This post: 32 DIY High School Graduation Gift Baskets Grads Will Love / Post Updated 2/2023
With graduation season fast approaching, you may be looking for a fun and unique gift idea for your special graduate. Gift baskets are a perfect choice! And with so many fun, delicious, indulgent, and even essential options to personalize it, a basket is sure to make your favorite grad feel special!
Try filling your DIY high school graduation gift baskets with college life essentials, movie or game night snacks or calming spa toiletries. (It doesn’t have to break the bank!) Regardless of whether your grad is off to college, trade school or a new job with their own place, a cheerfully wrapped basket will bring a smile! Plus, who wouldn’t absolutely flip over a fun basket filled with things chosen especially for them? Here are 32 DIY high school graduation gift baskets to inspire you!
32 DIY High School Graduation Gift Baskets Grads Will Love
#1 DIY College Survival Kit with FREE Printable Card
If your special grad is college-bound, a survival kit (with this cute as can be FREE printable card) is sure to bring a huge smile to their face! Imagine the look on their face when you present them with this fun basket!
Download the FREE printable HERE!
Image Source: Hip2Save
#2 New Beginnings Basket
New beginnings are exciting! Regardless of where your grad is headed (college or a new position), they’ll need a LOT! To celebrate this new chapter in their life, help them to prepare for it! This basket holds a nice variety of supplies from laundry detergent and markers to a stapler and Ramen Noodles. The chocolate, ribbon, and sunflower add the perfect touch!
Image Source: Proverbs 31 Mom
#3 Dollar Store Grad Basket
When it comes to DIY high school graduation gift baskets, they don’t have to break the bank! You can pull together a great graduation basket with finds at the local Dollar Store! For under $15 you can fill yours with anything from desk, household and laundry supplies to candles, candy and snacks, and cute knick-knacks. Don’t forget to tie it all together with colorful wrapping, tissue or a bow.
Image Source: Pinterest
#4 Basket of Sunshine
We LOVE this sunny basket with bright, fluffy towels and striped flip-flops! (The guys will need them in the dorm too!) Down to the air freshener, lint brush, and power cord, essentials can be color coordinated to make it really fun. The adorable polka dot tote with pockets is perfect for many uses, and the smiley balloon and bow adds a special cheery touch!
Image Source: Pinterest
#5 Loads of Fun Basket with FREE Printable
This idea may not officially be a basket, but it was way too cute not to include in our round-up of ideas! We love the matching laundry sack included. And with the laundry your grad will be doing on their own (well, hopefully), the bag of quarters will come in super handy! (Note: some colleges have done away with the need for quarters to do laundry and simply use a swipe card.)
Download the FREE Printable from Hip2Save HERE!
Image Source: Hip2Save
#6 “Take Time for YOU “Personalized Basket
Whether your grad is heading off to college, taking a gap year to travel or starting a new job, life transitions can be stressful. This “Take Time for YOU” personalized basket will remind her that no matter how busy life gets, she needs to take care of herself. Tuck in things she loves including lavender bar soap, bath salts, lotion and spray. Finish off the theme with a matching pillow, loofah, candle and bow. Your grad will LOVE it!
Image Source: Owecraft
#7 Specialty Basket Just for Guys
Don’t be fooled… guys love to be pampered just as much as girls do! This “just for guys” basket is a fun idea to remind him that when life gets hard, a little pampering and relaxation go a long way. Fill with everything he loves, including his favorite personal care items (think Axe body wash, etc.), specialty soap, cologne, and shaving cream along with a face towel. He’ll love this fancy basket crafted with him in mind!
Image Source: Style Me Pretty
#8 “Time to Put on Your Big Girl Panties” Basket
When it comes to DIY high school graduation gift baskets, this one takes the cake… literally! Your grad will flip over this fun tower of gifts! From notebooks and pens to Ramen and energy drinks, this tower of much-needed college supplies will help your grad study for every exam! Any sign can be used, but we think this one says it all!
Image Source: Pinterest
#9 For Coffee Lovers
When you’re in college, noon is considered “early!” That’s why nearly every college kid ends up being a coffee drinker (even if they swore they never would). Early mornings and long nights studying – coffee will help them through it all. Have a little fun with this basket idea by including coffee (of course), but also a few of their favorite snacks, a cute mug or coffee cup, or anything else you think your coffee-lovin’ grad would love!
Image Source: Kasey Trenum
#10 First Aid Grad Basket
Going off to college or moving out on your own is exciting, but it can be overwhelming and a little stressful! As a parent, we all worry… what if our child gets sick! To ease your mind, send your grad off to college or into the world with this carefully crafted first aid basket brimming with everything they’ll need should they get sick. For added good measure, be sure to put a few instructions in the basket about what to use when and which meds shouldn’t be taken together! For ideas on what to put in your grad’s first aid kit, check out this list!
Image Source: Local Biglots
#11 College Necessities
We like this basket for its simplicity and ease to put together. The cute lime shower caddy carries a ton of fun college essentials, including air freshener and flip flops! Still, there’s room to really pack in a few more essentials and fun items if the budget allows! We love the cute, encouraging notes – something every college-bound kid needs from time to time!
Image Source: Thankfully Thrifty via Craftbits
#12 “To Inspire You” Grad Basket
If you’re looking for a clever and fun gift idea for your favorite grad, this is the basket! Brimming with wonderful inspiration for your favorite grad, you can have a blast with this idea! A few ideas include, “to eat when you’re missing home,” to enjoy when you nail a test,” “to open when you need a good laugh,” “to read when you’re lonely.”
Image Source: Crate It Go
#13 Orange You Glad You Graduated?” Basket
This is the sweetest little affordable gift any new grad would flip over! Start with any small container and fill with “everything orange!” From candy and snacks to a drink holder and gift card – walk the aisle of your local Target, Wal-Mart or Dollar Store for items that match your theme!
Image Source: Happy Go Lucky Blog
#14 Charming Sentiments
We just LOVE the look of this charming grad basket brimming with sweet messages. It’s easily adaptable for a girl or guy and, with a little creativity, you can add a variety of different items with warm, meaningful sentiments from the heart!
Image Source: HikeNDip
#15 Off-to-College Laundry Basket with FREE Printable
This is the perfect gift basket for the grad who may not be happy about doing his or her own laundry! This gift is sure to crack a smile and give them everything they need, including a new perspective, to do laundry right!
Download the FREE Printable from Almost Empty Nest Here!
Image Source: Almost Empty Nest
#16 The Essentials Tool Kit Basket
This gift is the bomb for just about any high school graduate! Start with a simple tool kit and add in a few additional dorm/household essentials, including scissors, tape measure, hammer, screwdriver and tape. Add whatever you like to make it personal!
Image Source: Craft Create Cook
#17 Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
A cute take on the popular “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” book, this grad gift basket will equip your grad with fun sentiments AND plenty of snacks and candy! Add silly signs to make it your own!
Image Source: Pinterest
#18 Guys Essentials Basket
This cute container (which is great for desk or bath supplies!) holds a little bit of everything that your special guy will need. From shaving cream and razors to body wash and laundry detergent, he’ll use everything here, whether he’s venturing off to college or a place of his own! Oh, and… we think the Oreo Cookies will be a real hit!
Image Source: Pinterest
#19 Beach-Bound Basket
Got a grad who’s headed to the beach? Maybe they’ll be attending college in sunny California or Florida, or perhaps they’re starting a new job on a coastline across the globe… either way, they’ll love this beach-bound basket! Fill with seashell-shaped soap, a sea breeze candle, a cute sign and fragrant “ocean-inspired” hand lotion.
Image Source: Pinterest
#20 College Survival Kit with FREE Printable
This is one of the cutest little baskets we found! What we absolutely love about it is how easy it is to pull together (simple enough for even a younger sibling to make)! And it has so many college essentials for grads! Use this as inspiration or create your own with everything your favorite grad will love!
Download the FREE Printable from Thirty Handmade Days HERE!
Image Source: Thirty Handmade Days
#21 Tiered Cake for Grads
We LOVE this fun, creative tiered “cake” design for grads! All their study supplies are stacked so creatively along with a few college necessities including Ramen Noodles and an energy drink for those late-night study sessions! Tie each layer with a colorful wide ribbon and use strong double-sided tape to stabilize it.
Image Source: Student Credit via Saving by Design
#22 Coffee – Because College Starts Early and Ends Late with FREE Printable
If your graduate is a coffee lover, they’ll flip over this basket! Choose a fun mug (with their college logo?) along with their favorite specialty coffee! Include add-ins like chocolate or caramel coffee flavoring, cookies and even a gift card if the budget allows. This idea can easily be adapted for tea lovers as well!
Download the FREE Printable from Almost Empty Nest HERE!
Image Source: Almost Empty Nest
#23 New Apartment Supplies Kit
For grads jumping into apartment life, this New Apartment Supplies grad gift will be the starter kit they need! Everything from toilet paper and paper towels to cleaning supplies and baggies – any apartment-bound grad would love this fun and thoughtful gift!
Image Source: HikeNDip
#24 Graduation Gift Bottle Set with FREE Printable
Well… this may not be a basket, but we couldn’t resist including it! It’s such a creative (and yet ridiculously simple) idea that any grad would love! Fill the bottles with anything from loose change, dollars, candy or anything else you can think of!
Download the FREE Printable from Busy Mom Helper HERE!
Image Source: Busy Mom Helper
#25 The Tassel Was Worth the Hassle Basket
Here’s a festive basket we fell in love with and we think your grad will too! Color coordinate the basket with your grad’s college colors or create your own theme! Include well… anything your heart desires! We kinda like “The Tassel Was Worth the Hassle” cup with gold confetti! This gift will be a definite stand-out on the gift table!
Image Source: Pinterest
#26 The “Little Bit of Everything” Basket
This basket has it all, and we mean ALL! It’s also easy to pull together yourself! Grab a sturdy laundry basket (which will be appreciated) and fill it with anything you think your grad will need for college or their apartment. The variety is what’s so fun, and the snacks, drinks, and games(s) make it extra special!
Image Source: Hoosier Homemade
#27 Late-Night Snack & Study Basket
We think a college survival kit like this one will bring a few laughs to your graduating senior! This basket has everything for late-night snack and study sessions! Choose your grad’s favorite snacks and drinks along with something personal, like a coffee tumbler. Don’t forget to include messages of encouragement to help them ace those tests!
Image Source: The Latina Homemaker
Image Source: 
#28 Hanging College Survival Kit
Okay… we admit, this isn’t a basket, but it’s WAY too cute and clever not to share! How fun to use a hanging organizer and pack it with all the essentials, snacks, school supplies, and toiletries your favorite grad might need! You can even tuck in a little cash if you like!
Image Source: Mother’s Niche
#29 The Ultimate Grad Candy Basket
Have a little fun with your grad’s basket by including a bunch of different candy bars with clever sayings! Need ideas? Visit Dating Divas!
Image Source: The Dating Divas
#30 Off to College Basket
Make the transition into college way more fun and exciting for your grad by giving them this colorful “Off to College” grad basket they’ll be sure to flip over! Fill with your grad’s favorite things including snacks, necessities, and dorm essentials! The sky is the limit!
Image Source: A Mom’s Take
#31 Sorority Basket
If you have a daughter or favorite grad who’s headed to sorority life in college, this might be the perfect basket for her! Get creative with this basket and fill with her favorite spa products, sorority logo items and a sign or even a soft throw like the grey one here. This is one basket she’ll never forget!
Image Source: Pinterest
#32 Shower Caddy Gift Basket
It’s something every college-bound kid needs – a shower caddy! A great idea for both girls and guys, fill with shower/bath products including shampoo, cream rinse, razors, shower gel, brush, comb and more!
Image Source: Society 19