21 Best Graduation Gift Ideas for Your Son

Graduation Gift Ideas for Son

A graduation gift guide for sons. 

Find some of the best graduation gifts for a son on this graduation gift guide for him. From useful gadgets to more fun presents to give. Scroll down to find some fun and original graduation gift ideas for sons that he’ll actually want.

(Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links for which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase)

1. A High-End Bluetooth Speaker

a high-end bluetooth speaker by bose: graduation gift ideas for son

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If you’re looking for one of the best college graduation gifts for sons, then a nice high-end Bluetooth speaker is a great choice. It’s worth its price because the sound quality in your home will be so much better. However, if you want something for a boy who’s graduating high school, then a lower-end option that’s also waterproof is probably a better choice. This speaker is great and not too crazy expensive and comes in a couple of different colors, though the black is a great neutral choice.

2. A Pair of Monogrammed Custom Cufflinks

Custom Cufflinks by DaniqueTrends on Etsy - university graduation gift ideas for son

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These personalized cufflinks by DaniqueTrends on Etsy come in a bunch of different designs. You can pick the color, the style of the letters, and even the shape of the cufflinks. These are great graduation gifts to get, since they’ll definitely get some use out of it if they need to start going to interviews or going to work in an office. It’s also just a great keepsake that they can actually use for years to come. So, if you want something a bit more personal and sentimental, then these cufflinks are a great option.

3. A Professional-Looking Messenger Bag

a messenger bag as high school graduation gifts from parents

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A nice classic messenger bag is one of those graduation gifts for him, you can’t really go wrong with. This one is nice and neutral, while also being stylish and modern. It comes in three different colors and is a great bag for your son to use for years to come. There are some more practical and less sleek ones out there, but I think a leather one like this is a better option, because no matter whether they use it for work, college, or an internship, it’s perfectly suitable and will blend right in.

4. A Cold Brew Coffee Maker

a cold brew coffee maker: college graduation gifts for son

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This cold brew coffee maker is one of the more affordable graduation gift ideas for sons and perfect for the coffee lover. They can simply prepare their coffee the day before, put it in the fridge and wake up to a cold brew ready to go. This one even fits in most fridge doors and comes in two different sizes. It’s great for the warmer climates and just summer in general, since a hot coffee is not always the nicest thing to have when it’s hot outside. So, if they enjoy a good cold brew coffee, be sure to consider this gift idea for his graduation as a nice option.

5. Cards Against Humanity

cards against humanity - high school graduation gifts for son

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This card game for adults is perfect for high school graduates moving on to college to take with them or to give a college graduate as a nice housewarming gift. It’s just a handy small game to have that you can play with as many people as you want. Great for parties and to use as an ice breaker if you don’t know everyone all that well. And the best part in my opinion: it’s easy to play and easy to store, because it’s just a deck of cards. It has loads of expansions and themed versions, but the original is probably the best one to start with.

6. From Crook to Cook: The Snoop Dogg Cookbook

from crook to cook cookbook (college graduation gift ideas for son)

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A more unexpected addition to this graduation gift guide for sons is this cookbook by snoop dogg. It’s not only funny, it’s actually a pretty good basic cookbook as well filled with recipes that are very doable. Of course, you can also go with one of the more traditional basic cookbooks, but it’s an opportunity to have some fun with it and this ‘Crook to Cook’ book is a great example. So, if you’re looking for fun and useful graduation gift ideas for your son, then a cookbook like this one is a great choice.

7. A Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch and Activity Tracker

a fossil hybrid smartwatch; graduation gifts for son

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A hybrid smartwatch like this one by Fossil is a great option if you want to give them the features of a smartwatch without the look of one. It looks just like a normal watch, but it actually it’s so much more, without it being more expensive. Now a good watch is already a nice graduation gift idea for men, but this one is just that one step up. It connects to your phone to give you all the data you want and the face of the clock can also show additional information. This watch comes in a couple of different colors and is a great gift for sons.

8. A Zero-Waste Safety Razor

college grad gifts for son: a reusable razor

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This reusable razor doesn’t only look fancy, it is fancy. Or at least, it’s not your typical Gilette razor. It will last for years, and you only need to switch out the tiny blade from time to time. If they use razors like this, then this is a great sustainable option, that will also turn out to be more affordable in the long run. If they use an electric razor, then getting a good one is also another example of great graduation gifts for sons. It’s probably one of the more practical gifts, but the sleek design makes it a great gift in and of itself.

9. A Handy Weekender Duffel Bag

a weekender duffel bag as graduation gift ideas for son

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A duffel bag is great to have, whether you’re going to college or just starting your career. It’s easy to take with you on short visits home or to throw in the back of your car to keep your gym stuff in. And if you live in a city and use public transport a lot, then having a sturdy and big bag is pretty much a must. This one comes with a matching toiletry bag and you can pick from a couple of different colors. And to make it even better, it’s not as expensive as you might expect.

10. A Pair of Apple AirPods

a pair of airpods - college graduation gift for son

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If you want to splurge and get them something great with a heftier price tag, then getting them a pair of AirPods is probably the best thing to get (if they don’t already have a pair). There are a couple of versions out there, though these ones that come with a wireless charging case are a great in-between option. They’re great if they need to commute a lot or have to do a lot of calls while on the road. They’re very handy and great graduation gift ideas for your son.

RELATED: Going Away Gift Guide

11. A High-Capacity Power Bank

a high-capacity power bank (graduation gift for son)

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A power bank is another one of those gadgets that are great to have, whether you’re going to college or just graduated, you can use one of these. This one has a pretty high capacity, which means that you don’t have the recharge it as much and that it can charge multiple devices at once. A power bank is especially great for those who spend a lot of time on their phone, but aren’t near a socket all that much during the day, so whether they’re traveling or in class, this gadget is great to take with you.

12. 101 Secrets for Your Twenties

adulting book: high school graduation gift ideas for son

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This book is a great example of the many ‘adulting’ guides out there that are great graduation gift ideas for a son. This one is filled with short bits of wisdom you can probably use while in your twenties, because we all know how turbulent that time can be. It’s a fun and affordable present to get, though if you don’t like this example, be sure to check out all the other fun books that are great to leaf through from time to time.

13. A Versatile Laptop Bag

a laptop bag (best graduation gifts for son)

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Let me make one thing very clear, a laptop bag like this is not just for keeping your laptop safe. It’s the perfect place to slide in some paperwork that you need to take with you, but you don’t want to lug it around in a binder or separate bag. This laptop case even has a small handle to make it even easier (and safer) to transport your laptop. Pick the color you like and the size they’ll need and there you have a great graduation gift for your son, whether he’s going to college or just finishing it.

14. A Custom Map of their Hometown

A custom map by 23maps on Etsy - graduation gift for my son

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If you want something custom and perfect for in their new place, then this custom map by 23maps on Etsy is a great option. You can pick from a bunch of different designs and you’ll get a digital print of whatever place you chose. You can also get it printed by them and sent to you, even with a frame if you want. This is a great meaningful graduation gift that they’ll cherish and it’s a great piece of wall art that will fit in any place.

15. A Sleek Keurig Coffee Maker

A keurig coffee maker; graduation present for son

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If they need a good cup of coffee in the morning to get started or like to have one to keep studying, then this small and slim coffee maker is a great present. It’s slim enough to fit in most tiny kitchens and it also just looks a lot better than most coffee makers. It also comes in white, though the black looks pretty great. However, if they drink a lot of coffee and would like to make a pot of it, then maybe getting a coffee maker that can do this is a better option for him. Here‘s a great option that can do both. Either way, these are great graduation gift ideas for son.

16. A Handy and Sturdy Suitcase

a sturdy suitcase as the best graduation gift for son

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A sturdy suitcase is one of those basics you need when you start your life as an adult after graduating. This suitcase comes in a bunch of different sizes and colors, and the hard shell is great to keep your stuff from being crushed if you travel a lot by plane. So, pick the size you think they will get the most use out of, whether that’s a carry-on or checked luggage size. Also, if they primarily travel by car, then the hard shell doesn’t really matter, so you’ll have even more options.

17. An Affordable Pair of Noise-Canceling Headphones

a pair of noise-canceling headphones: grad gift for son

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A pair of noise-canceling headphones is another great gadget to get your son. And this pair is pretty affordable, while still doing what it’s supposed to do. If they’ll be commuting a lot using public transport and want to work during their commute, then these are a must. Personally, I also use them to get a good nap while traveling, because that can be pretty challenging as is. So, if you want something super useful and not too pricy, then a pair of these headphones is a great choice as a gift for your son.

18. The Classic Blue IKEA Bag

the classic IKEA blue bag (graduation gifts for your son)

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If he’s going away to college or moving out on his own, then having one of these is a must. Whether you use it for lugging around your laundry, or to move stuff, it’s cheap, easy to store away when you don’t need it and the most sturdy all-purpose you can get. It’s a fun thing to add to a gift basket or to give alongside a gift card, since the bag is only a couple of dollars. Of course, if you’re planning to go to Ikea sometime soon, just grab one while you’re there (and pay for it of course).

19. A Monogrammed Toiletry Bag

monogrammed toiletry bag by CKRLeather on Etsy - meaningful college graduation gifts for son

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Another great addition to this graduation gift guide for sons is a handmade monogrammed toiletry bag like this one by CKRLeather on Etsy. This one comes in a couple of sizes and different colors for you to choose from, depending on what your son would like best. A good toiletry bag is one of those gifts you can’t really go wrong with, and that this one is made from leather and monogrammed just elevates it as a gift. So, if you want something personalized, be sure to check out all the options they offer.

20. A Durable E-Reader

a durable e-reader: one of the best son graduation gifts

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If they enjoy reading a good book from time to time, or if they are going to study literature in college, then an e-reader is probably the best choice from this list of graduation gift ideas for your son. It’s so much easier than lugging around actual books and you don’t need the living space to store said books. And as someone who studied literature, I can assure you that an e-reader was one of my best investments, because most of the classics are available online for free. So, it will actually save you space and money to get one.

21. An Amazon Gift Card for Them to Choose

an Amazon gift card - graduation gifts for him

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And if you’re still not sure what to get your son, or if you’re afraid he won’t like it, then a great backup option is an Amazon gift card. Add some of his favorite sweets or snacks and make a little gift basket filled with his favorite snacks and said gift card. They offer a couple of different fun wrapping options and you can pick whatever amount you want. All in all, a great option if you want to leave the choice up to him. Of course, just giving him a nice card with some money in it instead is also a good alternative.

RELATED: Best College Graduation Gifts for Guys

I hope you found some great gift inspiration on this list of graduation gifts for sons. These are just a selection of the many great presents out there. Be sure to pick something he’ll like or that he can use, so you’re not spending money on something that’s going to be thrown in a corner. If you don’t want to run that risk, then giving money and using one of these fun DIYs to wrap it up is another grad gift that he’ll appreciate getting.

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