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Need a frugal graduation gift for a niece, nephew, neighbor, or friend? These 11 useful, fun, and inexpensive graduation gifts will help your high school graduate get started toward the next phase in life.
“Thanks, man.” I took the package from my brother.
“Congratulations,” an indifferent half-smile crossed his face.
Unwrapping a corner, I found the bright yellow cover of a book shining at me.
My 18-year-old eyes searched the pages under a furrowed brow. I wasn’t sure what to make of this gift at first.
But within 10 minutes, I knew how to escape quicksand, should the need arise.
Practical and Inexpensive High School Graduation Gifts
That book from my brother was the most memorable high school graduation gift I received. It wasn’t expensive, or beautiful, or engraved, or monogrammed. It was wonderfully practical. Well, as practical as quicksand and car chases allow.
Friends and family of high school grads often feel pressured to find a profound or meaningful graduation gift. But a practical gift can mean just as much, or more. And gift’s price tag has nothing to do with its usefulness.
Practical, inexpensive graduation gifts are perfect for college-bound nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. These 11 gifts will be helpful for any graduate headed to higher education.
By the way, many of these gifts are also great for high school grads who are going on to vocational school or entering the work force full-time!
Cash and Gift Cards
Not quite sure what to give your graduate? Cash and gift cards are usually a safe bet. Cash is straightforward. But gift cards don’t have to be boring! Here are a few unique ideas and reasons why cash and gift cards are still a great gift.
Cash
People hate giving cash, but it’s still worth mentioning.
Why? Because any way you slice it, it’s a practical and inexpensive graduation gift. Whether a high school graduate is college-bound, heading to trade school, or entering the work force, life gets expensive. You might decide that chipping in $20 to help reduce your graduate’s expenses is better than any tangible object or experience.
College Bookstore Gift Card
For college-bound graduates, the campus bookstore will be one of their first stops.
Not only will they get access to the course materials they’ll need for class, they’ll also get to shop for school-related apparel, academic supplies, and fun school spirit items. Maybe their school’s bookstore even stocks snacks, batteries, and other little necessities.
A $20-$25 Bookstore gift card is a great way to welcome the graduate to their new campus, and let them have a little fun shopping their school.
Fast Food or Pizza Restaurant Gift Card
One of the most practical and inexpensive graduation gifts is a gift card for a fast food or pizza restaurant near campus.
Whether your graduate plans to live in the dorms or off-campus, quick and easy access to food is a must. I’m sure the school cafeteria food is great and all, but… sometimes it isn’t. A pizza or fast food gift card for $10-$20 is also great for covering brain food during late night study sessions.
Not sure which fast food restaurants are near the college? Here’s what works at the time of this writing. Google the college (For example, “University of Missouri”), click on “maps,” then click on “nearby,” then “restaurants.”
Books
In today’s digital age, actual, tangible books are becoming a novelty. Especially to high school grads! These 3 actual books will help them get started in college, and provide a little inspiration for the road ahead. Plus, they’re each under $15 as of the time of this writing.
5-Ingredient College Cookbook
This cookbook offers healthy, accessible recipes for college students in the dorms or off-campus. Because, again, sometimes the cafeteria food gets old. Or hopefully, your graduate is too busy studying to make a food run! Plus, you’ll rest easier knowing your graduate is getting healthy snacks.
College Hacks
This awesome book is packed with short and sweet tips for making college life easier and more efficient. It’s filled with study tips, laundry hacks, and pointers for navigating college life. It’s great to read between classes, during down time, and for impressing newfound college friends.
Seuss-isms
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This sweet book may not be super practical. But, it is a fun look at what life holds for those just starting out. It would be super fun for a niece or the child of a close friend. You know, those kids you watched grow up before your eyes!
Tech Stuff
These 3 inexpensive graduation gifts aren’t only for the tech-savvy. They’re virtually essential (See what I did there?) for the modern college-bound student. As of this writing, they’re each under $20.
Wall Mount Surge Protector with USB Ports
College students need to plug stuff in. Laptop, phone charger, TV, lamps, the list goes on and on. This awesome surge protector plugs right into an outlet with no extension cord. As a result, it’s perfect for small dorm rooms. It also has USB ports, so your graduate can easily charge phones, tablets, and other devices with a detachable charger.
Ice Cream USB Flash Drive
Flash drives became a staple of college campuses way back when I started college in 2002. They’re perfect for carrying files without carrying an entire laptop. As a result, your graduate will easily be able to work on assignments on any computer. The cute ice cream design makes it fun and instantly recognizable. No more wondering which flash drive is whose!
Bluetooth Shower Speaker
Lukewarm showers in dorm bathrooms are so much more enjoyable with some tunes. A water-resistant shower speaker, complete with suction cup to stick on the wall, is a surprisingly thoughtful gift for a high school grad.
Most college-bound students won’t even think about the need for a shower speaker, until they have to listen to their roommate’s off-key rendition of “Havana.”
Fun
These last 3 inexpensive graduation gifts are fun, but still (mostly) practical. Best of all, they’re all under $10 as of this writing.
Adult Coloring Book
Adult coloring books are a useful tool for stress relief. They’re also a fun break between studying and extracurricular activities. There are tons of adult coloring books available. And don’t worry, “adult” just means they have larger, more intricate designs than children’s coloring books. Nothing untoward inside. Usually.
Remember to sweeten the deal with some colored pencils!
Worst-Case Scenario Handbook
This one is near and dear to my heart, because it’s a high school graduation gift I received from my oldest brother. Is it practical? Depends on whether your graduate is ever stuck in quicksand, attacked by an alligator, or trapped in a sinking car.
In reality, this is more of a unique coming-of-age symbol, than a practical and inexpensive graduation gift. It shows your grad that he or she is equipped to handle whatever life throws their way.
I’ve thumbed through my copy more times than I can count, and I think it’s useful. I remember exactly how to handle each of the 3 scenarios above!
Graduation Mad Libs
The graduation edition of the Mad Libs fill-in-the-blank game doesn’t seem practical. But it’s perfect to pass the time pre-graduation ceremony, enjoy at a family dinner, or to distract teary-eyed family members.
11 Practical and Inexpensive Graduation Gifts: Conclusion
Gifts for high school grads don’t have to be costly or fancy. Useful, inexpensive graduation gifts are the perfect way to help usher a graduate into the next phase of life. Rather than giving your graduate a proverbial fish, help him or her learn to fish – or to escape quicksand. Whichever.
P.S. – Hosting a graduation party? Check out my speed cleaning checklist for last-minute guests!