Best graduation gift ideas for the class of 2024
Shop gifts for college and high school graduates.
May 10, 2024, 8:57 AM
ABC News Photo Illustration
With the end of the school year on the horizon, your calendar may start filling up with graduation parties and ceremonies.
If you're a relative or a friend of a 2024 graduate, you may be searching for a thoughtful graduation gift they'll love.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Consider the graduate's next steps. Are they headed into college? Are they entering the workforce? What are some gifts that suit their plans? While some gifts may be thoughtful, they may just take up space -- especially for high school graduates leaving home. In that case, for example, opt for something the graduate can use in their dorm or for the classroom that still feels personal. Or, if a recent college graduate has celebratory travel plans, for example, personalized travel gear and luggage may be suitable gifts.
ABC News Photo Illustration
Second, consider the graduate's personal style. There may be a lot of giftable clothing and accessory options, but if they don't suit the individual, they may not be put to good use. Similarly, if the graduate has any beloved hobbies, a graduation gift could encourage and enhance those skills.
We're rounding up college and high school graduation gifts to help you shop. There are customizable gifts from retailers like Uncommon Goods and Papier, for example, as well as gifts from other brands like Away, brooklinen, MasterClass, and Apple.
Continue below to shop.
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Graduation gifts for high school grads
Papier
Wonder Academic Year Planner
This academic hardcover planner is ideal for soon-to-be college students. It has space for their schedules, finance trackers, weekly planning pages and "month ahead" pages to document goals, to-dos and key dates. You can also personalize the planner to make it special. Plus, Papier offers over 200 academic planner designs so you can find one that best suits your grad's personality.
- $30
- Papier
Uncommon Goods
College Football Game Day Coaster Set
This college football coast set is great for the college football fan. It's also the perfect, easy-to-store gift for a high school graduate's new campus living space.
- $35
- Uncommon Goods
32% off
lululemon
restfeel Women's Slide
High school grads heading off to the dorms soon will greatly appreciate shower slides that are comfortable to wear and protect their feet from any unsavory germs they might encounter in communal showers. Gift them these recovery slides from lululemon that have dual density in the midsole for extra support and comfort.
- $39
- $58
- lululemon
31% off
brooklinen
Luxe Sateen Hardcore Sheet Bundle, White, Twin
Send your high school grad to college with this Luxe Sateen brooklinen sheet bundle. They have 4.5 stars and more than 22,600 reviews. The bundle includes one Core Sheet Set (a fitted sheet, flat sheet and two pillowcases), one duvet cover, and two extra pillowcases. Shop it in one of 13 color options to best suite their dorm room decor.
- $246.84
- $363
- brooklinen
Stanley
The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler | 40 oz.
A reusable water bottle they can carry from class to class. Gift it to a high school graduate in one of their new school's colors. Some colorways, like this iris option, are customizable using an image, text, monogram or graphic.
- $45
- Stanley
18% off
Amazon
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
These Apple active noise-canceling headphones are great for long study sessions at school. There's noise cancelation for focus and transparency mode so you can hear what's happening in your environment. They feature memory foam ear cushions and boast up to 20 hours of listening. Gift them in one of the five available colorways on Amazon.
- $449.99
- $549
- Amazon
Amazon
PlayStation?5 console (slim)
For those non-studying hours coming up, recent grads are going to want something relaxing that lets them shake off their daily stress. Video games can provide a healthy outlet for exactly that, and the PlayStation 5 offers everything needed for an immersive, top-of-the-line experience. Lightning speed loading, incredible graphics, adaptive triggers and 3D audio are just a few of the ways this system takes the cake for many young players, and we're sure your recipient will appreciate the splurge.
- $499
- Amazon
18% off
Amazon
Casio Men's GA-100 XL Series G-Shock Quartz 200M WR Shock Resistant Watch
For moments when checking their phone is prohibited, awkward or simply inconvenient -- perhaps in class or while studying -- a watch is a must. The G-Shock is a durable and stylish option that comes in a variety of colors so you can best suit your recipient's taste.
- $76.82
- $94.12
- Amazon
39% to 40% off
Etsy
Personalized Graduation Custom Jewelry Dish by LoveSuna
This customizable graduation gift is ideal for a 2024 grad. Add their name, graduation year and a cute graduation cap in one of four text colors. It's great to keep on their bedside table to collect small jewelry in one place.
- $8.97 to $11.37
- $14.95 - $18.95
- Etsy
Dagne Dover
Dakota Neoprene Backpack
A stylish backpack for all of their classroom essentials. This neoprene Dagne Dover backpack can be hand-washed and features space for a laptop, shoes, gym clothes and more. It includes a shoe bag, dust bag and a laptop sleeve that fits most 16" laptops, according to Dagne Dover's site. Shop it in multiple colors, including Storm, Dark Moss, Camel and Onyx.
- $215
- Dagne Dover
Hoka
Transport X sneakers
These all-gender Hoka everyday sneakers are best for running, walking or general lifestyle wear. They're a great gift for graduates ready to explore a new city. The Transport X sneakers have a lightweight mesh upper, 360-degree reflectivity and midsole foam, among other features.
- $200
- Hoka
Our Place
Soup Bowls
This set of four handcrafted ceramic soup bowls are great to have on hand for quick meals in the dorm.
- $65
- Our Place
Graduation gifts for college grads
7% off
Best Buy
Hisense - 55" Class A6 Series LED 4K UHD HDR Smart Google TV
Whether your college grad is preparing to live on their own for the first time or upgrading their lifestyle as they enter the workforce, a new television could be a great way to help them settle into the changes to come. Hisense makes top-of-the-line electronics at an affordable price point, and their TVs have remarkably clear picture quality in a sleek, stylish package. You can go for the 55-inch model seen here as a great fit for smaller spaces or choose larger models in five-inch increments for an even more impressive home setup.
- $259.99
- $279.99
- Hisense
B?IS
The Work Tote
If your college graduate just got a job, this functional B?IS work tote may be just what their work wardrobe needs. It's made with vegan leather and features a compartmentalized interior with a padded laptop pocket, slip pockets, pen pockets and a removable pouch. It also has a trolley pass-through sleeve they can take on their travels.
- $128
- B?IS
Uncommon Goods
College Cityscape Wine Glasses - Set of 2
These college cityscape glasses are an ode to one's time at school. They're great to display on a bar cart or kitchen shelf. The glasses feature hand-drawn, 360-degree illustrations of campus buildings and landmarks. There's also a logo at the bottom of the glass.
- $38
- Uncommon Goods
Korchmar
Bellevue Leather Single Bottle Bag
For a sophisticated gift that will help them settle into post-grad life, gift them a monogrammed leather bottle bag so they can transport bottles to and from special occasions or dinner parties with style. It's handcrafted with American full-grain leather and has a padded interior for extra protection.
- $245
- Korchmar
Amazon
FLEXISPOT Adjustable Height Desk
This 4.5-star standing desk has over 9,000 reviews on Amazon. If your graduate is starting a new remote job and has an adjustable desk on their wishlist, this could be the perfect gift.
- $179.99
- Amazon
Brilliant Earth
6.5 In. Certified Lab Diamond Tennis Bracelet (1 ct. tw.), 18K White Gold
A classic piece of jewelry to celebrate your college graduate. This white gold tennis bracelet adds a little bit of sparkle to any occasion. Shop it in various carat weights, sizes and metal options at Brilliant Earth.
- $1750
- Brilliant Earth
Away
The Large Flex Suitcase
This 4.8-star suitcase is great for those with a lot to pack -- like a recent graduate. Whether they're moving into a new apartment or heading out on a travel adventure, this durable suitcase can hold the essentials and much more. It features 360-degree wheels, a TSA combination lock and an underside grab handle. There's also a hidden laundry bag for dirty clothes. It's a suitcase they'll use for years to come.
- $425
- Away
MasterClass
MasterClass subscription, per month
Your graduate will have access to over 200 classes across 11 categories with this MasterClass subscription. There are classes on acting from Steve Martin and Helen Mirren, on photography from Annie Leibovitz, on music from Ringo Starr, on science and technology from Neil deGrasse Tyson and James Cameron, to name a few. The subscription can bring to life a new hobby or encourage development in a new career path.
- $10 to $20
- MasterClass
20% off
Williams Sonoma
Ember Mug 2
An Ember temperature-controlled mug is a great gift for a new grad to keep on their desk at work. It's designed to keep hot beverages "at your ideal sipping temperature" and can be adjusted using a mobile app. You can also add a name or monogram through Williams Sonoma's website for an extra $15.
- $119.95
- $149.95
- Williams Sonoma
15% to 21% off
Etsy
Personalized Leather Padfolio by PEGAI
This custom leather portfolio cover is a beautiful gift for a recent grad entering the workplace. It's available in 10 colors, including charcoal black, chestnut, mahogany and green. It can hold a standard legal pad and has a sleeve for a ben, business cards and additional papers. Add a personal touch with a monogram unique to the graduate.
- $83.30 to $106.96
- $106.40 - $127.20
- Etsy
Mark & Graham
Fillmore Vegan Leather Luggage Tag and Passport Case
For the graduate heading out on an adventure. This cool, customizable luggage tag and passport case set adds a personal touch to their travel gear. Choose from 12 color options to best suit their style.
- $79
- Mark & Graham
29% off
Crate & Barrel
Nespresso Lattissima One Silky White Espresso Machine by De'Longhi
This Nespresso Lattissima machine is ideal for college graduates in their new chapter. It makes espresso or frothy coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. Shop it one white or black to match their new kitchen space.
- $279.97
- $399.95
- Crate & Barrel
