25 Amazing Homemade Graduation Gifts

Do-It-Yourself Bouquet, Gift Cards, and More

Updated on 04/09/21

A happy garduate receives a bouqeut of flowers from her loving family — Steve Debenport / Getty Images

Graduation is a huge milestone in a person's life. Celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates you know by giving them a gift you made with love. They will cherish the homemade and personal touch amid all the envelopes of checks and store-bought cards full of money (which they will surely appreciate as well!).

01 of 25

DIY The Best Has Yet to Come Card

Almost Makes Perfect

While graduation marks the end of a chapter in someone's life, it is also the start of new beginnings. Help remind the graduate of all the wondrous things to come with a handmade card.

DIY The Best Has Yet to Come Card Tutorial from Almost Makes Perfect
02 of 25

DIY Party Box

Oh Happy Day

For an inexpensive gift, drop off a large wrapped box filled with helium balloons at the door of the graduate. The grad's face is sure to light up from the surprise of both discovering a large box at their door, and the delight of the balloons popping out when the box is opened. The balloons add to party decor, so drop them off before the celebration.

DIY Party Box Tutorial from Oh Happy Day
03 of 25

DIY Giant Diploma Gift

Oh Happy Day

Take a large cardboard mailing tube, decorate it to look like a diploma, and fill it with candy, money, gift cards, or other small gifts. This clever DIY gift will surely delight the recipient.

DIY Giant Diploma Gift Tutorial from Oh Happy Day
04 of 25

DIY Surprise Money and Confetti Poppers

Studio DIY

Every graduate appreciates the gift of money. Using cake push poppers, your graduate can receive their sum in a flourish of confetti.

DIY Surprise Money and Confetti Poppers Tutorial from Studio DIY

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05 of 25

DIY Thrift Store Painted Globe

Simply {Darr}ling

Take an ordinary globe and transform it into inspiring decor for your graduate's bedroom or dorm room This gift is especially perfect for those graduates planning to take a year to travel and explore.

DIY Thrift Store Painted Globe Tutorial from Simply {Darr}ling
06 of 25

DIY Tiny Graduation Cap Gift Box

Oh Happy Day

Make a graduation cap gift box that is perfect for holding money, candy, or a gift card. You can make it in just a few minutes using black paper, glue, and colorful thread.

DIY Tiny Graduation Cap Gift Box Tutorial from Oh Happy Day
07 of 25

DIY Smart Cookie Gift

Studio DIY

This sweet DIY favor idea is perfect for when you need to give out several graduation gifts. Have your graduate hand them out to all their friends or use them as party favors for all the graduates at the party.

DIY Smart Cookie Gift Tutorial from Studio DIY
08 of 25

DIY Graduation Keepsake Box

Tried and True

Adorn an ordinary picture frame box with paint, graduation caps, and a photo of the graduate. This is the perfect place for your graduate to store all their cherished small mementos and photographs from their time at school. Years later, when they want to look through old memories, they will be happy everything is organized and all in one place.

DIY Graduation Keepsake Box Tutorial from Tried and True

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09 of 25

DIY Graduation Dollar Diplomas Gift Jar

No Biggie

Roll up some bills and tie each together to make little diplomas. Stick the money diplomas in a mason jar and top the jar with its own graduation cap for a truly Instagrammable gift.

DIY Graduation Dollar Diplomas Gift Jar Tutorial from No Biggie
10 of 25

DIY Graduation Gift Card Holder

Pitter and Glink

If you have a silhouette machine, add a personal touch to an ordinary gift card with this easy gift cardholder. You can make this in minutes, as you simply need to download the template and cut out the design using the silhouette maker.

DIY Graduation Gift Card Holder Tutorial from Pitter and Glink
11 of 25

DIY Typography Pencil Holder

A Kailo Chic Life

This playful DIY typography pencil holder is a perfect reminder for graduates to celebrate their successes and keep striving for the best in the future.

DIY Typography Pencil Holder Tutorial from A Kailo Chic Life
12 of 25

DIY You Did It Card

Kraft & Mint

The simple sentiment, "You Did It," captures just the right amount of celebration and pride the graduate surely feels. This free, simple, printable is ready in minutes, just hit "print," fold, and you have a beautiful card.

DIY Your Did It Card Tutorial from Kraft & Mint

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13 of 25

DIY Money Necklace

The House That Lars Built

A clever way to gift your graduate with money is to fold bills into flowers, which in turn can be transformed into a necklace.

DIY Money Necklace Tutorial from The House That Lars Built
14 of 25

DIY Sail Away Travel Pouch

Lovely Indeed

After graduation, if your special graduate is going off on vacation or plans to travel the world, make them this cute little pouch to store their travel essentials.

DIY Sail Away Travel Pouch Tutorial from Lovely Indeed
15 of 25

DIY Graduation Money Holder Card

My Sister's Suitcase

After graduating, chances are the graduate you know could use a bit of extra money to help them pay off student loans, move out on their own, or take a well-deserved vacation. If you plan to present them with cash, print out this money holder for a little extra inspiration on their next journey.

DIY Graduation Money Holder Card Tutorial from My Sister's Suitcase
16 of 25

DIY Congrats Box

Studio DIY

Nothing says "Let's Celebrate!" more than a banner and confetti. Place your money or gift in this delightful DIY box.

DIY Congrats Box Tutorial from Studio DIY

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17 of 25

DIY Modern Congratulations Cards

Design Eat Repeat

Do you need to send a lot of cards to congratulate your friends and family graduating this year? If you don't want them to be the same, these printable DIY cards are perfect. Download the template, print the design, and write your personalized message inside for each of the graduates in your life.

DIY Modern Congratulations Cards Tutorial from Design Eat Repeat
18 of 25

DIY Confetti Surprise Jar

Studio DIY

Instead of wrapping a present in a gift bag, hide the gift in a jar filled with confetti. This original gift wrapping idea is not only pretty but the confetti can be thrown up in the air in the celebration, too.

DIY Confetti Surprise Jar Tutorial from Studio DIY
19 of 25

DIY Leather Tassel Keychain

A Beautiful Mess

Give the graduating student a gift they will use, such as this stylish DIY leather tassel keychain, perfect for their new dorm room or apartment keys, or as a decorative accent to a book or tote bag. Reminiscent of the tassel on a graduation cap, this handmade gift is the perfect memento to celebrate success.

DIY Leather Tassel Keychain Tutorial from A Beautiful Mess
20 of 25

DIY Yay Vase

A Kailo Chic Life

Instead of the standard bouquet that graduates often get after their graduation ceremony, make the graduate a celebratory vase and fill it with colorful blossoms. The great thing about this gift is even after the flowers die, the graduate can continue to use the fabulous vase you made.

DIY Yay Vase Tutorial from A Kailo Chic Life

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21 of 25

DIY Printable Graduation Card

Studio DIY

Download and print one of these three quirky and fun graduation card designs for free.

DIY Printable Graduation Card Tutorial from Studio DIY
22 of 25

DIY Graduation Teddy

All About Ami

Crochet a Japanese-inspired amigurumi graduation teddy bear to commemorate the milestone. You can easily customize this adorable bear with the graduate's school colors.

DIY Graduation Teddy Tutorial from All About Ami
23 of 25

DIY Hooray Gift Card Holder

Kaley Ann

This cheerful gift card holder is super fun and easy to make. You can create the expanding card out of a folded sheet of paper.

DIY Hooray Gift Card Holder Tutorial from Kaley Ann
24 of 25

DIY Your Future Looks Bright Card

No Biggie

Here's another easy, printable, DIY card for the graduate in your life. Let them know they have your support and you believe they have a bright future ahead.

DIY Your Future Looks Bright Card Tutorial from No Biggie

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25 of 25

DIY Graduation Cap Card

Instructables

It is easy to achieve the look of a store-bought card with this great DIY project. It does require the use of a silhouette machine, some paper, and glue.

DIY Graduation Cap Card Tutorial from Instructables