Looking to give your grad something other than a card with money in it? Girl, this post is full of amazing graduation gift basket ideas that will work for everyone.
Your teen is finally graduating, can you believe it? If you are anything like me you are wanting to put together a graduation gift basket that is extra special.
My brother is graduating high school this year and I am going to give you all the graduation gift basket ideas I have for him and his close friends.
You are going to hear about some fun graduation gift baskets like off-to-college baskets, snack/treat baskets, a toiletry basket, and more.
After learning about all of these graduation basket ideas, you will be able to put together an amazing and useful gift.
Let's jump into the best graduation gift basket that your grad will love.
My post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my full disclosure.
Best Graduation Gift Basket
1. Money
Who doesn't love a gift of money?
If you don’t feel like going through the effort of putting together a more involved gift basket that you can find below, consider a money gift basket.
I am going to use the example of $100.
Roll up 100 - $1.00 bills and secure them each with a rubber band or ribbon.
Place them in a cute small gift box.
This will take up a bunch more space than laying a $100 bill or a few smaller bills in an envelope.
Just something a little different and fun for the grad.
You can also do a mix of a small gift basket below with a gift of money tucked into it.
Either way, your grad is going to be touched that you went the extra mile to make this milestone in their life memorable.
2. Gift Cards
With a graduation of any kind, usually comes buying more of your own stuff. Consider giving a gift card if you aren't sure what they have or what they need.
You can give just one card with a large amount on it or you can give a few cards with smaller amounts on them.
Amazon, of course, is always a solid option.
Your grad will most likely find anything they need to help move forward with their next chapter on Amazon.
Other amazing gift cards to consider include for life products are Walmart and Target.
With gas prices always on the rise, a gift card to a gas station (if the grad plans to drive anywhere) would be a huge help.
Shout out to my fav – Kwik Trip. Where are my upper Midwest people at?
And last but not least, give a gift card to a coffee shop. There are a bunch to choose from whether it be a chain coffee shop or your local one downtown.
My favorite coffee shop to visit is Caribou but I do love a good cup of Starbucks coffee too.
3. College Kit
First and foremost, help promote staying healthy by hydrating. Going off to college, your grad can easily forget about this.
I am absolutely obsessed with the Hydro Flask water bottle and the Yeti Tumbler. Both of these can be used for hot and cold drinks.
We both know the Stanley Quencher is amazing as well.
Your grad is going to love them.
There are so many colors to choose from that I know you will find the right one to match your grad. And if you can’t decide on the color, you can never go wrong with black or white.
Even though courses are very computer-based these days in college, the following items are just wonderful to have on hand.
Let’s take a trip down the office aisle, shall we? Most of this stuff comes in bulk, perfect if you need to put a few College kit baskets together.
Grab a few different sizes of Post-Its. These 3 sizes are the ones I find most useful.
Next get some things to write with like pens, pencils, highlighters, and permanent markers.
Follow that up with some other items that your grad won’t even realize they need like a notebook, tape, and scissors.
And last but not least, get a small box of tissues, lip balm, and a deck of playing cards.
College kids just need playing cards!
4. Pamper Basket
A pampering basket is a bit more for the girl grad than those guys. But oh wow, will your girl grad be so thankful for it.
It will be a great way for her to relax after working hard to accomplish this huge graduation goal.
You can buy a basket that is already put together like this one.
There are other fragrances to choose from but this vanilla coconut is my favorite.
If you want to make it more personalized, you can add in the items you want.
When I put together a pamper basket, I include bath bombs, luxe soap, lotion, and a candle.
5. Shower Caddy Basket
A shower basket works for the guys and gals. And when your grad goes off to college, a shower caddy basket will be a necessity.
Look for a shower caddy like this.
The handle allows it to be hung and the mesh bottom is so helpful for the water to drain.
Add in a large bath towel or 2.
Even though I am 5’ 6”, I love bath sheets, more coverage!
So, I could imagine those big college boys would be thankful for the bath sheet size.
You can also start the grad off with a Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Soap, and Body Sponge.
Don’t forget to toss in a pair of shower shoes. You know, so they don't get a foot fungus!
If you don’t know the grad’s shoe size, don’t be afraid to get it right by asking the parents.
6. Toiletries Basket
You can make a toiletries basket with a few of these items or go really big and add them all.
These are items that your grad will need and use and not even know it.
Shave Cream and Razor
7. Snack/Treat Basket
Grads love snacks and treats. If we are being real, everyone loves snacks and treats!
Every time I see my brother, his friends, and his girlfriend, there are always snacks.
Put together a snack and treat basket. You can include snacks, candy treats, and maybe some favorite drinks like Gatorade, gum, and mints.
There is always a healthy snack pack option like this variety pack.
I usually get this for my kids to have during the summer – they are always on the move so they are always hungry.
But I love sending a snack pack like this to my nieces and nephews.
And I know my brother’s friends are going to enjoy getting it for a grad gift.
I am going to add in a gift of money as well.
8. Dishes
Whether your grad is done with high school or college, nice dishes will be welcome.
I love Corelle dinnerware.
There are so many patterns to choose from. They are lightweight and durable.
Corelle is also made to go in the microwave and dishwasher.
If your grad is going into the dorms, get the following: plates, bowls, and cups.
Don’t forget about a set of utensils.
They won’t need a family size amount of them. These utensils will do the trick.
And don’t forget about some large glasses.
I know this set comes with 8 glasses, so if you have to make multiple gift baskets, split these up.
These wash up well, but maybe put a note in one of the glasses to hand wash or only put it in the top rack of the dishwasher.
My sister was over and put one in the bottom of my dishwasher and we had to toss it out.
9. Cleaning Kit
I know when I was graduating, the last thing that I thought I would need was a cleaning kit.
But since I was going off to college, I was certainly grateful that someone gave this to me.
A container of laundry detergent was for sure included.
I love tide, just personal preference. Don’t get the pods, those college dorm washers are made to handle those.
Toss in a few rolls of quarters just in case the washer and dryer take them. Your grad will be thanking you in a couple of months!
Laundry soap works for any kind of grad, high school, or college.
Everyone needs to wash their clothes!
Just like laundry, everyone needs to wash dishes.
I prefer this dish soap and believe me; I have tried to find a better soap but haven't.
Add in this dish sponge too, easier than dishcloths.
There are germs everywhere! Help your grad keep their new place clean with these disinfectant wipes.
I have 4 kids, with their friends all over the place, and I run a home daycare so there are germs everywhere.
These wipes help keep my house so clean.
This post was all about the best graduation gift basket.
More Posts You'll Love
What gifts have you given grads in the past? I always have graduation presents to give. Leave them in the comments below.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.