Best High School Graduation Gifts for Her: 13 Inexpensive Ideas She’ll Actually Use
Thoughtful high school graduation gifts perfect for your daughter, sister, niece, or girlfriend
Graduation season is coming up fast. Soon high school girls and guys will be crossing the stage to get their diplomas.
With the inevitable happening, there’s just one question to solve –
What kind of graduation gift for a high school girl should I get?
To help you with that:
I put together a list of the best inexpensive high school graduation gifts for her. Below you’ll find 13 graduation gifts high school girls more than adore!
P.S. Grab my FREE printable gift tags at the end of this post!
Best High School Graduation Gift Ideas for Her
I say that a more practical route for gift giving is perfect when it comes to this occasion.
Celebrate the big day by picking a gift that will come in handy for the next big step life: college!
1. A Cute Bag for Impromptu Weekend Trips
Think of all the short, little trips your daughter or sister will take in college…
And how a weekend getaway bag won’t be on her dorm packing list.
A gift like this is perfect for a spontaneous high school girl who’s interested in traveling and adventure.
2. A Guide for Making the Most of Her College Years
After high school comes a lot of newfound freedom! While that can be exciting, it can also be a bit overwhelming…
Instead of getting trapped in the myth that you need to (or even can) “do it all,” 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College helps students figure out what’s most important to them…and how to make it happen.
A guide for navigating college life and making the most out of the next four years is another graduation gift high school girls are sure to find useful.
3. A Hydro Flask Water Bottle That Will Last for Years + Stickers to Decorate It
Hydro Flask is the “it” water bottle brand with the young crowd. Teens and college kids love ’em because there’s a lot to like! They’re made out of extra durable pro-grade steel and come in a wide variety of trendy colors.
And Stickers are a popular way to decorate customize the look of it – especially with VSCO type girls. This sticker pack comes with so many cute stickers and at a low price, too.
Add those together, and you’ve got an awesome high school graduation gift idea that doesn’t break the bank!
4. A Soothing Weighted Blanket That Feels Like a Hug
Moving away from home after high school can be a bit nerve wracking. There are more freedoms, but there are also more unknowns.
When a freshly graduated high school girl moves into her first dorm or apartment, she might feel lonely and homesick. But a weighted blanket can help.
Using a weighted blanket feels similar to receiving a nice hug or being swaddled. Studies, along with anecdotal evidence, prove that they reduce anxiety and stress. This is because deep pressure stimulation has a calming effect.
At the very least, she’ll be able to get a better night’s sleep with a gift like this.
5. Set Her Up for Success With the Best Academic Planner for College
Time management skills can be a real issue for college freshmen. Help your new high school grad get a head start on good habits with a planner — but not just any old planner.
Intentionally designed by an award-winning college professor, The Centered Student Planner is one of the absolute best planners for college students.
Using visual learning and positive psychology, it’s the only planner out there that actually teaches students how to use it and set themselves up for success at college. In fact, this planner is part of a system designed to reduce stress and increase daily happiness. The included video tutorials provide coaching and guidance on how to successfully manage time as a college student.
Honestly, for everything this academic planner has to offer, the price is a total steal. And the limited edition Floral Bleu cover is just the prettiest thing!
P.S. But if you’re looking for a personalized grad gift, you can’t go wrong with a fully customizable Erin Condren planner.
6. A Wishing Ball for Treasuring Hopes and Dreams
In the words of Gandhi,
“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, and your words become your actions…”
To say the least, intentions are everything. This enchanting glass ball is not only unique and beautiful, but also full of good intentions. It comes with 52 slips of paper meant to capture wishes, hopes, and dreams.
It’s a thoughtful graduation gift for a high school girl because it’s a physical symbol of encouraging her to think about her wishes and dreams. She’ll have a moment of pause and reflection to look forward to each week.
I think this is a super fun gift idea to break out at her graduation party. Encourage partygoers to each write their own bit of wisdom, advice, and good wishes for the new graduate! Then she’ll have 52 weeks of surprises to read.
7. A Journal to Help Her Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude
This next high school graduation gift for girls can help set her on the path to creating a more satisfying life.
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude has many benefits. It has been scientifically proven to improve your psychological and physical health.
If you want to give something particularly thoughtful, this wonderful gratitude journal is the way to go.
8. A Camera That Prints Instant Polaroid-Sized Pictures
A high school girl likely has hundreds, if not thousands, of pictures on her phone.
But how many physical photos does she have?
Not many, if any. An instant print camera (like the nifty KODAK one above) is a top high school graduation gift for her because it’s a uniquely fun gift she’ll enjoy again and again!
9. A Basic Tool Kit With All the Essentials
Speaking of moving out:
This next graduation gift idea for her will help your high school graduate tackle everyday repairs with confidence.
This compact Fix-It Kit has all the basic tools a young adult needs – talk about handy! It’s the perfect thing for her to keep in her car or dorm room when she heads off to college.
10. A Pair of the Comfiest Socks Ever
Bombas socks are seriously the comfiest socks I’ve tried and the only socks I wear these days. They’re that good. I’ve converted so many of my friends to this brand of socks haha. I never imagined myself being brand loyal to socks, but here I am.
Bombas socks come in a huge variety of colors – everything from fun and bright to laid-back neutrals. Plus, they’re always releasing new patterns, so there’s really something for every type of graduating high school girl.
If you’re thinking socks as a graduation gift idea?! right now, I totally get it. It’s a little out there. But trust me on this one, they’ll instantly become her favorite pair of socks, and she’ll be thanking you for introducing her to Bombas! If you’re searching for a graduation gift for your daughter, sister, niece, or girlfriend, this is one of the safest bets you can make; she’s guaranteed to love it.
11. A Sidekick to Keep Cords Tangle Free
Tangled cords are always a pain!
Luckily:
We now have neat gadgets to prevent that problem. Teen girls have more than a few cords to keep track of. So this gift idea will be a big help to her nearly daily.
The fuse reel sidekick is the perfect companion for Macbook, HP, and ASUS laptops with square chargers. College students have a lot of stuff to carry around, and this will make keeping her backpack organized so much simpler.
12. A Vision Board Book for Visualizing Her Path Forward
Life post-high school is full of possibilities!
And while the freedom of so many choices and opportunities is exciting, it can also feel paralyzing.
It’s hard to move forward when you don’t have a clear idea of where you’re going.
Which is why a Vision Board Book is what every graduating high school senior needs. With it, she’ll be able to gain clarity on what’s next.
As she goes through 700+ words and images, she’ll be able to find inspiration and consider what it is she really wants out of life. It’s a fun project for her to work on while gaining helpful insight about herself at the same time.
13. A Bullet Journal + Pretty Pens
Bullet journaling is super popular right now – especially with girl students. It’s essentially a more freestyle version of a planner.
Does your high school grad enjoy drawing, being creative, or perfecting her handwriting?
If so:
A bullet journal (I highly recommend this particular one) is an inexpensive gift she’ll really appreciate. And colorful pens to write with make everything better. Zebra Mildliners are known for being the best of the best in the BUJO community.
FAQ
How much money do you give for high school graduation in 2023?
The range of gift value can vary widely depending on your relationship with the graduate and what your means are. $20 – $100 is the typical amount given on average.
But keep in mind:
You’re not obligated to give anything just because you received an announcement. Gifts aren’t necessary, but they are always appreciated.
High school graduation gifts for girls conclusion
So that wraps up this post the best high school graduation gifts for her that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. No matter your budget, there are a variety of wonderful graduation gifts for her that’ll she actually use and enjoy. I hope you found these ideas for high school graduates helpful!
Snag my FREE printable gift tags by clicking here.
Related posts you may find helpful:
- 13 awesome college care package ideas
- Gift ideas for college girls: 50 ideas she’ll totally LOVE
- 43 most useful college guy graduation gift ideas
- Clever graduation cap decoration ideas
- Free Printable Graduation Party Planner Worksheet
Pin it for later 📌:
About Charlie
Charlie is the co-founder of College Life Made Easy and author of the book 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College. She’s a 2015 graduate who teaches overwhelmed students and parents of students how to confidently navigate the whole college thing. As a former broke college kid, she’s passionate about helping students develop the skills they need in order to thrive (instead of just survive), stress less, and actually enjoy the full college experience.