Graduation Gifts Under £20

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.

Most people at a graduation are giving a card and something small, and that is entirely normal - the day is already expensive for the family hosting it.

The trick under £20 is to buy one good small thing instead of three cheap ones.

Finish it with a card

Under £20 and still the thing they keep.

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

Keepsakes

  • An enamel pin badge for the ceremony outfit or the work bag afterwards.
  • A print of the city they studied in, which ends up on a wall rather than in a drawer.
  • A good postcard set for keeping in touch once everyone scatters.
  • A small frame, with the photo already in it.

Useful

  • A hardback notebook and a decent pen for the first job.
  • A travel mug or flask that survives a commute.
  • A phone stand, cable tidy or anything that makes a desk work properly.
  • A cookbook for one person on a budget.

Edible and experience

  • A bottle of something decent from a local shop, with the card taped to the neck.
  • A coffee subscription for a month - small money, arrives three times after the fuss dies down.
  • Cinema tickets for the week after the ceremony.
  • A box of proper chocolates instead of the supermarket default.

Go in together

  • Four people at £15 each buys one really good gift instead of four forgettable ones.
  • Group gifts work best for experiences - a meal, a night away, a concert.
  • One person buys, everyone signs the card, and the card carries all the names.
  • Agree the budget in a group chat before anyone buys anything.

Browse congratulations cards

How to write it so it lands

  • One good small thing, not three cheap ones.
  • Group up for anything bigger.
  • Write the card properly - it's free.

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

What can I get a graduate for under £20?

A print for the first flat, a pin badge, a good notebook and pen, a flask, or a nice bottle with a proper card.

Is £20 enough for a graduation gift?

Yes. Friends commonly give £15 to £30, and a thoughtful small gift with a written card is remembered far longer than the price tag.

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