Graduation season is a goldmine on Etsy, especially if you’re crafty, creative, or just really good at spotting what people want to give (and get) to celebrate the big day. Over the years, I’ve realized it’s not just about making something cute or trendy, it’s about finding that perfect combo of products that reach a big audience and fly under the radar competition-wise.
Seasonal moments like graduation are often overlooked by sellers who prefer evergreen products, but honestly? That’s where the opportunity is.
You can make an insane amount of money in these short windows, then either rest or shift your focus back to your usual products.
Or even better—adapt what you already sell to fit the season and watch your income spike like crazy. I did a deep dive into what’s actually working for sellers right now. Here are the best graduation products to sell on Etsy if you want to stand out and cash in.
1. Graduation Leis (Without the Cash Drama)
Graduation leis are a classic, feel-good gift that always gets attention, especially the handmade ones. Think ribbon leis, faux flower versions, candy-filled designs, or even leis made with prop money. They’re festive, personal, and totally Instagram-worthy, which makes them a popular go-to during grad season. Just be careful with the real cash, Etsy doesn’t allow it, and sellers have had their shops shut down for it.
A safer approach is to use prop money or create a DIY version where the buyer adds their own bills. You can also personalize the leis with school colors, names, charms, or mini extras like lip balm or tiny booze bottles for college grads. Candy leis are always a hit too, especially when you want something affordable but fun.
A great example is this Graduation Lei 2025 with Name by Bloomlyuxely, a simple but beautiful ribbon lei that includes the graduate’s name and “Class of 2025.” According to Alura, this product got over 280 sales and more than $7K in revenue, which proves that clean design, personalization, and smart keyword targeting can go a long way.
Tips to make it work:
- Skip real cash. Etsy will shut you down fast. Use prop money or sell a DIY version where buyers add their own.
- Offer custom options like school colors, names, or small charms that reflect the grad’s personality.
- Candy leis are super popular and budget-friendly, level them up with extras like lip balm, mini bottles, or motivational tags.
- Highlight personalization in your listing title and photos, it makes a big difference in search and conversions.
2. Personalized Graduation Gifts
If there’s one thing people love giving grads, it’s something that feels personal and thoughtful. That’s why customized gifts crush it every single graduation season. Think sleek desk nameplates (especially for college or grad school grads), engraved jewelry, leather journals with their name and graduation year, or diploma frames with a motivational quote. These gifts feel extra special, and they work across the board, whether someone’s graduating high school, college, med school, or finishing a PhD.
One solid example is this Personalized Office Desk Name Plate from ArtbloxShop. It’s clean, professional, and totally giftable. According to Alura, this listing alone pulled in over 1,200 sales and $32K in revenue in the last 12 months, and more than $188K all time. It’s a great example of how one evergreen product, when styled for graduation season, can become a major income stream.
Tips to make it work:
- Offer a variety of fonts or icon options (like flowers, books, or graduation caps) to make it feel more tailored.
- Add a “gift ready” option with wrapping or a message card, people love convenience when shopping for presents.
- Use keywords like graduation gift, senior night, doctorate grad, or new job desk decor to catch buyers searching for different milestone moments.
- Include mockup images that show the gift in a real setting, on a desk, in a gift box, or alongside other grad party decor.
3. Grad Survival or Care Packages
These are the gifts that feel like a warm hug. Grad care packages and survival kits are thoughtful, practical, and super easy to niche down. Whether it’s a “New Job” box for someone starting their career, a “College Move-In” bundle for high school grads heading to campus, or a “Grad School Starter Kit” packed with caffeine, Post-its, and encouragement.
You can get creative with themes too, like a Teacher Starter Pack, PhD Recovery Box, or Future CEO Kit. Buyers love these because they’re gift-ready, feel personal, and save them the stress of piecing things together themselves.
A great example is this New Job Personalized Gift Box by LuaNovaDesign. It’s simple, pretty, and packed with just the right mix of encouragement and essentials. According to Alura, it’s done over 2,200 sales all time and brought in more than $95K in revenue, proving that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just curate it well and market it clearly.
Tips to make it work:
- Keep it lightweight and shippable, snacks, mini mugs, self-care items, and stationery work great.
- Tailor your kit to a specific moment or field (like “Future Nurse Survival Kit” or “Law School Finals Rescue Box”).
- Use simple, gift-ready packaging and include a customizable message card for that extra touch.
- Highlight what’s inside with clear photos and a bullet-style breakdown in the listing, buyers love to know exactly what they’re getting.
Related: Tired of Your 9–5? Here Are 101 Ways to Make Money Online
4. Custom Graduation Caps (or Cap Toppers)
Cap decorating has become a full-on tradition, and a major content moment for grads. Everyone wants that iconic “cap toss” photo, and personalized toppers make it unforgettable. From glitter and rhinestones to funny quotes and niche themes (think: nursing puns, STEM references, or pop culture inspo), there’s no shortage of creative directions to take this. Some sellers offer pre-made toppers with popular quotes, while others go fully custom or even sell DIY kits and digital Cricut templates so grads can make their own.
A great example is StayProudly, a shop that’s completely nailed this niche. One of their bestsellers is this Custom Graduation Cap Topper, which they personalize with everything from name and degree to matching school colors. According to shop data and Alura, they’ve made over $1 million in revenue with more than 32,000 sales, and their average product price sits around $31.54. This is proof that when you tap into a visual, feel-good moment like this, the demand follows.
Tips to make it work:
- Offer both physical toppers and digital templates to reach different price points and last-minute buyers.
- Make designs that photograph well, bold fonts, clean lines, and clear messaging show up better in photos.
- Include trending themes like Taylor Swift lyrics, niche degrees (like “Future Veterinarian”), or motivational quotes.
- List early in the season and use tags like graduation cap, custom grad topper, and class of [year] to catch those planner-type shoppers.
5. Quirky, Edible, or Handmade Small Gifts
Not every graduation gift needs to be big or expensive, sometimes the small stuff is what people remember most. Think cookie cakes with fun sayings, personalized keychains, little clay figurines, sculpted mugs, or custom bookmarks in school colors. These are the kinds of gifts that feel thoughtful without breaking the bank, and they make perfect add-ons for friends, teachers, or last-minute shoppers looking for something to bring to the party.
One seller who’s doing this well is TheNautiOyster, with their University Custom Trinket Ring Dish. It’s a cute, handmade dish that can be personalized with the grad’s school, name, or initials – perfect for holding jewelry, keys, or small keepsakes.
According to Alura, this listing has brought in over 4,000 sales and nearly $95K in revenue in the past year alone, with more than $124K total. It hits that sweet spot between sentimental and affordable, and the personalization makes it feel like a much more premium gift.
Tips to make it work:
- Keep your pricing gift-friendly – under $40 works well for small, thoughtful items.
- Offer personalization whenever possible: school name, grad year, initials, or favorite colors.
- Package it beautifully and promote it as “ready to gift” – this makes a huge difference for last-minute buyers.
- Think multipurpose: a trinket dish, for example, works for dorms, new jobs, or just sentimental display.
6. Digital Graduation Gifts
Digital products are the unsung heroes of grad season. Whether it’s a printable card, an editable graduation announcement, or a funny “You Did It!” certificate, these gifts are instant, affordable, and perfect for last-minute shoppers. Even better? No shipping, no inventory, and no stress. You can sell the same design over and over again, which makes digital listings a smart, low-effort income stream during this seasonal spike.
A solid example is this Modern Graduation Announcement Card by MegaPartyCo. It’s clean, minimalist, and totally editable which buyers love. According to Alura, this listing has sold over 680 times, bringing in more than $5,700 in revenue with just one digital file. Multiply that by a few more designs, and you’ve got a scalable little Etsy business that runs itself.
Tips to make it work:
- Stick to editable templates in Canva or Corjl to make it easy for buyers to customize.
- Design with trends in mind – neutral tones, minimal layouts, or bold statement fonts all do well.
- Offer matching sets: announcement cards + party invites + thank you notes = higher cart value.
- Add clear instructions in your listing and include a demo link so buyers can try it before they buy.
7. Graduation Party Decor & Photo Props
Grad parties are a big deal – and that means decor sells. From banners that say “Class of [year]” to cupcake toppers, balloons, photo booth props, and personalized signs, there’s no shortage of things people are searching for to make the day feel festive. And here’s the kicker: most people buy this stuff in bundles. So one good listing can turn into a much bigger order if you package it right.
One fun example is from OhLittleMia, with their Personalized Shot Glasses. While they’re listed mainly under weddings and bachelorette parties, they’re easily adaptable for graduation (think: “Class of 2025” or “She believed she could, so she did”). According to Alura, this product pulled in over 2,000 sales and $11K in revenue in the last year, with more than $16K all-time. It’s a simple product with huge party favor potential.
Tips to make it work:
- Create themed sets: banners, toppers, and signs that all match = easy upsells.
- Offer editable templates for things like welcome signs and guestbooks to give buyers flexibility.
- Include group photo props like glasses, hats, and signs – great for parties and social sharing.
- Use mockups that show your decor in action – styled party scenes help buyers visualize and click “Add to cart.”
8. Field-Specific Graduation Gifts
These are the gifts that really feel personal – the ones that tie directly into the grad’s career path. Whether it’s a stethoscope-themed jacket for nursing school, a molecule model for STEM majors, or a custom scales of justice decor piece for law grads, field-specific gifts hit that “you totally get me” moment. They’re thoughtful, practical, and something the grad can actually use or display as they step into their new profession.
A standout example is the Monogrammed Nurse Full Zippered Jacket from SEmbroideredBoutique. It’s cozy, professional-looking, and embroidered with a stethoscope design and the grad’s initials. According to Alura, this product has brought in over $288K in revenue all time, with more than 6,400 total sales. It’s the kind of listing that works year-round but especially pops off during graduation season when family and friends are looking for something both useful and meaningful.
Tips to make it work:
- Focus on jobs people feel proud of – nursing, teaching, law, engineering, etc.
- Personalization is key: names, credentials, or job titles make it feel legit.
- Combine sentiment with function, a tote bag, a mug, or a jacket they’ll actually use.
- Use keywords that match the moment: future doctor gift, teacher graduation gift, STEM grad present, etc.
Related: 23 Genius Graduation Gifts That Totally Nail the Moment
Final Thoughts
Graduation season is short, but it’s powerful. If you time it right and offer products that actually connect with the moment, you can make serious sales in just a few weeks. Whether you’re going big with custom nameplates or keeping it simple with printables and party props, the key is making it feel personal.
Etsy shoppers love details that feel custom. Even if you’re selling something general, give people options – personalization, gift notes, upgraded packaging. Those little touches? They’re what turn a casual browser into a buyer.
So whether you already sell on Etsy or you’re just getting started, graduation is one of those seasonal waves worth riding. Catch it, show up with the right products, and let the momentum do the rest.
