Graduation Gift - Mechanicsburg,PA

Updated on May 21, 2014
P.M. asks from Mechanicsburg, PA
11 answers

It's been YEARS since we've been to a graduation party...this year we've been invited to 3.

I'm leaning towards cash gifts but just wondering...how much do people give these days?

Two are neighbors...but not ones we're really very close to. Third one is a cousin's son...not someone we see more than once a year so not close to him either.

Thanks!

1 mom found this helpful

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Featured Answers

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

Do you know where they'll be going to college? A nice college sweatshirt, t-shirt, hat, sweatpants, etc might be nice--I remember when I went to school I was so sad that I could only afford a keychain when I went to the bookstore, and I had nothing with my school's name/logo on it until I donated blood and got a t-shirt with my school's name, and blood drive info on it ;-)

3 moms found this helpful

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J.S.

answers from Richland on

Family 50, neighbors 25.

Unless they stole your gnome, then a note saying aren't you glad I didn't call the police....don't ask

7 moms found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I have many graduation-age friends at church and other places. They're nice enough to send me announcements and invitations, but "real" gifts for ten or more graduates is simply impossible on my budget.

I don't attend the parties, but this year I've sent each one a nice graduation card/note along with a $10 Starbucks gift card. At least they can enjoy a treat and think of me!

4 moms found this helpful

D.D.

answers from New York on

I usually do $25 for high school and $50 for college.

3 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Depends on how close you are to them, but I'd think $50 for family and $25 for friends.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.T.

answers from New York on

My daughter's graduation from high school this year. In my mind HS graduation is expected - it's not as special as college graduation unless there have been extenuating circumstances like a serious illness or death in the family, disability, etc.

I think cash is the est option since kids going to college have so many expenses and every little bit helps. But I think $25 is more than enough for friends - invited to a back yard party. If it's a catered event at a restuarant or soemthing like that - then it's an entirely different situation. For family I think $50 is fine. And I live in NY where everything is more elaborate and pricey. I think some of my NY friends and nieghbors would think that a higher amount would be more appropriate - but I don't. College is another story however since that requires a sacrifie of time, money, effort, perserverance, etc.

3 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

It depends in how close we are to the family and graduate.

My general gift is $25 for the random announcements that come through from neighbors, far fetched cousins etc.

I do a lot more for nieces and nephews ... $200+.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

We were invited to a few parties for some church people and we just did $20/kid. It felt a tiny bit cheap, but I felt like we got more invites than I was expecting!

I was going to do a gift card for like Target or something to help get ready for college, but my husband encouraged just straight up cash, so that's what I did.

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I usually give bookstore gift cards. The amount depends entirely on how much I can afford at the time. Sometimes that's as much as $50, sometimes it's as little as $5.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

We do $25 for random kids and $50 for kids of close friends. Usually $100 for family. I also but a bunch of $10 gift cards and generic grad cards that my son will take to his friends grad parties. I don't give bigger gifts to those because I don't go to those parties.

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

It depends on the people. I had a friend whose daughter graduated high school and she had a co-grad and they were having a party jointly. So I gave the one $100 and the other $50. Both were headed to college in the fall. Do what feels comfortable.

the other S.

PS The friend's daughter is in grad school for law and in Oxford, England for the summer for classes.

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