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48 Best Graduation Gifts for Him

With luxury picks and cool last-minute presents, any high school or college grad will love these ideas.

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graduation gifts for him

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He put in the hours, hit the books, wrote the essays and sweated bullets over tests — and he did parts of it through an unprecedented global pandemic. These are no small feats and should be celebrated with only the best gifts to say both "Congratulations, you did it!" and also, "Here's what you might need for what comes next." Whether he's graduating from a faraway university, a nearby community college or his local high school, your grad deserves the coolest graduation gift that builds on something he already loves, helps him discover a new passion, makes him laugh or sets him up to spread his wings.

These are the best graduation gifts for him in 2024. Choosing one is easy: all you need to do is think about what he loves most, anything and everything from gaming to travel, fashion to creative arts, sports to food, and so much more. The best gifts for grads should be both meaningful and useful. Graduating college and high school are once-in-a-lifetime events and should be celebrated accordingly. Because his big day might have you getting extremely emotional and nostalgic, we found personalized gifts that will become a special keepsake for him. Oh, and because graduation could be the time you choose to splurge, we also found luxury gift ideas that are worth every penny. Even if you're shopping for last-minute gifts, we're here to save the day, and save your money since many of these picks are available on Amazon. That means your Prime membership will have them at your door in a day or two.

Looking for more great graduation gifts? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:

Graduation Gifts for Nurses | Law School Graduation Gifts | High School Graduation Gifts | College Graduation Gifts

He'll Need This in College

Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook

Best Seller
Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook

Pen and paper may be a little too old school for him, but hear us out: He can jot down notes on all 32 pages of this notebook, send them to his cloud service of choice (think: Google Drive or Evernote) and wipe it clean.

Graduation Gift for Gamers

Xbox Dream Vapor Special Edition Wireless Controller

On Sale
Xbox Dream Vapor Special Edition Wireless Controller
Now 30% Off
Credit: Microsoft

An Xbox Series S Bundle is where you should start for your graduate if they're in need of a new gaming system, but if they're already playing Gotham Nights and Coral Island on their Xbox like every high schooler is every day, level up their controller game with this awesome Dream Vapor special edition or give him the gift of a fully customizable wireless controller from the Xbox Design Lab.

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Personalized Graduation Gift for Him

Personalized Leather Valet Tray

Personalized Leather Valet Tray
Credit: Iron & Grain Leather Co.

Everyone needs a catchall to hold keys, change and other small trinkets. For an additional $10, you can engrave these leather trays with a monogram or special message, 300 characters or less.

Gift He'll Use Every Day

Micro Classic Messenger Bag

Micro Classic Messenger Bag
Credit: Timbuk2

An intensely strong velcro keeps this micro messenger bag ultra-secure even on a crowded subway. The stylish design adds a preppy pop of color to your grad's fit, too.

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So Unique

Cameo Video

Cameo Video

Get his favorite actor or athlete to give him a special shout-out. With Cameo, you can tell the celeb his name, and they'll send a completely personalized video message right to him.

For on the Go

Ninja Blast Portable Blender

Amazon’s Choice
Ninja Blast Portable Blender

One simple device lets your grad make their fruit smoothies and protein shakes and be on the go in seconds because it blends in a rugged, dishwasher-safe travel bottle. Or if they're really into their smoothie bowls and shakes, you can upgrade them to the SS101 Foodi Smoothie Maker & Nutrient Extractor, which garnered great reviews from the Good Housekeeping Institute for its built-in tamper and stable design.

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Must-Have for Any Grad

Digital Alarm Clock

Digital Alarm Clock

Rated the best overall alarm clock by the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute, whether he's graduating from high school or college, he'll need this. The sleek, chic design goes with his vibe, but it's also so functional (he can set three different alarms!).

Keepsake Gift

Custom Signet Ring

Custom Signet Ring

He'll definitely pull this out for special occasions. You can pick the number (put the year he graduated or if he has a player number), name you want on the outside and even engrave a special message on the inside for him. There are a few design to pick from, including one that's more subtle.

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Self-Care for Him

David Beckham Classic Homme Cologne

On Sale
David Beckham Classic Homme Cologne
Credit: David Beckham

Every grad should have a good cologne spray at hand, for when the alarm is snoozed and suddenly there's no time for a shower, as well as for when he matches online and has a date to impress. David Beckham's spicy scent with rosemary, dahlia, and pepper will serve him well every single day in every single situation life throws at him.

Useful Graduation Gift

Keen Utility Kenton Work Sneakers

Keen Utility Kenton Work Sneakers
Credit: Keen

There's no denying that Keen makes incredible shoes and boots for all types of work to keep bottom digits safe, but never before has the brand made such a rad pair of kicks for everyday wear. The retro Brindle beige color especially will make your grad drool as they head out into the world, and the carbon-fiber toe will protect their feet as they build their future.

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For Coffee Conoisseurs

Starument Electric Milk Steamer & Frother

Starument Electric Milk Steamer & Frother
Credit: Starument

They've learned so much over the years, but your grad has one more lesson and this retro milk frother can teach it to them: They don't need to fork over a small fortune and wait in a drive-thru line to get barista-quality flavored coffee and milk steamers complete with fancy, frothy foam on top. This makes perfect foam every time and comes in green, pink and white.

Funny Graduation Gift for Him

'Oh, The Meetings You'll Go To!' Parody Book

On Sale
'Oh, The Meetings You'll Go To!' Parody Book
Now 48% Off
Credit: Portfolio

Whether he's hoping to land a cubicle gig or not, this parody of Oh! The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss is the funniest graduation gift you can give him this year. You haven't lived an adult life until you've sat through a work meeting that could've been an email!

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For the Grad Who Loves to Travel

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On

On Sale
Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On
Now 31% Off
Credit: Samsonite

He got the education from teachers and textbooks, now it may be time to learn from life-changing experiences out in the real world. No matter where he goes, make sure he's got a rugged and reliable suitcase for his things. Samsonite's Freeform line earned the highest marks from the Good Housekeeping Institute because the suitcases roll smoothly and are super durable.

Comfy Gift for Grads

UnderGents Swagger Lounge & Sleep Pants

On Sale
UnderGents Swagger Lounge & Sleep Pants
Now 11% Off
Credit: UnderGents

Because this affordable yet luxurious loungewear set is available in sizes small to 3XL, it's a set available to almost every graduate, and we love that! They made it through school and cleared every academic hurdle, now let them relax for a bit in comfort before the rest of their life begins in earnest.

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Save the Memories

KODAK Smile+ Wireless Digital Instant Print Camera

KODAK Smile+ Wireless Digital Instant Print Camera

This rad pocket camera is the best of both worlds, an instant print camera like those Polaroids from your youth and a modern camera too, with Bluetooth connectivity and memory card storage. Best of all, it makes cool photographs through a filter-changing lens and is perfect for capturing memories while road-tripping with friends this summer.

If He Needs Caffeine in the Morning

BLK & Bold Rise & GRND Signature Medium Roast Coffee

BLK & Bold Rise & GRND Signature Medium Roast Coffee
Credit: BLK & Bold

The need for any kind of coffee at all to stay awake late into the night cramming for exams has ended with graduation. Now, give the gift of fine coffee to fuel your grad's burgeoning career and more refined tastebuds. This uses coffee pods for single-use machines like the Keurig, but you can also get whole beans.

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Luxe Grad Gift

YETI Hopper M20 Backpack

YETI Hopper M20 Backpack

The concept of the backpack and tote cooler is awesome and because it's a YETI, you know they will love it and be able to rely on it forever. These Hopper coolers keep hands free and cans cold during a post-graduation day at the beach with friends and the newest color collections, including Cosmic Lilac, Agave and King Crab Orange, are as bright and bold as your kid's future.

For His First Apartment

A Dozen Cousins Microwave Rice Packets

A Dozen Cousins Microwave Rice Packets
Credit: A Dozen Cousins

If he's just getting set up on his own, these flavored microwavable halal rice pouches provide a quick, easy, and healthy way to ensure he's getting the nutrients he needs, even when he's just adding some take-out leftovers to the rice to create a whole new meal for himself in minutes.

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Just a Little Something

Positive Potato

Amazon’s Choice
Positive Potato
Credit: Airevesket

Listen, the world can be a harsh, cold, cruel place. Your grad will need all the help they can get, and you need at least one hilarious grad gift. Pick the positive potato to cheer them on as only a tiny knit root vegetable can, or else opt for the just-as-uplifting emotional support pickle.

The Gift He Needs

Slim Wallet for Men

Best Seller
Slim Wallet for Men
Now 40% Off
Credit: Zitahli

This wallet can hold up to 12 cards, and even features RFID-blocking to keep his information safe. Made of leather, it comes in tons of different colors, too.

Headshot of Jeff Bogle
Jeff Bogle
Freelance Writer

Jeff is a dad of two daughters, an avid traveler, a photographer, an author and a freelance writer who lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and their cats. In addition to Good Housekeeping, he's written for Parents, Fodor's, Food and Wine, Real Simple and Reader’s Digest, among other print and online publications. Jeff is the publisher of the quarterly literary magazine, Stanchion, and his book, Streets Cats and Where to Find Them, will be published by Running Press in the Summer of 2025.

Headshot of Cailey Lindberg
Cailey Lindberg
Commerce Editor, Gifts & Lifestyle

Cailey Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment and food. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer at USA Today's shopping network, Reviewed.com. 

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