High School Graduation Gift Amount?

[Neesy228]

Our babysitter is graduating from high school. She's been helping us out for about 6 months and we're casual friends with her parents. Her grad party is tomorrow and I have no idea how much money to give her as a gift. I welcome any/all opinions! Thanks!

 

[sylvesterT21]

Our babysitter is graduating from high school. She's been helping us out for about 6 months and we're casual friends with her parents. Her grad party is tomorrow and I have no idea how much money to give her as a gift. I welcome any/all opinions! Thanks!

You don't have to give a huge amount....especially if you pay her for the babysitting itself.

If she is going to college, I would recommend a gift certificate to Barnes & Nobles or her school bookstore....maybe for $15-25, or if you want to be more generous more is good too.

But I think giving the gift is more meant to be a sweet gesture, not a huge repayment for her services. Of course if you like her and her family and are glad to give a big gift, that is good too....but that is not necessary.

 

[momtomorgan]

think 20-25 dollars would be enough.






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[Derek's Mom]

i usually do gift cards to wal-mart or meijers for 20.00

 

[scootch]

$20 is what most give around here.... sometimes you can get away with $10. If you plan to keep her babysitting for you, I would give $20

 

[bdcp]

I give $50 to friends and family. I think especially since she's your babysitter and has been helping with your children, you should give her more than $20-25. Afterall, she's been caring for them for you. This gift isn't about how well you know her parents, but about what she has done for your family. Just my $.02.

 

[ZuZugal]

If she has been a good, dependable sitter then why not pay her $40/$50 if you can afford that? That's what I would give in this situation.

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

What do you think about a girl that goes to your church, I am friendly with her mother, mostly I see her at church, we don't talk on the phone or anything. What would you give?

 

[mikkishelles]

I say give what you can afford. Personally, I would give $100. It's a big step in a kid's life and if she is there for you when you need her, it's a way to show she is appreciated.

 

[wishtdream]

$100 is pretty much the standard around here.

 

[lila]

Yes, I think $50-100 is more appropriate.

 

[wdwfan1]

I agree--$50 minimum, $100 is better if you can afford it.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I say give what you can afford. Personally, I would give $100. It's a big step in a kid's life and if she is there for you when you need her, it's a way to show she is appreciated.

I agree, thats what we give, and I happen to NOTICE, you're also from NY.
Things just seem to be more money here (ie, weddings we do $500) Figures!
I say do what you can afford to do.

 

[mikkishelles]

I agree, thats what we give, and I happen to NOTICE, you're also from NY.
Things just seem to be more money here (ie, weddings we do $500) Figures!
I say do what you can afford to do.

Yeah, if I gave someone 20 bucks for a graduation, they'd look at me like I was out of my mind.

 

[LSchrow]

Yes, I think $50-100 is more appropriate.

yup

 

[Minniemouse07]

I don't do cash gifts... graduations, weddings, birthdays... I prefer shopping for something the person (or couple) can use instead.

Dh is the eldest grandchild on his dad's side ...there are about ten of them and the next eldest one is 18yrs younger...so we've been going through a LOT of graduation parties over the last few years!

Some gifts we've given:

One of those plastic shelf units on wheels filled w/ supplies and office stuff (stapler/remover, pens, pencils, sharpener, ruler, scissors, paper, paper clips, glue, tape, etc.). Sounds kind of lame but all that stuff really adds up and both of the recipients (we made sure they were going away to school and staying in a dorm) came to us the following Christmas telling us how much they appreciated the gift... and how all their friends at school appreciated it too!

That was before I had kids and had the time (and energy) to put it together.

Last year we gave dh's three graduating cousins portable USB drives (aka memory sticks). They all had their own laptops but we thought the USB drives would be helpful transferring files, etc. Again... they came back at Christmas thanking us for how useful they were.

The last cousin graduated last week... he received a wireless mouse. I can get back to you in December to tell you how useful it was for him!

Oh and the wedding we went to over Memorial Day... they received a Bed & Breakfast gift certificate from Costco. They LOVE it and can't wait to use it!

 

[Kathi OD]

I'd give based on your budget, but probably whatever I would give the child of a close friend. You've had her in your home, responsible for your children on more than one occasion. Be as generous as you can afford to be.

 

[Cheerdisney]

My DD just graduated from HS. She recieved gift cards and money in the range of 50.00-`100.00 and we live in the south!

 

[vegasnative]

I say give what you can afford. Personally, I would give $100. It's a big step in a kid's life and if she is there for you when you need her, it's a way to show she is appreciated.

This is exactly what I think as well. My nephew just graduated and we sent him $20. Today, that $20 does not go far at all, I really would have liked to send him more, I think $100 would have been perfect. However, we just bought and moved into a house and things are tight for us this year. I gave what I could afford to send him, hopefully, he will send me a "thank-you" and be grateful for what he got.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

how much do you give if you are invited to a graduation party for a girl you never knew and just met her once about 10 years ago?

I used to work with her mom and we are casual friends when I see her. I was shocked to get an invitation, but we did, and our names were m is-spelled.

How much should we put in her card? (we are not going to the party)