21 Creative and Fun Graduation Money Gift Ideas For Students
As graduation season approaches, many of us find ourselves faced with the age-old question: what’s the perfect gift for the graduate in our lives?
When I graduated college, I remember getting a money lei from my aunt. She spent time making a money lei for me, which was so cute!
It felt so special and amazing to receive such a creative graduation money gift from her.
So if you’re stuck on graduation money gift ideas for your future graduate, I got you!
That’s why I’ve curated a list of 21 creative and unique ways to gift graduation money for both high school and college graduates.
From investing in their future to nurturing their passions and hobbies, these thoughtful ideas aim to celebrate their achievements.
Let’s dive into these inspiring graduation ideas with money!
Graduation Money Gift Ideas
1. Travel Fund
Does your graduate want to head somewhere to celebrate their accomplishment?
Invest in their travel fund! Unfortunately, I had to wait two more years to travel to the place I wanted due to the pandemic.
But trust me, if they have an idea in mind, your graduate would be so happy to receive money to travel!
2. Give to their investment portfolio
Help the graduate kickstart their financial journey by gifting money towards building their investment portfolio.
Additionally, I understand the importance of financial stability and independence as graduates transition into adulthood.
You’re not only celebrating their academic accomplishments but also setting them on a path towards long-term financial success and security.
3. Personal Development Course
Does he or she want to take a course? It could be a course of their choosing.
Maybe it’s a UI/UX design course or a certificate they want to get. But it might be a financial investment.
A graduation gift money idea could look like paying for a course they want to take!
4. Book Subscription Service
Does your graduate love to read?
Getting a book subscription is like gifting a Christmas present to them!
Books can be pretty pricey, so giving them new books every month is a great idea.
Or maybe it looks like buying a book that helps educate them on personal finance (I’m all about that)!
5. Cooking Classes
Does your graduate love to cook or wants to learn to cook?
This is one of the most creative graduation money gift ideas you can gift them!
You can gift him or her with money to fund their cooking classes or workshops and sharpen their cooking skills.
6. Music Lessons
Have they been wanting to pick up a new instrument or hone in a musical skill?
A perfect graduation money gift idea is paying for a package deal for music classes!
Trust me, they’ll really appreciate your generous fund and thought!
7. Fitness Membership
You can never go wrong with giving money to the graduate for their health.
Fitness memberships can be so expensive.
Funding these graduates with a fitness class package is a super generous thought.
Some graduation money gift ideas look like gifting them a membership to a gym, yoga studio, or fitness class.
8. Language Learning Program
Another great graduate money gift idea is helping them learn a new language.
You can provide funds for the graduate to enroll in a language learning program to expand their language skills!
Learning a second language is so valuable, and I’m sure they’ll really appreciate the thought.
9. Professional Networking Events
This graduation money gift idea is for the really ambitious graduates who want to start getting ahead.
You could sponsor the graduate’s attendance at networking events or conferences relevant to their field of interest.
10. Art Supplies
Does your graduate have any artistic endeavors or aspirations?
You can gift money towards high-quality art supplies, equipment, or even classes to get them started.
11. APARTMENT OR Home Essentials
It’s very common for high school or college graduates to move into their first apartment or home.
In any case, gifting essentials can really help alleviate any financial stress or burden.
If you’re wondering about what essentials to get them, here are the most common:
- Storage bins
- Rug
- Cabinet
- Mattress
- Plate set
- Air fryer
- Pans/pots
- Shoe rack
- Clothing drawer
- Couch
- Dining table
- Chairs
- Bar cart
12. Career Coaching Services
Is your graduate a bit lost in terms of navigating their career path?
A career coach is a definitely not a cheap investment.
If you can gift a session with a career coach, I’m sure your graduate would really appreciate.
Just make they actually want that for themselves!
13. Subscription Box Service
Gift a subscription box service that’s tailored to your graduate’s interest and hobbies!
What do they enjoy eating, listening to, or reading? I definitely wish I got a monthly or annual subscription box service for my graduation!
14. DIY Craft Supplies
Does he or she love DIY and craft supplies?
Let them save some money by giving them some supplies they can use!
This is a fun graduation money gift idea you can give to them! I’m sure they would appreciate it a lot.
15. Volunteer Abroad Program
Do they want to volunteer abroad or spend a gap year somewhere?
This is the perfect opportunity to fund their graduation trip!
So many graduates want to take the summer to travel or a year off to explore. But it can be pricey!
This is probably one of the most popular graduation money gift ideas you can give to them!
16. Digital Nomad Gear
Is your graduate getting ready for remote work or a travel adventure with their buddies?
You could fund the graduate with gadgets and gear essential for their digital nomad lifestyle. I’m sure they’d appreciate it so much!
17. Outdoor Adventure Pass
You could provide funds for outdoor adventure passes or national park memberships to encourage the graduate to explore the great outdoors.
Especially if it’s during the summer, this is perfect for them to get out and have a fun adventure!
18. Online Course Subscription
A great graduation money idea is to gift an online course subscription to the future graduate.
Online course subscriptions can be quite expensive. If you could purchase a course package for them, they’d really love that idea!
19. pay for their blog journey
I cannot even tell you how much I wished someone would’ve funded my blogging journey, haha.
Since this blog is all about personal finance, I love talking about ways to save AND make money.
Why fund for your graduate’s blogging journey? Because they could actually be making money from it!
They could even one day pay off their student loans with a blog. Yes, it’s possible!
I’ve personally made more than $1,000 just from blogging – it really is a worthy investment.
If you want to learn how they could get started with a blog, check out this post.
20. Wellness Retreat
Treat the graduate to a wellness retreat or spa getaway to relax, recharge, and focus on self-care.
There are so many wellness retreats that happen over the summer, so definitely let them take advantage of this time!
21. Charitable Donation
Why not allow the graduate to pay it forward by gifting money towards a charitable cause or organization close to their heart?
Maybe there’s a specific charity that they’ve been wanting to fundraise for.
I hope you enjoyed this post that was all about graduation money gift ideas!
