you can buy on a budget, but you can read more about it — and other models we like — in our buying guide to the best coffee makers.
A packable blanket for hanging in the quad
Rumpl Blanket
If he’s headed to college, he will probably be spending a fair share of Saturdays sprawled out on the quad’s grass. This blanket is perfect for the occasion — it’s packable, machine- and dryer-safe, and water-resistant.
Read our full review on camping essentials.
School spirit merch for game days
Fanatics Gift Card
If your graduate is headed to college, give him the college gear he’ll wear on game days, like a sweatshirt, tee, or baseball cap. We recommend browsing Fanatics — it’s full of clothing, hats, bags, balls, games, and drinkware for NCAA schools.
A backpack they can carry work or schoolwork in
Bellroy Transit Workpack
Gift them a comfortable, no-nonsense backpack they can take from school to an internship. If you are interested in other products from them check out our Bellroy review.
Money for ordering takeout
GrubHub Gift Card
No one wants to cook a well-rounded meal every night after work or schoolwork. Give him the gift of takeout every once in a while.
A great streaming device
Roku Ultra
The Roku Ultra stands out from other streaming device options thanks to its 4K and HDR support, speed, reliability, and large library of streaming services (Netflix, HBO Max, Rakuten Viki, and more.). Plus, if your graduate wants to watch TV on the big screen without disturbing anyone, it comes with headphones for private listening.
Read the full review of the Roku Ultra in our best streaming stick guide.
A Bluetooth speaker his friends will appreciate
Sonos Move
The Sonos Move is the best Bluetooth speaker you can buy, according to our experts. It has excellent sound quality, a good battery life that can last up to 11 hours on the go, and convenient smart features such as connecting to smart assistants from Amazon and Google. It’ll be useful for hosting friends at their place.
A convenient bedside caddy
Za fit Five Pockets Bedside Caddy
An ideal gift for the graduate who loves to lounge in bed. This five-pocket bedside caddy keeps his computer, water, snacks, and more within arm’s reach.
A multicooker
Instant Pot DUO 60 7-in-1 Multicooker
The Instant Pot is great because it makes delicious meals accessible to anyone, no matter their experience or space constraints. Plus, it comes with an app that features 100s of easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, including roast chicken and mac-and-cheese. And, don’t worry: today’s pressure cookers are much safer than the old-fashioned stovetop models.
Check out our guide to the best pressure cookers.
A Disney Plus subscription
Disney Plus Subscription
Moving on to college is all about academics and socializing, but he’ll definitely have some downtime in the dorm room. With everything from classic Disney movies and shows to “Star Wars” and Marvel movies, a Disney Plus subscription is a sure way to stay entertained.
Learn more about Disney Plus in our review.
Mara Leighton is a senior digital culture reporter. If you want to get in touch, please send an email to [email protected], or send a DM on twitter to @maraleighton.
Amir Ismael is an editor for Insider Reviews, Insider’s e-commerce branch of the service journalism team. As a collector of sneakers and fashion, Amir is passionate about all things related to style. He’s covered everything including the industry’s shift to producing more sustainable clothing, the most comfortable loungewear, all of the best places to shop for affordable business casual attire, and more. He’s used his expertise in footwear and the footwear industry to review all kinds of shoes from sportswear giants, well-known casual brands, and startups. Amir’s coverage also includes eyewear, watches, and grooming products like electric razors and men’s skincare. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Amir has led Insider Reviews’ face masks coverage with thoughtful recommendations based on CDC guidelines, expert opinions, and his own testing. During his time at Insider, Amir previously handled deals of the day coverage, and worked as a generalist writing hundreds of reviews ranging from phone cases and headphones to bed sheets and blenders, and has also covered major shopping holidays including Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Before joining the Insider Reviews team in 2017, worked as a freelance writer for Complex Sneakers and Sole Collector where he contributed to daily sneaker news and release dates, feature-length articles, and interviews with artists, designers, and athletes. Amir graduated from William Paterson University in 2015 with a degree in journalism and public relations. Say hello to Amir at [email protected] or on Instagram @amirjismael. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test style and beauty products.
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