Handmade Gifts for Graduates: A Collection of Heartfelt Ideas
Are you thinking of giving a heartfelt, handmade gift for the special milestone of graduation? In this article, we’ll share handmade gift ideas perfect for someone important who’s about to graduate! The beauty of handmade gifts is that they can express gratitude in ways store-bought items can’t—whether it’s for a friend or a mentor who has supported you.
We’ve picked a wide range of ideas, from easy projects for beginners to creations you can take your time crafting.
Make the graduation unforgettable with a one-of-a-kind gift found nowhere else in the world!
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Handmade Gifts for Graduates! A Collection of Heartfelt Ideas (41–50)
tote bag
Perfect for sewing beginners! This tote bag is made simply by sewing straight lines with a sewing machine.
Prepare two pieces each of outer fabric and lining fabric in the same size, plus two pieces for the handles.
Fold the handle pieces to your preferred width while pressing with an iron, then sew them.
Make two sets by sandwiching the handles between the outer and lining fabrics and sewing them together.
Open these two sets and place them right sides together.
Leave an opening for turning, sew all the way around, then sew diagonally across the corners to create boxed corners.
Trim off the excess corners outside the seam as they’re not needed.
Turn the bag right side out through the opening, sew the opening closed, and you’re done!
Korean-style message card
How about a Korean-style message card as a graduation gift? It’s a card made by writing drawings or messages on small pieces of construction paper and decorating them with washi tape and the like.
Try drawing illustrations that relate to memories or the special day.
You can also cut out part of an illustration and put washi tape around the opening to change the vibe—super cute, right? Once your message is finished, mount it on a slightly larger piece of colored paper to make it look even more stylish.
Enjoy adding your own personal touches!
Trophy Gift
@tanmama_handmade_ I bet a lot of you have graduation ceremonies this weekend 😌🌸! A one-of-a-kind trophy gift 🎖️✨ to give to close friends and teachers who’ve helped you so much. After you eat the treats inside the display case, you can keep it in your room forever ☺️🌱 You can also store your precious little treasures inside the case 💎 Here are some tips for making it 👇 The case and lid can come off easily, so secure them temporarily with cellophane tape to keep everything safe when you give the gift 🩷 ⚠️ Templates are available only on Instagram ⚠️ ————— ❁ Materials ❁ ————— ＊Daiso • Collection Case JAN code: 4970404909109 • Decorative Balls JAN code: 4550480360799 • Floral Foam (water-absorbing) JAN code: 4550480237756 ＊Seria • Mini Aurora Rose JAN code: 4944371421896 • Sakura Wire JAN code: 4944371434452 • Sakura Sparkly Picks JAN code: 4944371434469 • Gold Print Satin Ribbon JAN code: 4570048043001 • Clear Cup with Lid • Double-sided Tape • Clear Glue • Snacks ————— ❁❁❁ ————— Mom of a 7y👦🏻 4y👦🏻 2y👧🏻 ————— ❁❁❁ —————#ParentingMom#100-yen store remake#100-yen shop DIY#GraduationGiftFromKindergartenGraduation present
♬ Happy & Pop songs – PeriTune
Here’s an idea for a trophy gift that can also hold sweets.
First, glue a sponge to the bottom of a clear cup.
Insert an aurora flower into the sponge, then cover the base of the flower and the sponge with artificial flower petals or decorative balls so they’re not visible.
Close the lid and attach a handle with a gold ribbon to complete the trophy section.
Glue the trophy onto the base—a square display case filled with sweets—to finish.
Adding a message to the base is also recommended.
Nikoichi keychain
@bon_mama07 Details on how to make it are here↓💁♀️ I made matching keychains for dear friends who will be apart after the kindergarten graduation, with the message “We’ll always be together, even when we’re apart.” 🌷 You can make them with a small amount of yarn, so if you have leftovers, give it a try🧶 [Materials used] All from Seria • Round pot-bottom pad (4972822411905) – use the smallest size of the three included • Yarn – about 180 cm × 2 is enough 🧶 • Hidden magnet (4580150483497) • Iron-on patches (used with glue) • Strap hardware • Decorative tape • Hairpin (for threading yarn) • Glue (for attaching patches) • Single-hole punch [How to make] 1) Thread yarn through the pot-bottom pad with a hairpin, leaving one square around the outer edge. 🧶 Tip: At the start and end, tie tightly and hide the knot in the yarn. 2) Thread yarn through the outer holes as well (like an overcast stitch). 3) Punch four holes on both sides of the hidden magnet. 4) Align the magnet along the right side edge of the pot-bottom pad and tie it on with yarn. • It’s okay if a bit of the clear part shows. • Make sure the magnet part isn’t covered by yarn. • Be careful not to flip the magnet’s polarity. ⚠️ 5) Repeat steps 1–4 to make a second one. 6) Place the two pieces so the magnets attract (one with the magnet on the right, the other on the left) and attach the patches. Larger patches look nice if they cover the clear part of the magnet. 🌷 Tip: Don’t use an iron—attach patches with glue. ⚠️ 7) Glue on name patches and decorative stickers. ✨ 8) Attach a strap or keychain to finish. 🙌🏻 ♡◌୨୧◌⑅⃝◌◌୨୧◌⑅⃝◌◌୨୧◌⑅⃝◌◌୨୧ I share other handmade projects you can make with kindergarteners using 100-yen shop items in my other posts, too. 🌷Handmade#handmade#HandmadeBeginnerMatching#Nikoichikeychaingraduation ceremony (for kindergarten/preschool)Making and crafting playEven if you're clumsySenior kindergarten student#StayHomeTime#HowToEnjoyTimeAtHomeRainy day activities#SeriaDIY
♬ heartwarming everyday song(1370853) – Sumochi
How about making a pair keychain that clicks together perfectly when the two halves meet as a graduation gift from kindergarten? It would likely delight close friends who will be attending different elementary schools.
First, thread yarn through a pot-bottom pad as the base, leaving a one-square margin around the edges.
Next, thread yarn through the remaining one-square spaces so the base is completely covered, and attach magnets to the sides as you go.
Then decorate over the yarn with patches or sparkly stickers, attach a strap, and it’s done.
If you cut a larger pot-bottom pad, you can create them in a variety of shapes.
Autograph Playing Cards
@mery.jp Try making one with your own memorable photos and give it as a gift 🃏♥️Trump#TrumpArrangementGraduation Ceremonyfarewell partyPresentGiftPartyGirls’ get-together#diy#cardarrangement
♬ Blonde – Maisie Peters
When it comes to group messages, writing them on a shikishi board is the classic choice.
But because it’s so standard, many people want to make a more memorable impression.
That’s why I recommend turning the messages into playing cards.
Cut thick paper into the shape of cards, then add suits like hearts and spades, numbers, and your messages.
Gather everyone’s cards and put them together in a box—that’s it! You can also stick on photos cut into the shapes of the suits or create an original Joker, which would be lovely.
Candy with a mortarboard
@jiujiucraft♬ original sound – JiuJiuCraft – jiuCraft
Many people wear mortarboards as formal attire for graduation ceremonies, don’t they? So let’s imagine a round candy as a head and put a paper-crafted mortarboard on it! If you write a message on the square top of the cap, it adds a special touch.
Tying a ribbon on the stick could be cute, too.
If handwriting the message is difficult, printing it out is recommended.
Mortarboards are typically black, but it could be fun to make them in various colors and let people choose.
Accessory box
Why not find a lovely box and make your own original accessory box? Cut a piece of sponge to the size of the box and make a few slits in it.
Cover it with velvet fabric and tuck the fabric into the slits.
Wrap the sponge with the excess fabric and place it in the box—that’s it! Use the slitted sections to hold rings and earrings.
If the box is plain, you can decorate it with your favorite embellishments.