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Organized Island » Gift Ideas

High School Graduation Gifts on a Budget

Published: May 24, 2012 · Modified: Apr 16, 2023 by Raquel · This post may contain affiliate links · 29 Comments

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High School Graduation Gifts
Gift packages in brown paper.

Graduation season is here! It is so important to honor those special graduates in our lives, but it can get expensive too. I always want to celebrate graduations so we came up with some inexpensive gift ideas for graduation that won't break the bank. Gifts on a budget are the best!  These are also great end of year gifts for students.

Check out our list of high school graduation gifts on a budget. It really helps when you can save money on gifts for many. Be sure to check out our Graduation Gift Basket ideas too!

High School Graduation Gifts on a budget

We happily receive announcements from friends and family that are graduating from preschool to high school.  While I wonder, how does it all happen so fast?  I am also thinking, how can I acknowledge them all?

While I realize that the gift of money is probably the most popular (and maybe the most desired), my budget is telling me to look for other options. I have some great inexpensive ideas to give graduation gifts on a budget.

High Schoo Graduation-gifts-on-a-budget

Most of the announcements I received this year are for high school graduations.  I thought I would share with you some other inexpensive gift options that are still very useful and all the suggestions are less than $15.

High School Graduation Gifts

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Cheap graduation gift ideas

Graduation Gifts on A Budget

  • Journal book - for their notes, action items, bullet journals, and other thoughts with a sentiment written inside.
  • Travel Mug - with some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate packets. Nice for those study sessions they will be having in college.
  • Books - a finance book or local guidebook (if the recipient is going away to college). Also books by legends in their field are great for inspiration.
  • Speaking of books, this college cookbook could be super helpful!
  • Make your own book of recipes for them. Think of easy recipes that just take a few ingredients.
High School Graduation Gifts (2)
  • Instant coffee packets or flavored water packets.
  • Tote or sports bag - people always need these for the gym, beach, or hiking explorations.
  • Weekend getaway bag - something for them to take what they need on a weekend trip.
  • This mini hot pot cooker can help them save money by making a meal in their room.
  • Gift cards for Amazon - they are sure to use them on so many things.
  • Fitness equipment: such as a yoga mat or weights.
  • School supplies for college such as highlighters, pens and notebooks
  • Packs of gum, dried fruit and/or mints.
  • Individually wrapped salty snacks like nuts or crackers. 
  • A gift of faux succulents to decorate their place.
  • Snack board - buy them a small cutting board and a grocery gift card to make their own charcuterie snack. 
cheap graduation gift idea
  • Gift Bag or Basket - with highlighters, post-its, and supplies from the dollar store. See our full article on this for ideas. 
  • Gift cards to fast food eateries near their home (or college). Dorm food gets old fast and it is a nice way to treat them to a meal out. Think coffee, sandwich and ice cream places.
  • A set of small holiday decorations so they can decorate their dorm room for the holidays.
  • Stationery or note cards.
  • Advice Jar - collect advice from friends and family on index cards and put them all in a jar to send off with the student. See photo below.
INEXPENSIVE graduation gift ides
  • Battery-operated candles - so they can enjoy candlelight without flame.
  • If they are moving, get them a guidebook about their new city.
  • A small tool kit with the basics - screwdrivers, nails, and a hammer.
  • Slippers or slipper socks.
  • A stand for their phone or tablet. Even better is one with a charging station.
Gift card gifts
  • A small jewelry box or valet box.
  • A tote bag for books or shopping
  • A small fan or heater.
  • Photo frames - a few of different sizes that can be hung
  • Make them a bracelet (see below)

Another fun gift idea is these DIY Charm bracelets - so easy and less than $10 if you have the tools.

DIY Charm Bracelet Tutorial
  • DIY memory book - Create a DIY memory book filled with photos, quotes, and souvenirs from their high school years. This is a meaningful and heartfelt gift that won't cost a lot of money.
  • Subscription box to something they love - coffee, journaling, teas, ramen etc...There are so many to choose from these days.
  • Inspirational wall art- Print out an inspiring quote or message and frame it for the graduate to hang on their wall. This is a thoughtful and inexpensive gift that they can enjoy for years to come.
  • Laptop case - A high-quality laptop case can help protect a student's valuable computer during transport to and from class.

Acknowledging the accomplishment is really what it is about. There is no need to spend a lot of money to let someone know you are proud of them. Consider the student's lifestyle and interests when selecting a gift, and look for items that can make their college experience easier, more enjoyable, cheaper or more productive.

We hope you found this list of inexpensive graduation gift ideas helpful. We are all about saving you time while enjoying the moments. 

If you are not yet subscribing to my CELEBRATE THE SEASON newsletter, you can subscribe here. I share a few things that I don’t share here and I email you only once a week. I know how valuable your time is and respect that tremendously! There is always something to celebrate!

What are your suggestions for low-cost graduation gifts?

gift ideas
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About Raquel

Southern California mom who blogs about time-saving recipes, entertaining and party ideas.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. amy

    May 25, 2012 at 4:14 am

    What great inexpensive, thoughtful gift giving ideas. MY favorite is the jar filled with advice...so personal.

    amy @ whilewearingheels.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      May 25, 2012 at 6:38 am

      It truly has been one of my kids favorite gifts...thank you for stopping by my blog.

      Reply
  2. Frugal in WV

    May 25, 2012 at 7:38 am

    Love the gift ideas, the jar with advice is a neat idea!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      May 25, 2012 at 2:37 pm

      Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it!

      Reply
  3. Sarah

    May 26, 2012 at 7:01 am

    I love the advice jar idea! It would be both useful and personal.
    Visiting via SITSgirls!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      May 26, 2012 at 2:01 pm

      Thanks for your comment and for stopping by Sarah!

      Reply
  4. jamie

    May 26, 2012 at 7:06 am

    Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing! visiting from SITS. Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      May 26, 2012 at 2:01 pm

      Thanks Jamie - you have a great weekend too!

      Reply
  5. I'm Feelin' Crafty

    May 26, 2012 at 8:54 am

    Good ideas! I usually don't have anyone to give graduation gifts to, but this year I do. I was thinking about a pillow, but I like your tote and framed quote ideas better! Thanks!

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      May 26, 2012 at 2:02 pm

      Thanks for stopping by! Oh, a pillow is a good idea too!

      Reply
  6. Kyetra Belton

    May 26, 2012 at 9:17 am

    Great gift ideas! Just stopping by from SITS! I am having a Memorial Day Link Up if you are interested.

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      May 26, 2012 at 2:02 pm

      Thanks for stopping by, I will check out your link up Kyetra!

      Reply
  7. Jenny

    May 30, 2012 at 5:02 am

    What great ideas! Another one to add is the Line a Day Journal. http://www.amazon.com/One-Line-Day-Five-Year-Memory/dp/0811870197/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338379247&sr=8-1
    It would be a great way to easily record memories from the college years.
    Thanks for stopping by to make my SITS day so fun.

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      May 30, 2012 at 7:03 pm

      What a great idea Jenny! I had not seen that journal. Thanks for stopping by...

      Reply
  8. Eva Gallant

    May 30, 2012 at 6:51 am

    Those are some really clever gift ideas! I like them all. I also think your scarf organizer was a brilliant idea. I just stopped by from SITS to say hello; hope you find time to do the same.

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      May 30, 2012 at 7:04 pm

      Thank you for stipping by Eva. I appreciate your comment.

      Reply
  9. Frankie

    June 07, 2012 at 7:12 am

    I really love your graduation gift ideas! When I graduated i really appreciated it when my family members sent me personalized gifts (especially the financial budget book *i'm still learning how to budget wisely*)! When my sister graduated from high school I bought her a cook book because her idea of cooking back then was "ramen"..now she cooks almost everyday!

    Reply
  10. Sharon Greenthal

    June 09, 2012 at 6:41 am

    A great gift for girls is a little pouch/wallet to keep money, keys, id and room card. The girls love not having to tote a purse when they go out in the evenings. This one may be a little pricey, but it's a good example: http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=51424&minisite=10020&respid=22372&dbdcc=9LBLSVNA&dbsource=ca&dbmedium=cse&dbname=googlebase&CAWELAID=766481836&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CPz2z6CkwbACFQkaQgodiGyWWQ

    Reply
    • organizedisland

      June 09, 2012 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks Sharon! That is a GREAT idea!

      Reply
  11. Bev

    May 16, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I am making a plaque for my granduating Grandson this year. Using stickers with sayings from the Dollar Tree, a piece of wood, and Mod Podge. Wrap the edges with rope, twine or whatever you have on hand...mine was called Maxi Cord. It looks just like the Welcome sing on my blog.

    For all of my Granddaughters, I am making Keepsake boxes. The boxes are little ones from the Dollar Tree, painted the inside pink for all of them, and wrappping the outside with Washi Tape, sealed with Mod Podge.

    Bev @ Give me a paintbrush

    Reply
    • Organizedisland

      May 16, 2013 at 2:13 pm

      Oh these sound wonderful! I love Dollar tree and your ideas. Congrats to your Grandson Bev!

      Reply
  12. Marilyn

    May 23, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    Just gave you a shout-out!

    http://4you-withlove.blogspot.com/2013/05/graduation-round-up.html

    Reply
    • Organizedisland

      May 23, 2013 at 4:56 pm

      Thank you Marilyn!

      Reply
  13. Kate Thompson

    May 28, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Well I know what all my friends will be getting as they leave sixth form this year. The advice jar is really cute and I think it's nice to know someone is looking out for you when you leave home.
    Kate xx

    Reply
    • Organizedisland

      May 28, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      It's a fun gift they can come back to time and again. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  14. Marilyn Clark

    May 20, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    I really love these ideas! I think the advice jar would be great at a graduation party for each attendee to "give" advice to the new graduate!

    Reply
  15. Chelc | Inside the Fox Den

    May 13, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    What a great list! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday, hope to see you again next week!

    Reply
    • Raquel

      May 14, 2016 at 8:54 pm

      Thanks so much! Love the party!

      Reply
  16. Susan Chapman Sikes

    April 22, 2023 at 5:18 am

    These are great ideas!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Raquel! I am a self-proclaimed foodie and have enjoyed cooking and baking since I was little. I loved baking cookies with my mother and grandma as a child, and later making dinners for my parents to foster my passion while in high school. I also had a passion for organizing and keeping things tidy.

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