Personalized Graduation Gifts: Show Your Graduate How Proud You Are

If you’re in the market for a graduation gift, you might think that all of the options are pretty much the same. But there is one thing that makes personalized gifts stand out from the crowd: they show how proud you are. 

That’s why we’ve rounded up this list of personalized graduation gifts. These items will make your graduate feel loved and appreciated for their hard work!

Graduation Video Maker | Congratulations Graduates
Key Takeaways
Personalization is key when it comes to graduation gifts.
Gift ideas that are practical for post-grad life are highly appreciated.
Experiences can be great graduation gifts that create lasting memories.
Thoughtful graduation gifts show the graduate that you care.
The cost of the gift isn’t as important as the sentiment behind it.

Personalized Clock with Graduation Cap

You could get your graduate a clock. It’s a common graduation gift, but it doesn’t have to be boring. You can personalize the clock with the graduate’s name and date of graduation, or even the school colors and mascot if you want to get fancy. 

This is a great choice for people who live in different states than their parents or friends because it shows that you’re thinking about them even when you’re not around!

Finding the perfect gift for a graduate can be challenging, but practical graduation gifts can make a huge difference. “Give something useful that your graduate can appreciate and use as they navigate post-grad life,” suggests our guide.

Custom Photo Album

A photo album is a great way to remember the graduate’s graduation day, and you can create a custom one that’s personalized with their name and graduation year. You may want to make it a keepsake or something you’ll use at their party!

Here are some ideas:

  • Take pictures of all the fun things they did in high school (like playing on sports teams or going on class trips).
  • Take some more recent photos of them hanging out with friends, going on college visits, etc.
  • Print off photos from social media (snapchat stories, instagrams) showing your grad doing things they love like playing video games or laughing with friends.

Best Custom Photo Album Options

Here are some of the top custom photo album options to consider:

Photo Album BrandSpecial FeaturesPrice Range
Artifact UprisingHigh-quality materials, lay-flat pages, foil stamping$149 – $349
ShutterflyWide range of customization options, affordable prices$14.99 – $99.99
MixbookEasy-to-use design software, quick delivery times$19.99 – $59.99
Pinhole PressThick, lay-flat pages, simple design templates$79 – $239
Mimeo PhotosProfessional-grade paper options, sleek and modern design templates$35.99 – $191.99

These photo album brands offer a range of customization options, from high-quality materials and unique features to easy-to-use design software and affordable prices. Choose the one that best fits your needs and budget to create a custom photo album that will last a lifetime.

Canvas Wall Art with Family Tree

Canvas wall art is a great way to show off your graduate’s family history. The canvas will be personalized and ready for hanging, so you don’t have to worry about framing or finding the perfect place in their home. 

Canvas can be displayed anywhere in the house, from a kid’s room to the living room or kitchen! It’s a gift that will last forever.

Are you looking for graduation gift ideas beyond the usual cards and cash? Check out our ultimate graduation gift guide for some unique and personalized gift ideas that your graduate will love.

Engraved Graduation Cap Pen Set

This engraved graduation cap pen set makes a great gift for any graduate. The set includes three different pens: one with a pencil, one with a highlighter, and one just for writing. 

The set is made of metal and has been engraved with the name of your graduate and their graduation year. This is a thoughtful gift that will be used every day!

Engraved Graduation Cap Pen Set Options

Looking for the best engraved graduation cap pen set to give as a gift? Here are some top options to consider:

Pen Set BrandSpecial FeaturesPrice Range
CrossPremium chrome and black lacquer finish, custom engraving available$42 – $80
Dayspring PensIncludes a sleek pen, pencil, and gift box, custom engraving available$80 – $95
Personalization MallComes with a rosewood case, custom engraving available$25 – $35
National PenClassic pen set design with custom engraving available$5 – $20
WaterfordHigh-end design with custom engraving available, perfect for a luxury gift$130 – $230

Each of these pen sets offers a unique design and special features, including premium materials, custom engraving options, and beautiful gift-box packaging. Choose the one that’s right for you to give the graduate in your life a gift that they’ll cherish for years to come.

Personalized Cookie Jar

Choose a cookie jar with a matching lid and place it on a large piece of cardboard. Make sure that the lid is not too heavy because you will be placing it back in later.

Trace around the bottom of the jar onto your cardboard and cut out with scissors or an X-Acto knife (carefully!). You should now have a circle that fits perfectly inside of your jar’s base, but not quite reaching up to its rim.

Fill your cookie jar with candy or treats or use it to store pens or pencils on your desk! You can also give this gift to someone special as they graduate from high school, college or even just kindergarten!

For the creatively inclined graduates, graduation gift ideas for the artistic graduate could be the perfect fit. “Think outside the box with art-related gifts that cater to the creativity of the artistic graduate,” suggests our guide.

Engraved Watch with Monogrammed Case

Show your graduate how proud you are with this personalized graduation gift.

  • Personalize the watch face with the graduate’s name and graduation year.
  • Engrave the case with the graduate’s name and graduation year.
  • Personalize the watch band with their name, use our monogram feature to add a special message or date, or engrave it with a special message in an elegant script font.

A perfect gift for any occasion!

Engraved Wood Bookends with School Name

A pair of wood bookends with the graduate’s school name are a great graduation gift. They can be used to organize the books, videos and photos that document their new life.

Wooden bookends are beautifully constructed and will look good in any room in your house—not just your graduate’s dorm room! 

You can customize them with your graduate’s name and graduation year on one side, and their favorite quote or saying on the other side.

Personalized wooden bookends make for a thoughtful, unique gift that will be cherished for years to come.

The best graduation gift for someone who is on the path to entrepreneurship isn’t always obvious, but our guide on the perfect graduation gift for the aspiring entrepreneur can make things easier. “Encourage their entrepreneurial spirit with gifts that reflect their passions and support their dreams,” suggests our guide.

Personalized Family Portrait Blanket

A personalized blanket is a great gift idea because it can be used year round. Blankets are useful for the graduate’s dorm room, as well as their family room. 

They are blankets that show off your graduate’s love for art and design, while also showing how proud you are of them.

Personalized Family Portrait Blanket

Personalized gifts are thoughtful and unique and this one is no exception! This custom family portrait blanket features the names of you and your grad printed on the front along with their school mascot. 

It also includes his or her graduation year displayed in a modern font style across the bottom edge of the blanket.

Engraved Picture Frame with School Colors

You can’t go wrong with this simple gift. A picture frame is a great way to celebrate the graduate’s accomplishment and show them how proud you are of their hard work. 

This particular frame has the school’s colors engraved into the wood, so it’s a great way for parents or grandparents to give their graduate something personal that they can keep on display in their room or home. 

What makes this even better is that you can personalize it with any message your favorite quote from one of your favorite movies, for example, or even an inspirational quote from someone who has inspired you (like Oprah!). 

You could also get creative and write down some of your favorite memories spent together as a family over the years.

If you’re struggling to find the right graduation gift for an engineering graduate, graduation gift ideas for the future engineer could be incredibly pertinent. “From books to software, there are plenty of options when it comes to finding the perfect gift for a future engineer,” suggests our guide.

Wooden Graduation Sign with Graduate’s Name and Year

Personalized graduation gifts are thoughtful and unique, and they give you a chance to show your graduate how proud you are.

It’s a time when they’ll need all the support they can get and it’s an opportunity for you to do something special for them without breaking the bank.

Here are some examples of personalized graduation gifts:

“Graduation is such a milestone in life, so I wanted to get my daughter something that would commemorate it forever,” says Chrystal G., who recently graduated from high school. “I wanted her first-year college dorm room wall sign because she loves decorating her space.”

Engraved Love Notes Gift Set

This is a great option for grads who are still in school, as well as those who are out of college and looking for a way to keep their passion alive.

This set includes one of each of the following items:

  • A set of love notes (two sheets)
  • A set of love quotes (one sheet)
  • A set of love poems (one sheet)
  • A set of love letters (one sheet) 

Note: these are illustrated by hand and may vary from what’s pictured here. They’re still cute! 🙂

  • One card with an inspirational message inside.

Personalized Graduation Gifts Are Thoughtful And Unique

Graduation gifts are a great way to show your graduate how proud you are of them. They can be a gift that lasts a lifetime, especially if they’re thoughtful and unique. 

Personalized graduation gifts are more meaningful than generic ones, too; they can be used as keepsakes and reminders of your graduate’s accomplishments.

If you have someone graduating from high school or college this year, consider giving him or her an engraved watch during their graduation ceremony it will mean so much more coming from you than from anyone else!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our list of personalized graduation gifts. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, your graduate or a friend, we believe that these ideas will help give you inspiration and make your life easier. 

We also realize that while some may be more costly than others, they all have one thing in common: they demonstrate how much you care about the person receiving them!

Further Reading

If you’re still looking for more gift ideas for your graduate, here are a few additional resources to check out:

Shutterfly’s graduation gift guide: Find personalized graduation gifts and inspiration for high school, college, and beyond.

Oprah Daily’s best graduation gifts for friends: Looking for thoughtful and unique graduation gift ideas for your best friend? This guide has got you covered.

Pretty Rugged’s personalized graduation gift ideas: Check out this list of personalized graduation gift ideas, including monogrammed gifts and custom accessories.

FAQs

What are some unique graduation gift ideas?

Some unique graduation gift ideas include personalized gifts with the graduate’s name or initials, experiences like concert tickets or a weekend trip, and thoughtfully curated gift baskets with items that reflect the graduate’s interests.

What are some practical graduation gifts?

Practical graduation gift ideas include items that can help the graduate in their next step, such as business attire for job interviews, a professional portfolio for work, or a gift card for a resume writing service.

How much money should I spend on a graduation gift?

The amount you spend on a graduation gift depends on your relationship with the graduate and your budget. As a general rule, it’s best to give a gift that’s thoughtful and personal rather than focusing solely on the cost.

Should I give money as a graduation gift?

Giving money as a graduation gift can be a good option, especially if you’re unsure what the graduate wants or needs. However, it’s important to personalize the gift by including a thoughtful note or card.

When should I give a graduation gift?

Gifts are typically given before or after the graduation ceremony, but you can give a graduation gift anytime during the graduate’s transition to the next phase of their life.