Our daughter's babysitter graduated high school last month and is having an open house this Saturday. I figured for a gift I would just give money, but how much would be appopriate? She's going to be staying at home and going to the local community college in the fall. There's what I feel she deserves, but money is tight right now and I'm wondering if instead I can find her something meaningful that won't cost and arm and a leg. Thanks!
$25. - $50. Or a Gift Card.
I wonder if she is getting a new laptop? Best Buy always has great accessories for laptops. So a Gift card to them is good.
Or The Community College may have a Book Store. You could give her a gift card for that store.
CASH! Doesn't matter how much, it all adds up and she will appreciate it. If money is tight now, give her more later when you can if you feel like you want her to have more.
Money was tight for us so I gave my cousin a Living Locket for her graduation present. They are lockets that have clear glass on the front and you can buy floating charms to put inside. Floating charms are tiny, loose charms. You can choose charms that mean something to the person. For my cousin, I gave her a cross because she graduated from a Christian high school, a heart that was the color of her birthstone, a softball because she played softball in school and angel wings because she has some relatives watching over her in heaven. You can get the original Living Lockets from OrigamiOwl.com but they are expensive. I went to Etsy and got a less expensive locket and less expensive (but still cute!) charms. I think I spent $20 on the whole thing, if even that.
It was a BIG HIT at her party! She had never seen those lockets before and she LOVED it! She was also excited because you can buy different charms and add or switch them out.
Just a suggestion, it was inexpensive but very meaningful!
Cash
Gas card
Skip the mugs, photo frames junk etc
College kids need money for tuition, books, clothes, supplies etc.
Honestly, money is what a college student needs, even if they are staying at home. If you can't afford more than $25, it's okay, but I'd give at least that.
My daughter just graduated from HS. She has received and graciously appreciated each gift plus personal thank you notes . I can say all gifts except 1 were $$$ . The $$$ ranged from $20-$500 each depending on who sent it and how well they knew her.
She has 3 families she regularly babysits for and we did not send announcements to them because we thought it was not appropriate. However, she received cards from each if those families with cash from $25-$50 each which was appreciated.
My mom is the only one who refused to send $$$ . She knew my daughters favorite colors and she gave her 5 sets of towels with the bath towel monogrammed.
My daughter has saved most all of the $$. We're closing on her condo 7/31 and she's using her funds for her specific decor.
$$ is well appreciated!!
PS... She just got a beautiful custom duvet from Etsy ( one of her favorite sites) with graduation $$
Cash or a gift card would be perfect. My daughter LOVES Starbucks, what college student doesn't? Many colleges (even community colleges) have Starbucks or small fast food kiosks for students. Subway, Chikfila are common chains, if you know what chain is on her college campus, that would make a perfect gift.
Another option would be just about anything under the sun monogrammed. My daughter received laundry bags, makeup bags, a baseball cap, a tank top, a keychain and a large tote bag monogrammed. Our gift to her friends were some adorable boxer shorts we found on Etsy that we had monogrammed. They were unique and all her friends loved them. I think I paid $16 per pair, so they did not break the bank.
Honestly, she will probably just be honored and touched that you are thinking about her! Very sweet!
My daughter's dance helper (for 4 years) graduated last year. We gave her $50 cash. Money was super tight for us also, so I cut back on our groceries that week (more hamburger, less chicken) and we gave it to her. Her mom told us it was the most generous gift from the dance girls. I was shocked!
A few people didn't bring anything at all.
So honestly, give what you can and it will be appreciated. When I haven't had money, we've made gifts. How close is she with your daughter? Can you do a framed picture of them with a mat and have your daughter write down different memories on the mat? Or draw pictures?
For my sister one year I found a babysitter poem (I think out of a Chicken Soup for the Soul book) and wrote it on a piece of paper that had my kids hand prints on it. I let them color the paper and we framed it in a cheap $5 frame - all I had at the time. She still hangs it in her house and she stopped watching my kids 3 years ago!
When I was a nanny and went away to college, the family I worked for was extremely generous in the gifts they gave me. My most favorite one was a large copy of the Dr. Seuss book "Oh The Places You Will Go" and the boys both signed the inside cover. They are now 15 and 12 and I still have that....the money is gone and the other items I don't even remember exactly what they were - but I've got the book still!
Really anything that you give would be appreciated. Since she is staying at home she might not have to have money, but that still would be a good option. Or even a $20 gas card.
My mom got me a makeup bag with my name embroidered on it. It is so cute! && I do not think it cost her too much.
If the college is convenient to you (which it sounds like it is), why not get her something from the bookstore? A t-shirt and a key ring or coffee mug won't set you back a fortune, and give her something to look forward to. If she's going to be driving to school, maybe a travel coffee mug or a sticker for the car window that shows pride in the school?
Most of the gifts my son got were $25-$50. You can probably find at least $25 in your budget if you cut back a bit. If she's been a good babysitter, you want to show you appreciate her. And if she's going to be in the area, she may still be available to sit for you, so do your best.
