Graduation is an exciting time not only for graduates but also for proud family members and friends. Generally, this excitement is accompanied by hoping to find the perfect graduation gift. As a senior approaches graduation day and anticipates receiving a diploma, the graduate will also be anticipating what kind of graduation gift he or she will receive. In fact, the graduate may receive many gifts, big and small, often along with a nice bit of cash.

If you decide to give money as a graduation gift, you can slip cash into cards made especially for this purpose or you choose from a variety of shopping gift cards. You can pick a store-specific gift card or a prepaid cash card from Visa, American Express, or another credit card company. Your bank may also issue cash cards, and one would make an excellent graduation gift since the graduate will be able to choose where to spend the money. Cash is an especially good graduation gift for those graduating from college, and looking for a job in the "real world."

If the person is graduating from high school and is soon going to college, a notebook or desktop computer would also make an excellent graduation gift. Parents usually give larger gifts like this, but if you are a friend or relative, you might want to give software or another item to go with a computer as your graduation gift. Items for the dorm such as a small television set, DVD player, CD player, or other electronics are also usually well received.

Again, if you wish to give something a bit less expensive, find out what kind of graduation gift the parent is giving and add to it. If a parent decides a DVD player will make a good graduation gift, you may want to give a DVD or a nice collection of them. If the parent is giving jewelry, you might want to give an additional piece of jewelry that matches. It is usually a good idea to check with the parents before purchasing a graduation gift to make sure you’re not giving the same item.

A great graduation gift from parents is a graduation party. The graduate will then likely receive many gifts including more cash, from those who attend the party. Since hosting a graduation party can be expensive, parents may choose to give a smaller tangible graduation gift. Whatever you decide to give make sure your son or daughter knows how proud you are. Hearing the words, “I’m proud of you,” is often the best gift of all.