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Graduation thank-you notes

What to write in a graduation thank-you card

Thank them for the gift by name, or for money say what it’s going towards, like books, a laptop or a move. Then share what’s next for you and thank them for helping you get here. It can be short and should sound like you.

18 examples below: Short and simple · Heartfelt · Funny · Formal

Short and simple

“Thank you for the gift card! It’s going towards a new laptop for college. I really appreciate you thinking of me.”
“Thank you for the beautiful watch. I’ll wear it to my first job interview for luck.”
“Thank you for the framed photo from graduation day. It’s going straight on my desk at school.”
“Thank you for celebrating with me! It meant a lot that you came, and the gift was so kind.”
“Thank you for being there on my big day. I’m so grateful for your support, now and always.”
A sample thank-you card front in our hand-drawn style
A sample card front in our hand-drawn style. The message is written inside with a real pen.

Heartfelt

“Mom and Dad, I wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for the early mornings, the pep talks and the rides. This diploma is as much yours as mine.”
“Grandpa, thank you for coming to my graduation and for the card. Seeing you in the crowd meant everything to me.”
“Thank you for always cheering me on, from my first spelling test to today. I’m so lucky to have an aunt like you.”
“Thank you for believing in me, especially the semester I didn’t believe in myself. Your class is the reason I’m studying biology next year.”
“Coach, thank you for four years of early practices and honest advice. I’m taking the lessons with me, on and off the field.”
“Thank you for your generous gift. I’m saving it for my move to Chicago this fall, and I’ll be sure to send you a postcard once I’m settled.”

Funny

“Thank you so much for the generous graduation gift. I’m putting it towards textbooks for my first semester, which my future self thanks you for too.”
“Thank you for the graduation money. I’m using it to set up my dorm room, so you’ve officially furnished my first home away from home.”
“Thank you for the suitcase! It’s coming with me to Boston in August, and it’s already bigger than my dorm room closet.”
“Thank you for the cookbook. My roommates thank you too, in advance, and with some nervousness.”

Formal

For teachers, mentors, family friends and anyone who wrote a reference.

“Thank you for the recommendation letter and for all your guidance. I start at State in the fall, and I couldn’t have gotten there without your help.”
“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Nguyen, thank you for your generous graduation gift and your kind card. I’m putting it towards my first semester, and I appreciate your support very much.”
“Thank you for attending my graduation party and for the thoughtful gift. It was an honor to celebrate with the people who helped me reach this point.”

Do

  • Name the gift, or for money, what it’s going towards: books, a dorm room, a move.
  • Share what’s next. People who gave you something love to hear where you’re headed.
  • Thank teachers and mentors for something specific they did.
  • Keep it in your own voice; it doesn’t need to be formal.

Don’t

  • Don’t mention the amount of a money gift.
  • Don’t send a text in place of a card for a gift; a short written note is still the standard.
  • Don’t forget the people who wrote references or helped with applications.

How to write it

Start with a thank-you for the gift, named. For money, add one sentence about what it’s for.

Add what’s next: the school, the job, the city. Then thank them for their part in getting you here, even if that part was simply cheering you on.

Sign with your first name, and add a promise to keep in touch if you mean it.

Questions

Thank them for their generosity and say what you’ll use it for, like books, a laptop or moving costs. Don’t mention the amount.

Try to send them within two or three weeks of graduation or your party. If it’s been longer, send them anyway; a late note is better than none.

It isn’t required, but a short note to people who came, especially those who traveled, is a kind touch.

Yes, if they helped you along the way. Mention a specific moment or lesson, and tell them what you’re doing next.

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