Fiance Coaches 20 Graduating High Schoolers...

[purplebelle]

Hi: I could use some opinions!

My fiance coaches soccer to a group of 20 boys all graduating from high school in May/June. I am already anticipating he will be getting many invitations to grad parties as we've gotten 4 invitations in the last week. He's very close with the boys and has known many since they were 9 years old or so, and is well-liked by the families.

What do you all think is appropriate to gift to these boys as we're going to their grad parties? We have a wedding to pay for in 4 months, so money isn't exactly in abundance right now. What is appropriate for a coach to do in situations like these? I would assume it's similar to being a teacher and have a classroom of kids celebrating something, so maybe some of you can shed some light. Expectations? Thoughts? Please!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

A card with a written memory. I don't think any student would expect a gift from a teacher/coach.

 

[GreatDaneMom]

I would bring some cool snacks to one of the practices so the team could celebrate as a group. The food and party atmosphere are the coaches gift to them.

 

[golfgal]

I remember those days back when we were newly married and I was coaching. We had 10 parties to go to in ONE DAY, I think we had 40 some parties overall. That year I gave all the kids a card and an address book (before cell phones and personal computers). I would agree that the kids aren't expecting anything from the coach. If you want to give them something, a card and $5 would be fine but even just the card would be fine.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

My ds is a hs basketball coach but he is also in college himself, so I understand the tight money situation.

I agree with the other poster, maybe a note, team photo, and maybe a $5 gift card to Mc Donalds or Wendys or Taco Bell etc. Since HS boys know how to order off the $1 menu likes its a science!!

 

[disneyfan007]

My son graduated a year ago. He invited coaches to his party from the sports he participated in. He did not really anticipate any gifts but the one coach got him a card which he wrote a very nice personal message to him in along with one of the huge Hersey's bars you can buy for like $2.00 I think. (which my son loved by the way) The other coach got him a card and a flash drive for his computer for school. Sometimes you can find those fairly cheap at Staples. I am not a coach but due to my son graduating we attended LOTS of parties last year. My standard gift was from Kohls. They had the large bath towels on sale for like $2.99. The ones going to college got towels. I will be doing the same this year.

 

[purplebelle]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I really like the idea of a flash drive! Also, since my fiance is English, we can probably give English chocolates. Thanks for your help!

 

[missypie]

When my Son was making the rounds of grad parties I didn't want to send him to any empty handed. I bought a bunch of gift bags and tissue in the school colors. In each gift bag went:

a bag of assorted Hershey's mini-chocolate bars (I don't know anyone who doesn't like those)

some neon-colored chip clips, for future dorm use (I think they were magnetic, too.)

Another inexpensive possiblity to go with the mini-chocolates would be a package of multi-colored dry erase markers that attach to a white board...everyone in Son's dorm seems to have them.

 

[Sparx]

When my Son was making the rounds of grad parties I didn't want to send him to any empty handed. I bought a bunch of gift bags and tissue in the school colors. In each gift bag went:

a bag of assorted Hershey's mini-chocolate bars (I don't know anyone who doesn't like those)

some neon-colored chip clips, for future dorm use (I think they were magnetic, too.)

Another inexpensive possiblity to go with the mini-chocolates would be a package of multi-colored dry erase markers that attach to a white board...everyone in Son's dorm seems to have them.

I think the gift bags sounds like a great idea.

 

[Sparx]

My ds is a hs basketball coach but he is also in college himself, so I understand the tight money situation.

I agree with the other poster, maybe a note, team photo, and maybe a $5 gift card to Mc Donalds or Wendys or Taco Bell etc. Since HS boys know how to order off the $1 menu likes its a science!!

I was going to suggest the gift card too, but $5 x 20 students=$100, which is a little too much if money is tight.