Graduation gifts?

[Pei4ever]

I have a nephew graduating high school next week and need some help on gifts! I was thinking money but I don't know what the norm would be for the amount. I don't want to be overly generous or seem like a tight wad

 

[Pixieshouse]

I have the same question. I have a niece that is graduating and I don't know if she is going on to college or not. Not sure what I should be getting for her.

 

[buckler]

I'm in the same boat...but in my case it's a niece. I was thinking about a Bed Bath & Beyond gift card so she can buy stuff for her dorm room. I was thinking $50 but my husband was thinking $100. We compromised on $50 and a small bag of stuff from Bath and Bodyworks (I have a store credit from a gift I returned).

 

[msmayor]

My favorite gift to give a high-school graduate going on to college is a gift certificate to the bookstore of the college they'll be attending.

Most of the schools offer them, and they've always been greatly appreciated. Its a nice way for the student to either help pay for textbooks, or buy that great school sweatshirt they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.

 

[Vijoge]

My favorite gift to give a high-school graduate going on to college is a gift certificate to the bookstore of the college they'll be attending.

Most of the schools offer them, and they've always been greatly appreciated. Its a nice way for the student to either help pay for textbooks, or buy that great school sweatshirt they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.

Excellent idea. My son, who is graduating on Thursday, would be very pleased to receive such a gift.

 

[shopnfun2me2]

My nephew is also graduating. We got him a 2007 limited edition Case knife and had his name and date engraved in it. He is the outdoors type loved it. It cost around $75. We also got him a digital voice recorder for college and a 2007 keepsake box. I can't believe he is 18! I am getting old!!!

 

[buckler]

My nephew is also graduating. We got him a 2007 limited edition Case knife and had his name and date engraved in it. He is the outdoors type loved it. It cost around $75. We also got him a digital voice recorder for college and a 2007 keepsake box. I can't believe he is 18! I am getting old!!!

OK...now I look cheap! Would you be my aunt?

We normally only give her $25 for Christmas or her birthday so I thought $50 was enough.

 

[EthansMom]

Personally, for a high school graduation of a (relatively) close relative, I would go for a minimum of $50. For a good kid, if I don't have a lot of nieces and nephew ('cause I'd want to give them all about the same amount), I'd probably go for $100.

I don't spend more than $25 per niece/nephew on birthday and Christmas gifts, but graduating from school is something that only happens once... and the kids can usually use the money for going to college or starting out with a job.

 

[madge]

I usually give a copy of Dr. Suess' Oh, the Places You'll Go and a $25 gift card or check. Unless it's someone we're very close to, then the money amount is $40.

 

[Chris]

My favorite gift to give a high-school graduate going on to college is a gift certificate to the bookstore of the college they'll be attending.

Most of the schools offer them, and they've always been greatly appreciated. Its a nice way for the student to either help pay for textbooks, or buy that great school sweatshirt they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.

GREAT idea!!! I've got to remember this one!

 

[disneygirlatheart]

Our niece is graduating next week and we plan on giving a card and 100 cash.

 

[rockstargeisha]

I'd suggest an amount of $100 on a giftcard to somewhere like Target or even Best Buy. That way anything he may need to for dorm decorating, school supplies, or electronics can be purchased.

 

[snomofinn]

My nephew and my goddaughter will be graduating within a few weeks, I will give them both the same 200.00. There both close to us and we would like to help them get things for college or they could put the money toward books. I remember when my daugher graduated from high school, everyone was so generous and it really helped her out the first year. I also have a 8th grade graduation to go to (my next door neighboor's daughter) which is also a good friend of my DD13. We'll probably give her 50.00.

 

[Pei4ever]

Thank you everyone for your replies! It has really helped alot; I am horrible about making those type of decisions

 

[cajunpeach]

I was wondering the same thing. In my case, it's for (not so close to) cousins out of state so I guess I will stick with $25.00. I love the Dr. Seuss book idea and the college book store gc ideas.

For close relatives going to college, I make gift baskets out of small laundry baskets filled with detergent, rolls of quarters, fabric softner, sheets to fit dorm beds, and cold hard cash! It was the hit of the party, and such needed items.

 

[ah1126]

One of the most useful gifts I got at graduation was a suitcase. It was perfect for going off to college and trips home with dirty laundry. It is something that I have been able to get a lot of use out of. As a family we had luggage that we all used, but nothing that was just mine. Hope this helps!