How much for High School graduation gift

[Justin91]

Hey everyone, I have a few graduations to go to this week. My nephew is graduating from vocational tech and is currently starting an entry level job. We also have a Godson who is my wife's cousin graduating high school who will be continuing on to collage. I am thinking of $100.00 for each. My Godson is ok financially, his mom and dad both have great jobs and he is a great kid with a bright future ahead of him. I would like to give my nephew a bit more, because he is going to have to work for everything he will get. His dad has never been in the picture and his mom does not have much to spare. So I thought about the cash as well as some tools he could use for his work. So, I am just bouncing this idea off of the board, does this seem reasonable?

 

[DisneyHardin]

$100 seems very generous to me. I think both would be pleased to open a card with that much in it.

 

[scrapquitler]

I think that would be a lovely, generous gift. I do like the idea of the tools for the guy who will be in need of those.

That said, $100 is more than I give. When I've gone to graduation parties for relatives like nieces and nephews, I'm more inclined to give in the range of $50, but that's just what is expected in my family.

 

[Justin91]

Most of our family are already grown. My son is the youngest of the cousins. I just remember a few occasions in my life where a family member was generous and the money or gift was always appreciated. Graduation and my marriage specifically. This is a big moment for these guys, and if you think about it, how far does $100 actually go these days. My wife and I are still wearing the wedding band set we bought for $300 twenty years ago that my dads brother gave me for helping him build a deck on his house one afternoon. It was really an early wedding gift, and we put it to good use. I will always remember that generosity.

 

[kymom99]

For close family I have given nice gifts. I gave my niece and nephew I think $50 for high school then around $300 for college. But that was because they are very close to me. For others I give around $30. So if you feel $100 is a good amount then I am sure they will be thrilled with it. You are showing them the importance of their education.

 

[loves to dive]

We have been giving the nieces (have had one a year for the past 4 years) who graduate $100. I have one graduating from high school this month and am toying with only giving her $50. The family lives in a house I own and pay mortgage on but they don't pay me rent and have pretty much trashed the house to the point I'm not sure I'll be able to sell it for much more than I owe when they move out. My brother doesn't work and my SIL works a few days a week at their church and then cleans a few houses for cash. They live mostly off unemployment, child support from the girl's father and food stamps. I feel like I've been providing a roof over their heads for the past 5 years, that should be enough.

 

[kymom99]

We have been giving the nieces (have had one a year for the past 4 years) who graduate $100. I have one graduating from high school this month and am toying with only giving her $50. The family lives in a house I own and pay mortgage on but they don't pay me rent and have pretty much trashed the house to the point I'm not sure I'll be able to sell it for much more than I owe when they move out. My brother doesn't work and my SIL works a few days a week at their church and then cleans a few houses for cash. They live mostly off unemployment, child support from the girl's father and food stamps. I feel like I've been providing a roof over their heads for the past 5 years, that should be enough.

That's a sad situation. Not sure what I would do in that case. If you give her anything, you could make sure to tell her it is for her expenses and nothing else.

 

[shoney]

$100 sounds right to me. That is what I gave my niece and nephew.

 

[Justin91]

We have been giving the nieces (have had one a year for the past 4 years) who graduate $100. I have one graduating from high school this month and am toying with only giving her $50. The family lives in a house I own and pay mortgage on but they don't pay me rent and have pretty much trashed the house to the point I'm not sure I'll be able to sell it for much more than I owe when they move out. My brother doesn't work and my SIL works a few days a week at their church and then cleans a few houses for cash. They live mostly off unemployment, child support from the girl's father and food stamps. I feel like I've been providing a roof over their heads for the past 5 years, that should be enough.

That would be a tough situation Loves to Dive. I feel for you! Sounds like you have been good family to them!

 

[Justin91]

Thanks everyone. I feel good about the amount. I think my nephew is a good kid. My wife and I helped him with his resume today to help find his dream job. He went to vocational school for mechanics and I was asking if he ever thought of going to school to get his Aircraft power plant liscensce. He didn't even know that was a possibility. I guess I feel for him because his father is not part of his life, I can not even imagine because my son is everything to me and I idolized my father. I plan on spending some more time with him to hopefully be there if he needs some advice or something.

 

[cel_disney]

Thanks everyone. I feel good about the amount. I think my nephew is a good kid. My wife and I helped him with his resume today to help find his dream job. He went to vocational school for mechanics and I was asking if he ever thought of going to school to get his Aircraft power plant liscensce. He didn't even know that was a possibility. I guess I feel for him because his father is not part of his life, I can not even imagine because my son is everything to me and I idolized my father. I plan on spending some more time with him to hopefully be there if he needs some advice or something.

My neighbor (23, just finished junior year of college) lost his dad when he was 5. If your nephew is anything like our neighbor - that extra coaching/mentoring advice will be so appreciated by him! (And maybe his mom too!). I hope that if something ever happened to DH or I that others will step in and help our children with their life choices and decisions, so I try to make myself available/provide that to others that might be in need. It's a good feeling and when they ask you for advice you know they are appreciative!

The 100$ for high school seems on track - we have done more than that for some as well.

 

[ckmommy]

Gosh--I was just about to go looking for an answer to this question. My nephew graduates from High school this year. We are heading to Florida to celebrate with he and my sister--and family. I was trying to figure out how much to give. I was thinking $150 in a yeti cup. But, maybe I am too high. I guess $100 plus the cup would be better? He is the first of all the cousins graduating--my daughter graduates next year, so I guess I am setting the bar...I do not want to be too cheap or too generous!!

 

[leebee]

We have been giving the nieces (have had one a year for the past 4 years) who graduate $100. I have one graduating from high school this month and am toying with only giving her $50. The family lives in a house I own and pay mortgage on but they don't pay me rent and have pretty much trashed the house to the point I'm not sure I'll be able to sell it for much more than I owe when they move out. My brother doesn't work and my SIL works a few days a week at their church and then cleans a few houses for cash. They live mostly off unemployment, child support from the girl's father and food stamps. I feel like I've been providing a roof over their heads for the past 5 years, that should be enough.

What a crappy situation! That's awful that they are taking such advantage of you! However... is she a good kid? Not giving her the money seems like you are punishing her for her family's irresponsibility. Also, will it become an issue if/when it's realized that this niece got less than the others? These are just things I'd think about (esp about it becoming a family issue... who needs more of those, right?) Anyhow... if you are worried that the family will take the gift money, you could always give her several different gift cards- restaurants, movies, stores, etc., or if she's going to college, maybe one to the bookstore to help offset the cost of books. At least that way, your niece would get the benefit of the gift rather than the freeloaders... ahem, family members with whom she lives!

 

[xCourxCorex]

What a crappy situation! That's awful that they are taking such advantage of you! However... is she a good kid? Not giving her the money seems like you are punishing her for her family's irresponsibility. Also, will it become an issue if/when it's realized that this niece got less than the others? These are just things I'd think about (esp about it becoming a family issue... who needs more of those, right?) Anyhow... if you are worried that the family will take the gift money, you could always give her several different gift cards- restaurants, movies, stores, etc., or if she's going to college, maybe one to the bookstore to help offset the cost of books. At least that way, your niece would get the benefit of the gift rather than the freeloaders... ahem, family members with whom she lives!

^This!!

If she's a hard-working, generally good kid, I'd feel badly about gifting her less just because her parents are beings losers. I think the gift cards are a great idea - if she's living away at school, gc to bed bath and beyond for dorm things? The bookstore card is another great idea and very useful!

 

[loves to dive]

What a crappy situation! That's awful that they are taking such advantage of you! However... is she a good kid? Not giving her the money seems like you are punishing her for her family's irresponsibility. Also, will it become an issue if/when it's realized that this niece got less than the others? These are just things I'd think about (esp about it becoming a family issue... who needs more of those, right?) Anyhow... if you are worried that the family will take the gift money, you could always give her several different gift cards- restaurants, movies, stores, etc., or if she's going to college, maybe one to the bookstore to help offset the cost of books. At least that way, your niece would get the benefit of the gift rather than the freeloaders... ahem, family members with whom she lives!

She is going away to school so the gift card would probably be a good idea. The other nieces who have graduated have been on my honey's side of the family (who they have never met) and another brother's daughter's who graduated from college. My brother and her mother weren't married yet when they graduated so she wouldn't know how much they got any way. She is a good kid so you are all right, I probably won't punish her for her parent's actions.

 

[cel_disney]

Gosh--I was just about to go looking for an answer to this question. My nephew graduates from High school this year. We are heading to Florida to celebrate with he and my sister--and family. I was trying to figure out how much to give. I was thinking $150 in a yeti cup. But, maybe I am too high. I guess $100 plus the cup would be better? He is the first of all the cousins graduating--my daughter graduates next year, so I guess I am setting the bar...I do not want to be too cheap or too generous!!

I think this is a regional and family thing...as mentioned earlier, we have given more than 100$. (Heck - I gave my neighbor $150!)....if there are any of your cousins that you are close with the discuss with them since you are setting the bar (my parents for years asked how much others gifted us from various circles of friends/family so they could respond in kind...

 

[kymom99]

^This!!

If she's a hard-working, generally good kid, I'd feel badly about gifting her less just because her parents are beings losers. I think the gift cards are a great idea - if she's living away at school, gc to bed bath and beyond for dorm things? The bookstore card is another great idea and very useful!

I was going to suggest you take her out and get her something she needs. That way you will know the money goes to her.

 

[Justin91]

I was going to suggest you take her out and get her something she needs. That way you will know the money goes to her.

This is a great idea!

 

[MomToOne]

I just sent off a $100 check to my nephew for his graduation. So I am right on track with you there OP. I also bought an inexpensive, small toolbox with tools - nothing great, but they should be of some help around a dorm room or apartment. I told him I wanted to give him something fun and something practical for his college life. The check was the fun thing, the toolbox was the practical thing.

(Of course, it cost me almost as much to mail the toolbox as it cost to buy it in the first place LOL But it's the thought that counts! I considered having it shipped to him directly when I bought it online but then it wouldn't be nicely wrapped, and sent along with the card. So I chose to have it sent to me when I bought it, then I sent it and the check together, making it a single cohesive gift that I could explain in the card!!)

 

[mich311e]

I gave my nephew $50. My brothers each gave him $100. I'm not that close with him so I thought $50 was enough.