Someone who graduates has worked hard for years. A good graduation gift acknowledges that, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Graduation closes an intense chapter and opens a new one, and a well-chosen gift gives a small nudge toward the future. Below are twenty ideas, grouped by budget.
Small budgets (up to 15 euros)
A book that ties in with their field of study.
A nice card with a personal message. Those are often kept the longest, longer than the gift beside them.
A plant for the new desk.
A gift voucher for a dinner out.
A mug with a funny line that nods to their studies or internship.
Medium budgets (15 to 60 euros)
A good backpack or laptop bag for the first job.
A course outside their field, such as cooking or photography.
Clothes for job interviews.
A classic watch.
A subscription for the first months of living independently, such as a streaming service or a meal box.
Larger budgets (60 euros and up)
A weekend away to recover after the last exams.
A laptop or tablet for someone who is starting work right away.
A financial contribution toward a trip.
Help with a first home of their own, for example a contribution to the rental deposit.
A good bike or e-scooter for the commute that is about to start.
Personal, without a price tag
A photo book of their student years.
A letter with advice for the future, something that often stays in a drawer for years.
Help writing a CV or preparing for a job interview.
An introduction to a useful contact in their field.
A day of job shadowing at your workplace, so the graduate can already get a taste of a sector that interests them.
And then there is the gift that no one gives alone: warm words from everyone who shared the journey. Friends, family, teachers and classmates each have their own view of those student years, and with a graduation wish page you collect those congratulations and memories in one place, including from people who couldn't make the ceremony. Feel free to pair a practical gift with something this personal for a present that truly stays with them.
Frequently asked questions
What if you don't know their field of study well?
If you're unsure what fits their studies, go for something more general such as an experience or a financial contribution instead of a subject-specific gift. That almost always works, whatever the field.
Is giving money as a gift too impersonal?
Not necessarily, especially not as a graduation gift. Many graduates need some financial breathing room for the next step at that moment, and they appreciate the freedom to choose what to do with it.
What is an appropriate amount for a graduation gift?
Among friends, 20 to 40 euros is typical. Family often gives a little more, especially as a contribution toward a trip or a first home, where amounts of 100 euros and up are not unusual.
