The top graduation gifts for a 2024 high school grad, according to an actual high schooler

Why? Because it's "The COZIEST blanket to ever exist," they say. They're not wrong.

Although they might be on the more expensive side, iPads make the perfect back-to-school gift. They're great for note-taking and staying organized in college, after all!

Losing keys, a backpack or luggage is an experience your new grad will prefer to avoid. An AirTag on each of these means they can easily find a misplaced personal belonging right from their iPhone.

College life isn’t all about frantic late-night study seshes. It’s also about hanging out with new friends, and this spikeball set is both 1. Super fun and 2. Easy to store away even in a tiny dorm.

Now that they’re leaving the nest, it’s time for them to possess a Fire Stick of their very own. (BTW—you can still share many family streaming plans even on different Fire Sticks!)

Something has to keep them awake for their 9 AM lectures besides thinking about the cost of their absurdly heavy textbooks.

JBL speakers are a fave amongst the youths, and with a portable, waterproof design, appealing price tag, tons of colors to choose from and 65K+ 5-star ratings, it’s easy to see why they want this one.

Depending on your grad’s taste in music, their future roommates might thank you. Their college library definitely will.

How can you make a Stanley Quencher—THE reusable water bottle to own right now—even cooler as a gift? By customizing it with your grad’s name. You'll get major bonus points here.

From dorm essentials to school supplies to a really amazing skincare section thanks to their partnership with Ulta, Target has it all. Plus, a trip to Target is a fun way to bond with new besties!

This is to Gen Z what universal TV remotes were to anyone who actually remembers the real Y2K. Basically, they can wirelessly charge alllll their Apple gadgets in one place.

This backpack holds so much stuff and is great for when they’re traveling home during the semester. (Ideal for when they choose the cheapest flight imaginable and can only bring a personal item.)

They’re ba-aaaa-ck! And they’re perfect for capturing all those college mems.

If your grad is on the sporty/athletic side (or they just want a watch that offers everything from crash detection to motivating fitness metrics), it's time to gift them a sleek Apple Watch.

Of course, if financial fitness is more your graduate’s game, this top-rated book from Dave Ramsey is the playbook they’re looking for.

A college meal plan can only offer so much in the way of culinary delights. Plus, dining halls don’t deliver (a must when your report is due the next morning!).

Perfect for small spaces, beauty aficionados and that person who is always craving a Diet Coke.

This is how to unlock coolest-kid-on-campus status. And skip buying a whole new TV they probably won’t have room for anyway.

Thanks to Stoney Clover Lane, varsity letters are one of the biggest trends ATM. This personalized jewelry box is a chic way to get that preppy vibe without the “It costs how much?!?” price tag.

Digital isn’t out, but film is very much in. An Instax is practically a requirement at parties now!

Pretty much the only thing they can’t buy from Amazon is a bigger dorm room (but they can def get things that make theirs way better).

They worked hard to get to their campus of choice. Help them navigate it (and decorate their new place) with a ready-to-display custom college map.

Can you paint dorm walls? Not without incurring the wrath of the RA. This trendy LED lamp comes with multiple color options, so your grad can “paint” their walls with light instead!

Sure, they can go to the campus shop for school apparel that everyone else will have, or, you can send them off in a custom embroidered floral version. Everyone will ask them where to get THIS one.