31 Epic Graduation Gift Ideas for Grads of All Ages in 2025

If someone special in your life is about to graduate from high school, college, grad school or even kindergarten, you need to come up with some fantastic graduation gift ideas to help them celebrate! They’ve put in serious hard work, so they deserve a little treat.

Graduation is more than just a ceremony. As Psychology Today highlights, it is a rite of passage that marks an achievement and the transition into a new phase of life. Marking and celebrating these moments endows them with significance and alters what is perceived to be achievable with our own actions. No pressure!

So, what should you get them? What’s a good graduation gift for a girl or guy who’s about to leave school and start a new chapter? We’re here to talk all about some epic graduation gift ideas so you can start making your shopping list early. Read on to learn more!

Jump to Section 

• Creative Graduation Gift Ideas
• Foodie Graduation Gift Ideas
• Unique Graduation Gift Ideas
• DIY Graduation Gift Ideas
• Graduation Gift Ideas for Her
• Graduation Gift Ideas for Him

Creative Graduation Gift Ideas

1. Paint and Sip

Graduation is exciting, but it’s also seriously stressful! It’s a transition to a whole new life, even if it doesn’t always seem that way. Why not give your favorite graduate a gift that lets them have fun and relax in a stress-free space?

A local paint and sip is a great graduation gift idea. They can paint and sip in Chicago, Denver, NYC and paint and sip anywhere else that's convenient. No matter where your loved one is living, there’s sure to be a paint and sip near them that they can enjoy. If you're unsure which class they want to get, get them a paint and sip gift card so they can choose!

2. Pottery Classes

Pottery classes aren’t just a fun experience. They’re a great graduation gift because they also teach your favorite graduate a new skill and they can leave with a handmade trinket of their very own. What’s not to love about pottery classes near you? 

This is a great graduation gift idea for a daughter or son and their parents to do together or something you can get for the graduate to do solo. There are pottery classes in Houston, Los Angeles and Boston, just to name a few. All are led by expert potters who will take them through the fundamental pottery tools and techniques, all the way from hand-building pottery to wheel throwing.

3. Dance Classes

Has your favorite graduate always wanted to learn how to dance? Dance classes make a great graduation gift idea for anyone who loves music and has rhythm. You can even suggest online dance classes if your loved one isn’t quite confident enough to dance in front of others just yet.

They can belly dance in dance classes in NYC, salsa in dance classes in the Bay Area or even try hip hop dancing in dance classes in Las Vegas. There's no better way to relieve the stress of years of study than to move just for the thrill of it.

4. A Personalized Paint-By-Numbers Kit

Get a photo of the graduate with their friends or in their graduation robes and turn it into a paint-by-numbers kit for them. Any photo can become a fantastic piece of art, even if they don’t have amazing art skills to take on their self-portrait ideas just yet.

This is an incredibly meaningful and creative graduation gift idea (and it’s also great for parents of the recent graduate). You can find a paint-by-numbers kit on Canvas By Numbers.

5. A Polaroid Camera

A Polaroid (or otherwise instant) camera is a great graduation gift for students who are continuing on to college. They can continue using the camera to capture and keep memories for years to come. This graduation gift for her is a lot of fun and it's super easy to use, so they'll reach for it all the time. They’re also a great travel gift if the graduate in your life has any trips planned.

Foodie Graduation Gift Ideas

6. Cooking Classes

Cooking classes are a great graduation gift for adults or teenagers reaching adulthood who haven’t quite learned their way around a kitchen yet. If they’re about to be off on their own, they should know how to cook at least one good meal that doesn’t come from a ramen packet.

Book them into a local class so they can learn to cook for the enjoyment rather than just necessity. There are cooking classes everywhere, so whether they need cooking classes in Portland, Tucson or Houston, there’s sure to be one available nearby. 

7. A High-End Meal

A meal at a local fancy restaurant is an excellent graduation gift idea that doesn’t take too much planning. Dress up nicely, make a reservation and take your favorite graduate to a five-star restaurant that they won’t forget. This is one of the best last-minute gift ideas if you forgot to buy something!

8. A Nifty New Appliance

A cooking gift is a great graduation gift idea for a daughter or son who is about to move out on their own for the first time. If they’re getting their own apartment, they may want some helpful kitchen tools to make cooking easier. Get them a nifty new small kitchen appliance like an Instant Pot or air fryer. 

9. A Nice Set of Kitchen Knives

This is one of the best gifts for foodies. Anyone who loves to cook knows the value of a nice set of sharp kitchen knives. Sure, the ones from the local department store are fine, but if you have a graduating home chef in your midst, they deserve the best. You can find nice knife sets that aren’t prohibitively expensive from Zwilling. 

10. A Meal Kit Subscription

Are you looking for a graduation gift for a student headed to college or graduate school? Consider a meal kit subscription. College is stressful, especially if you’re also trying to work alongside. There isn’t always a lot of time left over to grocery shop or come up with recipes. A subscription from a site like Hello Fresh will save your favorite graduate time and money (and they may learn some new cooking skills).

11. A Le Creuset Piece 

If you’re looking for graduation gift ideas for a friend or family member, look no further than Le Creuset. These high-priced pieces are spendy, but gorgeous and high-quality. Most people will never buy one for themselves (especially on a student budget), so give one as a special gift. It works really well as a going away gift or housewarming gift, too.

Unique Graduation Gift Ideas

12. A Fun Game Night

Sometimes, a day or night of relaxation and fun is the best graduation gift idea they could ask for. Virtual game nights definitely fit the bill. Set up a game night for the graduate in your life to enjoy with their friends. They can play online trivia games, explore virtual escape rooms and even try virtual scavenger hunts.

13. A Nintendo Switch

Speaking of game nights, why not give your loved one a game console? A Nintendo Switch is a great graduation gift idea for her or him, especially if they'll soon be leaving home. These little game consoles can be used with a TV, but you can also use them on a plane, on a car trip or anywhere else. If you also have a Switch, you can even play games together.  

14. A Personalized Map

On a site like Mapiful, you can find customized maps that are beautiful enough to enjoy as hanging artwork. This is a fantastic graduation gift idea for a friend or family member who will be moving away to start their life elsewhere. Get them a map of where they came from so they’re always reminded of home. 

15. A National Park Pass

If you have an outdoorsy graduate in your life, this is a great college graduation gift for him or her. Let them spend it exploring nature with an annual America the Beautiful pass from REI. This is one of the most unique graduation gifts, but it’s a great one. Get them in the car and get ready for road trip games and some of the most beautiful places in the country.

16. A Weighted Blanket

This may seem like a particularly unique graduation gift idea for a friend, but it will definitely be appreciated. Research compiled by the National Library of Medicine suggests that weighted blankets can be helpful for anxiety, and that will definitely be helpful for any new graduates headed to college or grad school. A weighted blanket from a site like Luna Blanket is a bit expensive, but it’s worthwhile. You can’t beat the gift of better sleep.

17. An Electric Bike

What are the top 10 graduation gifts this year? We know electric bikes should make the list. An electric bike is a great graduation gift idea for a daughter or son who’s going to be moving away for college and needs a quick, eco-friendly way to get to class or work. Electric bikes are fun and easy to store, even in a tiny apartment. Check out Best Buy to find the right one.

DIY Graduation Gift Ideas 

18. A Gorgeous Flower Arrangement

You can always buy a nice flower arrangement for your favorite graduate, but doesn’t making one sound more personal and fun? If you take virtual flower arranging classes, you can learn how to make a custom floral gift to give your loved one on graduation day. Or, book a session as a gift idea for her graduation that you can enjoy together.

19. A School Memory Scrapbook

So, your friend is graduating and you’re looking for great college graduation gift ideas for him or her, but you don’t have a lot of money to spend. Why not make a special school memory scrapbook?

Print out photos of your experiences together from your years in school and gather some photos from other friends. Include things like event tickets or notes you passed to each other as well. This is one of the best gifts for under $50, even if you include all of the materials.

20. A Decorated Graduation Cap

This is another awesome graduation gift idea for a friend that you can make on a budget! You can either customize your friend’s graduation cap or, if that’s not allowed, buy a separate one to turn into a beautiful piece of artwork. This DIY gift idea will find its place in their box of treasures.

21. A Hand-Sewn Gift

Sewing skills aren’t as common as they once were, but if you know how to sew, you can make so many newly crafted gifts. Whether you craft some new clothing, embroider a custom tote bag or make plush toys, they'll appreciate the time and effort that's gone into creating a graduation gift idea that's uniquely theirs.

If you're just a beginner, book into a sewing class together and walk away with skills you'll use for life. Before you know it, you’ll be sewing amazing graduation gifts for friends, birthday gifts for family members and so much more! 

Graduation Gift Ideas for Her

22. Online Mixology Classes

What’s a good graduation gift for a girl who loves a good drink? Online mixology classes make great gifts for cocktail lovers. Your favorite graduate won’t have to spend all of their money at the bar on fun nights out.

They can start hosting their own classy college parties after just a few classes. Consider gifting them a bar cart as well for an extra-special gift that will complement their title of best cocktail maker on campus.

23. Classy Wine Tasting

What about gifts for wine lovers? If you have a wine-loving friend who’s about to graduate, a wine tasting is a perfect graduation gift idea for her. Virtual wine tastings also make great low-key graduation party ideas. Pull together your best charcuterie board ideas and graduation party food ideas for a complete celebration.

24. A Timeless Necklace

If you have a daughter or niece who’s graduating, you'll soon be faced with the dilemma of choosing a thoughtful yet cool high school graduation gift idea for her. A beautiful necklace is a gift that will be treasured, no matter her style.

It’s something that she can keep forever and it may even be her first piece of high-quality jewelry. Pick something stylish but timeless, like a gold birthstone necklace from Etsy.

25. A Spa Voucher

What’s the most common graduation gift? A gift card, no doubt. If you’re going to give someone a gift card, make it a good one by choosing one for a local spa. Who doesn’t love a day at the spa? Experience gift cards make amazing gift ideas for her graduation because the recipient can use them whenever she wants to. She’ll appreciate this self-care gift.

26. Perfume Subscription

Looking for more high school graduation gift ideas for her? A perfume subscription allows them to receive designer scents every month without having to commit to a full-sized bottle. If she finds one she loves, she can buy it to keep. Scentbird is the most popular subscription perfume option and it’s super affordable.

Graduation Gift Ideas for Him

27. Woodworking Classes

Does a graduating man in your life love working with his hands? Woodworking classes will make a great college graduation gift idea for him! Woodworking is a lot of fun and it opens up so many opportunities beyond just tackling DIY home projects. He may be making his own furniture for his apartment before you know it. He may even make your next gift.

28. Glass Blowing Classes

Glass blowing may not be a commonly practiced art form, but it’s a beautiful one. Many people want to learn how to blow glass but they’ve never had the opportunity. Give your loved one the gift of a brand new skill by giving them glass blowing classes as a graduation gift. Who knows, it might even lay the foundation for a creative hobby they'll enjoy for life.

29. A Customized Pocket Knife

Pocket knives are a classy graduation gift idea for him, and they're handy if the graduate in your life loves to go hiking. If he doesn’t have a reliable pocket knife yet, why not buy him one? It'll go right to the top of his camping checklist. You can make sure it has a gorgeous blade and you can even have it engraved. Again, Etsy is a fantastic source for this type of gift.

30. Etched Whiskey Glasses

Speaking of fancy and customized graduation gift ideas, you can’t get much classier than etched whiskey glasses. New college graduates often still have basic glassware from the local department store. Give your favorite graduate a set of fancy etched whiskey glasses so he can elevate his parties with something special. You can use a site like Etsy to find the perfect gift. They'll make great decorations for the graduation party right up until they're put to use.

31. A Fitness Tracker

What is a good last-minute graduation gift idea? A fitness tracker! You can find fitness trackers, like the ever-popular FitBit, almost anywhere or order them and get quick delivery just in time for graduation day. If the graduate in your life loves to exercise and stay healthy, they’ll love having one of these handy little devices. 

So, which of these graduation gift ideas is your favorite? Regardless of what your favorite graduate loves, at least one of these gifts is sure to delight them. Pick the perfect solo gift or mix and match them to create an awesome graduation gift basket. 

For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!