GIFTS FOR MEN The Ultimate Idea Guide

Best Graduation Gifts for Him (High School & College 2022)

By Andrew Peloquin  |  September 30, 2022

Best Graduation Gifts for Him (High School & College 2022)
Courtesy of Dango
 

Getting a graduation gift for your student is a great way to both let them know how proud you are of them for their hard work, and provide something that will set them up for the next phase in their life.

They’ve just spent the last few years studying their butts off to graduate from high school, college or trade school, and now they’re stepping out into the world to spread their wings and see what they can make of themselves.

Obviously, as his parent, you want to make sure he’s got room to grow and develop on his own. You can’t take care of him like you did when he was a kid in elementary school or a teenager in high school. He’s got to be his own man now and face the world bravely.

But a little gift can go a long way toward helping set him on the right path.

Whether he’s moving to a dorm, his first apartment, or moving in with his college buddies, a practical graduation gift will help set up his new living quarters—all without being a "helicopter parent".

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best graduation gifts for him. Some are functional and practical, others fun and more "want" than "need". But all of them are gifts that will come in handy in his new life.


Table of Contents


A selection of gifts ideas for the graduate in 2024



Bellroy’s Desk Caddy Neatly Organizes Your Desk & Tech Essentials

Bellroy Desk Caddy


 




Stay Cool Anywhere and Everywhere with the evaCHILL Portable Air Conditioner

evaCHILL Portable Air Conditioner


 




Razer Strider: The Unbeatable Gaming Mouse Mat

Razer Strider Gaming Mouse Mat


 
$30-50




Very Handy: Gentlemen’s Hardware Manicure Set

Gentlemen's Hardware Travel Manicure Set


 

With the manicure set from Gentlemen’s Hardware, your nail grooming regime gets a welcomed upgrade. Neatly packaged in a fabric case, it contains a complete set of stainless steel tools that includes nail clippers, nail scissors, tweezers and a nail file.




By the Numbers: Acebeam Rider RX 650 Lumens Flashlight

Acebeam Rider RX 650 Lumens Flashlight


 

The numbers tell you all you need to know about this little badass. The Acebeam Rider RX is a compact & waterproof EDC flashlight that delivers 650 lumens of bright-white light that it can throw into a 300-foot beam. It’s got 5 power modes. 2-way clip. Max run-time: up to 7 days. Weight: 82 grams.




Sonos Roam SL Speaker: Sweet Sound, Nice Price

Sonos Roam SL Speaker


 

The Sonos Roam SL makes the brand’s popular Roam portable speaker a bit simpler by eliminating the mic but its functions with the same sweet, room-filling sound & a sweet price tag to boot.

Compatible with all Sonos Qi chargers, it offers 10 hours of continuous playback as well as IP67 waterproofing for beach & poolside soundtracks.




Native Union Makes Wireless Charging A Snap

Native Union Snap 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger


 

With the ability to charge your iPhone 12 & 13, Apple Watch, & AirPods all at once, this 3-in-1 MagSafe-compatible stand keeps your devices organized & accessible while charging.

It powers iPhones up to 7.5W & AirPods, AirPods Pro & Apple Watch up to 5W, as well as offering USB-C charging for other devices. Adjustable for portrait or landscape viewing.




Gain New Power: Baseus GaN III Charger

Baseus USB-C Charging Station


 

Equipped with 3 fast charging ports & 2 outlets, this 65W USB-C GaN III charger can power up 6 devices simultaneously. In addition to powering your Macbook & most other laptops, it’ll do the same for iPhone, iPad, Samsung smartphones, bluetooth earphones, e-readers, portable speakers, and everything else in your life powered by a USB cord.




Bang for the Buck: Tozo’s Super Thin W1 Wireless Charger

TOZO W1 Wireless Charger


 

The Tozo W1 Wireless Charger is smooth and sleek and just 5mm thick. For reference, that’s two nickels and a penny stacked together. So yeah, impressively thin for its 10 Watt output, which is plenty to charge the latest Apple & Samsung devices.

A mirror-like finish and single LED indicator light complete the streamlined design. It charges via USB-C but no cord & adapter is included. Which must be at least part of why it’s such a great price. Available in a variety of colors.




Head Out Organized with a Packable Pouch from Pioneer Carry

Pioneer Global Pouch


 

Made of rugged ripstop with an Aquaguard zipper & sized perfectly for travel, Pioneer Carry’s Global Pouch is a catch-all travel companion that can hold anything from tech to toothbrush and features 5 internal pockets for all those little things.




The Dango Dapper is One Well-Dressed Wallet

Dango Dapper Bi-fold Wallet


 

Blending natural and technical materials in a clean, modern design, the D03 Dapper bi-fold wallet is one you’ll want in your back pocket. Machined aluminum and top-grain leather combine in a classic bill fold configuration that holds up to 14 cards and cash. Choose silver, black or brown.




Strap This Sony Speaker To Your Beach Bag

Sony Extra BASS Wireless Portable Compact Speaker


 

With its beach-friendly waterproof design and pocketable size, Sony’s SRS-XB13 speaker makes a cool companion for hot summer days. With an IP67 rating for dust- and water-proofing plus a UV-coated finish, it’s built for all-weather outdoor action. Shorter than a common 12-ounce can, it is also very packable; with a webbing strap loop for lashing it to your pack or carrying around your wrist. Battery life: 16 hours. Available in a range of colors.




The Beosound Explore is a Sweet Summer Speaker

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore


 

In a range that includes more than 20 different speakers, the latest addition to Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound lineup is the portable Beosound Explore, a waterproof, dust-proof, travel-friendly speaker boasting 27 hours of continuous playback. Its small size, sturdy aluminum-body construction, and an integrated carabiner clip make it a great option for on-the-go audio. Just remember, most other hikers don’t want to hear your Travis Scott playlist.




Stand-Up and Get To Work with this Desk Converter

Cora Standing Desk Converter


 

Converting your laptop-on-the-table workstation to a more sensible & posture-friendly standup desk should be easy. Cora’s Standing Desk Conversion makes it so. It’s a lightweight but sturdy little stand that’s also portable. From a flat & smooth 1.3” riser, it opens up on aluminum scissor legs to a fully extended 15.7” high—and any level in between. Simply squeeze the side levers to lift or lower. It measures 31.3” x 22” x 1.3” and supports up to 22.5 pounds.




Safety Looks Smart In VSSL’s First Aid Mini

VSSL First Aid Mini


 

VSSL’s First Aid Mini kit keeps your first aid essentials on-hand & efficiently organized in a lightweight aluminum tube. With sealed screw caps on either end, stackable tins inside are grouped like Clean, Cut and Cover for wound care & Outdoor Essentials featuring pain meds, burn cream and blister pads. At 6.75” long and a weight of 9.9 ounces, the 100% watertight tube is fast-light friendly.




This is the Smartest Power Strip We’ve Ever Seen

Eve Energy Strip


 

Winner of a 2019 RedDot Design award, the Eve Energy Strip is a connected 3-socket power strip that lets you individually control 3 outlets via Siri voice control or the Eve app. It also allows you to set schedules for lighting or other home devices and appliances as well as offering advanced data security and surge protection features.




This Upcycled Leather Wallet Fits Like a Glove

Vintage Baseball Gloves Wallet


 

Using leather recycled from time-worn vintage baseball gloves, Fielders Choice Goods craft one-of-a-kind wallets in a variety of styles. Each wallet is handmade & features designs that highlight the unique material and its markings—from original logos and printing to the creases & character of its former life. FCG embosses their wallets with a small gold leaf logo & also offers monogramming.




This Handsome Travel Wallet Keeps You Organized On the Move

Dango P02 Pioneer Travel Wallet


 

When you’re cruising across international borders and zipping through time zones, it’s best & safest to keep your essentials all in one place, easily accessible, & on your person. And the P02 Pioneer Travel Wallet is purpose-built for precisely this type of jetsetting.

It’s made of water-resistant & scratch-resistant D-Text fabric, has secure zippered pockets for passport, travel docs, tickets, cards, cash, & more. It features a pen slot & an adjustable strap for optional shoulder-carry.




Plug It All Into the Anker PowerPort Cube

Anker PowerPort Cube


 

At home or on the road, you can plug it all into the Anker PowerPort Cube. It’s got 3 AC outlets and 3 USB ports to charge up & power everything on your desk from a single compact hub. It gives you High-Speed Charging optimized for USB devices, it’s smaller than  2 ½ cubic inches for portability, and it offers overload protection.




This Slim Leather Sleeve Will Look Great On Your Mac

Killspencer Classic Laptop Sleeve


 
$129-149

Made of premium full-grain leather and lined with scratch-resistant Alcantara, Killspencer’s Classic Sleeves provide stylish protection for your Macbook and iPad, and are perfectly sized for the entire range of Apple products. Made in America.





Having trouble finding something you think your graduate will like?

At WERD, we spend every day of every year uncovering the latest in men's gadgets and gear. Try going through some of our categories for more gifting inspiration. A few to try: Gear for Men, Cool Gadgets, Books for Men, Stuff for the Home.



WERD has been reader-supported since 2009. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We do not accept compensation for reviews.

How much should I spend on a graduation gift?

There’s no hard-and-fast rule to follow when giving graduation gifts. You want to spend an amount that shows how proud you are, but he’s not a kid anymore receiving expensive Christmas presents.

Here is a general "rule of thumb" to consider:

  • If you’re his parent: $100+
  • If you’re his grandparent: $50+
  • If you’re his friend, sibling, or coworker: $30-50
It’s a monumental occasion in his life that should be commemorated, but don’t feel like you have to break the bank.


What is the most common graduation gift?

Cash is the most common graduation gift.

A lot of people go with cash for a new graduate because they might not know him well enough to know what kind of gift he’d need.

For parents or grandparents, however, cash has a way of ensuring he’s got enough to cover the bills of his new apartment/house/room.

If cash seems too impersonal or boring, consider something he'll actually find utility with, like a dopp kit or a nice wallet.



Do graduates gift other graduates?

That would be nice, and if you choose to do so, good for you! However, it’s not necessary.

Imagine having to get all of your best high school or college friends a gift—even at a low cost per gift, that still adds up to a very expensive graduation!



If I receive a graduation announcement do I need to send a gift?

Graduation announcements aren’t the same as a graduation invitation.

A graduation invitation is sent to family and close friends, inviting them to attend the official graduation ceremony at school and/or a graduation event hosted by the parents. For this, you will need to bring a gift to the event.

A graduation announcement, on the other hand, is simply sent out to inform friends, family, and coworkers about this grand milestone, but there is no obligation or expectation of receiving a gift in return.



Should I bring a gift to a graduation commencement ceremony?

As explained above, being invited to the graduation commencement ceremony means you fall in the circle of "close family and friends". It’s an intimate event for only the most important people in the student’s life.

Which, of course, means that anyone who is invited should bring a gift—or, if they can’t attend in person, should send a gift to the graduate’s family’s home within a few days of the ceremony. That’s what is expected of close family and friends.



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