Best ideas on what to gift a graduate that you probably wouldn’t have thought of!
This post is all about high school graduation gifts for him.
If you know a guy graduating high school this year, chances are you want to find high school graduation gifts for him that are useful, meaningful, memorable, and worth your money.
I’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re looking for inexpensive high school graduation gift ideas or you wanna splurge for the graduating guy you know, this list will give you ideas that he will truly appreciate.
As someone with a brother who just graduated high school, I’ve done my due diligence with searching for great gifts for high school boys. Here are the best graduation gifts I’ve found… Whether you’re looking for a practical gift or a fun gift, I’ve got it all here!
One thing you can give him for free is our college packing list which hundreds of students have used to make sure they don’t forget anything when they head off to college! This is perfect to pair with any high school graduation gifts for him.
This post is all about high school graduation gifts for him.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Our full disclosure policy is pretty boring, but you can read it here.
BEST HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION GIFTS FOR HIM:
A professional laptop bag is one of the most brilliant high school graduation gifts for him ideas.
Why?
Not only does this gift say "welcome to the real world," it's also a super practical item that will come in handy for professional events, networking, interviews, or really just anytime he wants to look a little more professional.
A nice belt may sound a little random, but it's not.
In fact, here's where I got this idea:
I asked a guy I know who recently graduated high school what he wanted at graduation. A nice belt was the first thing he said!
It may not seem that graduation-y, but any guy would love a nice new belt to wear everyday.
Many students love using their iPads to take notes in college!
If the guy you're shopping for prefers technology to paper, then he will love a new iPad and Apple Pencil.
If the guy you're shopping for doesn't already have AirPods, he will absolutely love getting a pair for graduation!
These are useful in general, but especially in college they're super convenient to have so that he can listen to music or podcasts without needing to be attached to his phone all the time.
Many students are OBSESSED with weighted blankets right now, and I can attest that they are amazing.
Weighted blankets are said to be good for helping you sleep better and relieve stress. This is perfect for any college students because good sleep is absolutely key when you're a student!
When it comes to figuring out what to gift a high school graduate, you really can't go wrong with a good ol' finance book.
Unshakeable by Tony Robbins has great reviews and is the perfect graduation gift for any guy who wants to start out his life on the right path financially.
Yet another sleep related gift!!
So, by these suggestions, you can obviously tell how important sleep is for any young man entering college and how hard it can be to get a good sleep when you're living in a dorm room.
This is one of those classic college games that every. single. student. plays.
He'll be everyone's favorite person if he has this game on hand!
A duffel bag is perfect for so many things from the gym to a weekend away with friends.
Every college guy needs one of these!
If you know the guy you're shopping for likes to smell good, then you really can't go wrong with a classic cologne like this!
My partner has this cologne and it smells so good.
An espresso machine is one of the best high school graduation gifts from parents!
It's perfect for the coffee-loving college student (which, let's face it, 99% of college students are).
I had this exact espresso machine throughout college and absolutely loved it. PLUS my boyfriend was obsessed with it, so you know it's a good gift for a coffee-lovin' guy!
I've tried other small/affordable espresso machines in the past, and this one was by far my favorite. The price is great for everything it comes with.
It's not big either, so he can easily keep it in his dorm room and it really only takes 5 minutes to make a great latte with this!
If he prefers to keep things simple when it comes to coffee, this Keurig mini is a great option for quick coffee making in college and it's perfect for a dorm room or small apartment!
These are the best backpacks ever!
Both guys and girls LOVE these and they are the best college backpack you can get in my opinion.
I got one right before I started college (sadly not as a grad gift in my case) and it is seriously the best backpack I have ever owned. They're trendy, durable, practical, and insanely comfortable.
Even when my backpack is carrying 10239709132970 pounds, my back feels totally fine with this bag.
Ok, what more do I even need to say about this?!
This is one of the best high school graduation gifts for him because no guy would be disappointed receiving this!
Lots of college and high school students like to carry around a speaker basically everywhere they go.
That's why this waterproof bluetooth speaker is one of the best high school graduation gifts for him! It's the perfect graduation gift idea because he'll always be the one with a great speaker and he can even use it in the shower or the rain.
Oil diffusers are so soothing... both the sound of them when they're on and the smell of the oils. It's hard to find time to relax in college (or, let's be honest, shut your brain off long enough to actually rest) but oil diffusers are so relaxing.
So, this is one of the most foolproof high school graduation gifts for him!
What guy doesn't want to look clean and put-together as he starts his journey of adulthood?
This watch is so classy and goes with everything, so it's sure to look good on any guy!
If he wants something less classic and more multi-purpose, an Apple Watch is the way to go. So much you can do on that thing!
A Fitbit is perfect for any health-obsessed who wants to stay fit, whether he's going to college or not. I can't think of a single guy I know who wouldn't appreciate a Fitbit, making this one of the best high school graduation gifts for guys.
Here's another dorm room essential. An air purifier is a great way to go, especially if he's sensitive to dust.
He'll enjoy it both before he moves out and once he's settled into his first dorm or apartment!
Grabbing a blazer like this is a smart move for any college guy. You never know when an opportunity might arise that could really benefit your career, so it's always wise to have a great blazer on hand. This way, he won't be caught scrambling at the last minute!
Having a portable charger will come in so handy when he's spending long days on campus.
Walking around a lot means that you aren't always at an outlet long enough for your phone to charge up. Plus, on nights out, a portable charger can easily become a great tool for safety's sake so that you always have a charged phone.
Noise-cancelling headphones for those late night study sessions when you just don't want the chatter in the hallway or your roommate's phone conversation to bother you!
(Plus, big headphones like this clearly say "I'm studying, don't bother me!!")
But honestly, these are great for any recent high school grad whether he'll be attending college or not.
25. Money
If you don’t really want to risk getting him the wrong thing, just give him money.
When it comes to high school graduation gifts how much money you give him is another big question. Honestly, you probably already have a pretty good idea about how much you want to spend on him, so just go with your gut.
Another option is to find inexpensive high school graduation gift ideas, and get him something small along with however much cash you’re prepared to give him on top of that.
If you're looking for budget graduation gift ideas, this is less expensive than a lot of the other options on this list but still great quality. And, it's something you'll be guaranteed he uses everyday. Everyone needs a good stainless steel water bottle!
Is it just me, or does every guy seem to carry around old, tattered-looking wallets for years before finally caving and getting a new one?
Make sure he doesn't head off into the real world with an old, worn-out wallet! Just grab him one of these really nice Timberland wallets. They're only around $20 but they're just what he needs!
(My boyfriend has had one of these wallets since college and he still loves it!)
If he loves reading, this is a must-have for him.
But even if he's not the hugest fan of reading for fun, he'll be doing a lot of it if he's going to college, and a Kindle will make that so much easier!
A Kindle is one of the best products my boyfriend and I have both gotten for college because we save so much money on books since they're cheaper on Kindle. And obviously, we have to buy lots of books for classes, so the savings really do add up over time.
Plus, they're easy to make notes on, highlight things, etc. I really didn't think I would like reading digitally but my Kindle quickly became my best study buddy in college.
I feel like shaving kits have to be on every gift guide for guys. This is one of the easiest gifts for high school students that you can be certain he'll use!
It'll also save him from having to buy this stuff himself, and saving money is always a plus when you're in your early adulthood.
If the guy you're shopping for lives in a cold climate (or will be moving to one), an all-purpose winter jacket is a must!
As someone who lives in a cold climate, you can trust me when I say that I know a good winter coat when I see one. This LL Bean winter coat for men is a great high school graduation gift for guys! So worth the money.
Having a nice toiletries bag is a must for any young man, whether he likes travelling or whether he'll be living in a dorm room soon.
This is a high-quality, classic toiletry bag that you can personalize with his name!
33. Take him on a shopping spree
Every high school graduate will want to update their wardrobe before heading to college.
It’s a good idea for him to get some business casual attire as well for on-campus events or possible internships/interviews.
So, not only is a shopping spree a GREAT gift, it’s also an amazing way to spend some quality time with him while he’s still at home. If he’s not interested in buying clothes, you can do a dorm room shopping spree instead!
Carhartt beanies are really popular and tons of guys love wearing them, so a beanie like this is a great option of what to get him for grad!
A custom stainless steel pocket knife like this is the perfect personalized item for graduation day!
A personalized duffel bag is a great graduation gift because it will be so handy for any guy leaving for college soon.
He can use this anytime he comes home to visit for holidays, or even for going to the gym or spending the night at a friend's place!
Adding a personalized touch makes it a great gift for high school seniors who just graduated to make it that much more special.
This personalized controller dock is perfect for college boys who love gaming. It's got such a sleek design and this is a fun way to give him something that will help him keep his dorm room organized amid his busy life and hobbies.
Every guy needs a few pairs of great jeans for their adult life. Levi's jeans last so long, making it such a practical graduation gift!
A personalized tool bag is an excellent gift for teenage boys about to graduate who like to be handy. This would also be a great housewarming gift for any high school graduate about to move into his first apartment!
Air fryers are great for any young adults moving into their first apartment in a new place. They make cooking so convenient and easy.
This is the air fryer I have. I've been using it regularly for two years now and it works great!
The one thing to note about air fryers is that they're not a great gift for teen boys about to move into a college dorm because they likely won't be allowed to use this in their dorm room.
An Ember mug is one of the best gifts for any coffee-loving soon-to-be college boy who's about to have lots of late night study sessions!
This is one of the most popular fitness trackers right now! It's such a compact size and so easy to wear, it will become his new best friend.
I know we've already talked about bluetooth waterproof speakers, but this is another great option! These Bose speakers are so popular right now and they come in various colors.
If you're looking for electronic devices he doesn't already have, this is likely a great option!
A carry on suitcase is a useful gift for any recent grad who will be moving a plane ride away from home, and this is one of the most high-quality popular travel brands right now!
Spikeball is such a fun game. If you're looking for unique high school graduation gifts for him, this is a great option!
Lululemon ABC pants are one of the best gifts for guys!
They're so comfortable. You can dress them up and they look proper, or you can dress them down with a hoodie. They're honestly great for any occasion!
Any guy will make good use of some nice athletic shorts!
LED lights will be the perfect addition to his new dorm when he heads off to college!
Every guy needs a good pair of cozy slippers! These are perfect to keep him cozy and comfy at home.
Every young adult likes TV, so why not get him a Roku stick?!
If you're shopping for someone outdoorsy, some new camping gear is a thoughtful gift idea for him to use this summer!
A phone docking station like this is really helpful for anyone living in a small space. You can keep your phone, credit cards, wallet, earbuds, or anything else you need in a spot where you'll always be able to easily find it.
A mattress topper might not be the most unique gift, but it is certainly a must-have for any high school guy going into college. He'll be so grateful to have a comfy bed in his new space!
This crystal-clear acrylic desktop organizer is a great gift. He can see all the supplies he's got at his fingertips while keeping his desk organized and free of clutter.
This might not work for someone who is going into college and will be living in a dorm room, but if it makes sense, an electric sit-to-stand desk is seriously one of the best gifts you can get anyone who will be spending lots of time behind their desk.
Whether it's for working, studying, or building a business, this is one of the most perfect high school graduation gifts for the guy who spends lots of time at his desk!
This is another great desk organization tool for any working young man or future college student.
This desk pad is such high quality. It's both a practical and unique graduation gift!
59. Apparel of his sports team
Why not get a head start on showing some school spirit? If he’s on a sports team (or will be joining one in college), get him some apparel from his new school!
60. Gift a sports game or other experience
An experience is honestly the perfect gift for anyone graduating high school. It’s a great way to add an extra unique and memorable touch to his big day. Whether it’s tickets to a sports game, a concert, or some other event that he would love attending, gifting an experience will mean you get to create memories that last way beyond his high school or college years!
This sunrise alarm clock is great for any new grad who needs a little help waking up for work or school. You can set it to different colors and sounds, so he can make it what he wants!!