Whether they're finishing High School or College, graduation is a big deal. Your graduate is about to start their new, adult life, and things are definitely changing. Because there are so many things needed for this new life, the traditional gift is money. This gives your graduate the funds to help pay for further schooling, tides them over until they can find a job, or just helps them make it on their own.

Still, the cliché of cash (or check) in a greeting card can get rather boring. After all, everyone else is getting them the same thing! So here are four things you can pair your cash and card with to make it a more attention-grabbing graduation gift.

Stuffed Animal

What could be cuter? Pairing your cash with a plush toy means that they get something physical to remember their graduation day or party with. Get them their favorite animal in plush form, or get them the classic teddy bear. Many teddy bears even come with a graduation theme, and can include their own cap, gown, and diploma. Secure your greeting card and cash to the stuffed animal's paws, and you've got a great way to offer the main part of your present.

Flowers or Potted Plant

A bouquet of flowers is a great way to say congratulations, and an especially nice way to present your cash and card if you're going to be at the actual graduation ceremony. Giving them the flowers with the rest of your gift right after the ceremony will really make them feel special. Or, if your graduate is moving to a new home, (whether a dorm, apartment, or house), a potted plant is another good option. Give them something for their new home at the same time they get their cash. They'll be sure to appreciate it!

A Book

A book is another relatively inexpensive option, so you can get them more cash. The book should be something inspirational or something relevant to their new life. "Oh the Places You'll Go!" by Doctor Seuss is a popular choice. It's definitely inspirational. College survival guides are another great option, or one of the "must haves" for school, such as a thesaurus or a dictionary. Or you could even get them an instructional book, such as something on budgeting and finance (something every graduate should understand). And it's easy to slide your cash and card into the jacket of the book.

Alarm Clock

Whether they are starting college or a new job, this is something they'll need to make sure they're on time for their new life! There are many alarm clocks you can get for relatively cheap, so this is a great small gift to pair with the graduation money. And useful too! Get them a small travel sized alarm clock, or one that's full sized.

So there you go, four ideas to make your gift of money stand out above the crowd of "Congratulation Graduate!" cards. They can all be purchased for a fairly inexpensive amount, which means you can give more cash, but still have something physical for them to keep and remember the day by.