gift for 8th grade graduation

[Pigeon]

My dd is graduating from 8th grade. She's a great kid, has done well in jr. high and I'm sure will win a bunch of academic achievement awards.

Her gift is being allowed to go to 9th grade next year.

 

[allison443]

My DD goes to a Catholic grade school. In my family, it has always been celebrated. In addition, the school makes it a big deal. My DD told me next years graduating class will wear cap and gown. Her class voted it down for this year.

My dds also went to Catholic elementary school, and they were together with the same 40-50 kids from grades K to 9. After eighth grade, the kids split up to attend maybe ten different high schools (Catholic, private, public). My dd and her two best friends all went to different high schools.

The school actually does have a graduation ceremony, with cap and gown, awards, etc. This isn't anything new though-I had the same thing many many years ago when I graduated Catholic grammar school.

Of course we all expect our kids to graduate elementary school, it isn't really marking an "achievement" but more of a milestone, like some people mark the age of 15 or 16, etc. I also expect my kids to graduate high school and college and I will mark those milestones as well.

OP I like the idea of a high school sweatshirt, or maybe some gift cards for some places/activities your child might like to go in the summer.

 

[NotUrsula]

At our school, the suit is required. We spent about $200 on DS', which he wore for Confirmation and will also wear for graduation. I had it tailored with a bit of growth room, so he'll be able to wear it for awhile still.

He is getting a large graduation gift; a laptop that is required by his HS. Graduation day also happens to be his birthday, so it's a double-dip. Normally we would not buy such an expensive gift, but we don't have a choice about the laptop, so we thought we'd kill two birds with one stone.

 

[diswish]

We gave our DD an entry level guitar for her 8th grade graduation. Her college graduation is next week and she still plays that guitar!

 

[abbyndrewmom]

My dd is also graduating 8th grade. It has always been a big deal around here, I still remember my grade 8 graduation and want her to have the same memories. I got a trip to England for my graduation, unfortunately my daughter won't be getting the same thing. I don't understand the reasoning behind grade 8 graduation is expected? At our house so is highschool and college/university graduation that doesn't mean I won't make a big deal about them. My son is graduating Grade 6 and I'm graduating from college. It is a busy year for us!

My daughter is getting a Coach purse and probably a ring or necklace with her birthstone. She already has her dress and will be getting a mani/pedi as well as her hair done before the ceremony. We will either go out for a nice dinner or maybe invite her friends and family back to our house for dinner after the ceremony. She is in school till the end of June so lots of time to figure out the details.

Allison

 

[Donnainnj]

Funny 8th grade graduation was one of the few things my parents made a big deal over. (there were some birthdays they forgot, but then Ddad frequently forgets his own birthday) I got a party, and jewelry. My DD had the choice of a Confirmation party in November or a shared graduation party in the summer. Her sister graduates High School this year. She chose the Confirmation party, the girls shared birthday parties all while growing up, so she wanted her own party. For graduation she already got an Ipod touch, it was a combined gift for graduation and her birthday. Boy does she love it.
Donna

 

[TaraPA]

Being promoted from 8th grade to 9th grade is expected in my family and not really worthy of a celebration, IMO.

I see this as a kind of trend where kids celebrate graduating from pre-k, k, 5th grade ect...Just like every kid gets a trophy kind of thing, which I, personally, do not agree with, either. I want their HS and college graduations to be THE BIG DEAL and not, ho hum, for them.

Ditto.

Around here in public school there's no such thing as "graduating" 8th grade. You pass or you fail & you continue on to 9th grade! I guess different areas have different customs. Some schools around here (including the one I graduated from) only had Elementary K-6 and then High School 7-12 & there was only graduation at the end of 12th.

I'd keep the gift school related - like others said, a nice sweatshirt with the school name/logo or a new backpack, tote, etc.

 

[dislal]

My son will be finishing 8th grade this year, too.

He isn't getting anything.

 

[Minnie's Pal]

A pat on the back & "Good job"

 

[pigletto]

I'm pretty sure the poster asked...
"Wondering what to get her for graduating? Thanks for any suggestions."

Not..
"Tell me why it's not a big deal and imply a zillion reasons why it's spoiling them and ridiculous to get them a gift"

I mean sure.. I expect her to graduate. And I'm still proud of her when she does. I also expect her to reach another birthday.. and will probably get her a gift for that too. Big Deal.

 

[Redheadmom]

My daughter is also graduation 8th grade in 2 weeks. Our chatholic school makes a big deal out of it with a caps and gowns, and a graduation mass. We upgraded her cell phone to a I phone for her graduation gift.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Our daughter will be graduating 8th grade as well. We see it more as a milestone, going from middle to high school. We will be giving her a necklace and a hoodie from the high school she will attend in the fall. We will also take her out to dinner after the graduation ceremony if she is able. She is having major surgery and will do the rest of the school year in a wheelchair so we aren't sure she will feel up to dinner. If not, we'll order in!

 

[momto2inKC]

My son will be finishing 8th grade this year, too.

He isn't getting anything.

Same here The only celebrated grade accomplishement is 12th grade around here. And I'm happy for that!!!

 

[Cindy B]

I have an 8th grader and I teach 8th grade.

For my students, this is a huge deal. Caps/gowns, formal wear under the cap/gowns -with a black and white theme. There is an almost prom type social. We have three barbques and open houses.

Truth be told, I have older 8th graders. 16 is the age of consent (you can quit school then with parental consent). My principal, other teachers and parents have told me that this 8th grade graduation is the only one they will have.. they will either quit school, get hurt/killed, or find something else to do. I have some students that can quit before they finish 8th grade because they are at age 16.

So because of this challenging environment, they go all out for these students.

For my own daughter, we will do the same as my son. A dinner out (her choice) and one small gift (less than 50 dollars)

 

[stacy2197]

my son will be graduating 8th grade also. We are leaving for Disney the next day since it was the last day to get free dining. I think it kind of gets us of the hook for gifts or parties or whatever. He got strait A's so were proud, but the idea of 8th grade graduation seems kind of strange to me. I can understand in areas were maybe graduation from highschool is not a given but in this area it pretty much is.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

My son is graduating from the 8th grade this year. I didn't know I was supposed to give him anything?

I guess the $700 we are spending on his class trip to DC should suffice.

 

[ORDisneyfans]

Thanks for bringing this up! My DD 13 (and my oldest so not sure about protocol or precedent) is also "graduating" 8th grade this June. I have to say with Honors night, 8th grade dance, cheerleading tryouts for next year already and her 14th BD which happens to be on the last day of school, I had not given it a second thought! Bad Mom!

She has already requested a new dress for Honors, a new dress for the dance and we have been doing cheer practice 2-3 x per week. Not sure what she will expect or get for graduating too! LOL!

I do admit my DH gives her a crisp $100 for every straight A report card. Started out as a lark in the 6th grade and she has been determined to get one every term!! Unforunately her sister who is a 2nd grader thinks she should get one too! We have said she has to wait until middle school!! I am not wanting to set another precedent for a big gift or party as lil sis will not let us forget it when it is her turn!

On that note I will say she would love a Debit card!!! I think you have to be 14 or 15 at our bank, but I might look into it. She usually has money, but never brings it with her when we shop... (Oh Mom I'll pay you back...) This might solve that dilemna and actually save me money!!!

Other things I know she would love (but I don't plan on buying) a Coach purse or wristlet, Iphone, Tiffany jewelry (very popular is the toggle bracelet about $200 that we bought her for xmas), cash in any amount, clothes or a shopping spree out of town! Though mom is cheap, my DD has pretty expensive taste! No budget girl here! Have fun!

 

[MrsPete]

We usually go out to dinner (kids' choice) at report card time and end-of-the-year to celebrate good grades/passing a grade, but we don't make a big-big deal out of them accomplishing what's expected of them. Their dad sometimes brings them grocery-store flowers, which makes them feel very grown up.

If you feel that you should do something more to celebrate, the high school sweatshirt is a good idea -- it's not over-blown, and it's something you'd buy next year anyway.

The laptop is not a great idea. High school kids need access to a computer for homework occasionally -- mainly word processing and printing -- but they don't require it so often that they need a laptop of their own. We have two family computers and one printer (for two adults and two teens, both in honors classes), and we don't have problems sharing. Unlimited access to a computer is more likely to encourage excessive gaming or Facebooking than additional time spent on homework. IF your student takes an online course (which doesn't happen 'til senior year here), a computer of his own might be in order, but before that it's a luxury and a time-suck. I teach high school, so I know what I'm talking about!

Your student WILL need a laptop for college, but it's better to go away with a new, up-to-date computer at that time -- not four-year-old technology. So if you're buying a laptop NOW for an 8th grader, you should absolutely plan to replace it when he starts college; only you and your budget know whether that sounds like a little splurge or a huge sacrafice.

Something a new high schooler will need is a graphing calculator. The TI-84 Silver Edition Plus (I sound like a commercial) is the big boy on the block and will see your student through high school and college courses, meaning that although you'll pay a big price, you won't have to replace it in a couple years.

 

[scrapquitler]

Our daughter is graduating from 8th grade. Wondering what to get her for graduating? Thanks for any suggestions.

My parents gave me an electric typewriter Of course I read just a few days ago that the last typewriter factory in the world just closed, so I guess that your 8th grader isn't going to want one. LOL When I graduated from high school and from college, I didn't get gifts from my parents (paying for college as much as they were able was a gift)

If you want to give her something, I suppose a practical gift (like what my parents gave me) that will help her succeed in high school would be appropriate, like a scientific calculator, a laptop or something like that.

I probably wouldn't even be inclined to give my children a gift for 8th grade graduation. To me, it's not a big monumental occasion, but I'm not very sentimental.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I don't think I got my son anything - he's 17 now, though, so maybe I'm forgetting. I'd just get her some flowers or maybe flowers and a new book/journal?