22 High School Graduation Gifts They’ll Actually Use, Vetted by Teens & Parents

The belt bag can only carry so much. And when you've got folders and textbooks to tote, you'll need something a bit roomier. That's where lululemon's new launch comes in. The ruching on the sides isn't just for aesthetics; it lets you adjust the size of the bag, depending on how much you need to carry.

I have this Bluetooth-enabled palm-sized printer that makes prints and/or stickers from shots you take on your phone, and it's a joy to use. My Gen Z friends and family members like it to take to get-togethers to leave friends with actual photo paper keepsakes (old school) but created in seconds (new tech). The printer is rechargeable, and this bundle comes with enough paper to make 20 photos, but to be really baller, gift this with a 50-count pack of Zink photo paper ($25).

Multiple editors swear by this spacious—and durable—carry-on. (One editor says that nearly five years in, it's survived dozens of flights, train rides and road trips without issue.) Better yet, it's not a pain to haul around: The Away Carry-On weighs less than 8 pounds, has 360-degree spinning wheels and a quick-release trolley handle that clicks to two heights. All the better to haul laundry home for a quick visit on the weekend, right?

This brand of natural soy candles with organic wicks is all about reminding your giftee of their big achievement. This one has lemon flower, jasmine and rosemary top notes to keep the grad uplifted and energetic on the way to bigger and better achievements. And if the grad already has plans to go away to school, you can get them a candle based on their home, with scents customized to everywhere from Texas to Washington, D.C.

Want to amp up the excitement surrounding their campus move? These pouches feature one minimalist, logo-only side and one intricately designed side loaded with references to campus life and noteworthy spots. It makes them feel like an insider in an (as of yet) unfamiliar place, and at roughly the size of a novel (about 7" by 5"), it's large enough to stow the essentials yet small enough that it won't overwhelm their tote.

Right now, there are 29 colleges and universities to choose from.

Neck stacks are all the rage, and your giftee will appreciate this personalized goes-with-everything gold-plated brass initial necklace. The rainbow of semi-precious stones and the slanted presentation of their initial are super distinctive, and they're sure to get lots of compliments (as well as help people remember their name) when they wear it.

PureWow Contributor Natalie LaBarbera gave this 6-in-1 air fryer and toaster oven with steam infusion a rave review: It's a "cross between an air fryer and toaster oven, made to do it all in a convenient countertop size," she said. "I'm impressed by how much use I actually get out of it. Not only does it eliminate the need to buy multiple appliances for each cooking method, it also saves valuable counter space—a godsend for those of us that live in small spaces." It's only  11.5 inches wide by 11.6 inches tall and 10.6 inches deep, so it takes up no more room than a conventional Crockpot. And in four cute colors including blue salt and muted pink, it attracts even the cooking-averse to give it a whirl.

These sheets get a lot of buzz online (4.4 out of 5-star rating, based on more than 338,000 reviews), but VP of Editorial Content Candace Davison wasn't convinced they were all that. Then, "as soon as I pulled the sheets out, I was surprised by their softness. Most sheet sets under $50 have a certain...starchiness right out of the package (unless they’re jersey); these were borderline velvety," she said in her review. "Now, after four years of regular washing, they're still every bit as smooth and soft. No frayed threads, no pilling. Honestly, I'm shocked they've held up so well." Your giftee will appreciate the temperature-adjusting microfiber during all those long post-party -study sleep sessions.

Everyone needs their own hammer to hang a picture or knock a door frame back into place. But this kit, while slender enough to fit on a shelf or under a bed, allows them to do so much more than just hammer—they can measure, level, cut, screw and even use the Allen wrench sets to assemble some Ikea pieces.

Let's face it: They've made due with that cracked phone for long enough. Surprise them on graduation day with a new cell that features the latest Android tech, ultra-clear photos and won't break the bank. In testing the Google Pixel, we were impressed by its speedy charging and overall durability (thanks to its scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display and IP68-caliber water and dust protection). All in all, it punches well above its weight—er, price tag.

Plus, the phone is unlocked, so you can use it with a variety of carriers, from Google Fi to T-Mobile.

This cute reinforced rolling bag is a lifesaver for lugging laundry, hauling groceries or whatever else. For example, you cooking-obsessed grad can just roll this along behind them and won’t have to touch any grimy grocery carts. This allows them to plunder supermarkets, farmers markets and specialty food stores and load up to 66 pounds inside. Best of all, the 6- x 12- x 20-inch bag collapses flat to stow under a bed between uses.

Our reviewer gave this phone sanitizing device high marks for ease of use and aesthetics, so we’re thinking this it’ll be a slam dunk for young adults who are very not into germs. Using UV-C light technology, 99.99 of bacteria—tests have proved it works on  Salmonella, E. coli, MRSA, H1N1, Coronavirus 229E, Staphylococcus, Rhinovirus and Rotavirus—are eliminated safely from your device after shutting it inside for just 10 minutes.

Weighing just over a pound, this intense little massager is verstile: roll it under a sore foot, against a wall for a tight back-and-shoulder area or across a calf when shin splints happen. Three vibration settings let users really get in there to ease tight muscles, and the device keeps its zip for 120 minutes on a single charge.

This slender volume is only 144 pages and not even among the late author's most acclaimed work. But the essay, a verbatim transcription of a 2005 Kenyon College commencement address that the novelist and essayist delivered, absolutely sings with both beautifully written philisophical hard truths and inspiring perspectives. The slightly askew and yet completely relatable advice is just the sort of example that young writers are so hungry for.

This 12-pound channel-stitched blanket is sized for one person to crawl under it and feel soothed. And it comes with a removable cover, so it’ll stay tidy. Added plus: This blanket's outside layer has a patented technology that was created to balance sleep temperatures.

The Shark uses a Tri-Brush System—side brushes, channel brushes and a multi-surface brush roll—to handle debris on all surfaces. The 5.9-inch cleaning path lets it zip around whatever little room or apartment your graduate winds up in, and they don't even have to remember to use it, since schedules can be set to run remotely. Best of all, it learns home layouts, to avoid getting stuck before it can happen.

Made of eco-friendly waterproof canvas, this backpack is minimalist-chic—and available in your choice of 21 colorways. It's got a trolley sleeve to slip onto their carry-on suitcase handle if they are traveling with it, and tons of inside pockets to organize glasses, wallet, keys, earphones, cell phone and documents, as well as a laptop up to 15.6 inches. There's even a built-in cable to attach a power bank to, so your can charge your phone, iPad or earbuds as you commute.

There's no better way to recognize the accomplishments of a recent grad then by spelling it all out for them—namely, by gifting them a necklace with their name in delicate cursive letters. This iteration is done in .925 sterling silver—you can also order versions in gold plating, gold vermeil and rose gold vermeil. Trend alert: In addition to ordering with your giftee's given name, you might consider inspirational words such as “Strength,” “Breathe” and “Grace.”

The grad will enjoy 4K Ultra HD cinematic entertainment with their new Firestick Max, thanks to the quad-core 1.8 GHz processor that brings 40 percent more power than previous models, plus faster app starts and more fluid navigation.

Noise-canceling and portable, the ear muff portion of these headphones to lay flat, so they take up less space in a backpack. But what's even more impressive is their sound quality (crystal clear) and how easily they sync with devices (no fighting or searching for a connection!). It's the kind of frictionless tech that makes finding their flow state during study hall that much easier.

This little (10 x 9 x 7 inches) drawstring bag looks cute but its actually so durable. The nylon, polyethylene, polyester construction has an insulated and water-resistant interior that really keeps food items chill—and easily wipes clean.

As a mom of a recent high school grad, I'm going to drop some real facts now—they frequently don't remember to charge their phones. (Shocking, I know.) This little powerhouse gets top marks on Amazon for high-speed charging and can charge up to three devices at a time.