It's the season of graduation parties. For students, graduation is a monumental life accomplishment. For parents, it is a time for celebration and recognition (and maybe a few tears of happiness).
We find this time especially exciting for high school graduates who will begin their journey to adulthood and independence (or tailgate parties and midterm-cramming), otherwise known as college. If you're trying to figure out the best high school graduation gifts, you'll be glad to know we have the answer.
7 Great Gifts for High School Grads
1. Gift Cards
Many teens would say that the perfect gift is cold hard cash. While gifting money is always welcome, gifting the grad in your life a gift card adds a personal touch. Amazon and Walmart gift cards are welcome gifts for soon-to-be college students, so they can splurge on dorm room necessities and décor at their discretion.
2. Photo Album
If you're looking for a thoughtful gift, create a photo album for the student in your life. In an age of digital photography, having a physical keepsake of good times with family members and best friends from home will bring great comfort during a time of new beginnings. Be sure to leave room for the gift recipient to add more photos capturing memories from this new chapter in life.
3. University Swag
Grab some university swag, like jerseys and t-shirts, from the college your high school grad wants to attend.
4. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
College life—especially for freshmen living in dorms—often means noise. Noise from roommates, party goers, and more can all make it hard to sleep and study. Make it a little easier for your grad to drown out the extra noise with a nice pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
5. Custom Phone Case
A phone case is always a welcome grad gift. You can find truly customized cases for Apple iPhones and Samsung Androids, as well as other unique gifts like customized water bottles, from Etsy.
6. Practical Gifts
Tuition, room and board, and textbooks are all well-known costs of college. But everyday items like toiletries and laundry bags, as well as other practical items like carry-on-size duffle bags, also quickly add up. Getting practical items for the grad in your life can help him or her start the next chapter in life fully prepared so he or she can focus on what matters: learning and making new connections.
7. Comfy Sacks Bean Bag Chairs
Comfy Sacks are popular gifts for graduates because they are practical, durable, and comfortable! Dorm rooms offer a limited amount of space. When you give the special grad in your life a Comfy Sack, you also give the gift of extra seating, a rarity in college life. College dorms are social hubs, and your soon-to-be college student will create many fond memories in the comfort and security of his or her Sack.
If you're not quite sure which size Comfy Sack will make the best high school graduation gift, ask the college's housing department for the dimensions of the dorm rooms. More than likely, a 5-foot Comfy Sack will be the safest bet. It's a perfect size for dorms, but is still large enough to comfortably fit an adult.
All in all, just remember that the best graduation gift is one given with thought and care. And to all of the soon-to-be graduates out there, congratulations!