Graduation money gift ideas: graduating students waiting in line

Graduation season is almost here, and you know a grad or two that you’d like to celebrate this year. If your go-to for gift-giving is cash, a creative graduation money gift idea is a fun way to honor the new grad and make the gift feel extra special.

In this guide, we’re sharing our favorite graduation money gift ideas, including plenty of DIY ideas that you can whip up at home, and an easy way to send the grad a money gift wherever they are.

19 Sweet Graduation Money Gift Ideas

Graduation money gift ideas: graduation cap, diploma, and a gift

Whether you prefer to give cash gifts or the grad has requested one, there are lots of different graduation gift ideas you can choose from. Explore some of the best creative ways to give money as a gift to the new grads in your life this year.

1. Money Tree

For a cash gift that’s all about the presentation, we love the idea of handing over a money tree. Take a fake tree or plant and tape cash to the leaves, or create your own DIY version with some sticks and dollar bills.

2. New Wallet Filled with Cash

DIY gifts aren’t for everyone, and that’s OK. There are still lots of creative options when it comes to graduation money gift ideas. Buy the grad a new wallet, and fill it with fresh dollar bills or a gift card ready for them to spend in their favorite store.

3. Money Rosette

Make your own graduation rosette or money badge and attach some cash to it to create a fun gift idea. Follow a graduation money badge tutorial, which includes a step-by-step guide and printable elements to help you bring it all together.

4. Origami Graduation Hat

If you’re handy at the art of paper-folding, then try and make your own origami graduation hats — complete with tassels. Either make the hats out of dollar bills themselves, or use paper and attach the cash to the hat via the tassel.

5. Money Lei

For another fun graduation gift try making a money lei. Attach the cash together into a lei shape, and add traditional flowers for decoration, color, and interest.

6. Money Mason Jar

Mason jar filled with money, labeled with the word "COLLEGE"

You don’t need to get out the craft paper and scissors to make a thoughtful or fun graduation money gift. Grab a clean mason jar, fill it with coins or dollar bills, and personalize it with a ribbon and a gift tag or label. This is a sweet personalized gift idea that won’t take you long to put together.

7. “In Case of Emergency” Frame

Every college grad runs into a cash emergency at some point. Give them a head start with a DIY “in case of emergency” frame. Decorate a picture frame, then make your own backdrop for inside and attach some cash to it. Put everything inside the frame and present it as a quirky graduation money gift idea.

8. Money Cake

You might have heard of diaper cakes, but did you know about money cakes? This cash alternative is ideal for celebrations of all kinds, including birthday gifts and graduation gifts. Style your cash together in the form of a cake, and hand it over to the new grad. It’s a fun way to give a cash gift this graduation season.

9. Graduation Cap-Themed Piggy Bank

If you want a great gift idea that’s also practical, give the fresh grad a money box or piggy bank that’s shaped like a graduation cap. It’s the perfect place for them to store all their spare change, ready for their next big purchase.

10. Donation

For a thoughtful graduation money gift idea for a close friend or family member, make a donation in their name to a cause that’s close to their heart. This is a lovely way to honor their journey and give back to a charity or cause at the same time.

11. Student Loan Repayment

One college graduation gift that’ll always be appreciated is some help toward paying off that student loan. This monetary gift is harder to pull off, but you can always make a smaller contribution by giving cash in an envelope along with a card that says what it’s to be used for.

12. Money Bouquet

Bouquet of bills

If a money cake isn’t your thing, why not create a money bouquet instead? Take the cash, fold it carefully into flower shapes, and arrange it into a bouquet. Tie it together with ribbon, and present it to the new high school or college grad at their celebration.

13. Money Tissue Box Roll

Give a tissue box a new lease on life and turn it into a fun graduation money gift idea. Follow a tissue box money roll tutorial to learn how to put together this gift that just seems to keep giving — perfect for when you want to make the recipient laugh at their graduation party.

14. Hidden Money Gift

For a way to liven up a cash money gift, try hiding the money inside another gift. You could hide it inside a box of chocolates, a gift box, or a gift set filled with other small and thoughtful gifts. Just be sure to keep the money separate from any food!

15. Graduation Pizza Box

If you want to trick the grad, this is a good graduation money gift idea. Take a pizza box and give it a DIY upgrade to make it the perfect backdrop for your amusing college or high school graduation gift. Instead of pizza, fill the box with cash, and watch for the grad’s reaction as they open it.

16. Money Confetti Popper

Make your grad smile with this joyful gift idea. Make your own confetti pops with eco-friendly confetti and reusable confetti cannons, then sneak a dollar bill into each one. As they pop the cannons at their graduation celebration, they’ll get an extra surprise.

17. Money Wreath

Make a statement with this graduation money gift idea that’s big and bold. Wreaths aren’t just for the holidays; they also make a wonderful grad gift too. Take a plain wreath and affix dollar bills to it to create a money wreath.

18. Balloons Filled with Money

Upgrade the standard balloon experience and transform them into gifts by adding dollar bills inside. This works best with transparent balloons, especially if you can find some that come with colorful confetti too.

19. Online Gift Card

Blooming Congratulations Card

Design: Signature Greenvelope

For a super easy graduation money gift idea, you can’t go wrong with sending a gift card. And with Greenvelope, you can add a digital gift card to any of our graduation cards — giving you the perfect way to say congrats to the new grad, wherever they are in the U.S.

Send one of our customizable online cards, and add your graduation wishes and a gift card to help them celebrate this special life event. We have plenty of congratulations card designs available, including this vibrant floral congrats card design.

Make them Smile with These Thoughtful Graduation Money Gift Ideas

Your words of congratulations and the time you spend with them celebrating are enough, but if you want to give a monetary gift, then these graduation money gift ideas should help you find the best one for your grad.

Whichever gift idea you choose, one of our congratulations cards is the perfect partner. Add your own personal congrats message inside, and attach a digital gift card that they can use in their favorite stores.