Graduation Hat Jar (Graduation Gift Idea)

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graduation gift

Are you attending a graduation party? If so, check out this easy and thoughtful way to give little cash “diplomas” via a cute graduation hat mason jar! And the best part – you likely already have most of the items you need for this craft at home.

For this craft you’ll need:

  • mason jar
  • one piece of square shaped cardstock paper larger than the lid
  • rectangle shaped cardstock paper long enough to fit around rim of lid
  • double sided tape or glue
  • crepe paper (streamers) for tassel
  • one small button
  • string or twine
  • scissors
  • money for mini diplomas
  • balloon curling ribbon
  • gold coin chocolates (optional)

How to make a graduation hat jar hip2save

Directions:

  1. Tape or glue paper to lid.
  2. Wrap crepe paper around a pen and tape.
  3. Then slide off pen and tie a tight knot towards the top, leaving a two inch piece of string attached.
  4. Use scissors to cut tassels.
  5. Attach string to button and glue or tape to middle of the hat. Use a pen to roll paper money “diplomas”, securing with curling ribbon.
  6. Place gold coins and money in the jar and screw on the graduation hat lid.
  7. Give to a well deserving graduate!

My version was inspired by NoBiggie.net.

Money Diplomas Hip2Save


Lina (lina@hip2save.com) loves cooking new recipes, thrift store shopping, and DIY home decor projects. 

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Join The Discussion

Comments 31

  1. Rachel

    Love this!

  2. Gail

    This is so cute!!

  3. brindha

    Cute and fun way to give money for graduates. Adorbs 🙂

  4. Rachel

    So creative,Thank for sharing 😀

  5. Patti

    We give $20.15 to ea graduate or whatever year it is. This is cute too

    • Kim

      I like that, great idea

    • Lina (Hip's Modern Martha)

      Oh cute idea!

  6. Jennifer

    Oh, such a neat idea

  7. Denise

    Great idea Lina!

    • Lina (Hip's Modern Martha)

      Thanks! I can’t wait to give this away 🙂

  8. Jenni

    So cute!!!! My brother and all his friends are graduating…. This will be the perfect cash holder!

  9. 4Ella

    This is great 🙂 My son is graduating this year 🙂

  10. Sarah

    This is such a wonderful idea! I don’t know a graduate (high school or college) who wouldn’t be thrilled to get a jar of cash.

    • Lina (Hip's Modern Martha)

      Ha I agree!

  11. Michelle

    So creative with things I already have on hand! Thanks for sharing!

  12. Anon

    Love this!

  13. Emily

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea!!

  14. Kathy

    Idea: fill jar with quarters for laundry

    • shopper

      Keep in mind, not all schools use actual money for laundry to buying from the vending machines, their ID may be chipped instead..money has to be transfered to it to use for laundry etc. first.

    • Lina (Hip's Modern Martha)

      What’s funny is its been awhile since college for me so I was wondering if they still do quarters? 🙂

  15. Sue

    Love the idea of a jar with quarters. My son graduated last year and he said laundry is so expensive at school that he didn’t like doing it, as the quarters I gave him were used up right away.

  16. Amy

    My son is graduation Kindergarten. I will have to try this!

  17. Tami

    Love this idea! Will do it for my nephew!

  18. Kay

    any ideas on where to get good deals for the supplies for this project?

    • Sarah

      Hi Kay,

      I just did this for my niece. I got a colored jar (more like something for tea lights with a handle) for $2.99 from Michaels, but they do have mason jars for $1.99 and you can use a 40% coupon.

      I got the ribbon for the bills, crepe paper, and card stock from Dollar Tree for $2.69. I had yarn, and buttons at home. The card stock was a black poster board that I cut pieces out of. Hope that helps!

    • Hannah

      Kay get your jars at the thrift store. Way cheaper than retail!

  19. Maria

    Love this idea. My son graduates this June from high school so I will be using this but as a wishing jar. Every guest will write a wish and place it in the jar this way everyone gets to take part in the party and we can put the wishes in a scrap book with a picture and this will serve as a guest book as well.

  20. Sue

    Love this

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Thanks Sara!

  21. Glenda Burks

    I did something kinda like this for my niece’s college graduation. I went to bank and got as many new shined Pennie’s as I could. I also started asking at businesses for theirs. Start looking early! I collected enough to represent the year she graduated(ex.: 2023=2,023 Pennies). She loved it! Oh, yes she got a bigger, nicer gift too.

    • Trish (Hip Sidekick)

      Such a great idea, Glenda! Thanks so much for sharing this special gift you put together for your niece’s graduation! 🎓 🥰

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