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high school grad gift guide
The best gift for a high school grad is money, but here are some gift ideas to mark the moment and help them in their transition to their next phase of life.
id holder
I know that most high schoolers keep cards on the back of their phones, but these clear cover ID holders are super practical. They can hold cards and dorm keys, but, more importantly, they let them flash a student ID to security without taking it out of holder. The Andar one different -- $70 and sans clear cover -- but it's super thin (and my brother's favorite). All of these are RFID blocking.
$25 | LA Imprints
bikini t-shirts
My college friends requested that this be on the high school grad gift list. We wore these t-shirts to so many events -- no matter the theme. I'd suggest getting a couple, so they can make it a group costume.
owala water bottle
$30 | Owala
Truly the best water bottle on the market, the Owala FreeSip® fits in a cupholder, holds 24 ounces, keeps liquids cold, and is leak proof and durable. The only downside IMO is it's harder to clean than other water bottles, but it comes in lots of colors.
foldable picnic blanket
$30 | REI
One of the best gifts that I used all the time in college was my Monkey Mat blanket with weighted corners, weather-resistant material, and a compact bag. The company is no longer in business, but I found a more compact version with the same functions at REI. This is great for hanging with new friends anywhere on campus.
multi-purpose tool
$34 | Tyler's
Can you believe this small tool includes a stainless steel knife blade, saw, tin/bottle opener, corkscrew, flat-head screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, and a removable flint rod? This is a great compact multi-tool -- and the vendor sells a tiny axe version, too, for the same price.
reusable film camera
$55 | Kodak
How cute is this reusable film camera to capture memories from college? It comes in fun colors, features a built in flash, and is made for beginners. The Papershoot camera is a more expensive version of the reusable film camera -- in case the Kodak one sells out (which it's known to do).
$69 | Bespoke Post
first aid kit
This compact and comprehensive first aid kit holds the basics and forgotten-about items for the inevitable injury. Bespoke Post also sells an essentials toolkit held in a canvas tote that's easy to store for the same price. This will come in handy for move-in day and for when they want to add to their dorm room.
light up mirror
$75 | Home Depot
Dorm lighting is never good. Having a light-up mirror will help with putting on make-up at all hours of the day and will help them avoid waiting for the bathroom mirror.
wonderboom speaker
$80 | Walmart
This speaker has great sound and is virtually indestructible. It can be dropped up to 5 feet, submerged in water for 30 minutes, and played for 14 hours on a single charge. It's perfect for any hang.
toiletry bag
$40 | Jon Hart
$94 | Mission Mercantile
Jon Hart's clear toiletry bags are the best -- simple to clean and sturdy (I've had mine for almost a decade). They are also great for airport security. I actually got my boyfriend the Mission Mercantile toiletry bag for his high school graduation. He's used it for almost a decade, as well, and thinks it's the best on the market. Initials and names can be imprinted in both of these.
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