Budget friendly graduation gift????

[TravelMommy]

My DH niece (1st of 9) is graduating from college, I don't think they are having a party, but we wanted to send her a gift and not break the bank. Any idea of something nice to send??? And if we did a gift card, what do you think would be adequate?? We have 8 more to go and I need to not disable the budget over this...TIA!

 

[martikus]

My DH niece (1st of 9) is graduating from college, I don't think they are having a party, but we wanted to send her a gift and not break the bank. Any idea of something nice to send??? And if we did a gift card, what do you think would be adequate?? We have 8 more to go and I need to not disable the budget over this...TIA!

We do $50 for nieces/nephews. We decided it was an amount we could handle for all of them.

 

[scrapquitler]

My DH niece (1st of 9) is graduating from college, I don't think they are having a party, but we wanted to send her a gift and not break the bank. Any idea of something nice to send??? And if we did a gift card, what do you think would be adequate?? We have 8 more to go and I need to not disable the budget over this...TIA!

My daughter received gifts ranging from $10 to $50, and was happy with all of them.

 

[TravelMommy]

My daughter received gifts ranging from $10 to $50, and was happy with all of them.

****We had an anniversary party/gift and 7 other birthdays this month, so I definitely need to keep things a bit more frugal, Thanks!!! for the helpful amount suggestions

 

[clh2]

I know this might sound like Scrooge, but we have 17 nieces and nephews. We simply do not give college graduation gifts to nieces and nephews. We have figured that between HS graduations, weddings, showers, babies etc, that it is something we did not want to add to our budget,

I know-that is not what you asked, but just passing along a point of view related to the topic.

 

[TravelMommy]

I know this might sound like Scrooge, but we have 17 nieces and nephews. We simply do not give college graduation gifts to nieces and nephews. We have figured that between HS graduations, weddings, showers, babies etc, that it is something we did not want to add to our budget,

I know-that is not what you asked, but just passing along a point of view related to the topic.

****Wow, and I thought we had alot!!! No, your not Scrooge. I do appreciate your point of view and honestly, I don't want to spend so much $$$ on gifts that it starts to impact my own family...I keep thinking that with upcoming Weddings, baby showers, more birthdays...., how the heck are we going to do it..... I did give a HS graduation and honestly this is making me think, I might do a thoughtful small gift or just a card and call it a day

 

[sheetz]

Not exactly sure of your price range but what about a pen? Staples.com has some Cross pens on clearance for $15.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I actually love Dr. Seuss' book "Oh, The Places You'll Go" as a graduation gift. You can always add a small gift card to it if you want something more. But a book with a personal inscription written by you inside is a great keepsake.

http://www.amazon.com/Oh-Places-You...keywords=oh+the+places+you'll+go+by+dr.+seuss

 

[TravelMommy]

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for, thoughtful and won't break the bank, and just what I was looking for. I LOVE the Dr. Suess book idea! how cute

 

[wellesleyprincess]

I come from a tight knit family and there are 6 cousins but we are pretty spread out. I would say I got $25-50 gift cards plus a gift (book, iPod dock, picture frame, etc.) from most of my aunts and uncles

 

[scrapquitler]

Oops....I misread the original post. I assumed you were asking about High School graduation, and my answer referenced the gifts my daughter got for high school graduation.

Either way, I think that you should stick with whatever amount works for your budget. When my husband and I graduated from college, we actually didn't get ANY gifts from anyone. Congratulations cards, yes. $$ or gifts, no. I think there isn't as much expectation for college graduation gifts, but maybe that's just in my circle of friends/family.

 

[LJSquishy]

How about taking her out to dinner, dessert only, or coffee (if she's local)?

I wouldn't do the Dr. Seuss book -- it's so overdone, she probably got 4 of them for her high school graduation. Also, she'll probably donate it. I don't mean to be offensive, but it's what is likely to happen.

Even something like a nice leather bound notebook would be a nice gift. Gift cards are always appreciated and depending on the type could be anywhere from $15 - $50...I'd do $15 for somewhere like Starbucks but if you do a restaurant you would need to do $25 or $50. Perhaps she'd like a certificate for a massage, pedicure, or manicure with a little note saying you're proud of how hard she's worked toward achieving her goal and you wanted to treat her to a little relaxing time for herself.

She'd also probably love fresh flowers...something local if she lives in your area, or shipped from TheBouqs.com if she doesn't.

 

[havaneselover]

Oops....I misread the original post. I assumed you were asking about High School graduation, and my answer referenced the gifts my daughter got for high school graduation.

Either way, I think that you should stick with whatever amount works for your budget. When my husband and I graduated from college, we actually didn't get ANY gifts from anyone. Congratulations cards, yes. $$ or gifts, no. I think there isn't as much expectation for college graduation gifts, but maybe that's just in my circle of friends/family.

Our family was like this too. High school graduation was the end of gifts from aunts and uncles (except for wedding and baby gifts).

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

If the student is going off to college I recommend getting something that they can use in college... even a $10-$15 gift card to Barnes & Noble would be great... they need a lot of notebooks and stuff school related. I'm in college and I can say the expenses for books, etc are insane. I would love a giftcard to the B&N (no matter how small)!

Edit - oops, I also thought high school graduation! I honestly wouldn't send a gift for College graduation, nor do I expect to receive any (minus the trip my mom planned to take me on when I graduate). If you really want to do something, send a nice card and maybe a $5 card for a coffee at Starbucks.

 

[megsoro]

My mother gives out leather business card wallets. It holds 20 or so of their business card. It's a lot classier to pull one out of the case instead if some pocket where they might get crimped/ripped!

 

[kymom99]

Three of my husband's nieces graduated from college and sent announcements, so we gave $20. We give more for high school. I think any gift will be appreciated.

 

[TravelMommy]

Three of my husband's nieces graduated from college and sent announcements, so we gave $20. We give more for high school. I think any gift will be appreciated.

****I am sure you are right and she is a great kid and I know she will appreciate anything, I wish we could do more, but I know she will appreciate the thought

 

[TravelMommy]

I come from a tight knit family and there are 6 cousins but we are pretty spread out. I would say I got $25-50 gift cards plus a gift (book, iPod dock, picture frame, etc.) from most of my aunts and uncles

***Thank you, that is good to know, this is the high end of what I was thinking. The next oldest niece graduates from college next year....


I really like the Starbucks Gift Card idea and the leather business card holder-is brilliant!!! Honestly, thank you all so much for the great ideas!

 

[msmama]

Does she have a job? What was her major?

Maybe something more personal if you think she will appreciate the though. Maybe a nice framed picture for her desk if her job requires desk work? Another option, since this is the budget board, is some kind of "welcome to the real world" kind of book - maybe on managing finances or something practical like that.

 

[descovy]

Write a check to the graduate for $20.15