Money or Meaningful? The Best High School Graduation Gifts

High school graduation celebration

The eternal graduation gift debate: do you hand them an envelope of cash or find something more personal? The answer depends on your relationship and their immediate plans.

When Cash is King

  • They are heading to college and will need every dollar
  • You do not know their tastes well enough for a personal gift
  • They have mentioned saving for something specific
  • You are a distant relative or family friend
Graduate throwing cap

When Meaningful Wins

  • A quality laptop or tablet for college
  • Luggage set for their dorm move or gap year travels
  • A personalized watch or jewelry they can keep forever
  • Experiences like concert tickets or a trip deposit

The sweet spot? Combine both. A smaller cash gift with a meaningful keepsake—like a nice pen with graduation year engraved—covers all bases.