34 Best Graduation Gift Ideas For Him

Whether he’s graduating from high school or college, graduation is an important milestone in any young man’s life. He’s signaling to the world that he’s ready to take on the next chapter in life, and you want to be there to cheer him on every step of the way. From supporting him as he embarks on his next journey to celebrating his accomplishments, let him know how proud you are of his hard work over the past four years.
One way to celebrate his accomplishment is figuring out the perfect gift to give him. Regardless of if he’s preparing to start college or is about to begin a nine-to-five, finding a grad gift that he will both enjoy and actually use is truly a balancing act. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect graduation gift, check out this list of the best graduation gift ideas for him.

Unique Graduation Gifts For Him

Whether you’re looking for a high school or college graduate, finding the perfect graduation gift for a young man beginning his adult life can be tough. From custom can coolers to a wireless phone charger, we’ve got a gift guide to help you out — here are the best gifts that’ll definitely be a home run for your new grad.

1. Throw Him a Graduation Party

graduation photo board and bunting banner Throwing your graduate a celebration is a fun way to bring the people he cares about together before he moves on to the next stage of life. Whether he’s graduating from high school or college, he’ll always remember how proud his closest family and friends were of him. Prepare for a a celebration with graduation announcements, graduation party invitations, and party decor.

2. Personalized Photo Book

A personalized photo book is a particularly great present if your grad is moving off to college and has limited luggage space. Since it’s so portable, a personalized photo book can pack a big punch while taking up minimal space. Be sure to document your favorite memories from past travels or adventures.

Graduation themed photo book.

3. Magnets

If your grad is moving out for the first time, he’ll have to start doing more things on his own. Make his transition to being independent easier with a set of custom magnets he can use to hang reminder and notes on a refrigerator or white board. Magnets are a practical gift that can be customized to feature his favorite photos.

4. Subscription Box

What’s more convenient than a personalized box that’s delivered right to your new grad’s doorstep? From a grooming box complete with aftershave and body wash to a custom snack box to keep him fueled during the day, a monthly subscription is the perfect way to remind your new grad that you’re proud of them.

5. Graduation Gift Basket

If you’re having trouble deciding on one big graduation present for him, a gift basket is a great way to give him a bunch of smaller gifts with a personalized touch. Include a variety of presents inside like a custom notepad, playing cards, or even a monogrammed shot glass to give him smaller gifts he’ll get a ton of use out of.

6. Bottle Opener

If he’s graduating college and is of legal drinking age, a bottle opener is a cheeky gift to give your recent grad. If you’re worried about getting him a present he will actually use, a bottle opener is a perfect gift he’ll be excited to receive.

7. Cozy Hoodie

Gift him the gift of a cozy custom hoodie for a graduation gift that’s truly one-of-a-kind. If he’s headed off to college, add his school’s logo or mascot to make a unique hoodie that shows his school spirit.

8. Framed Prints

Custom framed prints are a unique gift for him to decorate his new place. Whether you print photos of him and his significant other, friends, or even his dog, high-quality photos in a unique frame is a one-of-a-kind keepsake that he’ll appreciate.  

9. Throw Pillows

A custom pillow is a great gift to relieve your grad from the stress of figuring out decorations for his new place. Throw pillows make a nice addition to both his dorm or first apartment, so regardless of what stage of life your grad is in, they are a gift he’ll definitely make use of.

10. Canvas Prints

Gifting your grad a custom canvas print of his best friends or the family dog is a great way for him to bring a welcome bit of home with him to his new place. If he’s graduating college, you can even include the canvas print in his gift basket along with some fun personalized can coolers for a present he will truly enjoy.

11. Custom Notepad

A custom notepad is a great graduation gift to help your grad stay on top of his new responsibilities. Whether he’s writing down a to-do list of assignments for his college classes or a grocery list to take with him after work, a custom notepad is the perfect subtle gift to remind your grad of home.

12. Hanging Canvas Print

Moving is stressful for anyone—combine that with the pressure of starting college or his first day on the job, and bringing wall art and decorations is likely one of the last things on your grad’s mind. Help make decorating his new place easier with the gift of a hanging canvas print that can be customized with photos of his favorite memories to make being away from home just a little bit easier.

13. Gift Card

Sometimes, a no-frills present like a gift card can be a good thing to give your recent grad. If he’s moving out on his own, giving him a gift card to buy practical stuff like toilet paper or gas will help you rest with peace of mind that he’s stocked up on all of his essentials. If you don’t want the gift card to feel impersonal, add it to his gift basket for a present that will truly be the cherry on top of an already great present!

14. Reusable Shopping Bags

A reusable shopping bag is a fantastic eco-friendly present for your recent grad. If he’s doing his own grocery shopping, having basics like a reusable shopping bag taken care of will make his life that much easier—and make the planet a little bit happier too.

15. Custom Socks

Custom socks are a funny, yet useful, gift to give your recent grad. Include a photo of his parents on them to make him smile and shake his head whenever he sees them.

Custom these are my grad day socks

16. Customized Coffee Mugs

Whether he’s getting up early for lecture or work, a customized coffee mug is a practical and welcomed gift to make waking up that much easier. Include photos of his family, friends, or even pet to make his morning a little bit brighter. Or make a graduation mug that features his graduation year or senior photos. Pair with a new coffee maker and some of his favorite beans to complete his coffee station.

17. Personalized Luggage Tag

If he’s moving away from home, a personalized luggage tag is a gift that’s a practical addition to his college graduation gift basket. Customize it with a photo of the family pup or a great memory for a small but useful gift he will definitely appreciate.


18. Shot Glasses

If your grad is of legal drinking age, gift him custom shot glasses with photos of the past four years to celebrate the milestones he has achieved throughout college. Bonus: you can put them to use at his graduation celebration!

19. Personalized Pint Glasses

For a funny and functional present, give your college grad a personalized pint glass to remind him of home. Personalize it with family photos or a funny inside joke to make him smile whenever he uses it.

20. Laundry Kit

While your grad is excited to begin his newest chapter in life, it probably hasn’t fully sunk in that he needs to do the not-so-fun stuff on his own now too. Make his transition to adulthood a little easier with a laundry kit full of essentials so he doesn’t have to worry about forgetting the small details in his new place. This thoughtful gift is a super practical graduation gift for him.

21. Can Coolers

If he’s a big sports fan, a custom can cooler is a knockout gift he’ll definitely make use of on game day. Personalize it with photos of him at his favorite team’s games, or even with photos of his high school or college sports team for a special gift that’s sure to score big.

Adventure awaits custom can cooler

22. Custom Playing Cards

graduation playing cards Playing cards are essential for every household, both young and old. Put a personalized touch on this classic by customizing it with photos of his past four years to put a smile on his face whenever he uses them. They’re also a great addition to his gift basket!

23. Business Cards

If your grad is starting his first nine-to-five, custom business cards is a useful gift to help him stand out. Give him an edge at his new workplace with a new set of custom business cards to show that he means business.

24. Practical Travel Mug

graduation travel mugs As a young man starting his newest chapter in life, your grad is probably on the go 24/7. Make his busy life a little easier with a practical travel mug customized with photos of his family or friends. Personalize his tumbler with pictures of his favorite people and places or with one of his graduation photos.

25. Reusable Water Bottle

Reusable water bottles are a gift he will get daily use out of, since they’re perfect to bring to both work and class. A stainless steel water bottle will save him time and money in the long run—and it’s an easy way for him to go green.

26. Photo Wall Calendar

Help your grad stay on top of his appointments and errands with a custom photo calendar. Include photos of his high school sports team or college fraternity for a welcome surprise each month that he is sure to appreciate.

27. Desk Organizers

Staying organized is key for your grad to succeed in his newest chapter in life. A customized desk organizer is a functional and useful gift that will help him stay on top of his game, whether he’s using it in his dorm room or new office.

Personalized desk caddy with monogram and photos with the pet

28. Photo Keychain

Give your grad something special to keep with him wherever he goes with a personalized keychain—another great and easy addition to his graduation gift basket. Personalize it with photos of family, friends, or the family dog for a sweet and simple gift he will surely appreciate.

29. Protective iPhone Case

A protective custom iPhone case is a welcome present for almost anyone. Give him a functional gift with a personalized touch with a protective smartphone case that will help his phone be water-resistant.

30. Beer Stein

A customized beer stein is a funny and useful gift for any young man graduating college. Personalize it with photos of him and his fraternity brothers or a funny saying to show him that you support him “graduating” to adulthood.

31. Personalized Pot Holders

If he’s moving into his first apartment, he’s likely lacking a lot of kitchen essentials like pots and pans. While many young people will think of essentials like this, many more will forget the necessary accessories like pot holders. Give him the functional gift of personalized pot holders to ensure he has everything he needs for his new place.

32. Wireless Phone Charger

A great addition to go along with his protective phone case, a wireless phone charger is a cool and useful graduation gift idea for guys. Whether he keeps it at his work desk or next to his dorm room bed, a wireless phone charger is a gift he’ll undoubtedly make use of.

33. Fleece Blanket

A fleece photo blanket is a sweet and comforting gift to remind him of home while he’s away on his new adventure. Customize it with photos from home or a collage of his favorite memories for a present that will warm his heart, physically and emotionally.

34. Personalized Graduation Cards

2023 graduation cards No matter the gift you decide on, adding a personalized card is always a great touch to show him how much you care. Order a custom card with photos of friends and family so he has something to look at when he’s missing home a little extra. Think ahead and customize his graduation party invitations as well.

Final Thoughts on Graduation Gifts for Him

Spending quality time with him and showing how much you care is the most special graduation gift you could give. Whether you’re giving him a gift card or making a gift basket full of customized presents, your grad will surely appreciate all the hard work you put in to making his graduation meaningful. If you’re looking for more gift ideas that are sure to be a hit, take a look at some of our top grad gifts for him.