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30 Cheap But Meaningful Graduation Gift IdeasProduct Shot Image

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Graduation season is upon us, and so too is the question: What should I buy the grad? If youre attending several graduations this year or simply shopping with a smaller budget, weve put together 30 cheap graduation gifts consisting of affordable and unique gift ideas.

Whether they are graduating high school and going off to college or graduating college and starting their career, we have interesting gifts that are relevant to both milestones. There are practical gifts, like coffee, luggage, and a laundry care guide, that will help them navigate life on their own. We’ve also found meaningful gifts that are budget-friendly, such as a compass bracelet, fill-in recipe book, and candle that smells like home, to help them remember the people and places they love most.

As you wrap up their graduation gift, remember to include a graduation card. Personalize it with an inspirational graduation quote, graduation Bible verse, or funny graduation message. Its a small, added touch that will make the gift all the more meaningful as they move forward onto their next chapter of life. Give them their present at their graduation party, on their official graduation day, or just the next time you see them. They’re sure to appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Tune 510BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones

You can never go wrong with a pair of headphones. Your grad can wear them while studying in a noisy dorm, traveling home to see family, or on video calls while working from home. There are endless possibilities.

Engraved City Map Pint Glass

Give the grad an engraved glass of their hometown or college city. With 48 map options, there is sure to be a glass that fits your grad’s life.

Guiding Compass Bracelet

As a sentimental present, this guiding compass reminds the wearer to move forward and seek out their dreams while also remembering their way back home.

Unisex Minimergency Kit

As they step out on their own for the first time, equip them with a pouch of 14 small essentials, such as a nail clipper, stain remover wipe, band-aid, and more. They can keep this pouch in their backpack, purse, or pocket for whenever it comes in handy.

Richmond Spinner Luggage 20-Inch Carry-On

A suitcase under $50 is almost unheard of. Snag this amazing deal, and gift it to your grad whose next adventure is far from home. The carry-on comes in several different colors, so you can find one that suits their personality.

RELATED: 50 Unique Travel Gifts

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<p>Richmond Spinner Luggage 20-Inch Carry-On</p>
<p>$49.40</p>
<p>amazon.com</p>
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Richmond Spinner Luggage 20-Inch Carry-On

$49.40

amazon.com

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The Luggage Tag

Along with a suitcase, it’s great to have a luggage tag in case their bag gets lost while traveling. It’s another small thing your recent grad may not think to purchase. You can personalize this one with their initials for $10 more.

‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’

This is a fun gift that’s especially meaningful when given by a family member. The iconic Dr. Seuss book discusses the wonderful ups and downs of life. It’s sure to pull on their heartstrings as they reflect on the endless possibilities that await their future.

3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station

If you’re a practical gifter, a wireless charging station is the way to go. Between their phone, earbuds, and watch, there’s a lot to keep track of and charge. Consolidate their gadgets into a single charging station, so they’re never unprepared.

Cold Brew Starter Pack

A Chamberlain Coffee bundle will earn you major brownie points with your Gen Z grad, as the brand is owned by a popular YouTuber, podcaster, and social media star. Additionally, Chamberlain Coffee is just plain delicious, so you really can’t go wrong.

Color Map Mug

This color-in map mug is a great gift idea for a grad who is traveling overseas or across the country. They can keep track of the places they visit while also using it for their morning coffee or tea.

LED Photo Clip String Lights

Help your recent grad decorate their new room with a string of LED clip lights. They can hang next to their bed, above their desk, or wherever they lounge to remember their favorite people and places. Bonus points if you include pictures with the gift as well.

Zip Code Lumbar Pillow with City and State

This sentimental throw pillow will be a chic addition to their decor. Customize the zip code and location based on their hometown or college city. The simple black and white color scheme will match just about anything.

My Family Cookbook

As many have said, “the way to one’s heart is through the stomach.” If that’s true for your grad, give them a recipe book filled with all of their favorite childhood meals. They can make one whenever they miss home.

Congratulations Assorted Roses

When in doubt, stick to flowers. Pick out a beautiful, bright bouquet, and ship it to their address, so the flowers are delivered fresh. To cater the bouquet to their graduation, add a balloon or card that says, “Congrats!”

Laundry Room Care Symbol Guide Poster

For the grad leaving the nest to live on their own, they’ll be grateful for this print that they can hang above their hamper or wherever they do laundry.

Collegiate Pouches

Whether theyre eager to start freshman year or enjoying their last days on campus, theyll embrace their school spirit with one of these pouches. This seller has options for dozens of colleges, and created the designs based on the input of school alumni, fans, and locals.

Things They Don’t Teach You in School Game

No matter what subjects theyve mastered in school, chances are they could learn a lot from this mix of fun facts and obscure trivia. Past customers enjoyed using this as a game during road trips and dinner parties, and it could work equally well at a graduation party.

Homesick Candles

High-school graduates heading off to college will be glad to have one of these homesick candles in tow. Choose their home state, and theyll get a scent thats tied to the natural landscape to evoke comforting memories.

Graduation Mad Libs

These Mad Libs will provide hours of graduation-themed entertainment for an extremely affordable price. Families can fill-in-the-blanks together for these stories about final exams, the last day of school, and graduation parties.

‘All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living’ Poetry Collection

Morgan Harper Nichols is an Instagram poet with over a million followers, and her book of illustrations, prose, and poetry encourages readers to anticipate change and appreciate their respective journeys. Consider purchasing it from their favorite book shop, so you can help support a local business they care about.

Amazon Gift Card

You can’t go wrong with an Amazon gift card. It’ll be useful in many different ways when buying dorm necessities, school supplies, food, and more. Plus, it comes inside a cute gift box shaped like a graduation cap.

Snack Pack Care Package

Your graduate will become the new favorite of their dorm, sports team, or study group with this snack-filled care package made up of cookies, candy, and savory treats. Although, they may finish it before arriving on campus.

Milk Bar Dozen Assorted Cookie Tin

Now that Milk Bar ships its beloved baked goods across the country, you no longer have to live in New York City to enjoy these specialty sweet treats. This assorted tin comes with several signature flavors for the graduate to try, including their Compost, Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow, and Confetti Cookies.

Work Space Spark: Your Career Growth & Office Decor Subscription Box

Inspire them to conquer the workplace with a subscription to this Work Space Spark Box. The first month costs just over $50, and includes 4-5 trendy office items, as well as exclusive access to webinars to jump-start their career.

RELATED: Best Subscription Boxes for Women

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<p>Work Space Spark: Your Career Growth & Office Decor Subscription Box</p>
<p>$52.99</p>
<p>cratejoy.com</p>
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Work Space Spark: Your Career Growth & Office Decor Subscription Box

$52.99

cratejoy.com

CrateJoy

‘My Life Story – So Far’

A highly personal keepsake, “My Life Story – So Far” prompts grads to take stock of the wisdom theyve gained, as well as what theyd like to accomplish next. It comes in a clothbound journal and can be cherished by the graduate well into their adult life.

Daily Harvest Gift Card

With a gift card to Daily Harvest, the graduate will be well on their way to making their own fresh, healthy meals. Daily Harvest allows customers to order boxes filled with smoothies, bowls, soups, and flatbreads that can be prepared in any kitchen or dorm room.

Personalized Silver Photo Frame

Help the graduate cherish their favorite memories throughout school, including their graduation day, with this classy silver frame. For an additional charge, you can engrave it at the bottom with their name, school, or graduation year.

RELATED: 45 Graduation Picture Ideas

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<p>Personalized Silver Photo Frame</p>
<p>$45.00</p>
<p>markandgraham.com</p>
<p><span class= — Shop Now

Personalized Silver Photo Frame

$45.00

markandgraham.com

Mark & Graham

The 2-in-1 Wooden Spoon

For the graduate who needs more sophisticated kitchen utensils, this double-sided wooden spoon from Food52 will be a long-lasting staple. The functional piece feels like its own work of art, according to customer reviews.

“Path of Symbols” Wings Set

These Alex and Ani charm bracelets come in a set of two to add to their jewelry collection. The wing charms are especially appropriate for graduation since they represent the idea of spreading their wings to fly from home.

Personalized Graduation Fleece Blanket

Memorialize your graduate’s accomplishments with this fleece blanket, which you can customize with their school colors, graduation year, class rank, and other extracurricular honors.

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Originally published May 15, 2023 at 10:18 AM