Graduation gift card idea: Mini grad cap full of surprises

Graduation gift card holder

A gift card is a pretty perfect present but kinda boring to wrap—and that’s where this graduation gift card idea comes in. It doesn’t take much to turn some mini cards, some gift cards and a few extra supplies into a mini mortarboard full of good wishes and money for necessities. Here’s how.

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How to make a mini grad cap gift card holder  

Graduation gift card holder with gift cards and gift card holder with hand

What you’ll need  

  • navy blue or black card stock (or use the grad’s school colors)
  • gold cord
  • metal brads
  • gold paper or kraft paper
  • gold paint pen
  • gift cards (one or more)
  • Mini cards (two or more—add one for each gift card)
  • craft glue
  • scissors

Make the mini mortarboard  

The supplies for making a gift card holder and cutting a gift card holder
  • Cut a square from the navy or black card stock. It should be a little wider than the envelopes of your mini cards.
  • Write a message to the grad in gold paint pen. Be sure to leave room in the middle for the tassel.
  • Cut a length of gold cord about 5″ long.
  • Now you’re going to make the tassel. Cut a 6–8″ strip of gold or kraft paper about 2″ wide, and use the scissors to cut fringe, as shown below.
  • Put some glue on one end of the fringe, then roll it up around one end of the gold cord. Glue it closed.

Attach the envelopes  

Making a gift card holder with tassel, envelopes and glue
  • Open all of the envelopes. Use the craft glue (or just lick the envelopes) and attach each flap to the front of another envelope, as shown. All the open sides should face the same way.
  • When you get to the last flap, glue it to the back of the mortarboard.
  • Use the point on your scissors to poke a hole in the mortarboard, then insert the brad. Wrap the cord around the brad, tie a knot and snip the end.

Finish it up  

  • Sign the card or cards, pop in the gift cards, fold them up accordion-style and your gift is complete.

More Graduation gift card ideas  

Pick a gift card theme for bonus fun:

  • Entertainment: Movie tickets, mini golf, iTunes and other fun
  • Munchies: Grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops
  • Hobbies: Sporting goods, craft shops, hardware stores, craft breweries—whatever they love
  • Local tour: Gift cards for local businesses in the graduate’s college town
  • Student essentials: Gas station, bus pass, drugstore, grocery store, pizza place, college bookstore, student union and some cash and change for laundry and vending machines