High School Graduation Gift Amount?

[Kay1]

My son just graduated and recieved wildly varying amounts. A neighbor just surprised us by giving him a card with $25 which I thought was very sweet. $50 was the most popular amount though his grandfather gave him $2,000. I don't think there is one correct answer, but since OP asked for opinions, IMO $50 would be fine.

 

[KelNottAt]

Is she more of an employee? Or more of a friend?

If she's an employee, then give a week's pay.

If she's a friend, give $60. It's more than $50, but not gonna feel too big like $100.

Or, if you want some middle ground, give a check for $20.08 + a gift card.

 

[the Fidge]

Is she taking her car?? How about a gift card?? Maybe to a gas station near her school, Staples or if there is a dominos nearby.

The amount really depends on what you can afford and no one else can tell you any amount you give is inappropriate.

Sadly I can report in my area that for my DS birthday parties I have been taken a bit back by how many people do NOT give gifts. To add insult to injury I had one family show up with siblings, cousins and parents. I also had one hack of a time getting them to leave at the end of the party. THe mother actually asked for more food!

I had set up a buffet of hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken tenders and baked ziti. This woman asked for a doggy bag!

So trust me any gift of any size is a good gift!

 

[lmillercrew]

Here's my 2 cents. First, you give what you can afford. Bottom line. Some dear friends of ours son graduated and we gave him $20. I knew him well enough to say hi too, that's about it. I wasn't friends with him, I am friends with his parents. Twenty bucks is enough.

For my niece I've put together a care package full of stuff needed for her dorm room, or things that I used when I went and stuff that kids take for granted when they live at home. (tape, scissors, etc.) I also put in some of her favorite snacks and some picture frames. Just fun little stuff, but I've spent over $50 on it. I bought things a little at a time so it didn't feel like I spent that much. I couldn't imagine spending $50- 100 on every graduate. That's crazy to me. I guess if you can afford it, go for it, but not me.

As far as birthdays go, I tell my guests, come even if you can't afford a prestent. My kids would rather their friends COME than not come just because they didn't bring a present. It's not about the gifts, it's about sharing their special day with the people they love.

 

[penn19]

I say you give what you feel comfortable with and don't worry about what other people think. My DS just graduated, and whatever he gets he is thrilled with. And he has received some varying amounts. And if he gets nothing from someone his life will go on. He has always been that way even with Birthday gifts, Christmas, etc.....I have always told my kids if someone wants to give you something great, if not that is ok also.
This time of year drives me nuts with receiving announcements from random people who are looking for money. I think it is a socially acceptable form of panhandling. I chose not to send out graduation announcements for my DS. I told him anyone we are close enough to already know he is graduating, and anyone else if they don't know, then it probably doesn't matter.

 

[Belle5]

Interesting conversation... This is our third graduate in four years(and today is his eighteenth birthday).

I definitely give to others based on the relationship and other factors. I have a friend (who rarely sees my kids--the relationship is really just with me) and she always gives my kids $100. I always give her kids $75. This friend just has so much more money than we do (she is currently on her third overseas vacation this year--Greece this time). Grandparents give my kids $100. Uncles and Aunts give $50. Most friends send my kids $20-$30. It's always a little embarrassing to give less to someone else's kid than they send yours. I sent my nephew $50 this year. My late brother's wife turned around and sent my son $75 a week later! Oh, well. I am confident in the relationship and just took it that she sends gifts in that amount to her side of the family and didn't want to give my brother's side of the family less. Awkward, but ok... I received one of those announcements from a kid we knew pretty well ten years ago. I sent an empty card with a nice hand-written blessing to him in it. That was really, really difficult to do since we do see his family from time to time (Dad is our family doctor). The upside is, we sent my son's announcement to them and have received nothing in return. I was worried they would turn around and send something $$ to him. That would be awful! (I have not sent them an announcement for my other sons who recently graduated)

To the OP--I remember the folks I babysat for giving my $25 for graduation in the early 1980's. I was very touched by it. They were not friends with my family in any way. It made me feel like they really liked and appreciated me. As you can see, I have never forgotten it!

 

[pakhowe]

We just attended a graduation party. The son of a neighbor (and friend). We gave $50.00. I figure that won't even buy 1 book at college (I liked the suggestion of giving a GC to her college bookstore). We also have our nephew's party next week. We're giving him $100. I say do what you can afford and what you feel comfortable giving based upon the relationship you have with the family. Also keep in mind you may want your babysitter to work for you on her vacations.

Kim

 

[PelletierBears]

Wow...I have to say I'm surprised some of you think $100 is appropriate to give to the babysitter (for only 6 mnths). I reserve that amount for family only. Funny how many different opinions there are! I have to say though that I have a problem with society today and the sense of entitlement people have. Give what you feel comfortable with and hopefully the recipient will feel honored and grateful that you choose to remember her. My son will be graduating high school in a few years and I certainly won't be sending out invites/notices to people we aren't close to. That is just plain tacky and greedy, IMHO! There is so much pressure to keep up with everyone else and it's just plain wrong. I won't play that game even though my household income is a comfortable one. Your babysitter and her family shouldn't think any less of you if you give $25 (what I would give) or if you give $50. Today must be the party...Let us know what you decided. By the way, sorry if I'm coming on strong but there are too many people around me who have to keep up with the Jones' and it's sad to watch I just can't image what there kids are gonna be like in 10-20 years

 

[KelNottAt]

Wow...I have to say I'm surprised some of you think $100 is appropriate to give to the babysitter (for only 6 mnths). I reserve that amount for family only. Funny how many different opinions there are! I have to say though that I have a problem with society today and the sense of entitlement people have. Give what you feel comfortable with and hopefully the recipient will feel honored and grateful that you choose to remember her. My son will be graduating high school in a few years and I certainly won't be sending out invites/notices to people we aren't close to. That is just plain tacky and greedy, IMHO! There is so much pressure to keep up with everyone else and it's just plain wrong. I won't play that game even though my household income is a comfortable one. Your babysitter and her family shouldn't think any less of you if you give $25 (what I would give) or if you give $50. Today must be the party...Let us know what you decided. By the way, sorry if I'm coming on strong but there are too many people around me who have to keep up with the Jones' and it's sad to watch I just can't image what there kids are gonna be like in 10-20 years

Please help me understand how a graduation gift means someone is trying to keep up with the Jones. I just don't get your post.

Is the giver trying to keep up with the Joneses?
Or is the receiver trying to keep up with the Joneses?

Sorry.

 

[MiaSRN62]

For a babysitter----I'd say a minimum of $50.....but I, personally, would give about $100.

My dd babysits the neighbors children. She also did it for about 6 months. At Christmas, they gave her a card with $80. And graduation is a real significant milestone in a high school student's life----so I feel it should be recognized in a more significant way. My dd is graduating on Wed. She'll be moving off to college in August and I know she'll really appreciate cash. She went to her boyfriend's cousin's graduation party last week. She had never met him before last week and she gave him $25. So for someone you've entrusted your children to---especially if she's been a good reliable babysitter---I feel no less than $50.

 

[JFrey4240]

All these opinions are quite interesting. I just had this same conversation with my sister. I received a graduation announcement from a very old friend's son that I've only met twice--and they live across the country. I ended up sending him $25. I've given close family friends/neighbors $50 and over a $100 for neices/nephews. I agree that you should only give what you can afford. It's ridiculous to give something you can't afford. Not everyone has the same amount of income to give lavish gifts. If the recipient is truly a friend, any amount will be appreciated.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I agree that you should only give what you can afford. It's ridiculous to give something you can't afford. Not everyone has the same amount of income to give lavish gifts. If the recipient is truly a friend, any amount will be appreciated.

I agree with this as well. Just because I feel $50-$100 is the preferred, doesn't mean I feel someone should really stretch their budget to do that. If one doesn't have the means, then I totally agree. The recipient will understand. Maybe if you can only afford $15-$25, you could include a small little gift too. I ordered a couple books for my dd and her best friend----The Girl's Guide to College Life and Chicken Soup for the College Freshman. But this, of course, depends on whether your babysitter or whoever is going to college. There are also books out there (for under $10) that would apply to all sorts of life changes. Sort of just adds a special touch especially if you can only give a small monetary amount. But that's just one idea.......everyone knows what they can afford and what works best for them.

 

[penn19]

Please help me understand how a graduation gift means someone is trying to keep up with the Jones. I just don't get your post.

Is the giver trying to keep up with the Joneses?
Or is the receiver trying to keep up with the Joneses?

Sorry.

What I think she is trying to say (forgive me if I am wrong) is that too many people today give gifts in an amount more than they are comfortable with because they feel they have to look like they can spend that sort of money. I think a lot of people if asked would feel cheap if they said "oh, I gave $25." They would feel better saying "oh, I gave $100" But thats our society in general today. You see the posters on this thread saying they would give $100 and then someone else might think they have to give $100 because well thats what everyone else is giving. Keeping up with the Jones'.

 

[KelNottAt]

What I think she is trying to say (forgive me if I am wrong) is that too many people today give gifts in an amount more than they are comfortable with because they feel they have to look like they can spend that sort of money. I think a lot of people if asked would feel cheap if they said "oh, I gave $25." They would feel better saying "oh, I gave $100" But thats our society in general today. You see the posters on this thread saying they would give $100 and then someone else might think they have to give $100 because well thats what everyone else is giving. Keeping up with the Jones'.

Oh. OK. That angle never even occured to me. What a shame some people operate that way.

 

[eliza61]

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!

I'd probably go with $50 dollars. Even though you may only be casual friends you think highly enough of her to let her babysit.
She'll appreciate any thing you give though if she's going to college.