It’s that time when your senior graduates from high school. Other than the graduation, you might be thinking about what to get them. Planning for high school senior gifts may be a struggle, but it doesn’t have to be.
Congratulations! It’s the next chapter in their life and another step towards a new journey. I know it can be tough to get something with a limited budget, but it can still be a spectacular gift!
Here are some of the most thoughtful and useful high school senior gifts that you can get for your graduating senior.
It’s the thought that counts, but these gift ideas go above and beyond just a gift.
Not only will it prepare them for the next stage of their adventure, but also take into account what they will actually need and use. These high school senior gifts are suitable for going to college or starting a new journey in their life.
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Top High School Senior Gifts for Graduation Under $25
1. Cute Tote Bag
Pick up a cute tote bag for their next adventure. There are a ton of colors to choose from and goes well with ANY outfit.
Once they graduate, it will be pretty useful to have a sturdy bag to hold their daily essentials. This is perfect for storing their wallet, keys, lip balm, phone, and small items.
Plus, it comes in two sizes so you can grab one that you think will match their needs the most.
You can’t go wrong with either size since the small one is great for shopping, going to the movies, and taking walks.
The larger size is great for classes, outdoor picnics, and study sessions.
Personally, I will go with the creamy color since it matches well with anything, but the black color is great for hiding messes. If you know your senior gets their items dirty quickly, opt for a darker color bag.
You can place this tote bag in colorful tissue paper and put it in a gift bag or box to make it look fancier. It will also add an element of surprise and increase the excitement of unwrapping the gift.
2. Blazer
Once your senior graduates, they will be involved in more professional settings.
It is nice to have a blazer for any college events, career fairs, or organizations. If they have internships or office-related tasks, then a casual blazer will be super helpful.
You can explore the different colors and sizes, but I recommend going for darker colors like navy blue or black. For a more business casual look, I recommend khaki or pastel colors.
These can be paired with a pair of trousers or dark denim jeans for those formal occasions. Also, double-check the sizing and measurements to make sure you aren’t getting the wrong size.
It’s a good idea to size up if you are unsure since blazers tend to be tighter around the shoulder area.
You can spray a few squirts of perfume or nice scents on the blazer before gifting it. This way there will be a nice aroma when they open the present.
3. Hydro Flask
If your senior doesn’t already have a nice water bottle, a hydro flask will be a great choice. It is BPA-free and toxin-free so you can rest assured that your senior is sipping from a clean bottle.
Not only does it come in a bunch of fun colors, but it is also super sturdy. It keeps your water cool for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours.
Gifting a water bottle is quite helpful since it will remind them to drink more water.
I can’t stress enough how important water is for functioning and it keeps us hydrated. It can be easy to forget to drink water, but having a nice water bottle will motivate them to drink more water.
This hydro flask comes in several sizes, so it can hold different capacities and comes with a great lid. I did notice myself drinking more water after getting a hydroflask. It might be because of its presence or the fact that water does seem to taste cooler in that bottle.
Interested in more gift ideas? Check out College Freshman Gifts That Are Actually Useful.
4. Electric Hot Pot
Some of my favorite high school senior gifts are food related like this electric hot pot!
If your senior is going to college and living in dorms, then this electric hot pot will be a lifesaver.
They can basically cook anything in this pot from ramen to rice to soups and anything that you can think of.
There are several functions like stir fry, saute, roast, cook, and brew. Cook up spaghetti, soups, fried rice, hot pot, or breakfast foods all in this electric hot pot.
It is easy to store and simple to clean. Having a multi-purpose cooking appliance is so helpful for taking care of your cooking needs.
Don’t worry about your senior eating dining hall food every day and they will also have time to practice their cooking skills.
This is so convenient for late-hour cravings or all-nighters. Even though it is bad to stay up, college is the time to experience late-night study sessions and all-nighters.
And what to do when the dining halls are closed? Well, you make and prepare your food.
My freshman year was filled with exciting and unforgettable memories of trying to cook in my triple dorm. Looking back, this is one of those things that I wished I had in my first year.
It would have made prepping meals so much easier instead of relying on the microwave so much.
5. Humidifier
This humidifier is portable and perfect for the dry seasons. There are several mist options and last a long time.
Since it is chargeable through a USB-cord, you can plug it into your laptop to charge.
Eliminate any cough, dry throat, congestion, dry skin, and cold with this humidifier. It will help your senior feel moisturized and relaxed with this humidifier nearby.
This humidifier comes in many colors and you only need to press one button to control it.
If your senior has chapped lips or dry skin all the time, this would be a great graduation present for them.
It’s also nice to have for ambiance and relaxation when they get stressed.
6. Burrito Blanket
Who doesn’t love funny food blankets? These blankets come in different options like pizza, waffle, and the classic burrito!
You can never have enough blankets or throws for college or apartments, so this is a great gift for your senior.
It can be used for snuggling, cuddling, movie nights, chilly days, and sleeping. Who wouldn’t want to have a fun blanket to lounge in?
Plus, it is such a great conversation starter and compliment-attracting magnet.
This is just such a cute and yummy present that your senior is guaranteed to love.
I can go on and on about the burrito blanket, but I don’t need to because it speaks for itself!
7. Boba Plush
This may be random, but plush is such a nice gift. This might be biased, but I still love stuffed toys and plush no matter how old I get.
There’s just something magical about them that makes you happier by staring at it.
And it is great for leaning on, hugging, or punching (perfect stress reliever). Yes, punch it since it is soft and squishable.
There are a ton of fun options and colors, so there is a lot to choose from.
This can be placed on their bed or the couch for lounging on. And look at it. Isn’t it so cute? It’s so squishy and fluffy and everything nice.
A lot of students are collecting squishmallows too so if your senior likes squishmallows, then you can also get them one of those.
Need more high school senior gift ideas? Check out 25 Best High School Senior Gift Ideas.
8. Portable Blender
I have a portable blender during my freshman year of college and it was such a convenience.
You just need a banana, some strawberries, and milk to whip up a healthy smoothie. It was one of the best things I ever received for college.
I still use it to this day and it has made my mornings so much easier. Whenever I was running late for class with not enough time to make food, I can just whip up a smoothie in seconds.
Yes, in seconds since I usually have my fruits stored nearby in my fridge and all I need to do is chuck it in the blender. Press a button, blend, then grab it to go.
I highly recommend getting a portable blender for students going into college since it saves a lot of time and doesn’t require a lot of space.
It’s especially convenient for college students living in dorms since they likely won’t have a kitchen space. Small appliances like portable blenders and all-in-one hot pots are perfect for dorm spaces and small living areas.
9. Face Mask Set
If your senior care a lot about their skin or conscious about pimples or blackheads, gifting them a mask set will help target those issues.
Whenever I finish midterms and finals or the day before a special event, I like to dive into a face mask.
The cool feeling right after a hot shower or bath just makes everything feel right. If your senior is very conscious of their skin, you can consider gifting them skincare products as their graduation gift.
However, I do recommend that you check and compare different brands and their functions first because each person’s skin type is different.
I tried and tested several brands and products before I found the right ones for my skin.
Some other great gift ideas are self-care products. It’s very easy to forget about yourself in college so having some self-care products can really let them relax and take a breather once in a while.
Hopefully, these high school senior gifts are helpful and useful for your senior. They are all the essentials and amazing items that I have gotten or wished I had after graduating high school.
These are awesome gift ideas and I am sure that your senior will be happy to see their graduation gift.
