Another HS Graduation Gift Question

[pixiedustaholic]

My DD graduated from high school in 2015. I did not send any type of announcement to any of my coworkers because I didn't want it to feel like I was expecting gifts for her. We do have a company newsletter and all graduates are announced in that. One of my coworkers insisted on baking the cake for DD's graduation party as a gift and I was extremely grateful as it did save me money and it was delicious.

Fast forward to this year and my supervisor's daughter is graduating and I received an announcement in the mail at home. He really is the nicest guy and I wouldn't want to work for anyone else. He looks out for me and treats me very well. We are both very family oriented and I'm sure he probably just wanted to share it with me since he is such a proud dad. Anyway, now I feel like I should give her a gift. I hadn't really planned on giving his daughter a gift prior to receiving the announcement. I normally give cash for graduation in various amounts depending on the relationship I have with the graduate/family. I'm just really unsure of an appropriate amount in this case. Any suggestions? I don't want to seem cheap but I also don't want to break the bank.

 

[TwoMisfits]

My DD graduated from high school in 2015. I did not send any type of announcement to any of my coworkers because I didn't want it to feel like I was expecting gifts for her. We do have a company newsletter and all graduates are announced in that. One of my coworkers insisted on baking the cake for DD's graduation party as a gift and I was extremely grateful as it did save me money and it was delicious.

Fast forward to this year and my supervisor's daughter is graduating and I received an announcement in the mail at home. He really is the nicest guy and I wouldn't want to work for anyone else. He looks out for me and treats me very well. We are both very family oriented and I'm sure he probably just wanted to share it with me since he is such a proud dad. Anyway, now I feel like I should give her a gift. I hadn't really planned on giving his daughter a gift prior to receiving the announcement. I normally give cash for graduation in various amounts depending on the relationship I have with the graduate/family. I'm just really unsure of an appropriate amount in this case. Any suggestions? I don't want to seem cheap but I also don't want to break the bank.

If it's an announcement, there's no need to buy a gift. If it's an invite, that would be different.

If you still feel obligated, $20-$25 is an adequate amount.

 

[verleniahall]

What about a Laundry gift?? Laundry Basket, Tide Free and Clear, non-scented dryer sheets, hangers, mesh bag for underthings, and a roll of quarters.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Ideas that I have seen on here that I am keeping in reserve (my DD and her friends graduate in 2017) - a check in the amount of the graduation year ($20.16) and microwavable coffee/soup mugs with lids, along with hot chocolate and soup packets (I will probably have to search for that thread when the time comes - I can't remember all the details).

 

[Leigha]

I think it would be a good idea to go ahead and get the gift and I'm pretty thrifty myself! Our invitations are very limited so I don't think you can judge by that. I don't think you'll regret sending a gift but you may regret not doing it.

 

[mjkacmom]

What about a Laundry gift?? Laundry Basket, Tide Free and Clear, non-scented dryer sheets, hangers, mesh bag for underthings, and a roll of quarters.

Dd19 attends one of the oldest universities in the US, and they don't even have laundries that take quarters. Ds18's college has free laundry.

 

[Aliceacc]

My son's school has you swipe your card for laundry; I don't think it takes quarters either. But if you pull out the roll of quarters, that's a great idea.

Or, if you know what school the girl is attending, you can get her a school T shirt. Or find out what chain restaurants (Applebees/ TGI Fridays, Chilies kind of stuff) is near the campus and get her a gift card.

 

[powellrj]

Dd19 attends one of the oldest universities in the US, and they don't even have laundries that take quarters. Ds18's college has free laundry.

My DDs school also has free laundry. I think they may also have free dryer sheets and detergent. Not sure about the last one, but I know the laundry is free. She brought 3 weeks worth home for summer break. I was a little peeved since it is free at school and our water bill is high enough without her bringing her laundry home from school. I swear she changes clothes 3 times a day!

 

[scrapquitler]

My DD graduated from high school in 2015. I did not send any type of announcement to any of my coworkers because I didn't want it to feel like I was expecting gifts for her. We do have a company newsletter and all graduates are announced in that. One of my coworkers insisted on baking the cake for DD's graduation party as a gift and I was extremely grateful as it did save me money and it was delicious.

Fast forward to this year and my supervisor's daughter is graduating and I received an announcement in the mail at home. He really is the nicest guy and I wouldn't want to work for anyone else. He looks out for me and treats me very well. We are both very family oriented and I'm sure he probably just wanted to share it with me since he is such a proud dad. Anyway, now I feel like I should give her a gift. I hadn't really planned on giving his daughter a gift prior to receiving the announcement. I normally give cash for graduation in various amounts depending on the relationship I have with the graduate/family. I'm just really unsure of an appropriate amount in this case. Any suggestions? I don't want to seem cheap but I also don't want to break the bank.

I would just send a card congratulating her. I wouldn't enclose a check, a gift card or any other sort of a gift, and I wouldn't feel guilty or cheap, either.

 

[shoney]

until the DIS I had never heard of high school grad announcements.

If I received one, I would think they were sending it to give me the opportunity to send a gift. If I barely knew the person, I would throw it in the garbage. In this case I would send a gift card $25 or a check for 20.16.

Honestly I do not see the point of sending them. Anyone that I am close enough to give a gift to, I would know they are graduating and announcement is not necessary.

 

[Mkid451]

I would say if it were just an announcement, you probably aren't on the hook. If it were an invite to a party or the actual ceremony, it might be different. If you still want a gift, I will say that out of all the things I got when I graduated high school, the best gift I received was a first aid kit. One of my mom's friends got one of those plastic shoe box sized tubs and filled it with band aids, cough drops, cough syrup, a thermometer, tylenol, tums, neosporin, anti-gas and anti-diarrheal, (and probably some other things as well.) Then she wrote her graduation greeting on the lid of the box instead of a separate card. It was perhaps the most practical gift I ever received, and it was certainly the most useful. I made more friends on my freshmen hall with that box of bandaids then I did the rest of my college career. 8 years later I still keep the box well stocked, and every time I open it I see that graduation greeting on the lid. If you were to do some bargain shopping at walmart you could easily keep the gift affordable (under the $20 you plan), and it would have far more going for it than just the monetary value you put into it.

 

[Sagginit]

When I graduated college my mother's coworker got me a gift as they were close and she wanted to congratulate me. She got me a picture frame to hold a picture of my first graduation and then my last, it was a nice ceramic style frame. My mother still has the frame on display to this day and people find it really cut to see my pre-k kindergarten picture next to my college one. She also got me a mug which I still use. If you have a graduation section at walmart or hallmark you can pick up something small like that and a card. Most everyone gave me cash or giftcards, so that was the cheaper option for her co-worker as she spent less than $25 on both but appreciated on my part as it was nice to have a memento to mark the occasion.

 

[Hikergirl]

OP, do you have a personal relationship outside of work with your boss and his family? If not I wouldn't feel guilty about not sending anything, especially if you don't even know the girl.
If you feel that you have to send something, keep it simple like a check for $25

 

[Soulsearching]

llbean sells a Water resistant Toiletry Organizer Bag. They can bring all their stuff to the shower with them in one bag. I buy them in the College colors they are attending. They go over over very well. Makes a great gift. Come in different price ranges.