Middle school graduation gift?

[PlutoB]

I got my middle school grad a cell phone as his graduation present and he loves it! Got him the Samsung T301. he can download ring tones, get sports, news, weather and everything he needs plus it's double minutes for the life of the phone. And since it's prepaid, I can control his spending. This may not be the chepest route to go but it works for us. I refuse to get him into the unlimited plan although I know there are such plans out there as low as $45 a month!

 

[JoiseyMom]

I am in the same position. DD13 turns 14 3 days after graduation . I recently bought the 2 newest Glee cd's, she would have gotten them no matter what, but now I can give them to her for graduation. B-day is a ds game she really wanted, and I am taking her and 2 friends out to dinner and to the newest Twilight series movie.

 

[erincon23]

For my older son's 8th grade graduation, we got him a radio/CD player. Our question more is how to scale down the 8th grade celebration! I guess it's not really my choice, though -- my husband has what feels like thousands of cousins, and the big thing in that family is to have a combined 8th grade party for all the kids who reach that point every year. When DS17 graduated, there were 5 graduates (and of course, you have to give some kind of gift to each one -- one was DH's brother's child, but the other three I'm not sure we had met more than once or twice). This year, there are 4 graduates, including my younger son. The party costs each participating graduate parent about $100, and when DS17 went through this, he walked away with more than $400 or $500 in gifts! I think we'll get DS14 something small (that CD player didn't cost very much), but since we feel obligated to participate in the party, that will be his present.

 

[MrsPete]

I am in the "don't reward for doing what's expected" camp. We do take the kids out for dinner (their choice) for good report cards, and sometimes DH brings them a small bouquet of flowers from the grocery store. We don't do gifts, etc.

If you feel that you must give a gift for this "occasion", I'd suggest a high school tee-shirt with her colors/mascot. That wouldn't really have a "gift" feel so much as a "hey, this is what's coming next" type thing.

 

[tycopj]

How about going to the High School she will attend and buy some school apparel, maybe a hoodie and T-shirt. It's practical and something she will probably ask for next year!

 

[ceecee]

You might want to get her a better guitar if she is going to take lessons (DH always says stick with a Fender). http://guitar.about.com/od/helpbuyingguitarsgear/tp/electricguitars.htm

It is a Fender. My DH actually has played the quitar for years and said it's a fine one for a beginner.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I love, love, love the high school shirt idea!! That is perfect and really suits her!

 

[englishteacha]

My confirmation was the week before my 8th grade promotion ceremony. I was given a lovely sterling silver cross necklace for confirmation that I still wear. I didn't get a "graduation" gift, but I associate the necklace with that time of my life and starting a journey into adulthood. I suggest either a necklace or earrings (I like the birthstone idea), or school gear. I never had anything with my high school logo on it, but I'd always wanted a school jacket. All my friends had one and I was the only one with a plain old parka! I found some old high school pictures taken outside, and sure enough, I was the only one NOT in a red school jacket!

 

[dpratt68]

My DD graduates from middle school in a couple weeks and I want to get her something to congratulate her. Her birthday is the week before so I'm looking at a budget of under $50, I would like it to be somewhat practical, not a figurine or anything like that, maybe something useful in high school. I was going to get her a VB messenger bag, but her backpack ripped a couple months ago so I got her one then.

What have you bought your DD for graduation that she loved and used?

I am getting my son a hoodie from the high school he will attend

 

[dogluva]

I demand those things from all of my kids so I do not reward that. They all MUST work hard, get the best grades possible, & getting into any trouble at school is not an option. It's lovely that you want to buy her something but I wouldn't do it under that premise.

I agree. Some people just raise their kids to do those things. I don't reward them for being "good". They are expected to be good. It has its own rewards.

I will reward things that go beyond being the people they are supposed to be. Graduating from middle school-no. It is just part of life. High School-yes. College-yes. Middle school, well it kind of is just something you really just have to do. Call me a party pooper.

 

[robsmom]

Even if he was headed to the "regular" high school we still would have celebrated his 8th grade graduation. Our district is full of thugs and bullies - anybody who lives through middle school deserves a celebration!

This really made me laugh. While I agree that we should expect all children to graduate from middle school, that does not mean that it is not something to celebrate. We expect or kids to have birthday's and we still celebrate them. I think middle school is a terrible time. Anyone who does not think getting out of middle school is a big deal needs to go spend some time at their middle school.

Lisa

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Honestly we did not buy anything. All kids (should) graduate Middle School. I do not see it as a big deal. We gave a nice "great job".

Here here!! A card is great or maybe even a hoodie for the high school would be nice. But IMO, I think a pat on the back and a card would be best.

 

[PrincessParty]

I put the parental ad in the yearbook. Younger DD is already begging me not to do that to her.

 

[luvmy3]

Thank-you for your opinions/suggestions. We're not doing a big party or anything, I don't even know if that's something people in this area do. I just know that my DD has worked hard, gotten good grades, doesn't get in trouble at all and I want to reward her.

A birthstone necklace is a nice idea, I think I will look into that.

I think thats great, don't listen to those who try to discourage you. I know as parents there are things we expect from our children, but I also know that there is nothing wrong with rewarding them from time to time for doing those things. I see it more of marking a milestone, and not so much a "reward", so I'm getting my dd a new cell phone this year after her moving up ceremony, and in a few years when she graduates 8th grade she'll get a laptop.

 

[allison443]

I think thats great, don't listen to those who try to discourage you. I know as parents there are things we expect from our children, but I also know that there is nothing wrong with rewarding them from time to time for doing those things. I see it more of marking a milestone, and not so much a "reward", so I'm getting my dd a new cell phone this year after her moving up ceremony, and in a few years when she graduates 8th grade she'll get a laptop.

I agree, what's wrong with marking a milestone? I expect my kids to not only graduate 8th grade but also high school and college. All with good grades and without getting into trouble So why is okay to celebrate high school and college but not mark the earlier one? They are all expected of my kids.

I think some people overanalyze these things. It's just a gift for a 14 year old, for goodness sake. It's not going to make the kid drop out of school, thinking they have now accomplished the pinnacle of academic achievement- 8th grade!

 

[Magpie]

My daughter is getting a cell phone. She thinks of it as a graduation gift, but we see it as a practical tool for her to have now that she's going to be travelling to high school on public transit, all by herself.

She's becoming an independent young lady. It's a good time to give her a cell phone of her own. (Which she will pay the monthly charges on herself!)

Our son will be getting the same gift when he graduates Grade 8, too.