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.
Don’t forget to bookmark this page.
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!
- 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.
- Gas Gift cards – always appreciated when I give these.
- 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!
- 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.
- Advice Jar – collect advice from friends and family on index cards and put them all in a jar to send off with the student.
What are your suggestions for low-cost graduation gifts? If you are not yet subscribing to my newsletter, you can subscribe here. I share a few things that I don’t share here and I email you only once a week. I know how valuable your time is and respect that tremendously! There is always something to celebrate!
amy says
What great inexpensive, thoughtful gift giving ideas. MY favorite is the jar filled with advice…so personal.
amy @ whilewearingheels.blogspot.com
organizedisland says
It truly has been one of my kids favorite gifts…thank you for stopping by my blog.
Frugal in WV says
Love the gift ideas, the jar with advice is a neat idea!
organizedisland says
Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it!
Sarah says
I love the advice jar idea! It would be both useful and personal.
Visiting via SITSgirls!
organizedisland says
Thanks for your comment and for stopping by Sarah!
jamie says
Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing! visiting from SITS. Have a great weekend!
organizedisland says
Thanks Jamie – you have a great weekend too!
I'm Feelin' Crafty says
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 says
Thanks for stopping by! Oh, a pillow is a good idea too!
Kyetra Belton says
Great gift ideas! Just stopping by from SITS! I am having a Memorial Day Link Up if you are interested.
organizedisland says
Thanks for stopping by, I will check out your link up Kyetra!
Jenny says
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 says
What a great idea Jenny! I had not seen that journal. Thanks for stopping by…
Eva Gallant says
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 says
Thank you for stipping by Eva. I appreciate your comment.
Frankie says
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 says
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 says
Thanks Sharon! That is a GREAT idea!
Bev says
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 says
Oh these sound wonderful! I love Dollar tree and your ideas. Congrats to your Grandson Bev!
Marilyn says
Just gave you a shout-out!
http://4you-withlove.blogspot.com/2013/05/graduation-round-up.html
Organizedisland says
Thank you Marilyn!
Kate Thompson says
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 says
It’s a fun gift they can come back to time and again. Thanks for stopping by!
Marilyn Clark says
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 says
What a great list! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday, hope to see you again next week!
Raquel says
Thanks so much! Love the party!