13 Last-Minute & Fool-Proof Graduation Gifts You Can Snag Online at the Drugstore
What to get the high school and college grads in your life.
Images: CVS. Design: Jessie Quinn / StyleCaster
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Regardless if it’s high school or college, graduation is a big deal—and, chances are, the graduate(s) in your life are stressed after weeks of studying for finals. Whether you’re headed to see them accept their diploma or celebrating with them after the ceremony, you won’t want to come empty-handed. Even if you wait until the last minute to find the best graduation gifts for your Class of 2026 graduate, you can still find something they’ll love, from the meaningful photo book to the necessary post-finals bath soak. And you can conveniently find many last-minute graduation gifts at the drugstore.
Last-Minute Graduation Gifts, at a Glance
- Best Photo Gift: CVS Photo Book, $15+ (was $30+)
- Best Custom Gift: CVS Custom Same-Day Tumbler, $10.50+ (was $30+)
- Best Face Mask Gift: Burt’s Bees Hydrating Sheet Mask with Watermelon, $3
- Best Gift for Studying: Lifelines Pen Diffuser with 4-Scent Cartridge in Crisp Mountain Air, $10
- Best Dorm Room Gift: Silver One Rattan Tabletop Picture Frame, $16
- Best Candle Gift: Joyward Cozy Season 5-Piece Gift Set, $17
- Best Chocolate Gift: Ferrero Rocher Gold Gift Box, $20
- Best Skincare Gift: e.l.f. Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum, $17
- Best Self-Care Gift: Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, $6
From gift ideas to the photo department, CVS has all of your graduation gift ideas covered. Many of them (including the custom photo books and personalized tumblers) are available with same-day pick-up, so you can order online and pick up in store. Plus, CVS ExtraCare Rewards members qualify for additional perks, like free shipping over $10 and ExtraBucks rewards on select items.
CVS Photo Book
On Sale 50% off
You might be surprised to learn that you can get a sentimental gift from the drugstore. Whether you’re stuck on what to get your college bestie or are looking for a sweet way to commemorate your high schoolers’ childhood memories, a CVS Photo Book is a budget-friendly and thoughtful way to mark the occasion. From now through May 9, you can save 50% off sitewide at CVS Photo with promo code MOMDAY, including photo books.
CVS Custom Same-Day Tumbler
On Sale 63% off
For another custom photo gift idea, consider the CVS Same-Day Tumbler. As the name suggests, this personalized gift can be made the same day you order, so your giftee will have no clue that you waited until the last minute to snag them a thoughtful graduation gift. The tumbler is available in a variety of designs, including some Class 2026 styles as well as several more versatile designs. Same Day drinkware (including this cup) is on sale for 65% off until May 9 with promo code HAPPY65.
Burt’s Bees Hydrating Sheet Mask with Watermelon
After all of that studying, your grad could use some R&R. Give the gift of a relaxing at-home facial with the Burt’s Bees Hydrating Sheet Mask with Watermelon. Give this alongside a gift card for their favorite coffee shop, or add it to a gift basket with other self-care items such as the Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, NIVEA Shimmer Lip Care, and Starface Hydro-Stars Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches.
Lifelines Pen Diffuser with 4-Scent Cartridge in Crisp Mountain Air
If you’re shopping for a high school graduate, the Lifelines Pen Diffuser is a fun, college-friendly gift to give. The pen doubles as an aromatherapy diffuser, with a four-scent cartridge inspired by crisp mountain air to help destress the mind and body.
Silver One Rattan Tabletop Picture Frame
For the recent high school grad who is headed off to college, you can’t go wrong with a sweet and personal item for their dorm room. This Silver One Rattan Tabletop Picture Frame is chic and trendy and would look great with most dorm room styles. You can add a picture of the graduate as a young child with an inspirational quote taped to the back, or a photo of you and the graduate to help them feel a little less homesick.
Joyward Cozy Season 5-Piece Gift Set
The Joyward Cozy Season 5-Piece Gift Set is one of the best graduation gifts to give, especially if you’re stuck on what to get. This under $20 set includes a pencil case, two ballpoint pens, a candle, and comfortable socks for a study night at home.
Ferrero Rocher Gold Gift Box
Chocolate is always a good grad gift idea—and the Ferrero Rocher Gold Gift Box comes wrapped and ready to give. This box features 18 Ferrero Rocher chocolates, complete with a gold bow on top.
Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Raspberry Squares
If your graduate loves dark chocolate and berries, the Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Raspberry Squares are another delicious chocolate gift to give. Add these to a gift basket or gift them alongside a card and some flowers to say “congrats.”
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum
After many months of studying, the graduate in your life deserves a pick-me-up—in the form of fragrance, of course! The Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum is a luxe perfume gift you can find at CVS,x and while it’s a little more splurge-worthy compared to other drugstore gift ideas, the $65 price tag is much cheaper than other designer perfumes available.
NIVEA Shimmer Lip Care
A fresh lip balm is another budget-friendly gift basket add-on to consider. The NIVEA Shimmer Lip Care is formulated with shea butter, vitamin E, and vitamin C to nourish the pout, plus it has a shimmery finish that leaves behind a touch of that Y2K lip gloss magic we’re seeing everywhere right now.
e.l.f. Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
If you’re buying for a skincare-obsessed graduate, the e.l.f. Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum is one of the best drugstore gift ideas to give. This serum is an under $20 SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic dupe that is fast-absorbing, non-greasy, and helps graduates get their glow back after weeks of overnight study sessions.
Starface Hydro-Stars Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches
The graduate on your list might have a stress pimple or two, and could totally benefit from these cute pimple patches. The Starface Hydro-Stars Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches are another great gift basket add-on, or you could give them with a facial gift card for a more indulgent post-graduation gift.
Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution
Studying for finals is stressful to say the least, so a bag of relaxing bath salts is a great gift to give. The Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution is an under $10 gift idea that you can give with flowers and a card, or pair with some cozy socks and a face mask for some post-grad R&R.
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