DIY Graduation Gifts

updated May, 2022

Sure, you could just write the happy grad a check, but where’s the fun in that?

Between our four kids, their friends, and our church teen group, we’ve given over a hundred graduation gifts the last ten or so years. Today I’m here to help you choose useful graduation gifts that won’t cost you lots of money or time.

Greeting cards vs. Gift cards

With store-bought graduation cards going for upward of $4 each, I’d rather design and print my own. As I’ve mentioned many times before, I’m a huge quote collector on various topics: love, life, goals, faith, friendship, writing, and even finances. Until Pinterest Boards came along I had stacks of binders and notebooks where I used to save my favorites. Whew, I’m thankful that clutter has gone the way of floppy disks!

Graduation is the perfect occasion to share the collective wisdom of the ages. I’ve used various iterations of printable cards for years, customizing the colors and quotes to fit the setting. You can print four per page on heavy cardstock. Instead of a check, we usually include a gift card for gas, fast food, or a store where the student can buy towels or kitchen items as needed. I think most students would rather have an extra meal or gas money instead of an embossed, store-bought greeting card.

Here you go! Easily printable grad cards. Yay!

Gift cards are flexible, too. You can choose an amount fitting the closeness of your relationship, while customizing with their favorite restaurant or nearby gas station. Maybe I overthink, but hey. **shrugs**

Can you tell “gifts” are my love language?

College Survival Kits

For in-person gifts, I have made dozens of these “College Survival Kits,” Students have told me how much they appreciated them for their dorms or first apartments. Usually I buy the shoebox sized plastic tubs in bulk on sale. These with the side flaps on the edges are the sturdiest, but you can find similar boxes in any brands. Then I head to the Dollar Tree to buy most of the goodies inside. The highlighters, pens, and candy I usually find at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club or Costco. Candy or mints make great fillers. Your total cost for each kit can be about $10 depending how much you spend on the container and the goodies. You can also slip in a gift card or homemade cookies.

Here’s what I usually include:

• index cards
• lint roller
• mini first aid kit or bandaids
• individual drink mix packets
• granola bars or Rice Krispie treats
• small tissue pack
• scissors
• pen and highlighter
• tape
• safety pins
• command strip hooks
• stain remover wipes

If your child is the proud grad, I have an entire Pinterest Board with grad party planning tips and tricks.

If you start buying items the end of April, you can put these together assembly line style and have a stack of them ready to go when the graduation party circuit begins in May. I know I’m weird, but I love graduations! Armed with these economical kits, I hope you’ll be glad you traded a little of your time for a thoughtful gift.