Summer is upon us, and with that comes graduation season. It can be hard to find just the right gift for the high school, college or even the preschool grad in your life. We’ve collected 10 of the best, most unusual grad gifts from around the web for you. Check these out to make sure that your gift doesn’t end up stuffed in a closet or offered up the next family garage sale! (Prices listed may vary per retailer).
Handmade Grad Jewelry
StampinBeth offers these gorgeous hand-stamped necklaces and pendants for the grad in your life in her Etsy store of the same name. Made of lightweight aluminum that won’t tarnish over time, each piece is made to order so that no two are exactly alike. The round plate can be personalized with up to 10 characters, such as the school or grad's name, and the rectangle with up to 6 characters. You also get a choice of chain and a graduation hat charm or two Swarovski crystals in school colors or birthstone. At just $20 plus shipping, this bling can’t be beat!
Flash Drive Wristband
Who hasn’t lost valuable work when the computer crashes or a flash drive is lost? Give your grad the gift of peace of mind with this fun USB Flash Drive Wristband from Extreme Gadgets. Available in three bright, loss-proof colors, each has 4GB of storage and these are even hot removable. At a price of $9.99, you could give your grad a couple of different colors for different projects.
Kangaroo Water Bottle
For the sporty grad, how about gifting them this Kangaroo Water Bottle from GoContigo? This 24- ounce water bottle has a built in pocket to hold items such as an ID, Gym Pass, money or keys. The spout even automatically reseals when not in use for less spillage, and it is 100 percent BPA-free! This bottle is perfect for toting to the gym or to sports practice. $13.99
Custom Sports Art
TheBleacherBum shop on Etsy creates these custom made “man cave” sports art prints. Digitally mastered and printed on Epsom premium archival paper, they are available in sizes from 8x10 to 16x12 inches. Order your college, NFL football or baseball team of choice and even choose colors. What a great addition to any guy or sporty gal’s dorm room wall! $12.00 plus shipping.
Bucket List Journal with World Atlas Maps
Everyone has a bucket list, or if not — they should! You’re never too young or too old to live out your dreams! These beautiful, handmade bucket list journals from BlueToad on Etsy would be a fun gift for almost any grad. Measuring 5x6 inches and 220 pages, this journal offers plenty of space to imagine the future. The cover is hand-stamped and has a trifold closure with elastic. Interspersed throughout each journal are maps from various world atlases to inspire the grad in your life. $25 plus shipping.
Laundry 101 Basket
Here’s a great grad gift idea from the Darling Doodles blog. After all, most college freshmen don’t own a stockpile of laundry supplies, and the powder you buy from the machine in the laundromat isn’t worth the quarters! Send your favorite grad off to college prepared for any spill or stain by filling a laundry basket with detergent, dryer sheets, stain remover and any other supplies they might need. Download the free printable laundry instructions from the Darling Doodles post and laminate for durability to attach to the basket. Don’t forget to add a roll of quarters!
Message in a Bottle
Pauline at Club Chica Circle came up with this inspired DIY gift that is perfect for preschoolers through tweens. She painted one-inch unfinished wood blocks in cheerful colors, and then added letters in black sharpie. These blocks spell out messages such as "I’m proud of you" and "Congratulations"—but you can customize your own. Check out the instructions and download the free printable from the blog. Decorate the top of a wide-mouth Mason jar to complete this fun project.
Kindergarten Graduation T-Shirt
Little kids love showing off their accomplishments, so why not say it on a T-shirt? These super-cute little tees are from the Etsy shop Things Very Special. This shirt can be customized with name, graduation year, one color of the school and even hair color! $14.99 plus shipping.
The Naked Roommate and 107 Other Issues You might Run Into In College by Harlan Cohen
The updated fourth edition of the New York Times bestseller will cover everything your student needs to know for freshman year. From dating and stress to money management and nasty roommates — this is the go-to guide. This book was written by Harlan Cohen, who is a respected advice columnist for people in their teens and twenties. $9.32 for the paperback on Amazon.com.
"Call Your Mother" Lounging Pillow
This dorm-room décor doubles as a seat and sends the most important message of all: Call your mother! At a generous 18x18-inch size with a sturdy canvas cover, it will serve as a reminder to call home often … and hopefully not just when your student is low on cash. Available from CafePress for $24.50 plus shipping
