21 Graduation Gift Ideas for the Class of 2024

Because the tassel was worth the hassle!

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April 10, 2024

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Graduating from school is one of life’s biggest accomplishments. Whether someone in your inner circle is bidding farewell to kindergarten, high school, college or graduate school, they deserve a gift that adequately rewards them for all their years of test-taking and studying. Since graduation season is right around the corner, we took the liberty of putting together the ultimate list of the best graduation gifts for high school and college graduates, plus some food-themed gifts for food lovers of all ages and grade levels. Here’s to the class of 2024!

Gifts for High School Grads

$27.99
Photo Courtesy Amazon

Every college student needs a sturdy water bottle for trekking across campus. These Owala stainless steel bottles are a favorite among Gen Z and come in a variety of hues to suit their new school colors or vibrant personality.

$20
Photo Courtesy Amazon

Heating up leftovers in takeout containers probably isn't the best idea. This lunch container from W&P can be taken on-the-go or stored in a mini fridge making it ideal for a meal when they get tired of dining hall food.

$14.48 $12.99
Photo Courtesy Amazon

How cute is this mini waffle maker? Any breakfast-loving grad will be thrilled to have this in their dorm room cooking arsenal.

$18
Photo Courtesy Copper Cow Coffee

College kids often run on coffee, but when campus coffee shops don't delivery quality brews, these single-use pour-over coffee packs from Copper Cow do the trick. This sampler pack comes with a variety of flavors, so they can tell you what to send in your next care package.

$69.95
Photo Courtesy OOFOS

Rubber slides are a must-have on college campuses for walking from dorm to dining hall or lounging with friends. These slides from Oofos are designed to aid in recovery and if your kiddo is an athlete or finds themselves walking a ton, they're sure to come in handy.

$38 (Set of 2)
Photo Courtesy Uncommon Goods

Your new college student will be full of school spirit, so why not give them the gift of memorabilia? These school-themed glasses are a fun addition to their dorm room desk.

$26
Photo Courtesy Uncommon Goods

This fun microwave egg cooker from Uncommon Goods is sure to be a topic of conversation for your new college kid and their new roommate.

$49.99 $47.98
Photo Courtesy Amazon

Who doesn't love a cozy blanket, especially during midterms? This full-body hoodie is perfect for kids who like to snuggle up when studying.

Gifts for College Grads

$129.99 $105.95
Photo Courtesy Amazon

This top-tested air fryer will probably be your recent grad's most-used kitchen appliance when they get their first apartment. They can use it to make everything from Brussels sprouts to full-sized roasts — but honestly, it'll probably get the most use heating up fries and frozen meals.

$595 $395
Photo Courtesy Caraway Home

Caraway designed their set with functionality and simplicity in mind. The four pots and pans are the most-used in the kitchen and with a durable ceramic nonstick coating, these will get your new grad through at least their first year or two of adulting.

From $19.23
Photo Courtesy Bean Box

Now that they can't grab coffee at the library with a swipe of a card, they'll need to find a new solution to their caffeine habit. A Bean Box subscription is a thoughtful gift they're sure to appreciate when they start that new job.

$79.95 $32.99
Photo Courtesy Amazon

Now that they're going to be regular commuters, a charging station for their phone, headphones and smart watch is a no-brainer.

Prices vary
Photo Courtesy Hungryroot

If cooking from scratch isn't on the table quite yet, Hungryroot is an ideal grocery solution. Customers can shop for groceries by meal and have all the ingredients delivered to their door with recipe cards making weeknight cooking a breeze.

$129
Photo Courtesy Nespresso

Nespresso's brand-new line of Pop machines are ideal for first apartments. Their compact footprint, fun colors and lower pricepoint make them a perfect graduation gift.

Food Gifts for All Grads

$65.95
Photo Courtesy Goldbelly

This cookie cake from Baked in Color is an adorable way to tell the grad in your life, "con-grads" (in chocolate chips, naturally). The rainbow treat is an 8-serving chocolate chip cookie cake dyed in your grad's college colors. It's the perfect thing to dig into following their graduation ceremony.

$39.99
Photo Courtesy Cheryl's Cookies

If you can't physically attend your graduate's diploma ceremony this spring or summer, sending this treat-filled tin to their doorstep is still a thoughtful way to bid them a job well done. Your whiz kid will find one dozen buttercream-frosted Cheryl's Cookies inside in flavors like Peanut Butter Buckeye, Salty Caramel and Devil's Food.

$69.95 (Set of 12)
Photo Courtesy Williams Sonoma

The iconic Georgetown Cupcakes deserve a spot on your graduate's dessert table. This set of 12 delicious treats includes one of each of the bakery's most popular flavors, like lava fudge, vanilla confetti and salted caramel. And just when you thought it couldn't get sweeter, every cupcake is topped off with a fondant saying to the graduate.

$30.50
Photo Courtesy See's Candies

Wish the student in your life "sweet success" with this celebratory chocolate box from See's Candies. Inside it, your gift recipient will find a mouthwatering assortment of milk and dark chocolate-covered bites, including the brand’s fan-favorite Dark Scotchmallow, which contains layers of rich caramel and a honey-flavored marshmallow.

From $44.99
Photo Courtesy 1-800 Baskets

If you're heading to a graduation party this month or next, you'll want to bring these delicious truffle cake pops from 1-800 Baskets along with you. It comes with six or 12 chocolate, chocolate cake pops coated in white or dark chocolate. Several are also adorned with handcrafted graduation caps in sweet icing and a written "2024" in white chocolate you can't resist.

$45
Photo Courtesy Etsy | SweetiesCandyCottage

Spoil your graduate with this over-the-top spread of colorful desserts that are sure to be a hit at any graduation party or gathering. The platter comes with eight pretzels and 10 Oreos, both of which are chocolate-dipped and can be customized with colorful sprinkles and a logo of your choice. Keep it simple with a "Class of 2024" message or go all out with a specific college mascot and colors.

$89.95 (Set of 12)
Photo Courtesy Goldbelly

You don't need a degree to see that these hand-decorated sugar cookies from Elegant Desserts make a spectacular graduation gift. The iced treats are equal parts sugary and buttery and depict festive symbols that have been expertly piped in icing like caps, gowns and diplomas.

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