There’s no need to deliver a whole commencement address in your card.

“Congratulations” is a great basic message, and it’s easy to say even if you
don’t know the graduate well. Here are some ideas for going a word or two
beyond to warm up and personalize your congratulations.

More casual

 “Congratulations and BRAVO!”

 “This calls for celebrating! Congratulations!”
 “You did it! Congrats!”
 “Caps off to you, Graduate! Well done!”
 “What a proud day! We just couldn’t be happier for you!”
 “What an impressive achievement!”
 “Happy Graduation Day!”
 “Good looks, brains, heart and now a diploma too? You’ve really got it
all! Congrats!”

More formal

 “Congratulations on your well-deserved success.”

 “Warmest congratulations on your graduation.”
 “Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next
adventure!”
 “So happy to share in the excitement of your graduation day, and so
very proud of you, too!”
 “With love and pride today and always,”
 “Prayers and blessings on your graduation and for your future.”

More casual

 “Hope you’ll always find yourself as happy and full of big, crazy dreams
as you are today!”
 “Hope you’re able to take a well-earned rest, vacation—whatever kind of
break sounds like fun. You’ve earned it!
 “You’re going to be a star! Congratulations!”
 “You deserve to see your dreams come true…congrats!”
 “This definitely won’t be the last time I get to brag about you.”
 “I’m so happy for you, even if this does mean you’re an [Aggie,
Jayhawk, etc.] for life.”
  

More formal

 “I’m sure today will be only the first of many proud, successful moments
for you.”
 “Sending warm congratulations today and wishing you all the best at
Michigan State in the fall!”
 “Congratulations today and best wishes for all your tomorrows.”
 “I just know life has even more wonderful things in store for you.”
 “Today, the field of education gains a very promising new addition.
Congratulations on your graduation and best of luck in your teaching
career!”
 “Can’t wait to see where life will take you next. Wherever it is, our
prayers go with you!”

When Commencement Is Canceled

 “Of course, we’re disappointed we won’t get to watch you walk across
the stage like we’d always dreamed—but that just means we’re going to
celebrate you even bigger as soon as we get the chance!”
 “Even though graduation is going to look different for you, the
achievement is still the same. You’ve put in the same hard work. You’ve
learned and grown so much. And I couldn’t be prouder.”
 “We’re sorry you’ve had to let go of the graduation ceremony and
celebrating you’ve been looking forward to for the past four years. We wish
it could have been different, but we want you to know we’re still so proud of
you and what you’ve achieved.”
 “It’s going to take more than a canceled graduation ceremony to stop
me from blowing an air horn in your honor. Way to go, Grad!”

When the Graduate Is Struggling

 “Congratulations on your graduation. I wish it could have happened at a

happier time for you, but I hope it helps to know how loved you are and how
proud you’ve made all of us who care about you.”
 “You might not feel up to celebrating as you graduate, but we hope you
do feel the pride, caring and good wishes surrounding you right now.”
 “This is not how I pictured your graduation going, but you sure are the
strong, resilient person I always imagined you’d grow to be. Anytime you
don’t feel strong, please know you can lean on me.”
 “As you graduate, you’re in all my proudest and happiest thoughts…and
in my most caring, heartfelt prayers, too.”

When the Future Feels Uncertain

 “You’re graduating at a tough time, but I believe in my heart that better

days are coming. It may take some time, but I hope you can hang in there
and keep believing, too.”
 “Someday you’ll look back and think, Wow, I graduated at the strangest
time ever… Until then, we’ll be here for you, cheering you on, looking
forward to wherever life takes you next, and feeling so proud of you.”
 “Graduation cards are supposed to wish you a bright future, but right
now, I’m all for taking things one day at a time. I hope you’re able to do that,
too. Especially today, I hope you can just enjoy all the pride and good
wishes coming your way.”
 “Praying for you as you graduate—for pride today, hope for tomorrow,
and for love and support to go with you always.”