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10 Personalized Graduation Gifts to Show How Much You Care

A necklace features two pendants, a woman sits in a chair with a bag hung over the back, and two maps show a school's location.
TheSilverWren/MngrmCreateWorkshop/wallgraphiks

Whether your loved one is finishing high school or college, it’s time to celebrate their accomplishment. A personalized gift is a special way to let your 2022 graduate know how much you care.

From practical to sentimental surprises, here are some of our fave personalized graduation gifts

An Alma Mater Map

Two maps are hung over a bench in a home, and a school map is on a mantle.
wallgraphiks/Etsy

For many, an alma mater is a fond memory, and you can help them celebrate their high school or college moments with a personalized map of their school.

Made by wallgraphiks, they come in six different sizes (up to 20 x 30 inches) and can be purchased as an unframed print or a stretched canvas. You simply type the name of the school at checkout and add your personal message, which will appear at the bottom of the print.

A Customized Leather Journal

A person opens a lined journal, and three journals sit in a row with names added on their covers.
JosephCustomProducts/Etsy

Graduation is a major milestone, and the journey that comes next—be it a move to college, a first apartment, or a new job—will be life-changing. Gift them a place to record all their thoughts and feelings throughout the process with a beautiful personalized journal.

The classic leather comes in colors ranging from brown to bright teal. You can also choose from nine different custom design styles for the cover, including logos, quotes, monograms, and your grad’s name.

A Laptop Bag

A woman carry an oversized leather tote, and a leather tote is slung over the back of a chair where a woman sits.
MngrmCreateWorkshop/Etsy

Whether your graduate is heading to college or straight into the workforce, a good laptop bag is a must. This vegan leather, customizable option from MngrmCreateWorkshop is perfect.

It’s available in nine different colors, including classic brown or pink if your grad prefers a pop of color. It can accommodate laptops up to 15.6 inches, as well as cords, notebooks, and other accessories.

There are two pockets in the interior, as well as a zipper compartment for important items. Plus, you can add your grad’s initials at checkout to have it monogrammed.

A Towel Set

Two sets of towels have monogram initials and a name in cursive.
SouthernThreadzCo/Etsy

From college freshmen to new apartment dwellers, you won’t find many people who prefer dripping their way to dryness. That’s what makes a monogrammed towel set an ideal graduation gift.

This set from SouthernThreadsCo includes a bath and hand towel, and a washcloth, all featuring your giftee’s initials. You can also choose from multiple fonts and design styles for full customization.

Your fave grad can proudly display or use them, but either way, this set is the perfect personal, yet practical, gift.

A Custom Blanket

Three blankets are folded and stacked, and a blanket with a leather monogram is thrown over a chair.
LLDgiftsByLaurenLash/Etsy

A cozy gift is a thoughtful gift, if you ask us, and nothing is cozier than a soft, cuddly blanket. It’s basically like giving your graduate a continuous hug, but, you know, one that’ll also look nice in their home or dorm.

These herringbone-style throws with nameplate personalization are both chic and sweet. They come in three soft, neutral colors: grey, cream, and navy. All feature the same subtle herringbone pattern and tassels along the edges.

No matter what your grad’s future dorm or apartment aesthetic might be, any of these should fit right in. There are also over 60 options for the personalized leather plate, including names, graphics, and initials.

A Custom Stationery Set

Two sets of stationery with flower designs and a name at the top.
LemonGrace/Etsy

Graduates need to write thank you notes, right? So, gift them the custom stationery by LemonGrace to do just that.

Of course, custom stationery will come in handy for way more than thank yous. Encourage your graduate to stay in touch with friends and family via good old-fashioned snail mail. They can also use it to keep notes or lists for themselves, or to jot things down at their new job.

You can choose from a multitude of styles, including this beautiful floral option or a more neutral cursive font. No matter which style you choose, nearly all of them can be further customized by color.

A Necklace

A woman wears a gold necklace with a round pendant, and a necklace is on a white surface with two pendants of Texas and the letters "A&M"
TheSilverWren/Etsy

If your graduate is a jewelry lover, this lovely piece by The Silver Wren is the perfect sentimental gift to help them remember their college days. The two small, round pendants hang from a base, and feature the state of your graduate’s school, and its initials. For example, for the University of Tennessee, you’d choose Tennessee and type “UT” for the initials pendent.

Available in three different lengths (16-, 18-, or 20-inch), you can also get this necklace in gold, silver, or rose gold.

A Wallet

A wallet has initials in the lower right corner, and the inside of a wallet has a message on the pocket.
CaglarCreations/Etsy

Typically, a wallet makes a rather lackluster gift, but one with a  personal message and initial detailing? Now, that’s something special!

These classic, full-grain leather wallets come in brown, dark brown, or black. Over time, the colors even become more vibrant, thanks to the material. As for the personalization, you can keep it simple with initials on the outside, include a personal message for your grad on the inside, or both!

A Set of Cufflinks

A set of cufflinks feature a W and R in an initial design.
PersonalCufflinks/Etsy

Graduates heading into the business world will appreciate a personalized set of cufflinks. Many college grads probably have a lot of weddings in their future, as well, and a nice pair of cufflinks make a classy addition to any suit.

You can choose sterling silver or steel, and there are 13 different fonts, as well. Simply type your graduate’s initials when they’re requested at checkout.

A School Tumbler

Tumblers are decorated with names, states, and tied with a bow on top.
shopInitiallyYours/Etsy

There’s nothing handier when heading to work or class than a tumbler. From iced coffee to water, you can help your graduate stay caffeinated or hydrated, while also giving their alma mater a shoutout.

This adorable drinkware is an easy-to-customize gift that will look fantastic in a gift basket, or as a solo gift. You’ll just need to know the city, state, and colors of your loved one’s school. Then, you can add even more options, including the color of the bow and your grad’s name in your font of choice.


Whether your graduate is heading off to a new life in a dorm or an apartment, or starting a new job, a personalized gift is a special way to show them just how proud you are.

Shea Simmons Shea Simmons
Shea Simmons is the Editor In Chief of LifeSavvy. Previously, she worked as a freelance writer with a focus on beauty and lifestyle content. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Allure, and Hello Giggles. Read Full Bio »
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