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Are you in search of the perfect graduation gift? Have you considered the practicality and appeal of money gifts for graduation?
Many of us do. Money gifts are not only immensely practical but also deeply appreciated by graduates as they embark on their next life chapter. Whether it’s for college or stepping into the adult world, a financial gift can be both a support and a celebration.
In this piece, we’ll explore a variety of imaginative and personalized ways to gift money, transforming a simple present into a memorable treasure.
Key Takeaways:
- Money gifts are practical and highly valued by graduates.
- Creativity in gifting money adds a unique, personal touch.
- We offer a range of ideas to suit different tastes and futures of the graduates.
Table of Contents
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The Best and Most Unique Money Gift Ideas For Graduation
Graduation gifts are a meaningful token of recognition and support. While money is universally useful, presenting it in an ordinary manner can feel somewhat impersonal.
This is where creativity comes into play. By personalizing how you give money, you elevate your gift from a mere financial contribution to a thoughtful, memorable gesture. It’s about connecting with the graduate’s interests and supporting their future goals.
1. The Gift of an Investment in His/Her Future
Imagine gifting a present that grows alongside the graduate’s career. The gift of investment – such as stocks, bonds, or a starter contribution to a retirement fund – embodies this idea beautifully.
This gift sends a powerful message: “I believe in your potential and am investing in your future success.”
You can present this gift with a personalized certificate or a creative card explaining the investment, making it not just a financial asset but a keepsake that appreciates over time.
2. The Gift of Starting a Profitable Blog
For the graduate with a flair for writing or a passion for a specific topic, the gift of starting a blog can be a gateway to endless opportunities.
You can provide a ‘blog starter kit’ that includes a year of web hosting, a domain name registration, and perhaps a session with a web design consultant.
This gift is more than just a financial contribution; it’s an investment in their creative expression and potentially a lucrative entrepreneurial venture.
3. DIY Money Tree For Graduation
Wishing someone growth and prosperity as they embark on their new journey can be creatively symbolized with a DIY money tree.
To create this, you’ll need a mason jar, some decorative stones or soil, and a few branches or faux succulents.
Arrange the branches or succulents in the jar and then clip or hang folded bills on them. The money tree not only looks charming but also represents the seeds of prosperity you’re planting in their life.
For an extra touch of whimsy, you can add small ornaments or a congratulatory note hanging amongst the leaves.
4. Graduation Piggy Bank Gift Idea
A piggy bank is not just for kids; it’s a fun way to encourage saving habits in young adults too. Personalize a piggy bank with the graduate’s name, graduation year, or a motivational quote.
Fill it with a mix of coins and bills to kickstart their savings. This gift combines practicality with a bit of nostalgia, reminding them of the importance of saving in a fun and engaging way.
5. Money Clip Holder for the Graduating Man
A sleek money clip is a sophisticated and practical gift for a graduating man. Choose a high-quality clip and have it engraved with the graduate’s initials, graduation date, or a brief inspirational message.
This gift is not just about holding cash; it’s a stylish accessory that the graduate can carry as a reminder of their achievement and your support.
6. Hello Kitty Graduation Card With Money Inside
For the graduate who adores Hello Kitty or any other character, a themed graduation card with a cash surprise inside is a delightful gift.
You can find or create a card featuring their favorite character and tuck a generous cash gift inside.
This charming and thoughtful present combines the joy of a beloved character with the practicality of cash, making it a memorable graduation gift.
7. Graduation Pizza Money Gift Card Holder
Pizza and graduation celebrations go hand in hand. Why not combine a gift card to their favorite pizza place with some extra cash for toppings?
Create a mini pizza box gift card holder, and inside, place the gift card along with cash folded into tiny pizza slices.
This creative presentation not only feeds their appetite but also adds a fun twist to the cash gift, making it a delightful surprise for any pizza-loving graduate.
8. Graduation Gift Card Holder With Hat
A graduation cap is a symbol of achievement and success. Craft a DIY gift card holder in the shape of a graduation cap to add a thematic and festive touch to your gift. You can use black cardstock, a tassel, and a little creativity to make this holder.
Place the gift card inside and write a heartfelt message on the cap, turning a simple gift card into a memorable graduation keepsake.
9. Starbucks Graduation Cups
For the coffee aficionado in your life, consider a Starbucks-themed cash or gift card presentation. Purchase a Starbucks cup and fill it with crinkled brown paper to resemble coffee.
Then, nestle the gift card or cash inside. You can even decorate the cup with congratulatory messages and graduation-themed stickers. This gift not only offers them their favorite brew but also serves as a cute and thoughtful token of your support.
10. DIY Money Jar With Graduation Cap
Create a personalized money jar for the graduate to save for future endeavors. Take a clear jar and decorate it with graduation-themed motifs. You can paint a graduation cap on the lid and add the graduate’s name and year on the jar.
Fill the jar with rolled-up bills, and for an extra touch, include motivational quotes or advice for their next chapter. This gift is not just practical; it also encourages the habit of saving in a fun and visually appealing way.
11. DIY Graduation Money Cake
A money cake is an impressive and creative way to gift cash. Start with styrofoam circles of different sizes to create the tiers of the cake. Wrap rolled-up bills around each tier, securing them with ribbon.
Decorate the cake with miniature graduation caps, diplomas, and other festive embellishments. This visually stunning gift will be the talk of the graduation party and a sweet (figuratively speaking) surprise for the graduate.
12. Your Future Is Looking Bright Jar
Craft a motivational money jar with a bright future theme. Use a clear jar and decorate it with LED string lights and stickers that say, “Your Future is Bright.”
Fill the jar with folded bills and sprinkle in some confetti for a festive look. This gift not only provides financial support but also serves as a beacon of encouragement and optimism for the graduate’s journey ahead.
13. Hidden Surprise Cash Inside M&M Mason Jar
Satisfy both their sweet tooth and financial needs with a unique M&M Mason jar filled with cash. Fill a Mason jar with layers of M&Ms, hiding rolled-up bills between the layers.
The colorful candy conceals the money, making for a delightful surprise when the graduate discovers the hidden treasure. Top the jar with a graduation-themed lid, and you’ve got a perfect blend of a sweet treat and a practical gift.
14. Easy DIY Graduation Jar With Cash
For a straightforward yet impactful gift, create a DIY graduation jar filled with cash. Use a clear jar and decorate it with graduation stickers or paint. Fill the jar with crisp, new bills, folding them in interesting shapes like stars or hearts.
You can also add a tag with a message like “To Start Your Adventure” or “For Your Future Dreams.” This gift is not just a token of support; it’s a visually appealing and motivational reminder for the graduate to chase their dreams.
15. Emergency Cash Inside Picture Frame For Graduation Gift Idea
Turn a picture frame into an innovative cash gift. Choose a stylish frame and place a fun background, like a mock-up of an emergency break glass.
Behind the glass, securely tape cash bills, making it look like emergency money. This creative presentation not only offers a financial cushion but also doubles as a quirky piece of decor for the graduate’s new chapter.
16. Play-Doh Cash Gift For Graduation
Add a playful twist to your cash gift by hiding it inside a Play-Doh container. Roll bills tightly and place them inside the container, surrounded by actual Play-Doh.
This whimsical gift brings a sense of childhood nostalgia and a smile, along with the practicality of the cash inside. It’s a fun reminder not to take life too seriously, even as they step into adulthood.
17. DIY Surprise Money Confetti Poppers
Celebrate their big day with DIY confetti poppers that burst with both confetti and cash. Create the poppers using push-up pop containers or DIY tubes, fill them with confetti, and hide rolled bills among the colorful paper.
When popped, it showers the graduate with both celebration and a cash surprise, making it a fun and memorable gift for the occasion.
18. Money Inside A Chocolate Box
Replace chocolates in a box with folded cash for a sweet twist on a classic gift. Arrange the bills in the compartments where chocolates would typically be, and for added fun, you can include a few real chocolates in the mix.
This delectable-looking gift offers the best of both worlds – the joy of a chocolate box and the utility of cash.
19. Money Rosette
Create a celebratory money rosette that the graduate can proudly display or wear. This involves folding bills accordion-style and arranging them in a circular pattern to mimic a rosette.
Secure the bills with a ribbon or a paper band in the middle. You can attach a pin at the back or leave it as a decorative piece. This gift not only has the practicality of cash but also serves as a symbol of achievement, much like a medal, acknowledging their hard work and success.
20. McDonald’s Money French Fries Gift Idea
For a fun and quirky twist, present your cash gift in a McDonald’s French fries box. Replace the fries with strips of yellow paper bills, making them look like a tasty treat.
You can even include a few real fries for a humorous touch. This playful presentation is perfect for the graduate with a good sense of humor and a love for fast food, combining a light-hearted vibe with the utility of cash.
21. DIY Cash In a Tin Can Gift
For a surprise element, use a tin can to hide your cash gift. Decorate the outside of the can with graduation-themed art or messages. Roll bills tightly and fill the can, and then seal it.
The graduate will have the fun of opening the can to discover the rolled bills inside, making it a memorable and exciting way to receive a gift. This approach adds an element of surprise and anticipation to the act of giving money.
22. DIY Money Bouquet
A bouquet made of money is a visually stunning and generous gift. Create flowers by folding bills into floral shapes and attaching them to skewers or floral wire.
Arrange these money flowers into a bouquet, adding some real or artificial flowers for color and fullness. Wrap the bouquet in decorative paper or place it in a vase. This elegant and creative presentation is a beautiful way to offer a cash gift, symbolizing prosperity and growth.
23. Graduation Money Lei
A money lei is a traditional and festive way to gift cash. Fold the bills accordion-style and link them together to form a lei.
Intersperse the money with small trinkets or beads for added decoration. This lei can be worn during the graduation ceremony, making it a functional and festive accessory that also serves as a generous gift.
24. College Survival Kit
Create a college survival kit that includes both practical items and cash. Fill a basket or box with essentials like snacks, stationery, and perhaps a coffee mug, interspersed with envelopes containing cash.
Label each envelope with different intended uses, like ‘Late Night Study Snacks’ or ‘First Month’s Transport.’ This thoughtful and practical gift provides not only immediate necessities but also financial support for the graduate’s upcoming college journey.
25. Origami Money Graduation Hat With Tassels
Craft an origami graduation hat using bills. This intricate and artistic gift involves folding money into the shape of a graduation cap, complete with a tassel.
Accompany it with instructions or a note, suggesting they unfold it only when in need. This creative and skillful presentation makes the act of giving money both fun and memorable.
26. Shirt Gift Idea
Fold bills into the shape of a shirt, complete with a collar and sleeves. This can be done by intricate folding and requires no tape or damage to the bills.
Place these money shirts in a small gift box or display them as part of a larger gift. It’s a playful and creative way to present cash, especially fitting for a graduate who appreciates a touch of humor and originality.
Giving money as a graduation gift doesn’t have to be impersonal or straightforward.
With a little creativity and thoughtfulness, you can turn a monetary gift into a memorable and exciting experience that celebrates the graduate’s achievements and supports their future endeavors.
Whether it’s through a whimsical DIY project, a sophisticated presentation, or a fun and quirky creation, the way you give the gift can add as much value as the gift itself.
Remember, it’s not just about the money; it’s about the message of support, confidence, and excitement for what lies ahead in the graduate’s journey.
Money gift ideas for graduation FAQ
How Much Money Do You Give for a Graduation Gift?
Determining the right amount to give as a graduation gift can vary based on several factors, such as your relationship to the graduate and your own budget.
A good rule of thumb is to consider how close you are to the graduate. For distant relatives or acquaintances, $20-$50 can be appropriate.
For closer relations like family friends, nieces, or nephews, $50-$100 is a generous range. If you’re a parent or grandparent, you might opt for a more substantial amount, depending on your financial ability.
What Is a Good Amount of Money to Give a High School Graduate?
For a high school graduate, a gift between $20 and $100 is typically suitable. The exact amount can depend on how well you know the graduate and what you feel comfortable giving.
It’s important to remember that the gesture of giving, regardless of the amount, holds significant value to the graduate.
What Is a Creative Way to Give Money as a Gift?
Aside from the ideas listed above, there are countless creative ways to give money as a gift. Consider customizing your gift to the interests and personality of the graduate.
For example, if they love puzzles, you could create a money puzzle box where they have to solve a puzzle to access the cash.
Or, for a more dramatic presentation, create a money-filled balloon that needs to be popped. The key is to add a personal touch that makes the gift memorable and reflects your relationship with the graduate.
