Joanna Gaines Reveals Kids’ Graduation Gifts as Daughter Ella Leaves for College

Joanna Gaines‘ nest is going to be a little emptier this year, with two kids in college, and her daughter moving across the country for her first year. The former HGTV star shared the personalized graduation gift she gave her kids that’s so meaningful.

Joanna Gaines Has a Thoughtful Graduation Gift for Her Kids

In an August 2025 interview with Delish, Gaines shed some light on her perfect graduation gift, which she personalizes for each child’s taste.

She said of her now 20-year-old son Drake, “I remember when he left, I did a card of [his favorite meals]. It was a two-sided index card that he still has at his desk.”

It’s more than just a card, however. It’s a promise that she will “drive down” to make one of the meals personally, or the child can “come home” for one.

She noted, “I’m already working on that list for [her daughter] Elle. I have it on my phone [with] like, her favorite dessert. I am just trying to think of all the things over the years so that when she’s missing me, I will get my butt on a plane and go there so fast.”

Gaines added, “That is truly the connection in our family: Food. It’s mama’s cooking … Anytime you come home, I will cook for you.”

She revealed that a home-cooked meal is always a winner with her children. “My boy Duke is like, ‘Mom, are you cooking for us tonight?’ And I’m like, Yes. Food is how I get my kids to come home.”

Joanna Gaines Processes Her Feelings About Her Kids Heading to College

The “Magnolia Table” star has been sharing some looks at her kids preparing to leave, with her August 14 Instagram post showing her daughter Ella’s bags packed. The caption noted, “Our little girl, all grown up.”

On August 10, she took to Instagram to show her son’s belongings packed, ready to leave home, as she reflected on this season of her life.

“They told me it would go by quicker than I think,” she wrote. “That the days are slow but the years are fast. And darn it if they were right. This beautiful gift of time has roared past us all just like I was told.”

Gaines shared what’s next for two of her kids. “My oldest son left for his third year of college while my oldest daughter packs for her first year across the country,” she explained.

The Magnolia empire owner continued, “This season already feels like one big, breathless surrender. Lord, how do I hold them close while also letting go? Help me to embrace change with a heart filled with hope for the part I know to be truer than the rest — my kids and I may have been made for each other, but I also believe they were made for more. More experiences, more knowledge, more growing than could ever happen within our walls.”

Gaines added, “To all the parents packing up and moving kids to new places, and to all those with years still to spare: hold them close, hold them well, and let’s all lean on each other when the time comes to hold it together.”