Graduation Money Etiquette

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.

Money is the most useful graduation gift there is and the one people feel most awkward about giving.

It isn't awkward at all, provided you present it properly and say what it's for.

Finish it with a card

Cash in a card is a gift. Cash in an envelope is a transaction.

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

Is cash acceptable?

  • Yes, and it's the most common graduation gift in the UK from family.
  • Graduates are usually moving, job-hunting or paying a deposit, so cash does more than an object.
  • A bank transfer with no message reads as an afterthought - always pair it with a card.
  • If cash feels impersonal to you, give a voucher for something they'll definitely use.

How much to give

  • Friends and coursemates: £10 to £25, or nothing at all beyond a card. Nobody expects more.
  • Aunts, uncles and grandparents: £25 to £100 depending on closeness and means.
  • Parents: whatever works for the family, often towards a deposit, a car or a trip.
  • Never go beyond what you can afford to look generous in front of relatives.

How to present it

  • Put it in a card and write what it's for: "towards the flat", "for the trip you keep talking about".
  • Hand it over privately rather than at the table in front of everyone.
  • For a transfer, send the card first and the money after, with a reference they'll recognise.
  • For a group gift, one card with every name in it and one transfer from one person.

Thank yous and awkward bits

  • The graduate writes the thank you, not their parents, and within a fortnight.
  • A text is acceptable now; a written card is remembered for years.
  • Don't compare amounts between relatives, and never mention them in a family group chat.
  • If you can't give anything, come to the ceremony and write a proper card. That's a real gift.

Browse congratulations cards

How to write it so it lands

  • Always pair money with a card.
  • Say what it's for.
  • The graduate writes the thank you.

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to give money as a graduation gift?

Yes - it's the most common graduation gift from UK family members. Put it in a card and say what it's for.

How much money do you give for a graduation?

£10 to £25 from friends, £25 to £100 from wider family. Parents often give more, frequently towards a flat deposit or a trip.

Who writes the graduation thank you?

The graduate, within a couple of weeks. A written card beats a text.

Back to blog