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From Pre-K Through College

Creative Graduation Gifts to Mark Their Milestone

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Artifact Uprising Hardcover Photo Book opened up to child photo on left page and graduation photo on right page Artifact Uprising Hardcover Photo Book opened up to child photo on left page and graduation photo on right page

Congratulations are in order...

Graduation marks a significant transition—the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new. Reaching this point takes hard work and dedication, with many meaningful memories made along the way. Amidst so many years and accomplishments to celebrate, you may find yourself wondering what to gift a graduate to make this milestone even more meaningful.

Truth is, the most thoughtful gifts are ones that recognize and relive past experiences together. That’s where your photos come in. Whether for college, high school, middle school, or even kindergarten graduation, we’ve rounded up 16 creative graduation gift ideas to celebrate them through photos.

Skip to Your Grad's Age






High School Graduation Gift Ideas

Whether they’re off to college, trade school, or straight to a job—help them relive their best days and hold on to a little piece of home with these gifts for high school seniors.



Idea 01

Through The Years Photo Book

Artifact Uprising Hardcover Photo Book opened up to child photo on left page and graduation photo on right page Artifact Uprising Hardcover Photo Book opened up to child photo on left page and graduation photo on right page
Pictured: Hardcover Photo Book

Many stories make up a milestone. For a nostalgic and timeless gift idea, create a book documenting important moments through the years. From childhood to graduation, honor the photos that tell their unique story. This is a great opportunity to digitize old photos and give them a permanent home in print. Like flipping through a highlight reel of their life, be ready to cue those happy tears (from both of you!).


Idea 02

Graduation Guest Book

Hands taking Artifact Uprising Photo Guest Book titled Happy Graduation out of box Hands taking Artifact Uprising Photo Guest Book titled Happy Graduation out of box
Pictured: Photo Guest Book

One of our favorite creative high school graduation gift ideas is to create a guest book with photos for a graduation party or ceremony. Make use of senior photos and print them in this heirloom-quality album with pages that lie flat, allowing guests to sign with well-wishes and encouragement for the future. After the party, gift the book to your grad and let them take this sentimental book wherever they’re headed next.


Idea 03

Friends and Family, Framed

Family photo in Artifact Uprising Wooden Tabletop Frame in Maple Family photo in Artifact Uprising Wooden Tabletop Frame in Maple
Pictured: Wooden Tabletop Frame

Those searching for quick graduation photo gifts need to look no further than that favorite group photo (you know, the one where somehow everybody is miraculously looking at the camera). Make a meaningful, creative gift in minutes by featuring that photo in one of our framed prints — available in design-forward styles and finishes. Even better? This gift is sure to upgrade their new living space and remind them of home.


Idea 04

Friendly Reminders and Faces

Artifact Uprising Modern Wall Calendar on month of January featuring photo of three friends Artifact Uprising Modern Wall Calendar on month of January featuring photo of three friends
Pictured: Modern Wall Calendar

Going off to college or entering the working world comes with distractions, and there will likely be some dates and occasions they'll need a helping hand remembering. (Think: Grandmother’s birthday or Cousin Maddy’s senior recital.) This high school graduation gift idea is perfect coming from parents who need to offer that reminding nudge often. Pair friendly reminders with friendly faces in a customized photo calendar that highlights the events and dates of your choice. With a sleek, modern design and perforated photo section, this calendar is stylish enough for their wall and complete with tear-and-keep images—letting them last long after the year is over.


Idea 05

Guest Frame

Artifact Uprising Hardcover Milestone Photo Book opened to photos and handwritten notes from family members Artifact Uprising Hardcover Milestone Photo Book opened to photos and handwritten notes from family members
Pictured: Framed Canvas Print

Turn the traditional guest book into something they will want to display permanently. Design a Framed Canvas Print starring their favorite senior portrait, and showcase it at their graduation party for loved ones to fill with handwritten well-wishes. Not only will they be proud to hang it as decor, they will be reminded of all the love that surrounds them as they take their next step.


Idea 06

Senior Scrapbook

Pictured: Photo Scrapbook Album

Jump on the junk journal trend, and give them a place to collect all their high school memories. With the Photo Scrapbook Album, you can create a meaningful starting point by adding senior portraits, snapshots from memorable events, and candid photos with friends. Then, let them make it their own, filling the pages with mementos that matter most to them. Think concert tickets, handwritten notes, dried flowers from prom, or the program from graduation day. The result? A personal, modern-day scrapbook to remind them of their glory days.


Idea 07

Easy Gallery Wall

Pictured: Modern Wall Tile

Looking for something special that will make their new digs feel a little more like home? Our Modern Wall Tile was designed with easy gallery walls in mind. These frames are lightweight and made of real hardwood, making them high-quality and durable but also effortless to arrange. They come with an adhesive backing, meaning no hammers and nails needed! Start them off with a set of favorite memories from home, and let them add new photos, art prints, or little moments from college life as their year unfolds. It’s an ever-evolving piece of decor with the power to transform a blank dorm wall into a cozy, thoughtful display.


Idea 08

Dorm Decor

Pictured: Everyday Photo Prints

Liven up their future living space with a set of Everyday Photo Prints they can use to create a collage or gallery wall. Best part? If you're helping the grad move into their next home, you can put the prints up on the wall together, playing with arrangements to display photos without frames. Just remember to adhere prints with washi tape to ensure their security deposit makes its way back.

Psst… If you’re looking for a graduation gift idea for friends, this is an easy way to put your many photos together to good use.





College Graduation Gift Ideas

They’ve made it. With four-plus years of college under their belt—they’re ready to leave university life and enter “the real world.” Honor this momentous time with these college graduation gift ideas from parents (or for friends!) that set them up for their next chapter of life.



Idea 01

Their First Portfolio

Artifact Uprising Layflat Photo Album printed as portrait photography portfolio
Pictured: Layflat Photo Album

Is your grad a young artist, writer, or photographer? Guide them into the next phase of their education or career with the gift of their first portfolio—perhaps amongst the most practical and thoughtful college graduation gift ideas. By having their work in a physical book, they’ll be able to show off their talents, allowing friends and employers to see firsthand their accomplishments and capabilities.

Pro tip: Gather their art, photography, writing, etc., and upload .jpgs of the work into the editor as you customize the book. For gifting writers, our Softcover Photo Book allows you to easily add text while editing.


Idea 02

Desktop Inspiration

Artifact Uprising Walnut Desktop Calendar with inspiration quote over olive green background for month of May
Pictured: Walnut Desktop Photo Calendar

To encourage them in the days to come, trade pictures for inspiring messages on each month of a photo calendar. Simply choose 12 quotes from inspirational figures whose words will help when they need a little mood boost: grandma's go-to phrase, famous literary quotes... it's all up to you. Not only will this gift brighten their day—it is also sure to spruce up their new home or office space.

Pro-tip: To make this one work, you'll need to upload a .jpg image of each written quote into the editor. Look to a free design tool like Canva to create and save your images.


Idea 03

Their Thesis on Display

Physics thesis enlarged and printed in Artifact Uprising Floating Frame
Pictured: Floating Frame

Need a creative and useful college graduation gift? Some post-graduate students have just finished up a detailed and time-consuming thesis that deserves an audience beyond their dissertation panel. Put it on display by printing the cover page of their paper in a Floating Frame. Modern and minimalistic, it's the perfect way to honor (and show off) their hard work, especially in a home office.





8th Grade Graduation Gift Ideas

Because next steps are big steps—make this time meaningful with these middle school graduation gift ideas that tell their story so far.




Idea 01

Memories in a Box

Lid of Artifact Uprising Wooden Quote Box being pulled open by hand Lid of Artifact Uprising Wooden Quote Box being pulled open by hand
Pictured: Wooden Quote Box

The best graduation gifts are more than meets the eye, much like the Wooden Quote Box. Sustainably handcrafted in the USA from reclaimed mountain beetle pine, this timeless box can hold an assortment of meaningful little somethings. Create a set of Everyday Photo Prints to place inside, leaving room for those sentimentals like ticket stubs, notes, and postcards that they're sure to collect and keep through high school and beyond.


Idea 02

Friendships Made

Three Artifact Uprising Everyday Photo Prints on Wooden Photo Ledge
Pictured: Wooden Photo Ledge & Everyday Prints

Honor the meaningful connections they’ve made so far by upgrading their room decor with photos of birthday parties, class trips, and sleepovers with friends. Select a sturdy, long-lasting print holder like our Wooden Photo Ledge that they can refresh from time to time with new faces and friendships. During a challenging (and often awkward) phase of life, this 8th grade graduation gift idea can help guide them into high school years with confidence and gratitude for the relationships they’ve formed.





Pre-K and Kindergarten Graduation Gift Ideas

Even the little milestones are worth celebrating. Show your mini-grad how proud you are with these creative gift ideas for preschool and kindergarten graduation.



Idea 01

Childhood Art Book

Artifact Uprising Softcover Photo Book filled with children’s artwork
Pictured: Softcover Photo Book

Their early-on creativity is worth honoring with the fun gift idea of a childhood art book. Say goodbye to shoebox storage holding countless pieces of art projects and give them a permanent home in print. You can use your phone (yes, your phone will work!) or your home scanner to digitize the artwork and create a book sure to be held on to and returned to for years to come.


Idea 02

Modern Yearbooks

Stack of DIY yearbooks printed in Artifact Uprising Color Series Photo Books
Pictured: Color Series Photo Book

Each year of school comes with its own memories, milestones, and celebrations all deserving of permanence and preservation. Start a tradition of celebration while they’re young by creating a series of photo books dedicated to each year—honoring the moments that left their mark, so they’re always top of mind. Many of our albums, including the Color Series and Everyday Photo Book, are designed with series-friendly intention, for books that celebrate the individual pieces as well as the bigger picture.

Pro tip: This creative graduation gift idea is one you can return to year after year! Trust us, you’ll be glad you formed a habit of marking these moments early.


Idea 03

Gallery Wall Starring Them

Two large Artifact Uprising Floating Frames on wall featuring photo of little girl Two large Artifact Uprising Floating Frames on wall featuring photo of little girl
Pictured: Tone-On-Tone Frame

With another year of school complete comes the perfect opportunity to refresh your child’s room for the summertime. Gather photos of your little with their favorite faces, places, and things to add a pop of color to the wall, starring them! We believe even the little milestones are worth celebrating, so mark preschool or kindergarten with this thoughtful gift that will make them feel extra special.


Caps Off to the Grads...

And Your Creative Graduation Gift Ideas

The days leading into the next chapter of life are full of changes and, most importantly, celebrations. Mark the moment and make their day with photos—reliving old memories and creating new ones.

Don’t forget to share your grad’s joy when you give the gift of photos. Tag us on Instagram (@artifactuprising) and #TellOn—we’re looking out and would love to join in on the celebration!


This Milestone Is Worth Sharing

Send custom Graduation Announcements to share the news with friends and family.



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