Unique Graduation Gifts: Dollar Diploma Ideas for Grads

Give the gift of money for graduation this year.

Graduation gift with dollar diplomas

If you want to give a graduate something they’ll truly appreciate, give them cash—but present it in a memorable, homemade way. These dollar bill “diplomas” tucked into a mason jar make a simple, creative gift that’s fun to assemble and delightful to receive. The jar is finished with a paper mortarboard and a tassel, turning ordinary bills into a festive graduation keepsake.

We made a short video demonstrating how easy this project is. The video includes the steps for assembling the cap and arranging the rolled bills inside the jar.

Mason jars are perfect for gifts like this. They feel homey, look great, and hold the rolled bills neatly—plus the lid gives you a convenient spot to attach a tiny graduation cap and tassel.

What you need to make this graduation gift money jar

The project is straightforward and requires only a few basic supplies:
– low-temp hot glue gun
– 3-inch square of black cardstock
– 1 × 10-inch strip of black cardstock
– pint-sized mason jar with ring and lid
– embroidery thread (yellow or orange works well)
– brass brad (paper fastener)
– long-reach hole punch

How to make a graduation gift mason money jar

Follow these simple steps:

1. Make the tassel from embroidery thread. A basic tassel technique—wrapping thread around a small object, tying at one end, then cutting the looped end—works great. Choose a contrasting color like yellow or orange to mimic a real graduation tassel.

2. Punch a small hole in the center of the 3-inch black cardstock square. Feed the long end of the tassel through this hole so the top of the tassel sits on the surface of the square.

3. Insert the brass brad through the center hole from the top, securing the tassel in place. Wrap any excess thread around the brad’s shank and secure with a small piece of tape under the cap of the mortarboard to keep everything tidy.

4. Attach the mortarboard to the mason jar ring. Apply hot glue to the flat top of the ring, then press it upside down and centered on the black cardstock square. Hold until the glue sets.

5. Cover the outside edge of the ring by gluing the 1 × 10-inch strip of black cardstock around it; this gives the cap a clean finished look and hides the glue. Allow everything to dry completely before handling.

To create the dollar diplomas, roll each bill tightly and mark the outside lightly with a Sharpie if you like. Secure each rolled bill with a short length of balloon string, ribbon, or thin twine so they resemble tiny diplomas. Rolling the bills is the most time-consuming part, so recruit a friend or family member to help if you have many to prepare.

Once your diplomas are rolled and tied, arrange them inside the mason jar. Screw the lid and ring back on, with the mortarboard attached to the ring. You now have a polished, festive graduation gift that’s both practical and heartfelt.

Are you celebrating a big graduation this year? This mason jar money gift is easy to adapt for any graduate—high school, college, or trade school—and it can be personalized with school colors, a note tucked inside, or additional small treats.

More graduation gift and party ideas

Explore other simple, creative ideas for graduation parties and gifts, including small favor projects, printable cards, and alternative ways to present cash. These projects work well for group gifts, classroom celebrations, or family gatherings and can be tailored to any grad’s personality or plans.