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50 Graduation Thank You Card Sayings and Messages

Graduation is a time to celebrate your achievements and the people who supported you along the way. Whether it’s a thoughtful gift, encouragement, or their presence at your ceremony, showing appreciation is key. Sending a graduation thank you cards is a wonderful way to express your gratitude. Below, you’ll find a collection of graduation thank you card messages to help you share your thanks with those who made a difference during your journey.

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Why is Grad Thank You Note Wording Important?

Crafting heartfelt thank you notes is crucial for grads to express appreciation to loved ones. With Shutterfly, you can choose graduation thank you cards that reflect your style. Unsure what to say? Here’s guidance for each note. Feeling overwhelmed? It’s normal! Remember to express sincere gratitude to those who made your graduation memorable. Your words should be genuine, respectful, and handwritten, showing your love and appreciation for their thoughtful gifts.

graduation thank you card and party invitation

What Do You Say In A Graduation Thank You Card?

If you are looking for graduation thank you card sayings and wording ideas, let us help. Whether you want your card to have a funny flare, a genuine tone or a serious feel, we have you covered. Not to mention, we have examples for just about every graduation occasion including; high school, college, nursing and more. Craft your very own personal and appreciative messages for everyone on your list with some of our favorite thank you sayings fit to suit any relationship you have with the recipient. Follow these five steps and the below guidance for the perfect thank you note for graduation.

1. Start with a Simple Thank You

Begin your message by expressing your gratitude right away. Simple, sincere phrases like:

  • “Thank you for the generous gift.”
  • “Thank you for celebrating my graduation with me.”

These opening lines set the tone for the rest of your message and show your appreciation from the start.

2. Acknowledge the Gift

If you received a graduation gift, mention it specifically and share how you plan to use it. For example, if your grandma gave you a locket necklace, tell her how often you’ll wear it—whether for special occasions or daily wear. She’ll appreciate knowing that her thoughtful gift is something you cherish. Need more help? Check out our guide on Graduation Gift Etiquette for more ideas.

3. Share Your Emotions

Let the gift-giver know how much their presence or gesture meant to you. If they attended your ceremony, express how happy you were to see them. If they couldn’t make it but sent a thoughtful card, share your gratitude for their kind words. For example, if an old family member surprised you, let them know how emotional it was to see them and how it brought tears of joy. Acknowledging these moments will make them feel appreciated.

graduation thank you card with photo of student

4. Personalize Each Message

Make sure each thank you feels unique and heartfelt. Avoid generic phrases by adding personal details about the gift or their presence at your graduation. Mention something specific they did or said, and always handwrite your notes for that extra personal touch. You can even include a special graduation quote to make the message feel even more meaningful.

5. Use the Right Address

When addressing the thank you note, be mindful of the relationship you have with the recipient. For friends or family members you’re close to, using their first name or nickname is appropriate. However, for acquaintances or your parents’ friends, it’s best to address them as “Mr.” or “Mrs.” followed by their last name to show respect. This small gesture makes your message feel more thoughtful.

How Long Should Your Message Be?

The message doesn’t need to be multiple paragraphs for it to feel sincere. A thoughtful message may not take more than two or three sentences. Just make sure that whatever you write comes from the heart and shows your appreciation.

When Should You Send Graduation Thank You Notes?

The key thing to remember when thinking about the timing of sending your grad thank you notes is to not wait too long. Try to send your thank you messages three to four days after your celebrations end, or immediately after receiving a gift or contribution in response to your graduation announcement or graduation invitations.

High School Graduation Thank You Messages

Graduating from high school marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Take a moment to express your gratitude to those who supported you along the way. Here are some heartfelt thank you card ideas to inspire you in showing appreciation for the special people who helped you reach this milestone.

  • Thank you for celebrating my high school graduation with me. I am so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends like you.
  • Celebrating my high school graduation party with you was a blast. Thank you for everything.
  • Thank you for joining me on my special day. Your kindness and thoughtfulness are very much appreciated.
  • I am so glad that you were able to share in my graduation celebrations. Thank you for helping make this occasion so special!
  • Dear, (insert name) I just wanted to thank you both again for coming to my graduation ceremony. It was great to have such a loud cheering section. Thanks again.
  • I am so happy that you were able to share my day with me either by being there or remembering with your generosity. Thank you so much for being a part of my high school grad celebration.
  • I was so happy that you could attend my graduation party. And thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. I will use the corkboard to create a fun photo collage of my family and high school friends. When I hang it on the wall of my college dorm it will remind me of you and all of those special people back home who love and support me.
  • During my graduation ceremony, it was so wonderful to look up into the crowd and see you sitting there smiling and supporting me. That was such an important day for me and I am so glad you were there to share it. Thanks again.
  • Thank you so much for the wonderful card and congratulations on my high school graduation.
  • Thank you so much for my graduation gift, but the real gift was seeing you. I can’t wait to see you guys again soon. Thanks again.

graduation thank you card and party invitation

College Graduation Thank You Messages

College graduation is a time to reflect on your hard work and the support you’ve received from friends, family, and mentors. Use these thoughtful phrases to convey your gratitude to those who played a key role in your academic journey.

  • Graduation reminds me of everyone who has touched my life. The gift of your presence and acknowledgement is truly appreciated.
  • Thank you. Words can never tell you what your congratulations and generous heart has meant to me. With all my love
  • Thank you for coming to my college graduation party. It was such a lovely day to have all my friends and family there.
  • Thank you for celebrating this momentous day with me.
  • It’s been a long road of late nights and long mornings, but I made it! Thank you for joining me in celebration of my graduation.
  • Thank you! I sincerely appreciate your sharing in my special graduation day.
  • Thank you so much for taking the time to come to my graduation ceremony. Words can’t express how happy I was to see you sitting there when I walked onto the stage.
  • You brought joy to my special graduating day. Words can never tell you what your congratulations has meant to me.
  • As I graduate, a new journey begins. I thank you for your kindness, thoughtfulness and prayers.
  • These past four years have flown by so fast. Thank you for celebrating my college graduation with me, I couldn’t have done it without you.

No photo graduation thank you card with tassel

MBA Grad Thank You Messages

Earning your MBA is a testament to your dedication, and it’s thanks to the encouragement of those around you. Here are some ideas for expressing your appreciation to loved ones who helped make this achievement possible.

  • I am happy that you were able to share such a milestone with me, either by being there or remembering with your generosity. Thank you so much for being part of my MBA grad celebration
  • I am so glad that you were able to join in the celebration of my graduation.
  • Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift and attending my graduation party. It really meant a lot to me to have you there for the celebrations.
  • It was a real treat having you at my graduation ceremony. Thank you so much for being there for me throughout the years and on this momentous day.
  • Thank you so much for attending my graduation ceremony. I know it was a long trip down for you and I appreciate your driving to be there on my special day. Thank you also for your thoughtful gift. I know I will be putting it to use very soon.
  • Thank you for your support and love. I couldn’t have accomplished this without your support.
  • Support and generosity of family and friends will always be remembered as I explore new goals and work toward new achievements.
  • Thank you for remembering my graduation. Your card was so sweet and I’m glad I could celebrate this with you. I’m looking forward to celebrating future accomplishments with you soon.
  • “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Thank you so much for being a part of my graduation celebrations. I cannot express to you how much it meant to me to have you there.
  • “How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.” Thank you for being that kind touch on my graduation day.

Nursing School Grad Thank You Messages

Graduating as a nurse is an incredible accomplishment, one that wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and support of others. Use these heartfelt messages to thank those who helped you through your nursing school journey and beyond. If you’re still planning your celebration, don’t forget to send out nursing graduation invitations.

  • Thank you so very much for being a part of my nursing grad ceremony. I couldn’t have made it through school without all of your kind love and support.
  • Thank you so much for thinking of me during my graduation. I really appreciate the thought and your gift. Also, thank you for your good wishes as I start a new chapter in my life. I look forward to keeping in touch.
  • Of all the skills I will ever learn, the greatest one I will ever hold, is the healing touch of a caring heart. I am so excited to be calling the shots soon. Thank you so much for celebrating my graduation from nursing school with me. Your kindness is much appreciated.
  • Nursing is a lot of heart work and I couldn’t have made it to graduation without the love and support of you. Thank you for being a part of this momentous occasion.
  • I want to say thank you for helping me survive nursing school and for your generous graduation gift.
  • Thank you for attending my graduation party, I enjoyed catching up with you over dessert. I really appreciate the money and plan to put it towards renting my first apartment. Your generosity is truly appreciated.
  • Thank you for attending my graduation ceremony. I really enjoyed having you there on my special day.
  • Thank you so much for thinking of me on my graduation day. I appreciate your thoughtful card and generous gift. You can’t see me right now, but I’m totally doing a happy dance. Hope all is well.
  • This isn’t a thank you note; it’s a hug with a fold in it. Thanks so much for my nursing grad congratulations and card.
  • Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. I will be using it a lot as I embark on my nursing career this fall. Hope all is well and thanks again.

Graduation Gift Thank You Messages

Graduation gifts are a wonderful way for loved ones to celebrate your success. Make sure to express your appreciation for their generous gifts or contributions with these warm and personal thank you messages.

  • This brings sincere thanks for the lovely graduation gift you sent, I wish to tell you just how much it meant to me.
  • Thank you so much for your very generous gift and thinking of me on my graduation day. I am so grateful.
  • Accept my warmest thankful wishes for attending and making my graduation day special and a memorable one. Your thoughtfulness is a gift I will forever treasure.
  • A simple thanks may not be enough, but I’m still sending this note to express my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you so much for being a part of my graduation day. I couldn’t have made it without you.
  • Thank you for your gift of love and for sharing in my graduation day.
  • I enjoyed the cake and the gifts too, but my favorite part of graduation day was seeing you. Thank you for helping me celebrate such a momentous day.
  • Thank you for coming to my graduation party!  I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you also for my wonderful gift, a laptop is just what I need for college. Thanks again.
  • Thank you very much for your generous gift. It was greatly appreciated and will assist me in being one of the most comfortable students on campus. As I transition into this new phase of my life, I am excited about attending (college you plan to attend,) and look forward to making everyone proud of me. Please keep me in your prayers throughout my journey, as support is instrumental to my success. Thanks again for your thoughtful gift.
  • Just a short note to thank you for everything you did for me at my graduation. I cannot wait to use (the gift you gave me) for (whatever the gift can be used for.) Thanks again.
  • Thank you for your support, love, and encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without you! Oh, and thank you for your generous gift too.

Resources Related to Graduation Thank You Card Sayings

Once the confetti has been popped, the cake is eaten and the graduation party or college send off celebration dies down, don’t forget about sending out grad thank you cards. Hopefully, you are inspired after reading these thank you card sayings and you can always edit them to your liking. Keep in mind that the best thanks are the ones that come straight from the heart and writing what you feel is exactly what you should do; your friends and family are sure to appreciate the time and effort you put into your thank you notes.  Additional Resources