Thank You Cards for Graduation

Updated on July 02, 2008
E.W. asks from Howard City, MI
37 answers

A good friend of mine who's son recently graduated is sending out his thank you cards from his graduation party. What my question is should he include the amount give on the thank you card or just thanks for your gift. Example " I just want to thank you for your gift of $20.00 it will really come in handy toward expenses for college" or " I wanted to say thank you for your gift it will really help toward college" We were really not sure which way would be more " Appropriate ", do not want to offend anyone, so I told him I would ask the great Moms of Mamasource. Thanks

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So What Happened?

WOW !!!! So much helpful advice, my friend whom happens to be his Dad read all of your responses and wants to thank each and every one of you for your advice and also ask is it alright for a Dad to join Mamasource......

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W.F.

answers from Jackson on

I think "Thank you for the thoughtful gift" is appopriate, however my son usually writes "Thank you for the gift of money". Either way it is nice just to get a "Thank You"!

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G.B.

answers from Detroit on

I just helped 3 grandchildren with their cards and I recommended they just call the gift "cash" or "money" but they sometimes wrote down the amount. I don't think it's a big deal either way. They main thing is that they write to each person to express their gratitude, and do it as soon as they can. It's greatly appreciated.

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B.V.

answers from Detroit on

E.,
Whenever we received a monetary gift I have always written thank you for the generous gift of money it will help with ____ (whatever you received it for)

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K.G.

answers from Detroit on

I would not include the amount. Just say thank you for the monetary gift...

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K.H.

answers from Detroit on

It is proper etiquette to NOT include the amount of money in the thank you card. You can include phrases like "thank you for the monetary gift" or "thank you for your support" or "your gift was so thoughtful and will help me with the expenses of college." Basically,say anything about the gift EXCEPT the amount of money. :)

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T.A.

answers from Detroit on

I would not say an amount, just "Thank you for the gift of money.

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A.B.

answers from Detroit on

Including the 'gift' in the thank you makes it more personal. You don't have to include the dollar amount. Try, "I wanted to say thank you for your monetary gift it will really help toward college."

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J.H.

answers from Detroit on

I always say "Thank you for the gift of money" - if it was a larger amount that usual, you can add "Thank you for your generous gift of money" or "extremely generous". But I would exclude the actual dollar amount.

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S.B.

answers from Detroit on

I always put "Thank you for your generous gift of money" and whatever I am planning to use it for.

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J.

answers from Detroit on

Hi E.,

I agree with the other response that the thank you card should be in his handwritting not yours. And whenever my kids get a gift of money that is how I state it in the thank you card. Thank you so much for the gift of money, it will really help with my books for school! That sort of thing. When my kids are little and they get a gift of money, I always say, thank you so much for the gift of money, Sam had such a good time picking out her new baby doll. Or we have put it away for her for college. It's always nice to know what the money is going for.
For instance if he still needs to get dorm stuff, he could say, wow this money really helped out getting my new sheet set, that sort of thing.
Good Luck,
J. in Macomb

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S.W.

answers from Lansing on

Hi E.,
When I did mine I just wrote thank you for the gift of cash it will come in handy for.... and whatever. I wouldn't put the amount on there only because some people might feel like he thinks they cheated him. I still to this day write my kids birthday thank you notes that way. Thanks for the gift of cash they wanted to buy.... That way no one has hurt feelings and they feel like they know what he is going to spend the money on. Or save it for.

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P.B.

answers from Detroit on

I was brought up to not mention the amount in a thank you note, but rather say "thank you for the gift of money, I will use it towards purchasing a computer"... (or whatever...) "for school". You want to make sure they realize you have received the money without drawing attention to the actual amount, be it small or large. Hope this is helpful.
P.

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G.B.

answers from Detroit on

Hi E.,

I think just saying "thank you for the gift of money" is better than saying the amount. It also eliminates the possibility of putting in the wrong amount.

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B.O.

answers from Saginaw on

I think not the amount. A thank you for the gift works great. We've received many thank you's and I've never seen the amount. And my son is doing the same activity right now. I haven't counselled with him on it, but if I did I would say the same thing.

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E.S.

answers from Grand Rapids on

When I graduated my mom suggesting thanking for a person's generousity instead of the amount.

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D.G.

answers from Detroit on

I personaly wouldn't included the amount, some people may take it the wrong way.

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A.G.

answers from Detroit on

I think just "thank you for the gift of money" would be appropriate. Including using it for college expenses is good too, but I wouldn't include the amount. Pass on my congratulations to your son!

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E.G.

answers from Detroit on

It's always been customary in my family to write something like "Thank you for your generous gift" and if you want to, add "of money" if it feels appropriate. It's not necessary to state the amount. Personally, I would find that a little tacky. Hope this helps. :)

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C.M.

answers from Detroit on

Dear E.,

I have never mentioned the amount of the gift, or received a thank you mentioning an amount I have given.

I'd like to add to this thought...
If someone gave me something extra special in their amount, I might add, "Thank you for your most generous gift. It was unexpected and most appreciated."

C.

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D.D.

answers from Detroit on

Do not include the amount. I have always said something like "thank you for your generous gift. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

hope this helps. :)

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V.G.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I personally think that you could do it either way. I graduated so long ago that I don't remember if I gave them the dollar amount or not. However, I do remember my wedding and I don't think we mentioned dollar amounts in the thank you's. I do know that when a gift was given I specifically mentioned that item (for example "Thank You for the Class of 95 Towel. It was a creative gift and will be cherished for a long time"). That way you are recognizing the specific gift. With the dollar amount issue, I think people know how much they gave and that covers it. However, you could mention the amount - it wouldn't hurt.

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C.S.

answers from Detroit on

I don't think that he needs to include the amount. Yeah for the boy writing his own (I actually read what you wrote) :-)

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G.F.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I wouldn't include the $$ amount. With written communication it is impossible to inflect tone. By saying the amount, it could be read by the recipient as "only $20" or for a larger amount "wow, you're loaded!" I would just stick to "Thanks so much for your gift. It will really come in handy toward expenses for college. Money is such a touchy subject for many and I think it's best to stay a little vague on the amounts.

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V.B.

answers from Kalamazoo on

Hi E.,

I think either way is just fine. If he got something other than money then he should mention that gift specifically. I remember writing thank you notes for my high school graduation party and I wrote the thank you's a little different depending on how well I new the person too. I was a little more "professional" with someone that was a friend of my parents, but I really didn't know.

I think the most important thing is that he just sends a thank you note. Whatever he writes will be much appreciated.

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P.F.

answers from Detroit on

Congratulations to the graduate and for the mom helping him with Thank you notes. All too often, they do not get sent out. I had 3 sons and insisted that the Thank you cards went out within 1 month of the party. I helped them by addressing the envelopes but I wanted them to write out the cards in their own handwriting. We opted for the "Thank you for your generous gift it will be very helpful with college in the fall,when the gift was money, however, they all recieved gifts, pen sets, book bags, gift cards to stores, jewerly (watches), those they specified the actual gift. Thank you for great watch. I will think of you when I wear it, or something to that effect! I hope this help you. Again, congratulations to the graduate!

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C.B.

answers from Detroit on

My son is sending out thank yous at present too. I suggested "Thank you for your very generous gift/monetary gift..." I'm hoping he kept a record of who gave what etc and that there were gracious ways of writing a thank you for just a card. I sent a card to someone graduating from Kettering, but no $. I didn't know if he was having a celebration or not, for one. For another, I figured he's already got a lucrative position somewhere, and my measily $20 would be nothing. Not to mention the fact that I was already paying for my son's party. I don't need to drain myself.

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S.L.

answers from Detroit on

from my graduations and wedding thank you's, I was told to say "Thank you for your gift of money" or if it was a larger amount, maybe even write it specifically "Thank you for your generous gift of $100. It will come in very useful during my college experience". I think that people want to be recognized for what they are giving and want to know that the recipient can recall who gave what. Especially if it were money. Simply saying "Thanks for the gift" is kinda vague and I know I would appreciate more specific.

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M.A.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hi E.,

I also have a graduate this year and sending thank you notes is something my daughter will be doing very soon. Her notes will sound something like this:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith, (do not call adults by their first names--it's rude),

Thank you very much for the gift of money (do not include dollar amount but if the gift is $50 or more, it's ok to say "generous"). I intend to put it towards a new laptop computer before heading off XYZ College to study ABC. It was a pleasure to visit with you at my party and I'm glad you were able to attend. Thank you again. I truly appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Graduate

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J.S.

answers from Detroit on

I would say just thank you for the gift of money.

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C.H.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I would say "thank you for your generous gift" and not refer to the specific amount.

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S.K.

answers from Detroit on

I was told that you never say the amount in the thank you. My daughter sent out her graduation thanks this year and I told her to say something about what the money is going towards.

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K.P.

answers from Detroit on

My son just graduated and he did not mention the amount. I don't think that is necessary, especially since most people give what they can. The examples you gave are perfect. The only thing they may want to discuss is how to address the person or people they are sending the thank you to i.e., Dear Mr. and Mrs. or "Grandma", etc. I hope the enjoyed his special day!

Kath

T.M.

answers from Lansing on

I don't think you need to include the amount, but I do think that they need to be in his handwriting - not his mom's.

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L.A.

answers from Detroit on

Personally, I think he should stick with "thank you for your generosity," or "thank you for your generous gift," or something similar. Some people might read too much into the mention of dollar amounts. As I think was already mentioned, for non-money presents he should actually say what he's thanking them for.
Congrats to your friend's son, and good luck to him in college! :)

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S.

answers from Detroit on

I'd put "thank you for your generous gift" with no dollar amount because some people might get offended.

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D.H.

answers from Detroit on

E. ~
He should write, "thank you for your gift of money it will come in handy with college expenses."
D.

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K.A.

answers from Detroit on

I agree with Darcy. I think it would be totally appropriate just to say thanks for the gift.

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