Graduation gifts

[Kewz1]

Ok, we've already received three graduation announcements and I'm expecting at least one more. What do you all suggest is an appropriate amount of $$ to give to a (high school) graduate?

I should add one of the guys is the son of a friend, another was in my wedding 14 years ago and I've had no contact with him since then (although I have see his parents) and the third is the son of very good friends (think: like family but better).

TIA!

Kristen

 

[Boots]

Hmm that is a toughie. I would probably send more to the son of the good friend than the others. Maybe $20 to the first too and then however much more you feel able to give to the one closest to you. I remember once I received two college invitations from the children of two sets of people that I had not seen or heard from in years, maybe 10. Plus their children didn't even acknowlege me then unless they had to, so I only sent them a congratulations card with no money. I bet they went over really well!!!!

 

[mrsheppo]

I usually give $25.00 if I like the kid and am friends with the parents. I had a co-worker last year give me an invitation to her daughter's graduation. This young lady was always nasty to me so I just sent a congratulations card. The mother then called to ask if I forgot something in the Card (such as money). I just replied "Oh, did I forget to sign it?"

 

[Meriweather]

My opinion

A card only to the one that you haven't seen in 14 years.
$25 to the son of a friend.
$50 to the one that is like family.

That's what I would do.

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by mrsheppo
I had a co-worker last year give me an invitation to her daughter's graduation. This young lady was always nasty to me so I just sent a congratulations card. The mother then called to ask if I forgot something in the Card (such as money). I just replied "Oh, did I forget to sign it?"

Well, at least we know where the daughter got her bad behavior from! How tacky!!

Personally, I only sent announcements to family and people I was close to, and expected nothing in return, but was pleasantly surprised when some of them mailed me a card...some with and some without something in it. But I know not everyone was raised with manners, so here's what I'd do....

If it's someone you would have gotten a gift with or without the announcement coming, then go ahead and send whatever you were thinking of...gift or money.

Those announcements coming from people you wouldn't have thought of recognizing at graduation should get a nice card with your warmest congratulations. Sticking money in it out of obligation when there's really no relationship there only encourages them to do the same at wedding and baby times!!

 

[Disney Doll]

Probably $25 to people who aren't really close, and $50 to someone who is.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

My DD is the 1st to graduate in my family. I just spent most of the day designing DD's graduation invite on the computer. I was going to do just an announcement and send it out to all of my relatives, but when I spoke with my mom(79) this morning, she told me not to, unless I want to invite everyone to the party I'm having after the graduation ceremony! So I opted to send out 5 invites to close family only...my mom, my brother and his family, my aunt(whom will probably travel with my mom) and my DD's 1/2 sisters and brother. I am a single mom, footing the bill for this party and there is no way I could do a houseful of people, like 40-50....15-20 is enough for me!
DD worked diligently on scholarship applications, hopefully it will pay off (we haven't heard yet) and more college $$ will come in.
I am giving her best friend a couple of books (Oh, the places I'll go-Seuss & The Idiots guide to surviving College and $25.00.
I also have 3 close friends that I've worked with for 20+years and I'm not even inviting them!
So, I say a card to the one you haven't seen in X years and $25 to the son's friend and $50.00 to the family one.

 

[outstandinfarmer]

My graduation wasn't too long ago and I would say $20 for the two who aren't close, and probably around $40 -$50 to the one you are close with.

This may sound bad, but don't bother sending congrats on grads with no money, just don't send them. I got some cards with no money from people we were aweful close to. It just kind of hurt my feelings. I'd rather think they just got too busy or misplaced the invite. I'm not a shallow person AT ALL, and I love a simple thoughtful card more than anyone, but when it came to my grad, I just felt not as important when they didn't send anything.

It's hard to explain. Really, things like this don't usually bother me, but I don't know, after we had did so much for their families. The thing I remember most, was an aunt who sent a little wood figure with metal wings. It wasn't the most expensive gift, but it meant the most because it showed me she cared.

There we go. That's what I'm trying to say. If you don't want to send money, send something little, just to show that you care and are thinking about them.

 

[Kewz1]

Thank you all for your responses!

I really appreciate it!

Kristen