As the saying goes, when it comes to a gift, it is the thought that counts. While 20 might sound like a low number, it doesn't mean you are stuck with something visibly cheap or tacky. You can do plenty with a 20-dollar budget to create a memorable and meaningful present for a fresh graduate. Here are some suggestions:
A personalized ornament might not be your first thought, but graduations mark new beginnings, and they are worth celebrating on New Year's Eve as you reminisce about your entire year. This thoughtful gift extends the joy of the graduation day further and establishes it as a permanent token of success for the recipient. With the right customizations, this gift can stick around for decades!
A personalized wooden pen with the recipient's name engraved on top is another lasting and high-quality gift you can get for under 20 dollars. Needless to say, a pen perfectly embodies the concept of education and acts as a symbolic gesture. It is extra meaningful if the recipient is a literature major like me! Plus, if you are willing to spend an extra 81 cents, you could get a non-customized pen set with a nice wooden box. I personally prefer the custom pen, but the box is pretty fancy, so you can choose between the two.
If you can stretch your budget by about 5 dollars, you can get a leather keychain paired with a leather custom bookmark. Both are made from high-quality distressed leather and are extremely durable and classy. You can get only one of them if you want since the former is only about 10 dollars and the latter is 14, but together, they make a charming couple. You can customize them with the recipient's name, their school name, or a caring note for them to remember you by.
As you can see, there are plenty of caring and creative gifts under 20 dollars. Customization opportunities are the true game-changer here since they give you a chance to show your love and thoughtfulness regardless of your budget. The monetary worth of your present will be the last thing on the recipient's mind when they see your smile and thoughtful choice, so don't worry about the money! Just come up with a nice note and wrap your present in their favorite color.
