Start With a Warm Greeting
Someone you care about is graduating, and thats a big deal. Start your graduation congratulations message with a warm greeting to set the tone.В
Try something fun like "To the best grad in the world!" or "Dear future [profession]" to kick things off. If youre not as close with the grad, a simple "Dear [Name]" works great. You can always expand on your well wishes in the main message.В
Leave a Heartfelt Message to Say "Congratulations, Graduate"
After your greeting, jump into a sweet, heartfelt message that shows how excited you are about the grads achievements. This is your space to congratulate them on all their hard work, and wish them good luck for the future.В
Keep it short and simple with a "Congrats, grad!" or go all out with a long, personalized message. If youre not sure what to say, weve got you covered with a fantastic list of graduation wishes in the section below.В
End With a Sweet Goodbye
Close out your graduation message with a goodbye that sends off your grad with good wishes for the future. Use this as a chance to leave them with a dose of wisdom, or simply to say youll catch up with them soon.В
When its time to sign off, choose something cozy like "best wishes" or "warmest wishes". If you know the grad well, you can get a little more relaxed вЂ" like "See you soon, super grad!".
Congratulations, Graduate: Graduation Messages for Someone Special
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Its time to craft a special graduation message to congratulate someone on their outstanding achievement. Let your words guide them into the next chapter of their journey. These graduation messages are ideal for greeting cards, personalized prints, and messages on social media.В
Simple Ways to Say Congratulations, Graduate!
Looking for a simple way to congratulate your grad? Here are a few wording ideas to get the message across.
• Congrats, grad! Were so proud of you.
• Bravo on graduating, [Name]! Your hard work has paid off!
• Congratulations on graduating from [School Name], [Name].
• Heres to new beginnings, [Name]! Your future is looking bright.
• We know this is the start of a successful career in [Subject] for you, [Name]!
When You'll Be There at the Graduation Ceremony
If you can make it to the ceremony (or view it remotely), heres a handful of message ideas to commemorate the special day.
• Happy graduation day, [Name]! We cant wait to share it with you.
• So glad we get to see you off on your next adventure, [Name]!
• Congrats, [Name]! Were excited to see you graduate and celebrate this moment.В
• So happy we can be with you as you start your new journey, [Name]!В
• Congrats, [Name]. Well be there cheering the loudest!В
• A virtual graduation isnt quite the same, but well try to make it magical, [Name]!В
Graduation Congratulations From Afar
Sometimes we cant see the grad in-person to share our well wishes and luck for the future. Here are some sweet ways to share your joy from afar.
• Hope you have a happy graduation ceremony, [Name]!В
• Congrats on graduating! Sorry we cant make it, but were cheering you on from here.В
• So exciting to see that youre onto the next chapter. Congrats on graduating, [Name]!В
• Congratulations, [Name]! Live life to the fullest, and well see you again soon.В
• Sorry we cant be there on the day, but sending you big congrats on graduating!В
• Sending you our love as you graduate, [Name]!В
Messages For a Family Member
Design: Signature Greenvelope
If the grad is someone close to you in your family, you can get even more personal with your congratulations message. Here are some ideas to celebrate your child, grandchild, or other loved ones.
• Congratulations, [Name]! We always knew youd have a bright future.В
• What a magnificent moment, [Name]! Congrats on being our first child to graduate.В
• Lots of love to the best [relation] and now the best grad in the whole world.В
• Welcome to our family of grads, [Name]. So excited to share your journey of great success!В
• Congrats to the best [relation] ever!В
• Were a family of high achievers, so its no surprise youre graduating from [College]. Congratulations, graduate!В
• Congratulations on graduating, my dear [Name]. Never stop learning!В
Graduation Congratulations For a Friend
Theres something so special about celebrating the graduation of your best friend or a close friend. Youve been through so much together and grown up together, so its sweet to remember the moment with a congratulations message.
• Can you believe its the end of high school, [Name]? I never thought wed make it out!В
• Youve always been super smart. Im so lucky to have you as a friend, [Name].
• Theres so much I want to say about how amazing you are, but theres not enough space on this card. Congrats on graduating, [Name]!В
• I always knew you were made for wonderful things. Lets tackle college together, [Name]!В
• Were high school graduates, [Name]! Bring on college!В
• I cant believe theyre going to let us loose in the real world. Congrats on graduating from [College], bestie!В
Famous Graduation Quotes
Cant quite find the words of wisdom you want to share? No worries вЂ" here are some graduation quotes from famous faces to help you say what you mean.
• "It's wisdom that will put all the inevitable failures and rejections and disappointments and heartbreaks into perspective." вЂ" Arianna Huffington
• "Fortune does favor the bold, and I promise that you will never know what youre capable of unless you try." вЂ" Sheryl Sandberg
• "Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success. You've got to take risks." вЂ" Denzel Washington
• "Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in." вЂ" Hillary Clinton
• "Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." вЂ" Steve Jobs
• "Intelligence plus character вЂ" that is the goal of true education." вЂ" Martin Luther King, Jr,
Gift Ideas to Show Your Graduation Congratulations
Design: Signature Greenvelope
To celebrate the first steps of your grad into their new career (or continued studies), here are some of our favorite gift ideas that will support their life as a student, traveler, or achiever in whatever they pursue.В
Personalized Graduation Gifts
Choose a gift that you know your grad will love. Popular personalized graduation gifts include artwork prints, notebooks, mugs, and jewelry вЂ" but you could also opt for personalized clothing or homeware.В
Gift Cards
Gift cards make ideal presents вЂ" especially if you cant see the recipient in person. You can choose an amount that works for you, select a retailer, and give your grad the fun of picking out something they love.
Contribution Towards the Future
Sometimes a financial contribution is the perfect graduation gift. It allows flexibility over how it can be used, making it ideal for most grads.
A financial contribution is a great idea if your grad is going to travel or needs to buy resources for a future study program. It also lets you help them out with those "starting out" expenses if theyre heading into the big wide world on their own for the first time.В
Graduation Greetings That Show You Care
Saying "Congratulations, graduate!" is wonderful, but these wording ideas will help you take it one step further. Add in a gift and youre sure to make them feel even extra special. Follow our tips and take inspiration from our ideas, and youll have the perfect, personalized graduation congratulations message for that special someone.
Graduation Wishes Messages for Niece
“I have seen you grow for all these years and today I am extremely proud of you for graduating with such amazing marks…. Happy Graduation to you!!!”
“Graduation is just another accomplishment and there are many more accomplishments to make…. Warm wishes on Graduation to my lovely niece.”
“Each and every day I pray to God to always bless you with his choicest blessings for a successful and prosperous life… Happy Graduation my dear niece.”
“You have always made us proud with your hard work, dedication and attitude…. Sending you my love and warm wishes on your graduation.”
Graduation Congratulations Messages for Niece
“I always knew that you are going to do something big…. Congratulations on taking the first step towards your goal… Happy Graduation!!!”
“To my dearest niece, I wish you on completing your graduation and I wish you all the best for the tomorrow that awaits you.”
“I know you have the potential to make thigs happen….. Warm wishes on Graduation and lots of luck for all your future endeavors.”
“Sending warm congratulations on Graduating…. Wishing you many more opportunities in life to grow and move ahead.”
Elementary Graduation Messages for Niece
“Every exam is important and special…. Congratulations on your successful elementary graduation my dearest niece.”
“It is your hard work and commitment towards your studies that has helped you pass with wonderful scores…. Warm wishes on elementary graduation.”
“This is just one step to your dreams, there are many more steps to be taken…. Wishing a very Happy Graduation to you.”
“On successful completion of elementary graduation, I want to tell you that you have the caliber to dream and make a dream come true…. Always believe in yourself!!!”
You May Also Like Other Graduation Messages
Popular Messages:
• sweet graduate letter ideas for a niece
Oyewole Folarin loves writing greeting-card messages and helping others find the words they need for life's special moments.
Having trouble coming up with something to say to a new high school grad? Here is a list of encouraging messages you can send them to help them start this next stage of life.
Sample Graduation Card Messages
• You have achieved a great milestone today. Here’s wishing you many more successes in the future. Good luck and congratulations!
• Congratulations on your great success. Now that you've graduated, it's time to celebrate.
• Today is a perfect day to let you know that you’re a shining example to many others. Thanks for making me proud. Never give up on your dreams. Congrats on graduating.
• You made it. Now everything gets even more fun, and it’s time to live your life your way. Congratulations on your great achievement!
• You have achieved another milestone today. Lots of love and best wishes for you on your graduation. Congrats!
• Congratulations on your success. I’m proud of your achievement, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you.
• I wish you a joyous and blissful future. Now that you've graduated, I'm sure that many wonderful opportunities are just around the corner for you.
• As you graduate from high school today, I want to wish you well in your future endeavors. Well done, graduate!
• This is a great accomplishment. Wishing you the best on this momentous day.
• Dear graduate, your achievement is worth celebrating. Congratulations, and I wish you all the best.
• Dear graduate, your success today is the result of your hard work and dedication. I have no doubts that you'll continue to thrive in college.
• Dear [name], congratulations on the milestone achieved!
• You have been successful because you've worked so hard over the past few years. Your determination is going to get you what you want in life. Congratulations, [name]!
• Your graduation is a direct result of the way that you constantly strive for excellence. I know you'll have a future full of many great achievements and accolades. Keep up the good work. Congrats!
The end of high school is the start of a whole new adventure.
• Are you ready to go to work? Relax, [name]; your success today shows that you are fully prepared to face future challenges. Congrats!
• Your teachers loved you because you always strove for improvement. I have a feeling your college professors will feel the same. Thanks for making me proud.
• Let me use this opportunity to commend your outstanding performance. I wish you the best of luck and many more successes in the future. Congrats, my dear graduate!
• Your achievement today is remarkable. May all your dreams and wishes come true. Good luck, and congratulations, graduate!
• Dear [name], congratulations on your inspirational achievement. Best wishes for you on this special day.
• Your success is well deserved. Congrats!
• Yours has been a remarkable life, an inspiring story of vision and grace written in hard work. Congratulations on your great achievement!
• Congratulations on your brilliant success and achievement. Keep up the good work, and many more great opportunities will come your way.
• As you graduate from high school today, I wish you a successful future. Congratulations on your great achievement!
• I wholeheartedly congratulate you on your achievement and wish you a joyous and rewarding future. Congratulations, graduate!
• Dear [name], your graduation today shows how determined you were to achieve excellence. Wishing you the best of luck in the future.
• As you reach another life milestone, I wish you best of luck in the days to come. Congrats.
• I’m glad you finally did it. Congratulations on your graduation.
• I’m glad you graduated from high school with flying colors. I'm wishing you many more great achievements in the future. Congrats!
• Graduating high school was only half the battle. Keep working hard and all the good things will keep coming your way. Congratulations!
• Now that you've graduated, keep up the good work and continue to strive for excellence. Congrats!
A high school grad has accomplished so much...but they still have so much more to come.
Was the Graduate the Valedictorian, Top of Their Class, or Graduating With Honors?
Get ready to throw your grad cap in the air and toss your tassel to the side — graduation season is in full swing, marking one of the most monumental milestones in a person’s life. So now is the ideal time to spread some love to the graduate in your life and make them feel extra special. Ahead, we've found the best "conGRADulations graduate" messages and wishes that are perfect to write on a graduation card.
There are so many circumstances that call for these types of well-wishes and cards, including moving-up ceremonies that occur in preschool or junior high. But of course, most people think of the full pomp and circumstance that is associated with the commencement from high school or college. No matter what stage or grade, the act of graduation is an accomplishment that deserves recognition and encouragement.
More From Seventeen
It can be hard to put into words *just* how proud you are of a friend or relative who has achieved such a high honor — but we've curated a list of graduation wishes that are so good, that you'll think about heading back to school just so you can receive these kind words in a card.
We've supplied heartfelt messages for close friends and funny graduation quips for the self-proclaimed joker of the fam. You can even pick, choose, and reorder pieces of phrases from our list to create an even more personalized message. Here are our best wishes, phrases, and messages to write on a graduation card:
Short Messages
• Congratulations!
• ConGRADulations!
• You did it — congrats!
• Caps off to you, graduate!
• What a proud day! We just couldn’t be happier for you.
• Happy Graduation Day!
• Prayers and blessings on your graduation and for your future.
• Warm congratulations on your graduation.
• Best wishes for your next adventure!
• Great results come from hard work — well done!
• Be glad you're a grad!
• The tassel was worth the hassle!
• Keep reaching for the stars!
• Best of luck with your new beginnings.
• This calls for a celebration!
• Many dream, some try, but only a few achieve. You have achieved!
• Best of luck!
• This is only the beginning.
• Take pictures. Take your time celebrating. Take it easy for a while. Then get ready to take on the world!
• May you always dare to do great things with your life.
• I'm so proud of you!
• May all your dreams come true, graduate.
• You're a star, graduate — keep shining!
Funny Messages
• Good looks, brains, heart, and now a diploma too? You’ve really got it all!
• My deepest condolences on the end of your college life.
• Did you ever think this day would come? Neither did we!
• All that hard work for a piece of paper? Congratulations on getting your piece of paper.
• Happy graduation. Now welcome to the real world!
• Here’s to the end of eating Top Ramen for the last four years. Kudos!
• How does it feel to be only one degree wiser?
• Now that you’ve graduated, maybe you’re smart enough to figure out how to pay back your student loans.
• Why did the graduate cross the stage? To move back in with their parents.
Heartfelt Wishes
• Today is just the start of all the wonderful things that life has in store for you.
• Graduation isn’t the end of a tough journey. It is the beginning of a beautiful one. Start each day believing in yourself and watch the magic happen.
• School may be over, but life's lessons are still to be learned. Keep an open heart and mind.
• Keep on growing. Keep adding to the goodness and beauty in the world. Keep developing those unique dreams and talents that make you who you are!
• Always allow your challenges to build your character, and your accomplishments to make you proud. This is such an important moment!
• You did it! Your journey is only just beginning. It’s time to use your brilliant mind to pave your personal path to success.
• You have always been the captain of your own ship. On this exciting day, feel proud that you’ve steered it toward victory.
• May you take every chance that comes your way with boldness and excitement! Enjoy what the future has to offer; you’ve earned it.
• There is no such thing as an easy path. Every path presents challenges; what matters is how you deal with them. You have proven that your strength and character are built for success.
• On this day, you have made everyone in your life proud of your achievement and all the effort it took to get here. It’s time to celebrate your success!
• May all the warm memories of your school years accompany you on your journey to success; there are many more to come!
• Now that you’re a graduate, it’s time to be courageous. Life is full of lessons that will challenge you all along the way.
Messages for Friends
• Your brilliance has been made unmistakably clear through your many achievements. I am so proud to call you my friend.
• You are strong, intelligent, bold, and kind. Your rock-solid character will carry you to new heights in the future, and I’ll always be there by your side on the journey!
• Your perseverance never went unnoticed. You are an inspiration and example to me and everyone else alike.
• Every giggle, every tear, every joke, and every secret we’ve shared has warmed my heart and lifted my spirit. What a journey!
• I am so proud of your journey so far, and so excited for your future! May we face it together with laughter and joy.
• My dear friend, you can achieve anything you want in life. Believe in yourself the same way we believe in you.
Messages for When You Can't Be There
• Looking forward to getting together soon to celebrate your achievement!
• I wish I could see you in your cap and gown but know that I am so very proud of you.
• Sharing our pride and love from afar.
• Sending our joy and happiness through the mail. Congrats graduate!
• I would have popped confetti in person, but this will have to do!
• Save a slice of the celebratory cake for me! So proud of you.
• There beside you emotionally, but not physically. Congratulations on graduating!
• *Redeem this card for a free celebratory dinner when we see each other again*
• Broke out the stamps for you — this achievement just couldn't go unnoticed!
Abby is an editorial assistant at Seventeen, covering pop culture, beauty, life, and health. When she's not busy watching the latest true crime docuseries, you can find her strolling through Sephora, thrifting the perfect dress, or jogging with her pup.