Graduation coincides with some of the busiest moments of the school year. Standardized testing, end-of-year activities, finals, and more can interfere with your well-intended plans to create a meaningful send-off. Of course our heartfelt well-wishes are always the best gift we can give graduating seniors. However, if you choose to celebrate their accomplishments with a tangible gift, here are some thoughtful senior graduation gifts from teachers that you can buy or DIY in a reasonable time frame.
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Your best advice
Your students are graduating, but that doesn’t mean they have to stop learning from you. We love this graduation-advice printable with places to share your advice. It has writing prompts like “always …” and “enjoy …” You can customize each of these graduation gifts for high school seniors from teachers, so each student feels truly special.
Buy it: Graduation Wishes Cards at Etsy
2. Motivational key chains
The best graduation gifts for seniors are meaningful and serve a purpose. Many of our seniors are leaving home for the first time. You can buy these key chains with inspirational sayings, and rest easy that your former students won’t get locked out of their dorm rooms!
Buy it: Motivational Key Chain With Inspirational Quotes at Amazon
3. Personal notes
It sounds simple, but a personal note means a lot. We love this Class Dismissed stationery, and your students will appreciate a note that’s just for them.
Buy it: Teacher Stationery/Class Dismissed at Etsy
4. Memorable photo booth experience
Set up a photo booth in your classroom for a memorable and inexpensive graduation gift for high school seniors. Just hang a backdrop, hand out props, and let students have fun taking celebratory photos with you and their classmates. For the most budget-friendly option, students can take digital photos on their phones. However, if you want to splurge, use a Polaroid camera to give them a physical memento.
Buy it: Graduation Photo Booth Props at Amazon; Graduation Photo Booth Backdrop at Amazon; Polaroid Instant Camera at Amazon; Polaroid Instant Film at Amazon
5. Sweet survival kits
Your seniors will love having sweets for late-night study sessions at the library or movie nights with friends. Candy takes on a whole new meaning when you buy this printable. Each candy comes with advice, which will make these graduation gifts for high school seniors from teachers not only delicious but special.
Buy it: Graduate Survival Kit Tag at Etsy
6. Wearable keepsake wish bracelets
This gift feels truly special. Choose a bead color that’s your school’s color to help your seniors remember their high school days. Write a personalized message for graduating seniors where you tell your seniors how proud and excited for their future you are.
Buy it: Personalized End-of-School Class Wish Bracelets at Etsy
7. Journals to tell their story
With a bit of searching, you can find small journals for very affordable prices. While journals and pens make lovely senior graduation gifts on their own during this important transitional period, you can personalize them even more by writing a message to each student on the inside cover.
Buy it: Kraft Paper Notebook Happy Journal at Amazon
8. Water bottles with their college sticker
This is a gift for seniors that they will definitely use. Buy plastic water bottles with a straw in bulk. Then, customize each bottle with stickers that celebrate each student. We love these college stickers you can buy at Etsy. You could also find stickers that celebrate students’ interests and hobbies.
Buy it: Custom Waterproof College/University Stickers at Etsy; Tumbler Cup With Lid and Reusable Straw at Amazon
9. Plant seeds to mark the moment
Graduation is a significant milestone that deserves celebration. We love these personalized teacher-to-student seed packets. You pick your flower and compose a personal message for your students, which makes these graduation gifts for high school seniors from teachers feel really special.
Buy it: Sunflower Seeds at Etsy
10. Flash drives with class photos or graduation frame
This is the perfect way to share all the memories you’ve captured over the past year with your graduating seniors. You can buy flash drives in bulk and even film a short video message to introduce the photos. More ideas? Create a personalized video for your students. For some inspiration, check out Susan Demoss, a 12th grade teacher in Oklahoma City who made personalized videos for students (she even wore a cap and gown!). If you’d rather print one photo, we love these affordable graduation picture frames from Dollar Tree.
Buy it: 20 Pack 1GB Flash Drives at Amazon; Bulk Graduation Frame at Dollar Tree
11. College survival kits
This one takes a little more work, but your students will appreciate the thought you put into it. Plus, it’s practical! The transition from high school to “the real world” can be pretty jarring. Ease the transition by purchasing must-have items like a stain stick, hand sanitizer, lip balm, mints, Band-Aids, and more.
Buy it: Hand Sanitizer at Amazon; Tide Pens at Amazon; Bulk Lip Balm at Amazon; Bulk Tic Tac Mints at Amazon; Bulk Band-Aid Travel Packs at Amazon
12. Sweet celebration treat boxes
These are quick and easy senior graduation gifts to show your students you care. Just buy these adorable mini cardboard graduation caps (with tassels!) that fold into treat boxes. Fill them with candy, and let the sweet celebration begin!
Buy it: Graduation Cap Treat Boxes at Amazon; Bulk Assorted Candy Mix at Amazon
Need graduation gifts for your family or close friends? Check out Our Favorite Graduation Gifts for Students.
Plus, get all the latest teacher tips and tricks by signing up for our newsletters.
