Feelings That Reach the Heart! Handmade Gift Ideas to Give at Graduation
On the special day of graduation, you may want to express your gratitude to someone important to you.
Many people probably feel the same way.
Store-bought gifts are wonderful, but handmade gifts have a warmth and a one-of-a-kind specialness that you can’t get from something off the shelf.
Plus, depending on how you make them, the ideas are endless.
In this article, we’ll introduce handmade gift ideas that are perfect for graduation.
We’ve included a wide range—from easy projects you can try casually to those that take time and care—so please use them as inspiration!
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Heartfelt! Handmade gift ideas to give at graduation (11–20)
coaster
Coasters for placing glasses and cups are the kind of thing you can never have too many of, making them an easy gift.
As long as you make sure the surface is flat enough to hold a glass, they’re also easy to DIY.
You can think of all sorts of variations—like cutting thin cork board into circles and adding a design, or attaching glass tiles.
It might be fun to create a design that includes a school name, a person’s name, or a message in text.
If you use materials that resist stains and are easy to wash, the recipient will likely be able to use them for even longer.
mug
If you want to give a practical gift that anyone would be happy to receive, how about a handmade mug? You could make one from clay with pottery, of course, but if you’d like something a bit easier, we recommend hand-drawing the design.
Get a plain, oven-safe mug and use special pens that bake on to draw portraits of a teacher or friends, favorite illustrations, or messages.
Then just heat it at the specified temperature for the specified time, and it’s done!
candy bouquet
A bouquet is a gift that just about anyone would be happy to receive, don’t you think? Why not give a “candy bouquet,” which adds a touch of cuteness to an elegant bouquet, to someone who helped you at graduation? It’s great that you can make it easily with materials from the 100-yen shop.
Arrange familiar party items like foil balloons and artificial flowers.
Wrap lollipops in origami paper or fabric to create a unified look and a stylish finish.
Gather everything together like a bouquet and wrap it up, and you’re done! Using clear cellophane or adding a ribbon will elevate the bouquet even more!
Photo frame
Photos taken with someone special are truly something, aren’t they? After graduation, it can be hard to meet up, so many people take photos and share them so they’ll always remain in each other’s memories.
To turn those photos into an even more wonderful gift, try making a handmade photo frame! All you need is a double-sided photo frame you can buy at a 100-yen shop.
Place the photo you want to give on one side, and decorate the other side with artificial flowers.
The key to arranging the flowers well is to pack them tightly so the base doesn’t show.
With just this extra touch, your commemorative photo will become even more special!
Mason jar with a message
Mason jars are a type of tableware used for things like salads, but because many have stylish designs, they’re also hugely popular as interior decor.
If you want to adapt them into a graduation-themed gift, a great idea is to fill the jar with small message cards rolled up and tied with ribbons, or to place mementos inside beads or colored sand and present it as a keepsake.
In some countries, people even roll up dollar bills and pack them into the jar as a graduation gift.
For Japanese people, that might feel quite novel, right?
Album
An album that captures the memories of our youth.
If you keep it, you can look back on it later and feel nostalgic about those days! There are many different kinds of albums, but how about a handmade one with fun mechanisms? Using a scrapbook from the 100-yen shop makes it easy and great for people who don’t have much time.
Try expressing the memories you shared with features like a blooming flower, a chalkboard, a notebook, or a diploma.
You can write messages, paste photos—the ideas are endless.
Make it an album that truly preserves your memories!
shikishi (decorative square paper board for calligraphy or artwork)
Shikishi boards, often used for group messages, are great for writing notes or attaching photos and giving as a gift—but why not try a more elaborate arrangement? The video here introduces a shikishi with pop-up, three-dimensional mechanisms like those in pop-up books.
By flipping or pulling sections, you can reveal hidden messages.
This is especially recommended for those who are good at origami and paper crafts.
Try creating an original, epic masterpiece!
Acrylic keychain
Many people collect acrylic stands and acrylic keychains of their favorite characters, don’t they? It’s wonderful to be able to carry your beloved favorites encased in sturdy acrylic.
Photos won’t deteriorate and can stay beautiful forever.
Using that idea, try making acrylic keychains with photos of your classmates or teachers! Acrylic goods are easy to make with UV lights (like those used for gel nail art) and resin.
It’s recommended for anyone who wants to create a unique, memorable keepsake!
gusseted pouch
If you want to give a special yet practical graduation gift, a handmade pouch is highly recommended.
In this video, we show how to make a beginner-friendly, fully fledged pouch with a gusset.
All you need are two pieces of fabric for the outer and lining, fusible interfacing to give the outer fabric structure, and a zipper.
You can find all of these at 100-yen shops or craft stores.
It’s easy to make, so it’s perfect for anyone who wants to give something both special and practical.
Leathercraft
Leather goods that develop more character the longer you use them.
They make the perfect gift for someone you won’t be able to see for a while.
Ready-made items are great, but we also recommend creating a one-of-a-kind present with leathercraft.
Some people may think leathercraft is hard to approach, even among handmade hobbies.
But in reality, you can make cool pieces just by doing simple weaving, so it’s easy to try even if you’re not confident in your dexterity.
If you want to give a special gift that stays close to the recipient and grows together with them, give it a try!