As the end of the semester draws near, graduation season kicks into high gear with end-of-year celebrations marking the end of one life chapter and the beginning of the next. If you've been invited to attend a graduation or after-party, you may be wondering exactly how much to spend on a graduation gift — or if one is even required.
“Graduation gifts are not to be expected, so any gift given is a generous display of love, support, and recognition of the graduate's accomplishments,” says etiquette trainer Courtney Opalko. “While welcomed, [they] should not be demanded or expected by the host or honoree.”
For those who do want to commemorate this celebratory time in their graduate's life with a special present, here's what to consider when determining how much to spend on a graduation gift.
How much should you spend on a graduation gift?
Because graduation gifts are seen as nice, but not mandatory gifts, there is no minimum price point. Because of this, you can gift following what your finances allow.
“When it comes to price ranges for graduation gifts, I recommend spending within your budget and matching the significance of the program completed,” says Opalko. Meaning, the amount you'd consider gifting a middle school, high school, or college grad is flexible, but should probably increase as they get older (and become more independent).
Another thing you may also want to consider is your relationship with the graduate. “A grandparent, aunt or uncle, or close family friend may be comfortable spending more than a casual friend or neighbor,” says Opalko.
What are the best gifts for college graduates?
Graduating from college is a significant milestone, and unless the grad is pursuing a master's degree or taking time off to volunteer or travel, they'll be in job-hunting mode very soon.
“Traditional gift ideas include professional items such as a dignified pen or briefcase, fine notebook, business card case, or leather portfolio,” says Opalko. A college graduation gift should be at the top of your budget range, since you're helping them put their best foot forward in their professional life.
As an alternative, you can browse their college or university's bookstore (most have their own websites) for some fun merch to send them off with. “Commemorative alumni gifts such as a lapel pin, jewelry, cufflinks, or a tie clip are great options for college graduates,” says Opalko.
What are the best gifts for high school graduates?
High school graduation can be an incredibly bittersweet time, as graduates are leaving friends and classmates they may have spent nearly their entire lives with to embark on their next phase.
For them, Opalko recommends gifting them a memento of school spirit, “such as a sweatshirt, tie, hair clip, tote bag, or blanket” as a reminder of their hard work and the bonds they forged while in school. You can search online to see if their high school has its own merch or even commission an engraved gift from Etsy with their school's name and year of graduation.
Alternatively, a high school graduation gift could be a nod to their favorite extracurricular activities. “A gift that reflects the student's interest or participation related to a favorite sport, organization, or hobby can also be a unique way to commemorate their accomplishment,” says Opalko.
If you're at a loss because you don't know the student that well, but you want to support them in their next chapter, just ask. “If you're unsure of what to buy the graduate, it's ok to reach out to the parent or a sibling to ask for ideas,” says Opalko. They may have dorm room necessities or a group gift that you can contribute to.
What are the best gifts for younger graduates?
Preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school graduations may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but they can be very sweet and emotional ceremonies, especially for the young graduates' parents and caregivers.
If you're invited to attend one of these events and choose to give a gift, it can be a great way to make the graduate feel special while wishing them success for the future.
“For kindergarten and middle school graduations, a contribution to the student's college fund, along with flowers or a small commemorative gift, is a wonderful way to recognize their achievement,” says Opalko.
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Melanie Yates
Senior Digital Editor
Melanie Yates is the Senior Digital Editor at House Beautiful, where she oversees design, gardening, and home renovation content. Since joining the team in 2024, Melanie ideates, assigns, and edits digital stories from in-house and freelance writers and helps execute big-picture projects for the brand. Prior to this role, Melanie was a senior editor at Best Products for over eight years, where she launched the site’s home vertical, conducted numerous bedding product tests, wrote The Present Perfect newsletter column, and produced video tutorials on how to wrap a gift. A lifelong enthusiast of the written word, Melanie holds a BA in broadcast journalism from Hofstra University and a certificate in copyediting from UC San Diego Extension. She’s always on the lookout for the next vintage find to furnish her Queens apartment.
