Graduation Gift Giving Etiquette

17 July 2019

If your loved one is just about to graduate from university, you might fancy getting them a little gift to help make their transition into the world of work that little bit easier.

Graduation is usually one of the most cherished and pride-filled moments in a person’s life, so it’s understandable if you want your gift to be as equally memorable. But when should you give a graduation gift? Are there rules for the type of graduation gift you give? Are graduation gifts even necessary?

Deciding what to get is just one small part of the process, there are a few things that you might want to take into consideration before you give your gift. So, we’ve put together this handy list of questions that you might want to ask yourself about graduation gift giving etiquette before taking the plunge.

Who should give graduation gifts?

Usually, it’s only the parents of the person graduating that would give a gift. That’s not to say you shouldn’t if you’re not. Family members, friends, partners and invited loved ones to the ceremony may also want to consider getting a gift for the soon to be graduate.

How much money for graduation gifts?

This is a question that can be quite difficult to answer. How much you spend on a graduation gift can totally depend on your budget. There’s nothing to say you can’t splurge a little if you want to. That said, you don’t want to look really cheap either. Though, it’s worth remembering that sentimentality should really be what takes precedent when buying a gift, not the price.

If you’re planning to give the person graduating money as a gift, first assess your finances and take it from there. Normally, if your not the parent of the person you wouldn’t want to outshine their gift, so it might be worth asking them first about the gift they plan to give so that you can judge accordingly. If you consider a graduation gift like you would a wedding gift, £30 to £50 would be a realistic amount.

When to give graduation gifts

There are no set rules for when to give a graduation gift. Realistically, anytime after receiving the announcement is appropriate, that way you’ll know exactly what the deal is before the ceremony, giving you some time to prepare.

If you are planning on attending any of the graduation celebrations, you should arrange to bring your gift then and give it to the person graduating (wait until the ceremony is over though so they don’t have to carry it with them on stage, etc!). If you can not make it to the celebrations, you can always send a gift in your place.

Graduation Gift Ideas

If you’re at a loss as to what to buy someone as a graduation gift, then we might be able to offer up some inspiration.

What are traditional graduation gifts?

If you want to stick with tradition, then there are a few gift ideas that have gone well at many a graduation over the years. If the graduate wants to ensure their degree certificate is displayed to its fullest potential, then a bespoke frame could be a good option. It’s also a nice indication that you’re proud of their achievements, encouraging them to display their certificate. Other traditional graduation gifts include: a set of professional pens, engraved jewellery and business card holder. If the person graduating will be moving into their own place, then something for their new home will likely also go down well.

What are good graduation gifts?

This is another one that can be difficult to answer as every person is different, what one person considers a great gift, may not be as well received by another. If something traditional isn’t really what you want to go for, then thinking about the person's likes and dislikes should help you decide what to buy.

You’d be hard pushed to find someone that doesn’t like the sentimental touch, so something personalised to them and your relationship is likely to go down well. If you don’t want to get too personal, but you know what their favourite store is, then a gift card could also be a great option. That way you know that whatever they buy, it’s because they love it.

Below, we’ve put together a list of the types of gifts that might be a good choice, depending on your relationship to the person graduating and what your budget is:

Graduation gift ideas for him

Engraved pen set: If the person graduating is about to embark on a professional career, then a decent pen is a must, especially if they’re going to move into a senior role.
Briefcase or bag: Much like the pen set, a decent briefcase or bag can really complete the outfit if the job requires them to be suited and booted. Plus, it’s a really practical gift too.
Cufflinks: Sticking with the professional vibe, a nice pair of cufflinks are bound to come in handy. Add a personalised engraving for an extra special touch.
An experience day: If there’s one thing a graduate is going to want to do is chill out and have some fun after months of cramming. An experience day is the perfect way to unwind and have some much needed downtime.
Map of the world: If your loved one has plans to travel before the reality of working life sets in, then a world map is a great way for them to visualise their journey.

Graduation gift ideas for her

A pamper day: Much like their male counterparts, there’s a good chance they’ll want to unwind once all the craziness of university life is over.
Personalised jewellery: If there’s one thing that can be treasured forever, it’s jewellery. Personalise it with their name and their graduation date for an extra special touch.
Beauty box subscription: If they enjoy pampering themselves, there’s a chance that funds might be a little tight as they make the transition from university into work. Help make things a little easier with a subscription that will provide them with all they need to keep up with something they love.
New diary: Help them stay on track as they move into the working world. Add a personal touch such as engraving or embossing to really give it that wow factor.

Graduation gift ideas for family

Home furnishings: Helping family set up home when they first start out is one of the most rewarding things to do. Things such as cushions, bedding and furniture will not only be appreciated but it’s practical too.
Flowers: Nothing makes a statement like a huge bunch of flowers. Each university has its own colour scheme, buy flowers that match for a personal touch.
A first edition book: There’s bound to be certain pieces of literature that played an influential part in their love for the course or vocation your loved one chose. Something such as a first edition will not only be a treasured possession, but will also appreciate in value over time.
Adulting survival kit: This one is a little tongue in cheek, but we’re certain it’ll have its uses. Something you can put together yourself, include recipes, cleaning hacks, money saving tips and basically anything you think could make moving into fully-fledged adult life that little bit easier.

Graduation gift ideas for your boyfriend/girlfriend

A holiday: Nothing says I love you like whisking your significant other away for a romantic break to wind down and relax after a busy few months.
New tech: If you’re in a position to splurge, treating your partner to some tech will likely go down well, especially if it can be used to help them in their new job.
Clothing: Treat your boyfriend or girlfriend to a new outfit can be a great way to help build confidence as they start a new job, it will also show them how much you support them as they start to climb the career ladder.

Graduation gift ideas for friends and roommates

A Netflix subscription: Because everyone deserves to have a plethora of TV and film available at all times when they need to chill out.
A new mug: Keep it simple but cool.
A personalised photo montage: If you need to keep costs down, getting creative with a ton of pictures from all the good times shared will be a sure fire hit.

Graduating from university is both a scary yet super rewarding time in someone's life. Showing a new graduate how much you care about them and their achievement can be a big deal, but knowing how to do it can prove a little more complex. We hope our guide on graduation gift giving etiquette has proved useful and hopefully our list of graduation gift ideas has inspired you too!