The perfect graduation gifts can be hard one to find in the best case scenario, but if you’re on a time crunch to find one, then the task can really become Herculean. If that’s your case, do not panic because we’ve done all the work to find you all the best last-minute gifts for graduates.

Graduation, whether it’s from high school or college, marks a before-and-after in a person’s life. It’s a milestone that many of us have looked forward to for years, and for many, it also marks the beginning of a new lifestyle, which means new things to buy. Whether the grad in your life is moving into their first dorm, moving out on their own, or trying to find their first job, grad gifts often come in clutch, so the best advice when it comes to last-minute graduation gift ideas is to make them both thoughtful and useful at the same time.

If you are all out of ideas, fret not. Below, we have rounded up 25 of the best last-minute gifts for graduates that will be sure to arrive in time, even if you are in a rush. (Pro tip: We have rounded all of these gift ideas for graduates in order of price, from the most affordable starting at $10—but the last pick might be your safest bet if you are really pinched for time!)

Our top picks

Best for on the go

charmast 10000mAh Portable Charger with Built-in Cables

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Best for travelers

Samsonite Freeform 2-Piece Luggage Set

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Aurora

Adorable Palm Pals Magna Graduation Star

Graduation is a big day that we’ll all want to remember for years to come. If you are on a tight budget and want to show your grad that you are proud of them, an adorable grad plushie like this little star from Aurora can be a sweet little keepsake that won’t break the bank. If you want to give it a more personal touch, consider adding a handwritten note. (Extra points if you write it using the colors of their alma mater!)

OMYSTYLE

Purse Organizer Insert

Whether they are starting uni or a new job post-grad, what most people need is a hand with organization, so what’s better than a purse insert organizer? It might not scream perfect gift at first, but if you know their handbag is a bottomless pit, they will thank you a hundred times over. Plus, it is available in a wide range of colors, so you can make it extra personal by choosing their favorite one.

charmast

10000mAh Portable Charger with Built-in Cables

Perhaps the epitome of practical gifts is a portable charger, but this one from Charmast really takes the cake. What makes it so great? Well, it comes with built-in USB, micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning cables, so they can practically charge any of their devices with it, regardless of which port they use, without carrying anything extra. It’s also fast-charging and has 10,000 mAh, meaning it could last a few charges and save the day when they are running around nonstop. This one also comes in multiple colors, so you can pick their favorite.

Vandel

13-inch Laptop Sleeve

Graduation means we are probably on the road a lot more, which means we carry our laptops everywhere more often, usually unprotected. Whether they are starting a job or a new course at college, a laptop sleeve is always a welcome gift, and this super cute one from Vandel is hard to beat for $25. (Just a reminder: make sure to triple-check the laptop size before you actually hit buy.)

Apple

Apple AirTag (2nd Generation)

Over the years, AirTags have become one of the best gifts, especially for recent graduates. If you know they are struggling with keeping track of their belongings as they get accustomed to a new commute or routine, AirTags can be super practical gifts, and they are pretty affordable, too!

Owala

FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Wellness and hydration are a top priority for everyone, including grads. Running around between classes can make you forget to drink your water, but a nice water bottle like this one from Owala will be a nice reminder. They are made of stainless steel, making them durable and easy to clean. They also come in various colors, so you can pick a more office-appropriate one, like this deep burgundy, which would be a perfect gift for a college graduate, or go for a more vibrant one for a high school graduation gift looking to go into uni.

YETI

Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

If you know a water bottle isn’t their thing, a tumbler is also a great alternative. This stainless steel vacuum-insulated one is great for coffee and tea lovers and perfect for someone who is commuting to an office daily. We love the mint green colorway, but it is also available in silver, black, purple, red, and many more.

Soundcore by Anker

P31i Real-Time Adaptive Noise Canceling Earbuds

If you know they have spent all their time until graduation using wired headphones and are now looking to upgrade to wireless earbuds, these noise-canceling ones from Anker’s Soundcore line are a great, affordable alternative, with excellent reviews to boot. They come in four colors—light blue, light pink, white, and black—so you can pick the ones that better match their aesthetic. (If earbuds are not their vibe, then over-the-ear headphones like these ones, which also come with an AUX cable, are a great alternative!)

REDKISS

Ultra Soft Bath Towels Set

For a college grad moving into their first house, a set of towels is one of the best ones you can find. This striped six-piece set, with a Standard 100 certificate, could be a lifesaver for those starting fresh in a new house or apartment. Plus, they look super cute and trendy. If you know stripes aren’t their vibe, the same brand also makes a checkered two-piece set we’re obsessed with.

Away

Insider Packing Cubes

If, after all the hard work of earning their degree, you know they’d want to travel for a bit before stepping into “the real world,” but you have an under-$50 budget, so plane tickets are not an option, packing cubes are an underrated, great gift, and these ones from Away are some of the best you can get.

KODAK

EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera

Graduation season is all about the memories, but the chapter that follows is worth capturing, too. In an era of smartphones and digital cameras, many people have turned to analog film cameras to make capturing their memories even more special. That’s why this half-frame film camera from Kodak makes a great gift for those looking to dip their toes into the medium, since you essentially get double the photos per roll. If you want to make it a pack, consider adding some rolls to a nice gift box—and make sure to give this one to them before their graduation party so the big night can be immortalized, too.

Beckham Hotel Collection

Bed Pillows Standard/Queen Size

One of the most perfect high school or college graduation gifts you can give anyone who is moving out is a pair of hotel-quality pillows, and this Standard 100-certified pack from Beckham Hotel Collection is just that. Not only will they feel like a cloud, but they are also easy to clean and come in a variety of sizes, materials, and firmness. You can’t always gift a hotel stay, but this might be the next best thing.

Redchef

Nonstick Frying Pans Set

Also in the home department, a tried-and-true gift for graduates moving out is a set of pans. This nonstick frying pack set from Redchef is both cute and practical, with three different sizes included, all of which are oven and dishwasher-safe for extra comfort, which we know grads prioritize. They are available in beige, blue, or green, so you can go as colorful or as muted as you’d like, and they are often on sale for well under their normal $100 price tag.

Keurig

K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker

For a lot of us, a ritual post-graduation is morning coffee, so is there a better gift than an adorable coffee maker? This K-Mini single-serve coffee brewer from Keurig comes in a variety of colors and is a great option for recent graduates looking for a quick-and-easy solution.

Maison Margiela

Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette

Fragrances are staples in gift guides, but for a good reason. Finding a scent that is right for you can be a transcendental experience. Finding a “grown-up” perfume that is palatable to everyone is tough. Still, this eau de toilette from Maison Margiela’s Replica line is light enough to please most noses and would make a great graduation gift.

Martha Stewart

6QT Slim Air Fryer

Air fryers are a great gift for anyone who is just moving out on their own, like a graduate. They make cooking and meal prepping super easy, but let’s be honest, they can often be an eyesore. Not this one from Martha Stewart, though! Available in four colors—blue, green, white, and black—and for just under $100, this is one of the most functional and best-looking Air Fryers on the market, making it a no-brainer gift for the cook in your life.

Amazon

Amazon Kindle 16 GB

Another certified winner when it comes to gifts is often the Kindle. An e-reader is a great present for anyone who enjoys devouring books on the go, and the Matcha colorway from the classic Kindle range is not only arguably the prettiest model but also the most affordable.

Penguin Classics

Little Black Classics Box Set

A Kindle is always a good idea, but if your grad loves a physical book, then this box set from Penguin, featuring 80 of the publisher’s Little Black Classics, is hard to beat, especially for a grad trying to make their new space a home with their own mini library. Reading is, indeed, fundamental!

Philips

SmartSleep Wake-up Light

A Hatch is a great gift and often included in gift guides aplenty, but the last thing a recent graduate probably wants is another subscription. This SmartSleep light from Philips, which also doubles as a radio, is a great alternative that won’t break the bank if they just want to test out a wake-up light device.

Shark

NeverChange Compact Pro Air Purifier

With graduation season also comes allergy season, so in the realm of practical gifts, an air purifier is also a great idea. This compact one from Shark packs a punch while also being easy on the eye, with versions in lilac, pink, green, and more.

JULY

Everyday Large Tote Bag with Laptop Sleeve

One of the most practical gifts for a college graduate starting out in a new job is a work bag, and this one from July will tick most boxes. It’s an elevated version of a classic tote bag, perfect for on-the-go, with a pass-through band, a laptop sleeve, and a water bottle holder.

Samsonite

Freeform 2-Piece Luggage Set

If you know the graduate in your life has the travel bug and you feel the packing cubes above aren’t enough, a luggage set like this one from Samsonite, featuring a small carry-on and a large check-in bag, is a gift that will last them for years, whether they use them for leisure, work, or a mix of both. We all need trusty luggage to tow around the world as we enter adulthood, and a brand like Samsonite is top-of-the-line.

You have noticed that many of the gifts in this guide focus on practicality, but grads also need fun. If it fits your budget, something like the Nintendo Switch 2 console, which works just as well for on-the-go as it does at home, will certainly earn you the best gift-giver award.

Apple

2026 MacBook Neo 13-inch Laptop

Also higher on the budget spectrum is the MacBook Neo, Apple’s new under-$600 laptop, which is perfect for graduates heading to college and looking for their first “adult” laptop. It’s the more affordable computer in the Apple ecosystem, so it’s great to test the waters and will be more than enough for writing, minor editing, and browsing.

Amazon

eGift Card – Iconic Graduation – (Digital Delivery)

Last but very much not least is the perfect last-minute gift for graduates: a digital gift card that they can use on anything their heart desires. Don’t let the masses fool you into thinking a gift card is lame or not thoughtful; sometimes it can be the opposite. While material gifts can be super practical and great mementos, giving someone the chance to get whatever they actually need without the financial burden is literally priceless—at least for them. If you want to make it graduation-appropriate, you can opt for this timely version and load it up with anything from as little as $5.00 up to $2,000, so it could also be a great group gift that could change someone’s life after graduation.