Graduation season is here! It is so important to honor those special graduates in our lives, but it can get expensive too. I always want to celebrate graduations so we came up with some inexpensive gift ideas for graduation that won't break the bank. Gifts on a budget are the best! These are also great end of year gifts for students.
Check out our list of high school graduation gifts on a budget. It really helps when you can save money on gifts for many. Be sure to check out our Graduation Gift Basket ideas too!
We happily receive announcements from friends and family that are graduating from preschool to high school. While I wonder, how does it all happen so fast? I am also thinking, how can I acknowledge them all?
While I realize that the gift of money is probably the most popular (and maybe the most desired), my budget is telling me to look for other options. I have some great inexpensive ideas to give graduation gifts on a budget.
Most of the announcements I received this year are for high school graduations. I thought I would share with you some other inexpensive gift options that are still very useful and all the suggestions are less than $15.
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Graduation Gifts on A Budget
- Journal book - for their notes, action items, bullet journals, and other thoughts with a sentiment written inside.
- Travel Mug - with some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate packets. Nice for those study sessions they will be having in college.
- Books - a finance book or local guidebook (if the recipient is going away to college).
- Speaking of books, this cookbook could be super helpful!
- Make your own book of recipes for them. Think of easy recipes that just take a few ingredients.
- Framed Inspiration - take a favorite quote or inspiring poem and frame it.
- Tote or sports bag - people always need these for the gym, beach, or hiking explorations.
- Weekend getaway bag - something for them to take what they need on a weekend trip.
- This mini hot pot cooker can help them save money by making a meal in their room.
- Gift cards for ice cream or cool treats!
- School supplies for college such as highlighters, pens and notebooks
- Packs of gum and/or mints
- Individually wrapped salty snacks like nuts or crackers.
- A gift of faux succulents.
- Snack board - buy them a small cutting board and a grocery gift card to make their own charcuterie snack.
- Gift Bag or Basket - with highlighters, post-its, and supplies from the dollar store. See our full article on this for ideas.
- Gift cards to fast food eateries near their home (or college). Dorm food gets old fast and it is a nice way to treat them to a meal out. Think coffee, sandwich and ice cream places.
- A set of small holiday decorations so they can decorate their dorm room for the holidays.
- Stationery or note cards.
- Advice Jar - collect advice from friends and family on index cards and put them all in a jar to send off with the stude
- Battery-operated candles - so they can enjoy candlelight without flame.
- If they are moving, get them a guidebook about their new city.
- A small tool kit with the basics - screwdrivers, nails, and a hammer.
- Slippers or slipper socks.
- A stand for their phone or tablet.
- A small jewelry box or valet box.
- A tote bag for books or shopping
- A small fan or heater.
- Photo frames - a few of different sizes that can be hung
- Make them a bracelet (see below)
Another fun gift idea is these DIY Charm bracelets - so easy and less than $10 if you have the tools.
Acknowledging the accomplishment is really what it is about. There is no need to spend a lot of money to let someone know you are proud of them.
We hope you found this list of inexpensive graduation gift ideas helpful. We are all about saving you time while enjoying the moments.
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What are your suggestions for low-cost graduation gifts?
amy
What great inexpensive, thoughtful gift giving ideas. MY favorite is the jar filled with advice...so personal.
amy @ whilewearingheels.blogspot.com
organizedisland
It truly has been one of my kids favorite gifts...thank you for stopping by my blog.
Frugal in WV
Love the gift ideas, the jar with advice is a neat idea!
organizedisland
Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it!
Sarah
I love the advice jar idea! It would be both useful and personal.
Visiting via SITSgirls!
organizedisland
Thanks for your comment and for stopping by Sarah!
jamie
Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing! visiting from SITS. Have a great weekend!
organizedisland
Thanks Jamie - you have a great weekend too!
I'm Feelin' Crafty
Good ideas! I usually don't have anyone to give graduation gifts to, but this year I do. I was thinking about a pillow, but I like your tote and framed quote ideas better! Thanks!
organizedisland
Thanks for stopping by! Oh, a pillow is a good idea too!
Kyetra Belton
Great gift ideas! Just stopping by from SITS! I am having a Memorial Day Link Up if you are interested.
organizedisland
Thanks for stopping by, I will check out your link up Kyetra!
Jenny
What great ideas! Another one to add is the Line a Day Journal. http://www.amazon.com/One-Line-Day-Five-Year-Memory/dp/0811870197/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338379247&sr=8-1
It would be a great way to easily record memories from the college years.
Thanks for stopping by to make my SITS day so fun.
organizedisland
What a great idea Jenny! I had not seen that journal. Thanks for stopping by...
Eva Gallant
Those are some really clever gift ideas! I like them all. I also think your scarf organizer was a brilliant idea. I just stopped by from SITS to say hello; hope you find time to do the same.
organizedisland
Thank you for stipping by Eva. I appreciate your comment.
Frankie
I really love your graduation gift ideas! When I graduated i really appreciated it when my family members sent me personalized gifts (especially the financial budget book *i'm still learning how to budget wisely*)! When my sister graduated from high school I bought her a cook book because her idea of cooking back then was "ramen"..now she cooks almost everyday!
Sharon Greenthal
A great gift for girls is a little pouch/wallet to keep money, keys, id and room card. The girls love not having to tote a purse when they go out in the evenings. This one may be a little pricey, but it's a good example: http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=51424&minisite=10020&respid=22372&dbdcc=9LBLSVNA&dbsource=ca&dbmedium=cse&dbname=googlebase&CAWELAID=766481836&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CPz2z6CkwbACFQkaQgodiGyWWQ
organizedisland
Thanks Sharon! That is a GREAT idea!
Bev
I am making a plaque for my granduating Grandson this year. Using stickers with sayings from the Dollar Tree, a piece of wood, and Mod Podge. Wrap the edges with rope, twine or whatever you have on hand...mine was called Maxi Cord. It looks just like the Welcome sing on my blog.
For all of my Granddaughters, I am making Keepsake boxes. The boxes are little ones from the Dollar Tree, painted the inside pink for all of them, and wrappping the outside with Washi Tape, sealed with Mod Podge.
Bev @ Give me a paintbrush
Organizedisland
Oh these sound wonderful! I love Dollar tree and your ideas. Congrats to your Grandson Bev!
Marilyn
Just gave you a shout-out!
http://4you-withlove.blogspot.com/2013/05/graduation-round-up.html
Organizedisland
Thank you Marilyn!
Kate Thompson
Well I know what all my friends will be getting as they leave sixth form this year. The advice jar is really cute and I think it's nice to know someone is looking out for you when you leave home.
Kate xx
Organizedisland
It's a fun gift they can come back to time and again. Thanks for stopping by!
Marilyn Clark
I really love these ideas! I think the advice jar would be great at a graduation party for each attendee to "give" advice to the new graduate!
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den
What a great list! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday, hope to see you again next week!
Raquel
Thanks so much! Love the party!