Graduation thank you cards: graduates throwing their graduation caps up into the air

Graduating from high school or college is a major accomplishment — one that takes years of studying and dedication. The second you cross that graduation ceremony stage, grab your diploma, and toss your cap in the air, you’re able to celebrate with all the friends, family, and mentors who supported you for the past four years.

Chances are, many of those same supporters will send you presents, cards, and checks after your commencement. To show your appreciation, it’s customary to send a graduation thank you card to every person who gave you a gift.

Your graduation gifts come from people who want nothing but the best for you. These people see your potential and are excited about what the future holds for you — more than you know. Below, we’re sharing our favorite graduation cards to send to your personal fan club — along with some writing tips and graduation thank you message inspiration.

Why and When Should You Send a Graduation Thank You Note?

First and foremost, it’s polite — showing the recipient their thoughtful cash gift, gift card, or keepsake didn’t go unnoticed. Secondly, it shows friends and family you appreciate their support and encouragement.

Sending graduation thank you messages or greeting cards is all part of the celebration. Your loved ones are showing up to support you, and it’s only customary to express gratitude in return with a handwritten note.

You should aim to send your graduation thank you cards within 1-2 months of receiving a gift. Ideally, send your thank you notes as soon as possible — but it’s understandable that there might be other things on your mind!

Tips for Writing Your Graduation Thank You Cards

Not sure how to get started? These quick tips will help you come up with a thank you card message that’s heartfelt, joyful, and full of excitement:

  • Start with a greeting that matches your familiarity with the recipient — keep it casual or go formal!
  • Express your gratitude and thanks for the gift they’ve given or the support they’ve shown
  • Mention the specific gift you received, if you can remember!
  • Explain what you’ll do with the gift — show that you recognize their individual contribution and how you’ll use it
  • Sign off the thank you message with your name or nickname
  • Include a grad photo, or a number of photos, if there’s room on your card
  • Add your own monogram for a fun personal touch!

There’s no right or wrong way to write a graduation thank you message — as long as you express thanks and are polite, you can be as simple or detailed as you like. It’s completely up to you!

Creative Graduation Thank You Message Ideas

Inside your graduation thank you card you should include a heartfelt, personalized message. But what should that look like? Here’s some thank you card wording inspiration to help you get started on crafting your own graduation thank you card message.

  • Thank you so much for your generous graduation gift! I can’t wait to use it.
  • As I step into this next chapter, I’m grateful to have your support.
  • All those late night study sessions paid off! Thank you for your loving support and this generous gift.
  • Thank you honestly, from the bottom of my heart. Not only for this beautiful gift, but your never-ending support.
  • I’m so thankful that you’ve contributed to my graduation money fund, [Name]. It means a lot!
  • Thanks for making a contribution towards my new chapter, [Name]!
  • You have my heartfelt gratitude, [Name]. I couldn’t have done this without you!
  • Thank you for always encouraging me to put in the hard work at college. It was worth it! Thank you for your generous gift.
  • I’m so grateful for your unwavering support, [Name]. You don’t know how much it means to me.
  • This academic journey has been made easier with you by my side! Thank you always.
  • I’m grateful for your constant support, no matter what I’m going through. Here’s to life after graduation!

Use these wording ideas as they are, combine a few, or personalize them with your own twist to create a unique message that expresses your gratitude.

10 Graduation Thank You Cards to Send to Your Supporters

Ready to start planning and writing your thank you cards? Here are 10 graduation cards you can send instantly to thank your friends and family for their generosity. Plus, they’re easy to personalize — change the layout, colors, and wording, and add a smiling photo of you as a fresh grad. Turn these online cards into a custom graduation card in moments.

1. Class of Thank You Note

Graduation thank you cards: Class Of Thank You Note

Design: Laura Bolter Design

Toss your cap and don your graduation gown because you just graduated high school. Hug your classmates and wish them well as they run off to college, and promise to keep in touch throughout the next four years.

This all-black invitation is decorated with gold foil balloons and confetti, all wrapped up in a shimmering envelope. The bubble letters look all too similar to the “Congrats grad!” balloons your parents strung up at your party, giving this thank you note a fun, celebratory twist.

2. Golden Grad Thank You Note

Graduation thank you cards: Golden Grad Thank You Note

Design: Jessica Williams

Diploma in hand, you can’t help but feel a serious sense of adulting. Whether you just turned 18 and are headed off to college or you’re entering the workforce after completing undergrad, you could feel your maturity grow just by strutting across that stage.

This classic, streamlined thank you card matches your newfound adulthood (yes, the one you just acquired in the past few weeks). With thin, sans serif fonts and a clean, crisp look, it represents your personal growth and next stage in life.

3. Diamond Frame Thank You Note

Graduation thank you cards: Diamond Frame Thank You Note

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Now that your high school graduation day has come and gone, you’re packing your bags for your first college move. Before you take those first steps on campus, there’s one last thing to do: Send out your graduation thank you cards.

To assure your parents, friends, and family members that no, they won’t forget what you look like while you’re off at college, send out this graduation photo card with your thank you message. Thank them for their generous gifts and relentless support (and maybe promise to call home at least once a week).

4. Confetti Spray Thank You Note

Graduation thank you cards: Confetti Spray Thank You Note

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Of all the graduation gifts you received after commencement, the memories shared with family and friends tops your list of favorites. Sure, the mini fridge for your dorm room was nice, and you’ll put those endless rolls of quarters and gallons of laundry detergent to good use. But above the tangible gifts and monetary donations to your college fund, the thing you loved most was seeing your loved ones one last time before leaving for school.

Send out this fun graduation card with a confetti overlay to let your friends and family know how much you’ll miss them at college. Write a personal note to each person, thanking them for the shared memories as much as the wrapped gifts.

5. Traditional Cutout Thank You Note

Traditional Cutout Thank You Note

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Your college graduation was such a special day. After four years of cramming for finals and somehow making it to those 8 a.m. classes, you received your degree. As you leave campus and wave goodbye to your roommates, friends, and professors, don’t forget to send a heartfelt thank you note to all the people who got you to this moment.

With a stylish, all-black envelope lined with gold foil, this graduation card set offers a wonderful way to thank friends and family for their thoughtful gifts and support. Choose from five different color palettes or customize it to match your school colors.

6. Scalloped Waves Thank You Note

Scalloped Waves Thank You Note

Design: Lisa Travis

If you’re throwing a graduation party, this matching card set serves a dual purpose. This delightfully colorful graduation suite comes complete with digital invitations and a thank you note, both designed with gold foil edging and scalloped bursts of color.

The party invitation can double as a graduation announcement, telling friends and family about your declared major and chosen university (or any job prospects, if you just completed college). Once the party concludes, send out the coordinating thank you note to show your appreciation for loved ones’ gifts, support, and thoughtfulness.

7. Gold Class Thank You Note

Gold Class Thank You Note

Design: Jessica Williams

Could this thank you note be any more classy? With a shimmering, white envelope and a stark, navy blue background, it looks just as impressive as you did in your graduation gown (well, almost).

This gorgeous grad thank you card comes with a coordinating photo graduation announcement. Decorated in the same color palette, it offers space for a landscape senior photo and a “Class of 20XX” gold heading. Customize the grad announcement with details about your commencement and graduation party if you plan to throw one.

8. Confetti on Fleek Thank You Note

Confetti on Fleek Thank You Note

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

With colorful confetti and pops of color, this joyous thank you note is a wonderful complement to any celebration. While you could easily personalize it for your high school or college graduation, it would also work as a bridal shower, baby shower, or wedding thank you card.

The word “Thanks” is written in fun, cursive handwriting across the front, with the graduate’s name and graduation year written beneath. Personalize the note card with a quick “thank you” to your friends, family, and teachers for their gifts and encouragement.

9. Gilded Grad Thank You Note

Gilded Grad Thank You Note

Design: Pink House Press

With this fashionable thank you note, your graduation tassel won’t be the only thing flashing gold. With a stark white envelope, all-white background, and metallic accents, this graduation thank you note speaks of celebration.

This graduation suite comes complete with a personalized graduation invitation, with a full-bleed senior portrait serving as the backdrop. The word “GRAD” is written in bold, rose gold foil lettering, carrying the glitter and sparkle throughout the ensemble.

10. Iconic Grad Cap Thank You Note

Iconic Grad Cap Thank You Note

Design: Laura Bolter Design

Toss your cap, hug your best friends, and pump your first in the air, because you finally graduated. This fun grad cap themed thank you note radiates the same celebration you feel in your heart, only adding to the party.

With gold accents and a matching envelope, this cheery suite is the perfect foundation for you to write a heartfelt thank you message to everyone who joined you in your graduation celebration.

Show Your Appreciation to All Your Biggest Supporters

As a recent grad, you have no idea what the future has in store. But you know this: You have an army of friends, family, and mentors who have your back.

More than any wrapped gift or handwritten check, their encouragement will be your biggest asset in the years to come. When you sit down to write your digital graduation thank you cards to these special people, focus on that. Tell your biggest cheerleaders that you are fully aware of everything they’ve done for you, and you won’t forget them in the years to come.

We can’t wait to see what comes next for you. Congrats, grad!