Graduation Gift Ideas

I am not really sure on how much to give. I know I gave my sisters $200 each when they graduated but they are much younger than I am...and they are family.

An idea I really like (someone did this for me and I have done this for others)...buy a nice laundry basket. Fill it with detergents, dryer sheets (I usually picked up a few smaller containers of different brands), throw in a roll of quarters in case they have coin washing machines. I really appreciated it when I went to college because that was something I hadn't thought to pack, and it was one less thing I had to run out and buy the first week of classes.

My roommate's family made this cool basket for her, with tons of snacks and goodies (kind of like a care package but wrapped up really nice in a basket). We really enjoyed that! :)

Good luck.

I don't know about the amount to give, I looking forward to reading your responses! But I am planning on getting gift cards to the college book store of the graduates whose parties we'll be attending this month. I think you can order them form the college web site. I'm sure you can also order all sorts of gear - sweatshirts, mugs, hats, etc.

Kids don't always bring a gift or card when they are invited to grad parties on their own. My kids have gone and been invited, and have not taken a gift or card along.

When our family is invited to these kinds of things, we generally give a card and a check or cash of about $25. If they are a close family member or friend, I might give a gift or a larger amount of money, but believe me, the graduate would rather have the money. I have also given gift cards to places such as Linen's and Things (even tho they are now kaput) but somewhere similar where they can buy dorm stuff is always welcome. Lastly, for a gag gift for a good friend, I have packed "college survival kits" with things like Ramen Noodles, Easy Mac, peanut butter and jelly, juice boxes, cookies, etc. It gets a laugh if you pack it right.

Hope that helps,
L.

C., usually for graduation we give 50 plus in a card. Depends how long you have know that person.
Also another great idea is gift cards. They can go buy things that they might need for their dorm or supplies. I give money most of the time because they can use on books or anything they need.
I hope this helps you.

It has been a long time since I graduated but one gift in particular still stands out in my mind. Some one that I respected gave me money in a unique fashion. The money was in a box and all in $1.00 bills but, each one was individually rolled like a diploma and tied with ribbons of my school colors. I was very impressed by the creativity and still remember it (obviously). Just something a little different.

It depends on the graduate's tastes and what they're planning on doing after high school, but in college way back in the "stone age" (late 80's, LOL) the gift I got the most use out of was a good dictionary. Mine was a HUGE Webster's that weighed a ton but was one of my most valuable resources for information, in fact I still use it 22 years after it was given to me as a graduation gift.

Have a music fan that plans on going to tech school to become a mechanic? Get them a gift certificate for a local hardware or music store, or a gift subscription to Popular Mechanics or Rolling Stone.

Budding beautician? Pick up another one for a beauty supply outlet, or create a gift basket of beauty tools (clips, curling iron, etc) they might need.

Computer fanatic? Gift card for Radio Shack or Best Buy, or a subscription to a computer tech magazine.

Believe it or not, there are some nice graduation (or any occasion) gifts out there that won't break the bank! I've made up gift bags full of dollar store tools, a pair of work gloves, safety goggles and the like for under $10. My "shade tree mechanic" uncle just loved it, because he knew that if he needed a screwdriver to pry something he wouldn't have to grab his good Craftsman set!

25-50 friends family would be more.

What is appropriate depends upon your budget, how close you are to the graduate, etc. . . . We get invited to about 8 - 10, and sometimes 12 grad parties every year, so now we simply give $10.00 each. we just can't afford any more than that. And your son ? I don't think he needs to go with a gift unless it is someone who is actually close to him. Our 15 yr old daughter will be invited to the party of a close friend with whom she's gone to lots of school plays and other events all year. I think she should give her a gift. We'll also be going as a family, and we'll be going as a family to her best friend's sister's grad party, and we'll do the customary 10.00 in the card thing at both parties, and our daughter will most likely NOT give a special gift to her best friend's older sister. (At least, I don't think she will; that's up to her)

When my older girls graduated (now 28 and 25) they received a variety of gifts. Some cards had $5.00 in them, some had $20.00. Some people came with specific hand-picked gifts. Some came to socialize and not bring a gift. Their own friends came and only one or two brought gifts. But she was really really glad to have them all come, and that was what mattered most to all of us. It's an opportunity for friends who will be going their separate ways soon, to get together and share a few moments in time. As far as I'm concerned, the party is to celebrate the graduate. When I invite people, I don't invite them because "we want gifts", we invite them to celebrate our children. If they bring gifts, fine. If they don't, that's fine, too. I expect my kids to be gracious and to greet each guest the same way, whether they bring gifts or nor, and we enjoy each person who shows up. It's a party, after all, not a shower.

My niece is asking for bed bath and beyond gift certificates. They have really great stuff for dorms. For a boy gift i would say money... i doubt they want to decorate :)

as far as the individual parties that only your son has been invited to, are they formal parties? if so, a gift is appropriate. if it's just a party, it's just a high school party and no gift is fine.

for family parties, and for relatives/friends of the family, etc. ie, people you know and can say know you, a gift card or cash of any denomination works. if you wanted to do something for them for college (assuming that is where they are headed) you could find out where they will be attending school and get a meal card there, a sweatshirt from that university, things like that.

when i graduated it was all about the money, and it didn't matter if it was $5 or $50, it all added up.

good luck

Just another idea if you decide to give money. You could give $20.09--for graduating in 2009. Corny but cute. =)

My niece just graduated from high school and one of her classmates that came to her party gave her a card with 7 pennies. In the message he told her he was giving her his 7 cents worth. I thought that was clever and a good way of giving something that was memorable without breaking the bank.

I gave both my cousins (15 & 17 years younger than me) $25 Gas cards because i figured they need gas to get wherever they were going. Also, if heading to college a gift card to walmart or target or something like that so they can buy the things they will need. Depending on how close you are to these people I would say 15-25. Family i think would be more like 25-100 depending on who and how close you are to them.

I agree that if your son is the only invited and its a casual party no card or gift is required. If its formal then a card and gift would be appropriate.

Hi, I have yet to face this situation, but I am known as the idea lady in my circle of friends and family. For these parties that just your son is invited to, I would first make sure that there will be adult supervision. I know when I was in high school there were a few graduation parties where there were no parents and I don't think you would want your freshman son going to parties like that. However if there will be parental supervision I would suggest that money is not necessarily the best gift from him. It would depend on if the parties are for female or male friends on what to get them. If these friends are going to college then maybe something for their dorm room, or if you know what college, a sweatshirt or t-shirt for that school.

As for the graduation parties your whole family has been invited to, instead of giving cash, I would get gift cards from Target or Walmart. I am a big believer of gift cards. I hope I gave an idea or two.

GL and take care

Hi C.-
As far as your son going to grad parties, I would definitely show up with something but I don't think it's necessary for a freshman in high school to give money. I think a pic frame or some sort of college accessory would be perfect. (notebooks, school supplies, dry erase board, etc.)
Now from the whole family, definitely stick with money! If you don't want to worry about keeping an eye on your check book to make sure the check was cashed, give cash. I've learned this lesson on both ends. I would say anywhere from $20 to $50 would be great. Depending how close you are with the child. You could always add a book to make it a more personal gift as well. The obvious one is Dr. Suess Oh the Places You'll Go. I know there are a lot of other books appropriate for graduation out there as well. I'm sure book stores have special sections being it's that time of year.
Hope that helps!

Hi there,

The site Etsy.com featured some gifts for grads. I remember seeing these very cool necklaces where you can get the graduating year "stamped" on different types of metal as well as the grad's initials and/or name. Necklaces went for $26 or maybe $30. My description doesn't do what I saw justice. Check out the site.

T. :)

Hi C.. A card is always a good idea, and including a crisp $20 bill or a gift card to a major retailer like Target, Wal*Mart or Kmart is always welcome to any grad. You can always get more personal gifts for family grads...I am doing a laundry basket for our nephew (the first grad in our family) I am buying a towel set, sheet set, laundry soap, softner, basket and giving him a couple of rolls of quarters to take with him to his college dorm in the fall. My only hope is that he learns how to do his laundry before he goes to college! LOL Best wishes.

Hi C.,
Chuckle ...
well. If you are related to the child .. ;a card and a 'ck' in the amount of $25.00- $60.00.
If your GOD CHILD ... 'ck' for $60.00 and up and a card
Now ; the so called parties ...... concerning your son .
CALL and ASK OTHER MOM if child is going to COLLEGE ;
[everyone has phone # and text'n] again ; WRITE A CHECK
in the childs name for $5.00 to $10.00 [ that is enough]
Make sure the teen age -parties are S_A_F_E_ ...
now; if your childs best friend in the world grad ... give a $50.00 check .
I WRITE out old fashioned checks in the childs name , they LEARN HOW TO BANK , the $$$$ does not 'fly' out of their hands for slurpies @ 7-11 .....they have to
work for the cash ... chuckle ..
ENJOY
remember ; these are hard times . we are in a recession , be practicle .
yes; bring a gift .The child is entering adult hood ............
have your child sign the cards to his friends .
ps= those teen- age parties are tricky ... do ' I spy'
a grammy
pss= if the checks were not cashed ... oh well ...
lesson learned .