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5 Gifts for the Graduate

by Framebridge Editorial
·
May 14, 2018
·
4 min read
The Aiden with a personalized mat in our Mandalay gold bamboo frame . Image printed at 5x5"

Some congratulations to the graduates are in order! 

Earning a diploma is a big freaking deal. From early morning lectures to espresso-fueled late nights spent, your graduate put in the work and made it happen. Celebrate their accomplishments with a gift as one-of-a-kind as their school experience. Whether you’re celebrating a high school graduate or a newly christened PhD, there are several ways to memorialize the moment with graduation gifts (before post-grad life happens).

From custom framing their diploma to creative takes on school portraits, here are our five favorite graduation gift ideas. 

1. Frame their Diploma

Diplomas framed in Cairo burl wood frame . Photo via @reclusehomeco and @abbycoyle

Yes, we know this is obvious. But think about how long it takes most people to finally frame their diplomas. You spend years earning a degree, then you proudly walk across the stage, cradling that valuable piece of paper...and then you stuff it in the back of your closet and forget about it. No more! Give your college graduate (or anybody with a diploma) a gift that will preserve and protect their diploma so they can celebrate their accomplishments every day.

For diploma framing, we suggest a classic frame. Our black Providence frame with a gold stripe is our most popular frame for diplomas or certificates. We also recommend our classic gold Richmond frame, wide glowing Potomac frame, and our light burlwood Cairo frame. 

Diploma Framing at Framebridge

Frame a Diploma

2. Celebrate their Passions

Extracurriculars are a huge part of a school experience. Memorialize your graduate’s passions by framing something to remind them of those first passions. Pages from their favorite books, medals from important competitions, their home team jersey, their first byline in the student newspaper, playbills from their performances...the possibilities are really endless.

Frame a Memento

3. Graduation Cap and Gown Photos

"The Arthur" — a 10x12, highly giftable frame

When in doubt, photos are always an awesome gift! Frame the shot you got as they walked across the stage, or a silly selfie they took in their cap and gown. Pick a playful frame like Mandalay or Cairo for these shots. 

Another option is to frame their official graduation portraits. Custom framing those studio images is a super classy old-school gifting move. You’re really giving them an heirloom quality custom framed print, the sort of photo their kids and grandkids will ogle over in years to come. For portraits like that we recommend a slim, classic frame like Newport or Richmond.

Frame a Digital Photo

4. Commission a University Painting

Photo by @kloclo77 with art by @tegan.gebert. Framed in Providence.

A truly unique gift for the graduate. You can commission an artist to sketch their school for a nostalgia-inducing portrait of a place that helped shape them. Check Etsy for artists who specialize in house portraits / home sketches. You can also take a look in the school’s bookstore. You might be able to find a charming vintage postcard or print of a similar drawing.

Frame a Commission

5. A Tassel is No Hassle

We love framing tassels. A little piece of that special day that you can hold onto forever. 

Frame a Tassel

Got something else your graduate would love? We're here to help you frame it! Get in touch with our expert designers at support@framebridge.com. Still don't have any idea what to give your graduate? Let them design their own gift with a Framebridge gift card.

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Shop The Story

art print of women by a pool in vintage bathing suits framed in Richmond gold frame with a white mat

Richmond

Antiqued gold frame

pink geode framed in wide gold Potomac frame with a white mat

Potomac

Wide gold frame

photograph of tents at a campsite framed in Cairo burl wood frame with a white mat

Cairo

Wide burl wood frame

black and white photograph of wings framed in black and gold Providence frame with white mat

Providence

Black and gold frame