Graduation Gifts From Grandparents

We make cards, pin badges and prints in the UK. We don't sell laptops or luggage, so the ideas below are a straight guide - the card at the end is the only thing we're selling.

Grandparents usually give one of two things at a graduation: money, or something that gets kept for decades. Both are right.

The graduate is about to start paying rent somewhere new, so useful beats ornamental this time.

Finish it with a card

A congratulations card with the money inside it is the bit they keep in a drawer.

Personalised graduation card celebrating the Class of 2025 with customizable text for the graduate. Class of 2025 Personalised Graduation Card £3.87 Congratulations graduation card featuring the bold text "You did it!" to celebrate academic success. You Did It! Graduation Card £3.87 Festive graduation card with "You did it!" written on the front, perfect for celebrating exam or university success. You Did It! Graduation Card £3.87 Whose a Clever Girl (Funny Graduation Card) Whose a Clever Girl (Funny Graduation Card) £3.75 Illustration of a smiling graduate in a cap and gown on a congratulations graduation card for him. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Him £3.87 Graduation card for her featuring a cheerful illustrated character wearing a black graduation cap and gown. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Her £3.87

Browse congratulations cards

How much grandparents give

  • £50 to £100 is the normal range from grandparents for a UK graduation.
  • £20 to £50 is completely fine and nobody compares notes.
  • If you're paying for the meal after the ceremony, that's the gift - no cash needed as well.
  • Put it in a card rather than transferring it. The card is the part they keep.

Keepsakes worth having

  • A watch, engraved with the date - the classic, and still the one that gets worn.
  • A framed print of the university, city or graduation date.
  • A good pen, which sounds old-fashioned and gets used at every job interview.
  • A letter written to them about what you think they've achieved, sealed in the card.

For the first job and first flat

  • A contribution toward interview clothes or a decent coat.
  • A railcard, travelcard or a tank of fuel for the first month of commuting.
  • Something for the first flat - a decent pan, proper towels, a toolkit.
  • Money set aside specifically for the deposit, said out loud so it isn't spent elsewhere.

Ceremony day practicalities

  • Tickets are limited - ask early rather than assuming there's a seat.
  • Ceremonies are long and seats are hard. Take water and something to sit on.
  • Book the meal before the day. Every restaurant near the venue is full.
  • Photos with grandparents are the ones they'll still have in twenty years. Take them.

What to write

  • "We've watched you work for this. Very proud of you today."
  • "First in the family to do this. We'll never stop telling people."
  • "Well done. Spend this on something that isn't rent."
  • "Whatever comes next, you've proved you can do the hard part."

Browse congratulations cards

How to write it so it lands

  • Money in a card beats a transfer.
  • Engrave the date on anything lasting.
  • Ask early about ceremony tickets.

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

How much should grandparents give for a graduation?

£50 to £100 is typical in the UK, though £20 to £50 is perfectly normal. If you're paying for the celebration meal, that counts as the gift.

What is a good graduation gift from grandparents?

An engraved watch, a framed print of the university or date, a good pen, or money toward a first flat deposit or interview clothes.

Should you give money or a gift for a graduation?

Money is the most useful, especially with a first flat or job move coming. Put it in a card with a few written lines so there's something to keep.

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