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For the love of literature -

We all know that you desperately want your loved one to find independence as they put high school behind them. So we recommend buying a good self-help book! Many skills can be learned from books like this, so they are a great addition to any person's college/university life.

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Put a ring on it -

Sometimes, the perfect gift is one that is two-parts classy and one part memorable. Your graduate might find it comforting to receive a ring with their graduation year engraved on it.

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To sweat or not to sweat -

If you want to be a bit bolder than a ring, you can always get your graduate a custom-made sweatshirt with their future college/university embroidered on. It’s the perfect mixture of memorable and useful!

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Carry on -

The college/university lifestyle can be filled with parties, school lectures, shopping, and even the occasional hiking adventure. Maybe the best gift is actually a multipurpose backpack that can be used for all these occasions.

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Fancy footwear -

Who doesn’t love a good pair of shoes? And who doesn’t want to look great while wearing them? If you know your loved one's foot size, maybe take a trip to the store and buy them some shoes that will boost their confidence in college/university.

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Flipping and flopping -

While your graduate ventures through college/university, they will most certainly find themselves going to a whole host of places where flip-flops are needed. Whether it’s the college/university swimming pool or the beach, you can gift some stylish flip-flops to them so that they’re at least prepared.

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A card carrier -

Becoming an independent adult in the great big world means accumulating a fair share of bank cards, library cards, and even cards for public transportation. These can get quite bulky, so a slim wallet might be the best gift to buy.

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A warm drink -

With all those lectures that need to be attended early in the mornings, your graduate will need someplace to put their coffee (or tea). Stainless steel tumblers are pretty standard for the college/university experience, but you can spice it up by engraving their initials or high school graduation year on it.

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Getting around -

While some people like to give their loved ones money when they graduate, there are others who feel it is a bit too impersonal. If you are one of the latter, you might consider just filling up their car with gas/diesel and paying for it. It’s useful and makes it clear that you care about their independence.

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A homely reminder -

As your loved goes off to college/university, they will assuredly experience homesickness at some point. This would be the perfect opportunity to give them a keepsake that reminds them of home. This can include custom-made items, like candles, with their home’s coordinates etched on. Be creative!

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Blanket term -

When in doubt about what to buy, you can't go wrong with simply gifting someone a comforting blanket! This is especially true for a college/university student, who will certainly need this indoor and outdoor comfort as they while away at school life.

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Non-disposable memories -

If you’re hooked on the idea of helping your graduate continue making memories away from home, then gifting them with a disposable camera just might be the way to go. As digital cameras take over the world, the authenticity and vintage aesthetic of film will help them immortalize their experiences.

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A case for laptops -

The staple of practically every student’s life is a laptop that they can use to finish their work. So why not buy them a unique laptop case to protect this vital electronic device?

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Work from anywhere -

While you’re making laptop-related purchases for your graduating loved one, you should also consider buying a movable workspace that acts as a lap desk. They will be able to work comfortably from under a tree or from their bed, which are sometimes better compared to constantly sitting at a desk.

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Noise reduction - College/university can be quite a distracting place, so you would do well to gift your high school graduate a pair of headphones that can limit distractions. You might even get extra appreciation from them if the headphones are noise-canceling!

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Caffeine delivery -

Although there is a potential joke that can be made about injecting coffee directly into your veins, a coffee machine is certainly the next best thing. Buy a basic machine for your graduate to put in their dormitory, and they will have all their caffeinated dreams come true!

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Diffusion -

Since we’re talking about things that can be added to a dormitory, it might be nice to buy an essential oil diffuser as a gift. It doesn’t only diffuse essential oils, but also adds moisture and makes a space feel cozier.

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Shiny lights -

Another way to spice up a dormitory is with LED lights. There are some pretty cheap options out there that can help make your graduate feel at home when they live, well, away from home.

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Dorm decorating -

The walls of dorm rooms are invariably bland and can render any reasonable person catatonic, so perhaps the best gift for a high school graduate is removable wallpaper. Or if you’re not entirely sold on that idea, you can always just give them a gift card to a decor store.

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A clean dorm -

It can sometimes be difficult to keep a dormitory clean when you’re a busy student. Thankfully, you can make things easier for your graduate by gifting them a handheld vacuum cleaner, which is both portable and effective.

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Man’s second-best friend -

In case you didn’t know, your graduate will most likely not be allowed to bring their pet along for their school journey. We understand how difficult this separation can be, but there is a way to alleviate some of the pain: you can custom-print a picture of their beloved pet onto a stuffed pillow and gift it to them!

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Taking notes -

The rigors of school will require extensive lectures and pages upon pages of notes. With the advances of modern technology, taking notes has been made easier with electronic tablets that can store a whole bunch of information.

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Late-night snacks -

Although these will be consumed really, really quickly, your graduate will most likely thank you if your gift is a stockpile of their favorite (and preferably healthier) snacks.

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Sitting anywhere -

Let’s be honest: parties means ample socializing, whether you like it or not. It’s maybe better to prepare your future college/university student for the rigors of outdoor hangouts by purchasing a portable chair.

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A mask for shut-eye -

Since your graduate will most likely share a room with another person, it might become difficult to synchronize sleep cycles. The best solution is to just get an eye mask that can shut out all the light and help them snooze through the night.

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Removing wrinkles -

It can be difficult to iron out clothing while living in a dormitory. Indeed, irons and ironing boards can take up a lot of space, so we recommend gifting a fabric steamer to your loved one. It’s also perfect for travelers, in case they decide to take a trip.

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Bags and bags -

A good suitcase can endure many years of battering and travel before it needs to be retired. As your graduate moves away from home and finds their feet in the world, you can prepare them with some durable luggage that will last for some time.

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Simple toiletries -

A toiletry bag is another travel essential for every student. It also simply makes a great gift for the student spending a lot of time in communal bathrooms.

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Tools, not toys -

You never know when your graduate may be faced with the need to fix something unexpectedly. A great way to navigate this is to get a mini travel tool set. Packed with all the necessary tools needed to fix odds and ends, it's a great addition to a student’s luggage.

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Power in their pocket -

If your graduate is someone whose social life is tied to their phone, then it might be wise to give them a portable power bank as a graduation gift. As school looms closer, they might find their battery life draining quicker, so keeping up with some extra juice will certainly help.

Sources: (The New York Times) (Almost Empty Nest) (Good Housekeeping)

See also: Creating personalized treasures

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