Finding the best graduation gifts for that new college student, or that newly-minted adult finding a first apartment, can take some time and thought. Good graduation gift ideas either add to the celebration or are useful for one’s new life in the wider world.
To help you find the best gift, we have put together this useful list and guide of unique and creative high school or college graduation gifts for him.
The Best Graduation Gift Ideas for Him for 2023
Here are ten unique gift ideas for the new grad heading into the real world.
1. NCAA Clothing Items
Share in the excitement with a hat, hoodie or t-shirt representing their college destination! Choose from a wide selection of authentic NCAA merchandise and get the whole family into the school spirit. The site has great deals on many NCAA items that are much more expensive at the school or during events, and it may be smart to stock up now for family and friends.
2. Design by Humans Pullover Hoodie
The Design by Humans Pullover Hoodie is a great gift for those late nights studying, as well as time out with best friends. Comfortable, stylish, and relaxed – a high-quality hoodie is a versatile and highly usable clothing item that he can use throughout the school year in a variety of seasonal conditions. Design by Humans creates trendy and very high-quality clothing items that young adults flock to.
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3. Video Collaboration Kit
Whether starting a remote job, learning at home, or skyping with family and friends, this video/audio set makes sure he will be able to stay in contact at a professional level from anywhere in the world. This is an advanced webcam as well as a wireless Bluetooth® headset made for ensuring clarity in important meetings and calls. Whether they need to make calls or not, the wireless headphones and webcam are a great buy.
Savings Tip: Get Logitech promo codes for the best deal.
4. High-Quality Vintage Posters (Metropolis)
A cool and fun poster is often the perfect gift for a high school graduate going to a dorm room for the first time. Often they will manage to take care of these needs themselves, but giving them an extraordinary and unique poster of some of their favorite media creations can be an excellent way to leave a mark in their new place. As an example, we have chosen the hipster and film-buff favorite film poster for Metropolis – a 1926 German film.
Savings Tip: Get AllPosters.com coupon codes for the best deal.
5. Comixology Gift Card
Young adults can be hard to shop for; luckily, a well-chosen gift card can go a long way. If you know the new grad loves comics, then a gift card to Comixology is going to be the best way to go. They have thousands of comic books from all of the top creators and will give him plenty to keep himself entertained while away from home.
Savings Tip: Find the best comiXology coupon codes for the best deal.
6. eCampus Gift Card
Another smart gift card to get the aspiring scholar is an eCampus gift card. eCampus has tons of discount textbooks and will be a tremendous asset for him when he gets his college books. The site is a premier online retailer of new, used and electronic textbooks as well as other study materials and supplies and will quickly become one of their go-to sources for required reading material.
Savings Tip: Get eCampus coupons for the best deal.
7. TRX Training Straps
TRX makes workout items that give you great options for home, outdoors, or road training. Their signature item is workout straps that can be utilized almost anywhere and will be an ideal grad gift to get a great workout when stuck in his dorm room or in-between study session. Even if he isn’t going to school, but is instead going to move into a new place, these make a great housewarming gift.
Savings Tip: Check out TRX Training promo codes for the best deal.
8. Blue Apron Meals
Give them the gift of eating great, all the time. New grads are often faced with the dilemma of feeding themselves, but with Blue Apron they can have meals delivered to their door with step-by-step directions and recipes that allow them to learn new skills, as well as try new tastes. This won’t work if they don’t have their own kitchen. In such cases, care packages like those from Kind Snacks will be the way to go.
Savings Tip: Get Blue Apron promo codes for the best deal.
9. Koa Premium Hawaiian Coffee
If your grad loves coffee, then they are sure to love Koa Premium Hawaiian coffee. Stock them up, and make sure they always have the supplies for a great cup of coffee when they need it. Whether getting up early for class, or staying up late to study, this is a gift they are sure to be using time and again. Loa has a wide selection, and it may be worth it to give him a selection of flavors to try.
Savings Tip: Find Koa Coffee promo codes for the best deal.
10. Gen 5 Smartwatch
Give them a sign of class, as well as a functional piece of jewelry. Unlike traditional watches which had only one application (telling time of course), a smartwatch comes with the ability to utilize a ton of apps as well as operate as an accelerometer, altimeter, compass, and gyroscope. This design from Fossil is quite beautiful and is sure to catch the eye.
Savings Tip: Get Watch Station promo codes for the best deal.
11. MVMT Chronograph Watch
One of the best college graduation gifts, MVMT’s minimalist watch will give them confidence they didn’t know they needed on the first day of work or during job interviews. The sleekly designed watch features a 60 second and 30 minute timer along with a 24-hour clock.
Durable and oozing adult sophistication, it’s a great graduation gift for college graduates heading into the workforce.
Savings Tip: Check out MVMT promo codes for the best deal.
12. Custom YETI Tumbler
A great gift, this stainless steel, double wall vacuum insulated mug can hold 30 ounces, keeping liquids hot and cold for hours on end.
High school graduates heading off to college need a mug to securely hold coffee, tea or water as they race across campus. But don’t just get them any tumbler, get them a customized YETI laser engraved with their name, c/o year or their college mascot – one of the best gifts to start college off right.
Savings Tip: Get Lowe’s promo codes for the best deal.
13. Duffle Bag
Everything rolled in one, this grad gift can be used as an overnight bag, travel luggage or a gym bag. A waterproof shoe bag and tag are included as a bonus with this great gift, making traveling even easier. High school and college graduates will appreciate this graduation gift.
This is one of the best graduation gifts for him to feel like he is very literally moving on.
Savings Tip: Get Adidas coupon codes for the best deal.
14. Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Advanced active noise reduction technology keeps traffic, conversations and even plane cabin noise to a new low. With a high-quality built-in mic and Bluetooth capability, these wireless headphones provide a comfortable experience and can be used to make or answer phone calls on the go.
Depending on where graduates are headed, one thing is for sure: there are going to be long commutes or late nights. Graduates will be able to keep their focus or sanity with these fan-favorite headphones.
Savings Tip: Get Best Buy promo codes for the best deal.
15. Personalized Wallet
The wallet he currently has is most probably scuffed up and doesn’t translate as well for a recent adult male as it did when he was 15. Gift him a nice leather wallet that will last a lifetime like this Swanky Badger monogrammed wallet. Gorgeous and compact, it can hold credit and gift cards, money, IDs and more.
A great graduation gift for a boyfriend, best friend or relative, you can add a personal note, quote or their class year on the inside.
Savings Tip: Find the best Walmart coupon codes for the best deal.
16. Laptop Backpack
Ultra-slim, this computer bag is one of the best graduation gifts for future college students. Thoughtfully designed, it features 10+ slots for organization, a detachable USB cable and an ergonomic design that makes it a pleasure to carry, not a burden.
Its luxe look allows it to be carried from class to an internship and to work seamlessly and the durable anti-puncture material, anti-theft laptop pocket and lockable zipper will keep his valuables secure.
Savings Tip: Get AliExpress coupons for the best deal.
17. Wait, What?: And Life’s Other Essential Questions
New grads will face challenges that may make them question their knowledge of unfamiliar school subjects, the people around them and definitely themselves. In this book, asking questions is celebrated and their curiosity about understanding just about any topic will be fostered.
Graduation gifts for a guy that open his world view make great graduation gift ideas. Whether he is going to college or starting his first job, this book will make him feel a bit more prepared.
Savings Tip: Find Barnes & Noble promo codes for the best deal.
Guide to Buying Graduation Gifts for Him
A great graduation gift usually involves life’s most basic necessities- screwdrivers and frying pans and for sure a coffee maker. But graduates still want things that are fun and exciting. These worlds rarely overlap, but you need to consider which to approach when getting them a gift.
Sometimes combining the practical with the fun in a two-parter might be the way to go. By getting them necessary toiletry items, uniquely wrapping them and putting them in the same bundle as a trendy pair of shoes or hat for example gives you the best of both worlds.
Whether we are talking high school or college graduation gifts, even a retirement gift, guys love gadgets. These are cool ways to give them some fun and interesting items when you aren’t sure where else to go. Try and see what devices and items they like to use, and see what new compatible accessories go with it. Cool chargers are usually a good bet and many of the game devices these days have additional accessories you can get.
If you are looking to add fun to a graduation party, great food is always a winner. Plan ahead and order some unique treats from somewhere like bakemeawish.com (though they deliver overnight so you don’t have to plan too far ahead).
If you are getting them something for college, or a new apartment, then think more about comfort items as well as the practical. It is not rare to miss home, so a large amount of whatever they won’t have easy access to anymore might be really special.
Food and cleaning supplies are often more needed than anything else. A simple gift card for the basics is a good practical gift, then perhaps a game or accessory can make up the remainder of your gifting.