Shopping for a gift for your favorite high school grad? This gift list has great ideas to help you in your hunt for the perfect gift.
I knew this day would come. But even though it’s just around the corner, it’s hard to believe.
My oldest child is graduating from high school just a few short weeks.
At this point, it still feels surreal amidst the busyness of planning and sports and college prep (Two-year school for the win), and all the last-minute details that define Senior year.
Truly, I am happy for her and thankful for all her achievements. And I’m saving my tears for college move-in day.
In the meantime, I have a fun party to plan and gifts to choose. So, I thought I’d come up with a big list of ideas for those of you who are in the same boat.
So whether you’re also watching your baby don the cap and gown this year, or cheering on other grads, I hope you find this list of graduation gifts for girls a helpful tool!
Best High School Graduation Gifts for Girls
Browse our list of just-for-fun and need-to-have gift ideas for high school girls who are graduating and leaving the nest.
Claw clips
My teen girls have a million claw clips, and they don't seem to be going out of style anytime soon. These new flat claw clips are nice because they can lounge around more comfortably in them.
Pampering Foot Treatment
My teen girls both love to pamper themselves at home. These products are a good alternative to pricey pedicures.
Professional Nail Care Tools
Since I'm not sending all my nail care items with my daughter to college - a kit like this one is a practical idea!
Pepper Spray
My daughter already has one of these since she works an after-school job with late hours, but in my opinion, it's a must have for college girls. Just be sure to teach them how to use it!
Wristlet lanyard wallet
A lot of girls (like mine) don't like carrying a purse, so a wristlet or lanyard is a good alternative to keep things organized.
Pajamas Set
Nice, new pajamas make a wonderful, practical gift for any high school grad, but especially those preparing to live on campus.
Kendra Scott Pendant Necklace
These necklaces are another favorite among our girls. I think every graduate should have a nice piece of jewelry to leave home with.
Cloud Slides
A cute, trendy slip-on shoe that both of my teens love.
Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap
For girls with long hair, these make a great, inexpensive gift that helps them save time on drying and styling hair.
Large Bath Towels
Plush, oversized towels are a must for graduates starting out on their own.
Phone Chargers
We tend to share allll the phone chargers in our house, so I'm definitely loading up my teen with a pack of these before she leaves for school.
Sonic Electric Toothbrush
We recently bought these Burst toothbrushes and really like them so far. This one is great for travel, and it's rechargeable (no batteries needed). P.S., the Burst black floss is awesome, too!
CSB Study Bible
A quality Study Bible (that's also beautiful) always makes a nice gift.
Scrapbook Photo Album Kit
An old-fashioned scrapbook is a great idea for organizing photos, sentimental items, and newspaper clippings.
Flexible Laundry Basket
Laundry baskets that can be stashed under a bed are perfect for small spaces like dorm rooms.
Travel Hair Dryer
A small, compact hair dryer can easily fit in travel bags going back and forth to school.
Desk Lamp
A small desk lamp- or could be used as a bedside table lamp- is perfect for studying, and this one includes charging ports.
Apple Watch SE
This is one of the least expensive Apple watches, but we love them at our house. They're a good way to see important notifications, without getting sucked into scrolling social media. So kids can put their phone away and focus on class or studying - with fewer distractions.
Stanley The Quick Flip GO Bottle
Brands don't matter much to me, but I found a few of these particular water bottles on sale at Christmas last year and they've been great so far. Kids can throw them into their backpack without worrying about leaks.
Laptop Backpack
A cute backpack with a protective laptop sleeve is a great investment for college bound kids.
Mini Fridge
It's the quintessential college staple! If you're shopping for a kid living on campus without a kitchen, they will thank you for this generous gift.
DASH Air Fryer Oven
The small size is perfect for dorm rooms, and a great way to reheat most leftovers (instead of using a microwave).
Keurig K-Mini Plus
For coffee/ tea drinkers, a Keurig is a must. Late night studying requires caffeine!
Luggage Set
Nice luggage is something my teen is sorely lacking, and I know she'd love a set like this when she travels with her sports team!
Belt Bag
Perfect for running quick errands, and they're more secure than wearing a purse.
Lip Oil
My daughter tells me lip oils are "big" right now. So this one might be a great gift-basket-filler for makeup lovers.
Lip Balm
And if lip oil seems a little too fancy, go for some nice-smelling lip balm like this set.
Makeup organizer bag
Another handy travel bag, or use for various school supplies, charging cords, etc.
Cleaning Supplies Caddy
Fill it with cleaning supplies, or their favorite bath and body products.
Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets can help anyone sleep better, especially when they're away from home.
Turkish Beach Towels
These oversized towels are SO nice not only poolside, but for studying outdoors.
Makeup Remover Cloths
These washcloths are coveted in our house, and I'm definitely packing some in my daughter's bag. They've always saved us money versus buying the disposable makeup remover towelettes.
CLIF BAR - Energy Bars
For busy college (or working) kids on the go, we like Clif bars and similar protein bars for snacking.
Trail Mix Variety Pack
Stock up your favorite grad with some healthy snacks like these trail mix variety packs.
Grandma's Cookies, Variety Pack
These are for the kids who might miss mom's baking, now and then.
DoorDash eGift Card
When they can't be home for dinner, bring the dinner to them with DoorDash.
Magnetic Key Hider
Have a teen who frequently gets locked out of their car? They need this.
Visa Gift Card
Help them fill the gas tank for weekends at home! It's really a gift for their parents.
Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
My daughter really likes these headphones she received as a gift recently. They cancel out noise, which can be really helpful as a study aid.
Car Registration and Insurance Card Holder
Such a small item that can prevent big headaches! As my daughter travels farther from home, I want to make sure she can easily find these documents if she ever needs them (along with our emergency roadside assistance info).
Razor kit
Quality razors just aren't very affordable for anyone, much less college kids. I plan to stash these in her suitcase.
First Aid Kit
A really practical gift for graduates. Make sure they have all the essentials, including headache relief, bandages, etc.
Cork Board
If their new space allows, a large framed corkboard is a fun way to display favorite photos and more. (We have this one at home for displaying artwork.)
Ziploc Big Bag, Large
These huge bags have a handle and they're ideal for storing away bulky items in a closet or under the bed.
Space Saving Hangers
I have not used these personally, but they seem like a great solution for cramped dorm closets!
Let us know in the comments what types of things you’re gifting to your favorite graduates this year!
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