Graduation gifts

**ConnieD** · 05-27-2008, 10:48 AM

Okay, I have a question as I'm not sure what is the "norm". We've recently received 2 invitations for Graduation Open Houses. These are highschool graduations. I need some gift suggestions and what is considered a reasonable amount to spend.

These are friend's kids. They both live in MI. We live in Canada and I find that it's a bigger deal in the US when kids graduate from highschool. I have a daughter who graduated highschool a couple years ago and her "party" consisted of having a bunch of friends over for a pool party. My parents and inlaws also came, but no gifts were given.

So.......... please help me out with what is considered in good taste, but not expensive as far as graduation gifts go. BTW, they are both boys who are graduating. Thanks!

**perSue** · 05-27-2008, 10:51 AM

honestly, for "friends of the family" to give gifts to the graduating kids... it's not necessary to give a gift... but if you want to, gift cards are the way to go!

i wouldnt spend more than 30$ on any particular gift or card.

it's usually the parents/grandparents that go all out on a kid's graduation from HS.

otherwise, since your "friends of the parents"... a gift card would be more than adequate.

If you know stuff they like... go for a specific store (ie, one loves video games, go for a store that specializes in games (GameStop,etc) or a store you know happens to have games (BestBuy, etc)).

Good luck!

**kck605** · 05-27-2008, 10:52 AM

Money is always good. Usually by that time they aren't getting as much from their parents...I know I appreciated it.

**chevy_chick95** · 05-27-2008, 10:53 AM

i would also give a gift card. $20 would be my limit. good luck

**PrairieRose** · 05-27-2008, 10:56 AM

Anything that would be useful in a 'first place' (i.e. dorm room or apt.) is always helpful. We often gave fabric duffle type laundry bags and had their names (first only) embroidered on them by one of those machine shops that does that. It made a personalized gift for about $10 or so. Money is always welcomed like the other posters said. Don't fret over it. It's really just so nice when people think of the graduate, you don't have to go all out......honestly.

**Neeley** · 05-27-2008, 11:02 AM

For family members I give around $50 in cash.

For friends of my kids I do between $25-$50 in cash.

For my friends' kids I do around $25-$50 in cash.

The actual amount all depends. You know, like how well I like him/her or the parents. Or how close we are to the graduate or the parents.

My step-brother and nephew both just graduated. Other than cash, gas gift cards and VISA gift cards were the next most popular (and appreciated) gift they received.

**sunshine** · 05-27-2008, 12:12 PM

I made candy bar wrappers and wrapped up Hershey candy bars for each member of my dd's graduating class this year.

I've also been known to write a check for the amount of the year, so this year's grads got $20.08

Money origami is fun -- I did some dollar bill rings for my dd's best friends.

Picture frames with pictures of the kids is good - dd got frames with pictures of the seniors at events that I couldn't attend. It was a nice gift, yet inexpensive as the frames were purchased at the Dollar store

fast food GC's are good

GC's to the college bookstore if you know where they are attending

School T-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.

I make "in a mug" recipes and give a small basket of them with a nice mug.

**coup** · 05-27-2008, 12:30 PM

Last year I gave $25 gasoline gift cards to a cousin and a neighbor.

I think I gave $50 to my nephew a few years back. I'll have to ask him so I can give the same amount to all of the nieces/nephews!

**ConnieD** · 05-27-2008, 12:48 PM

THANK YOU sooooooo much for some awesome ideas!!!!!!!
It was especially helpful to know how much to spend.

Both boys are going away to college so they'll have a lot of "needs" on their own. Whew......... didn't realize I was a little stressed about this, but now I'm feeling quite relieved :-)