College graduates throw their caps in the air

Graduating from high school or college is a major accomplishment — one that takes years of studying and dedication. The second you cross that stage, grab your diploma, and toss your cap in the air, you’re able to celebrate with all the friends, family, and mentors who supported you for the past four years. Chances are, many of those same supporters will send you presents, cards, and checks after your commencement address. To show your appreciation, it’s customary to send a graduation thank you card to every person who gave you a gift.

Why should you send a graduation thank you note? First and foremost, it’s polite — showing the recipient their gift didn’t go unnoticed. Secondly, it shows friends and family you appreciate their support and encouragement. Within each message, include a sentence or two on your future plans and explain how that person’s support or gift made that future possible.

Your graduation gifts come from people who want nothing but the best for you. These people see your potential and are excited about what the future holds for you — more than you know. Below, we’re sharing 10 of our favorite graduation cards to send to your personal fan club.

10 Graduation Thank You Cards to Send to Your Biggest Supporters

After your graduation ceremony or party, you should send thank you notes as soon as possible. Most graduation thank you cards should be sent 1-2 months after your gift was received, at most. Here are 10 cards you can send instantly to thank your friends and family for their generosity.

1. Class of Thank You Note

Class Of graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Laura Bolter Design

Toss your cap and don your graduation gown because you just graduated high school. Hug your classmates and wish them well as they run off to college, and promise to keep in touch throughout the next four years.

This all-black invitation is decorated with gold foil balloons and confetti, all wrapped up in a shimmering envelope. The bubble letters look all too similar to the “Congrats grad!” balloons your parents strung up at your party, giving this thank you note a fun, celebratory twist.

2. Golden Grad Thank You Note

Golden Grad graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Jessica Williams

Diploma in hand, you can’t help but feel a serious sense of #adulting. Whether you just turned 18 and are headed off to college or you’re entering the workforce after completing undergrad, you could feel your maturity grow just by strutting across that stage.

This classic, streamlined thank you card matches your new-found adulthood (yes, the one you just acquired in the past few weeks). With thin, sans serif fonts and a clean, crisp look, it represents your personal growth and next stage in life.

3. Diamond Frame Thank You Note

Diamond Frame graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Now that your high school graduation day has come and gone, you’re packing your bags for your first college move. Before you take those first steps on campus, there’s one last thing to do: Send out your graduation thank you cards.

To assure your parents, friends, and family members that no, they won’t forget what you look like while you’re off at college, send out this photo card with your thank you message. Thank them for their generous gifts and relentless support (and maybe promise to call home at least once a week).

4. Confetti Spray Thank You Note

Confetti Spray graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Of all the graduation gifts you received after commencement, the memories shared with family and friends tops your list of favorites. Sure, the mini fridge for your dorm room was nice, and you’ll put those endless roles of quarters and gallons of laundry detergent to good use. But above the tangible gifts and monetary donations to your college fund, the thing you loved most was seeing your loved ones one last time before leaving for school.

Send out this fun graduation card to let your friends and family know how much you’ll miss them at college. Write a personal note to each person, thanking them for the shared memories as much as the wrapped gifts.

5. Traditional Cutout Thank You Note

Traditional Cut Out graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Your college graduation was such a special day. After four years of cramming for finals and somehow making it to those 8 a.m. classes, you received your degree. As you leave campus and wave goodbye to your roommates, friends, and professors, don’t forget to send a heartfelt thank you note to all the people who got you to this moment.

With a stylish, all-black envelope lined with gold foil, this graduation card set offers a wonderful way to thank friends and family for their thoughtful gifts and support. Choose from five different color palettes or customize it to match your school colors.

6. Scalloped Waves Thank You Note

Scalloped Waves graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Lisa Travis

If you’re throwing a graduation party, this ensemble serves a dual purpose. This delightfully colorful graduation suite comes complete with digital invitations and thank you note, both designed with gold foil edging and scalloped bursts of color.

The party invitation can double as a graduation announcement, telling friends and family about your declared major and chosen university (or any job prospects, if you just completed college). Once the party concludes, send out the coordinating thank you note to show your appreciation for loved ones’ gifts, support, and thoughtfulness.

7. Gold Class Thank You Note

Gold Class graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Jessica Williams

Could this thank you note be any more classy? With a shimmering, white envelope and a stark, navy blue background, it looks just as impressive as you did in your graduation gown (well, almost).

This gorgeous grad thank you card comes with a coordinating photo graduation announcement. Decorated in the same color palette, it offers space for a landscape senior photo and a “Class of 20XX” gold heading. Customize the grad announcement with details about your commencement address and graduation party if you plan to throw one.

8. Confetti on Fleek Thank You Note

Confetti on Fleek graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Stacey Meaham Design, LLC

With colorful confetti and pops of color, this joyous thank you note is a wonderful compliment to any celebration. While you could easily personalize it for your high school or college graduation, it would also work as a bridal shower, baby shower, or wedding thank you card.

The word “Thanks” is written in fun, cursive handwriting across the front, with the graduate’s name and graduation year written beneath. Personalize the note card with a quick “thank you” to your friends, family, and teachers for their gifts and encouragement.

9. Gilded Grad Thank You Note

Gilded Grad graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Pink House Press

With this fashionable thank you note, your graduation tassel won’t be the only thing flashing gold. With a stark white envelope, all-white background, and metallic accents, this graduation thank you note speaks of celebration.

This graduation suite comes complete with a personalized graduation invitation, with a full-bleed senior portrait serving as the backdrop. The word “GRAD” is written in bold, gold foil lettering, carrying the glitter and sparkle throughout the ensemble.

10. Modern and Festive Thank You Note

Modern and Festive graduation thank you cards from Greenvelope

Design: Laura Bolter Design

Toss your cap, hug your best friends, and pump your first in the air, because you finally graduated. This fun and festive thank you note radiates the same celebration you feel in your heart, only adding to the party.

With a gold foil envelope and a coordinating invitation, this cheery suite helps build excitement both before and after your graduation ceremony. Once your gifts are unwrapped and you’ve waved goodbye to your friends and family, write a heartfelt thank you message to everyone who joined you in celebration.

Show Your Appreciation to All Your Biggest Supporters

As a recent grad, you have no idea what the future has in store. But you know this: You have an army of friends, family, and mentors who have your back.

More than any wrapped gift or handwritten check, their encouragement will be your biggest asset in the years to come. When you sit down to write your thank you cards to these special people, focus on that. Tell your biggest cheerleaders that you are fully aware of everything they’ve done for you, and you won’t forget them in the years to come.

We can’t wait to see what comes next for you. Congrats, Grad!