1) For a high school graduate headed to college or out into the workforce, you cannot beat a good messenger bag or backpack. However, they may already have this. If so, get them a new laptop sleeve. (This gift is especially great if they are getting a new computer for graduation–see below). Any luggage store will have good bags; any computer store will have laptop sleeves. Overstock.com and Ebags.com both have good bags. For more of a briefcase check out campus bookstores around graduation times. This Blekin Neoprene sleeve will protect a laptop without adding too much bulk. For a guy, get the red and black color scheme.
Briefcase or Leather satchel or Laptop case'”for high school go more with a messenger bag or good backpack, or a laptop sleeve. Any computer store will have this, as any luggage store will have bags. You can also find them all online by googling whatever you’re looking for. Overstock.com also carried good bags for decent prices. Ebags.com carries many different styles and usually has good sales. A Belkin Neoprene sleeve will protect a laptop inside of a bage without adding too much bulk. For a guy, get it in the more manly red and black color scheme: $30.
2) Luggage is perfect for the high school grad off to college (or off to anywhere). A rolling duffel can flatten and expand to meet their dorm or apt. space needs, while a sturdier suitcase can have a lifetime requisite to meet all their travel needs (vacations home, spring breaks, etc.). Luggage.com carries many different styles and colors in good prices.
3) Good pens are those rare gifts you don’t appreciate until you use. A good pen will make note-taking in college (and signing away one’s life for an apartment) a joy (well, less tragic anyway). Go to Target, Wal-Mart, or any other such store and pick out a solid looking pen with a medium ink flow. (You should be looking at pens that are costing over three dollars. I would go for anywhere between five and ten). With a nice card and a few yellow steno pads this makes a nice gift. Roller, ballpoint, etc., it’s your call. Or go all out and pick up several and some yellow pads or notebooks with graph paper for taking notes. If you’re looking for fancier pens, any stationary store or scrapbooking store will be more than happy to sell it to you, but you’ll usually pay significantly more for it. For the internet inclined, Staples.com sells nice pens but you have to shop a bit. Go check out their gel-ink pens for great pens (gel ink can be heavy, but it flows and looks nicer than most other pens).
4) A computer. Make sure you talk to your grad on this one, chances are they will have a much better idea what they want then you do. But also be clear about budget. I would recommend a Mac if he’ll be doing a lot with music, pictures, video, and audio stuff. But you can get a better deal on memory and space with a PC. Also be certain you can use the necessary software with whatever system you go with. For Macs see Apple’s website: Apple.com. Another good computer is the Dell. One example is found at Make sure your computer is light enough to carry around all day, but big enough to not strain your eyes when reading and writing endless papers.
5) Cookbooks, how to clean, and other life advice is always helpful. Any books in their chosen field, while probably not read right after graduation, will eventually come to be greatly appreciated. I recommend “The College Student’s Cookbook
6) A nice watch for dressing up or everyday can set a boy and a man apart. Also, your high school grad won’t have to pull out his cell phone every time he wonders how much is left of his class. Nice watches can run into the hundreds and thousands, but Fossil watches can be reasonable and make beautiful gifts. With their beautiful “Congratulations” gift box, a 65$ dress watch is a wonderful gift. If you are hesitant to give such a nice gift to a young boy'”go for a Target or Walmart or Kohl’s lookalike. No one will know the difference.
7) Although a new high school grad won’t know it right away, job interviews, school meetings, and full-time careers are right around the corner. He is going to need some nice dress clothes. If you can swing it, a full suit is the way to go. But that runs high and you may not be in the relationship to give it to him (I suggest family only). But nice dress shirts, ties, and shoes are always appropriate gifts. Nowadays they sell dress shirt and tie kits for around thirty (you can find sales easily) dollars at most stores. Give him one of these and he’ll always be prepared to look his best.
8) Or for a twist on the dressing up motif, give him a shoe polish kit (with instructions!) or a hair clipper kit (also with instructions). These unorthodox gifts will serve him well as he lives on his own. Going along with this theme is stain stick and words of wisdom on how to get different stains out!
9) A nice wallet (or money clip) can be great, since he’ll suddenly need not only his license, but credit cards, student id, petty cash, and the numbers of any girls he meets. A nice wallet can last a long time and say “I’m an adult” in ways that pulling junk out of pockets looking for that scrap of paper with a number on it never can. Any clothing department store has wallets. Macys.com has nice ones that are not too overpriced. >
10) Anything for a dorm or apartment (where he’ll be presumably living) has to be small, useful, and easily carted around (he’ll probably move a bit in those first few years out on his own). So I recommend kitchen appliances. Things like a cheese grater, salt and pepper shakers, coffee mugs, a good knife set, a coffeemaker, a blender, etc., can all help when trying to set up one’s kitchen. If you know the young man has nothing for his apartment a full pots and pans set can be one of the greatest gifts. Or a full dishes set (service for four or eight is good) can really put him ahead. Not sure what to get him? A gift card to WalMart ensures he will be able to get what he needs and will think of you while doing so.
