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Okay, you’re in good company here and we can all just lay it right here. 
Graduation season is emotional and confusing. Everyone is so excited and at the same time quietly wondering if they’re doing the card, gift, and thank-you part right.

Parents, you’re balancing pride, nostalgia, and about a hundred logistics at once. Did I order a yearbook, cap and gown, when do I pick up our graduation tickets. 
Seniors, you’re standing in the middle of a really big transition — wrapping up one chapter while the next one is already knocking.

You’re both doing a lot. And it’s okay if some of this feels unclear.

When it comes to what’s actually written inside a graduation card, most families keep it pretty simple and that’s exactly how it should be. Typically, you’ll see where the senior is graduating from, graduation year, and sometimes what’s next (college, a gap year, travel, a job, a big dream still taking shape). Many parents & seniors also choose to share a few accomplishments they’re proud of, and if there’s an open house, that information often lives there too. Seniors, these details may seem small now, but they become little time capsules of this moment. And parents, this is a sweet place to celebrate the milestone without feeling like you need to say everything all at once.

The gift question tends to bring stress, but here’s the honest truth: there isn’t a wrong choice. Cash, checks, gift cards, and yes — Venmo — are all part of modern graduation season. What matters isn’t how it’s given, but that it’s given with care. Pair it with a handwritten note and it will always feel thoughtful.

Timing trips people up too. Parents, you may be juggling announcements, open houses, and schedules that feel packed to the brim. Seniors, you may be opening cards as they arrive — some early, some later than expected. All of it is okay. Cards sent a bit before graduation, or even a few weeks after, are still meaningful. Encouragement doesn’t expire.

Open houses can add another layer of uncertainty. A helpful way to think about it is this: open house invitations are best for people nearby who you truly expect might be able to attend. Graduation cards, on the other hand, are perfect for close friends and family — both near and far. Aunt Jean from Minnesota is most likely not going to be able to join your open house but she definitely wants to see your smiling face on a grad card! Many families include a small insert with open house details inside their graduation announcement, which keeps things simple and low-pressure.

And then there are thank-you cards. This part matters and not because of tradition, but because of what it teaches. Parents, thank-you notes help reinforce gratitude and follow-through during a season full of “lasts” and “firsts.” Seniors, this is one of those quiet grown-up skills that will serve you well long after graduation. A short handwritten, sincere note acknowledging someone’s kindness is enough. It doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be real.

At the end of the day, graduation card etiquette isn’t about rules or timelines. It’s about connection. It’s about pausing in a meaningful moment and appreciating all the people in your life saying, I see you. I’m proud of you. I’m cheering you on.

If you’re doing that, whether as a parent or a senior, you’re doing it right.