30 thoughtful high school graduation gifts she'll actually use

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Help her celebrate high school graduation with these 30 thoughtful gifts.
Whether she's headed to college, work, or figuring out her next step, there's something for her.
Some of our favorites include an instant camera, a custom map, and astrology-themed jewelry.

Graduating from high school is a big deal. After 12 years of schooling, finally receiving that diploma is a big moment that merits lots of celebrating.

There are a few ways to go about gifting your new high school grad. She might be heading off to college, in which case you want to give her something functional and useful for the next step of her education. Maybe she's gearing up for future travel plans and you want to help curb some of the costs. Or perhaps she's not sure what she's doing next, but you want to commemorate the journey up until this point and help her chart her next course.

Regardless of your new grad's post-high school plans, you can show her how proud you are of everything she's accomplished with the following 29 gifts. A simple card, sweet treats, beauty and style accessories, and tech devices are all thoughtful presents that she'll love and appreciate as she celebrates with her fellow graduates.

This list includes a Sponsored Product that has been suggested by Gravity. It meets our editorial criteria in terms of quality and value.*

A Tile Pro tracker to find lost items

Tile Pro, $72, available on Amazon

You can't go wrong with a tracker for their keys, wallet, or phone. The Tile Pro is compact and useful for pretty much everyone, especially if their dorm or apartment charges a fee every time they accidentally lock themselves out.

A book about making the most of your twenties

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter And How To Make The Most Of Them Now, $10.81, available on Amazon

They will make big, impactful decisions in the years ahead. And the best defense is a good offense. Your high school grad may benefit from knowing now, before any of those decisions crop up, how to get the most out of their "defining decade."

A comforting weighted blanket

Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket, $139.30, available at Gravity

Sleeping away from home can be tough, especially with the pressure of exams, homework, and new social surroundings. Help her fall asleep easier with this soothing weighted blanket, which can reduce anxiety and promote deeper sleep. This one is cooling, which is perfect for older dorm rooms that may not have air conditioning.

*Sponsored by Gravity

A planner that guides them through a five- or 10-year plan

Best Self Co. Journal, $31.99, available on Amazon

The Best Self Co. Journal helps people map out their five- or 10-year plans in a tangible, easily managed way. It's a nice way to provide growth and direction after graduation, whether they're on their way to college, a new job, traveling, or anything else.

Convenient, compact sport headphones

Gift the Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones, $129, available at Walmart

These are among the best deals we know of on earbuds. Be it for commuting, working out, submitting applications, or just kicking around the house, a nice pair of headphones is a huge upgrade.

SoundSport headphones have six hours of battery life and they don't take up much space to store, making them convenient for working out or listening on the move. They're also not so dainty that you run the risk of losing them.

A monogrammed planner

Red Moleskine Notebook — Flickr/seanmcgrath

Personalized Notebooks, $14.99, available from Moleskine

Life is busy. A monogrammed Moleskine planner is a thoughtful and useful gift, gifting them with a professional-looking, organized way to start off the year. It will also look nice in a meeting, interview, or internship.

A candle that smells like home

Homesick candles, from $34, available at Homesick

L.L.Bean Large Hunter's Tote Bag, $39.95 (+ $8 for monogram), available at L.L.Bean

College Logo Custom Rambler, $19.99-$59.99, available at YETI

Yeti offers just over 180 colleges to choose from to start showing collegiate spirit. You can even add a custom monogram for no additional charge to this stainless steel, powerfully insulated mug that she's sure to carry around with her all day during school.

A map that reminds her of home

Create a custom map poster for $49 at Grafomap here

The Carry-On, $225, available at Away

Leather Luggage Stickers, $15, available at Away

When it's time to travel again, she'll love having this sleek and popular carry-on suitcase at her side. The durable polycarbonate hardshell is adventure-ready, and there are tons of cheerful colors to choose from. An optional ejectable battery keeps tech devices charged while on the move, too.

Comfortable wool loungers

Women's Wool Loungers, $95, available at Allbirds

Deemed "the world's most comfortable shoes," Allbirds' merino wool loungers boast the comfort of a house slipper with the look and versatility of an outdoor shoe. They're moisture-wicking and machine-washable so maintenance is a breeze.

A personalized piece of jewelry that doesn't have her name or initials

Zodiac Collection Rings and Necklaces, $90-$375, available at Mejuri

Shop all flower bouquets starting at $39 at The Bouqs Co.

Fresh and vibrant blooms are sure to set a happy, celebratory mood. From roses and orchids to succulents and tropical flowers, The Bouqs Co. is the place to find arrangements to make her smile.

A stylish backpack that also gives back

1015_essentials_18_lorimer_black_with_gold_zips_a_720_1200x — STATE Bags

Lorimer Backpack, $90, available at STATE Bags

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera, $68.99, available at Amazon

The years are only going to fly by faster after graduation. She can capture and cherish all the most important moments with her loved ones thanks to this must-have accessory.

A box of new and popular sheet masks

32280202_1856615877971296_9059429759322161152_n — FaceTory

Gift a FaceTory subscription box starting at $19.90 here

Rose Edition Goby Toothbrush, $65 with subscription or $80 without, available at Goby

Echo Spot, $34.08, available at Amazon

Play music, get the news every morning, call family members, and more just by using your voice with the compact Echo Spot. It's simple to set up and there's a seemingly endless number of commands to play around with.

A fun, easily stashable game

Bananagrams, $14.99, available at Amazon and Target

Combine an open door policy and a game everyone loves to create a foolproof way to make new friends during the first few months of college. This classic game is a great addition to any collection, and convenient to carry around, too.

A stylish watch

Beverly 38mm Watch, $115, available at MVMT

iPad (32 GB), $329, available at Apple

Apple Pencil, $99, available at Apple

It was recently announced that the Apple Pencil now works with the regular iPad, letting you easily add diagrams and annotations to your documents without having to import them from separate paid apps. Instead of lugging around a laptop from class to class, she can use the much lighter iPad to take notes and access important files.

A rapid ramen cooker

Rapid Ramen Cooker (Pack of 2), $65.37, available at Amazon

What's college without a few packets of ramen? Prepare her for the inevitable with this funny gift which will at least cook the noodles for her more quickly. The block of ramen fits perfectly in the bowl and there's no need for measuring since the water line is marked.

A charming, handmade card

A Toast to Your Graduation Card, $5.75, available at Etsy

Send a cute food pun card to congratulate your graduate. You can even customize the cap colors to fit the specific school colors.

A pair of sunglasses

RAEN Norie Sunglasses in Brindle Tortoise, $134.95, available at Backcountry

These flattering, slightly oversized cat-eye glasses from celeb-favorite brand RAEN will always be in her bag as she enjoys a hopefully relaxing summer after graduation. They're lightweight and polarized for 100% UVA/UVB protection.

A photo box frame

Brass & Wood Display Box, $55, available at Artifact Uprising

Square Print Set, from $9, available at Artifact Uprising

Display and store up to 50 5"x 5" prints in this beautifully crafted photo box made of brass and real hardwood. Just slide in your preferred image into the frame, and switch it out whenever you want a change.

A personalized leather portfolio

mothers day gifts from startup founders 28 — Leatherology

Organizer Portfolio, $95 (+$10 monogram or +$40 hand paint), available at Leatherology

First impressions are a big deal at internship interviews and job fairs. This well-organized portfolio is made from full-grain leather and available in a variety of gorgeous colors starts her off on the right foot.

A lamp that lets her know you're thinking of her, and vice versa