8th grade graduation cash?

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

A friend's son is graduating from 8th grade and they're throwing him a party. i can't recall ever going to an 8th grade graduation party so I have no idea what a good amonut of cash to give him would be. Any suggestions?

 

[flipturngirl]

When I graduated from 8th grade I did not get anything because the graduation was not a big deal. you could give a gift card to a local store or movie passes.

 

[babytrees]

Oh dear!! I didn't know I was supposed to give my 8th grader a party.
I don't think she even knows to ask for money. I also don't think she knows she's supposed to have a party. We will probably go out to dinner that night but geesh....things sure have changed since I went from Junior High to HS.

OP-I would rather give an 8th grader a gift card to somewhere than money.

 

[ntburns22]

I have never heard of all these "extra" graduation parties until I started to DIS. I would say something like movie passes or along those lines.

 

[Dznypal]

but then they were in private school so the school went from k4-8

so you went right to HS no middle school

as I recall both kids got mostly GC

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Back when I was in 8th grade, my school was K-12 so we didn't do the 8th grade graduation. He is going to high school next year, so I guess there is an actual graduation. Not only is it a party, but it's an (and I quote from the e-vite) "Asian Inspired Graduation Dinner Party". I thought of a gift card, but I wouldn't even know where to get one from. I have three girls so I have no idea what 13 y/o boys are into. I'm not sure if they allow video games or not, and I don't really want to ask b/c I kinda feel like I should know(we've been friends since this kid was like 5). I just figured cash would be the easiest. Then if he wants school clothes or supplies or vacation money or whatever he can use it for that.

 

[3Phase]

Treat it as you would treat a birthday party gift, $10-20. Lets see...I was in 8th grade about 28 years ago. I had a graduation party. One of my daughters will be graduating 8th this year, and we are throwing her a party. It's very common in our parts.

 

[MinnieM3]

It's common here for schools, like mine, that end at 8th grade.... like 4K - 8th grade. There's a graduation at Kindergarten and then nothing until 8th grade. They have caps and gowns and the whole nine yards. It's huge. If it's like that, I'd send a card with $25 dollar minimum.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Thank goodness DD#1 was just confirmed 2 weeks ago so she would never dream of expecting money/party for her 8th grade grad. I remember we had a big dance we called the "8th grade prom" and the teachers yelled at us for calling it a prom--that was in 77! They have an awards ceremony followed by a dance here.
You know it seems in some parts of the country they make the biggest deals out of stuff, but it's the parents that suffer!
Robin M.

 

[golfgal]

At the Catholic school (K-8) they have a Graduation ceremony and that is a big deal to the kids however no one has parties. The kids get gifts from parents and maybe grandparents but not friends. I would think $15 would be sufficient. I know my 8th grader would be happy with that. If you want to do the gift card route one to a movie theater or movie rental store would be good but I think cash is fine.

 

[newholidayx2]

When I was in school long long time ago when we graduated from Junior High we did have caps and gowns.
DS is "graduating" from 8th grade in June. He'll be entering the high school in the fall. His school doesnt call it a graduation - its a moving up ceremony during the last day of school in the morning. We'll give him about $75 in gifts (cash, gift cards) and take him to dinner. His birthday is next week and we're doing the same.

 

[Mary Ellen]

I thought when you 'graduated', some went on for further education - while others didn't. I guess they don't have a lot of expatiations for their child. Back in my parents/grandparents day (pre WWII), an 8th grade graduation was something, as not everyone went on to high school.

 

[Sherri]

Now I am feeling pretty bad that I haven't planned a party for my son who will be graduating from 8th grade. I didn't know people did that. He just had 86 kids to his 14th birthday so I can't do anything that big again. I am thinking of a small family party then.
As far as a gift, I would suggest movie tickets or a mall gift card or a savings bond.